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Couldn't agree more mike. There is such a wealth of knowledge, Experience and Passion on this forum and there couldnt be a more better place to discuss the issues and gain an understanding of what people want and need and changes that need to be made. The NRA really need to drag themselves of the past and into the future of the sport. We can still keep the tradition that we all still love but a serious shake up is needed. Otherwise the Younger generation will lose interest and the future of the sport will be in serious trouble.
For example I would like to see more variety in training courses. Not just Target Rifle orientated.
One incident that really annoyed me is that I applied for the Mentoring scheme for overseas shooters. Uncle and Aunts Scheme. I was hoping to mentor on the MR side of things as I recently left the Army. I was my Battalions shooting coach and also sent to other battalions to train there teams. I was a trained Sniper. I shot for the Army at international level in Service rifle at home and abroad and won many titles including placing 3rd Internationally in the USA in 2006 and winning the CQB match just to name but a few. All of which I have records of. But because I hadnt had no "Civillian" Competition experience I was told no. Im not blowing my own trumpet here but im proud of what ive achieved and I was willing to give up my time and help others out because I enjoy it and want to share my knowledge and hopefully make someone just that little bit better. Im more than experienced but because of the outdated methods the NRA employ I cant help. I find that very frustrating and im sure im not the only one in the same position. Next year I will be entering SR competitions and hopefully prove myself. However I do know there is very very strong competition :)

James

James

Hi James

I'm afraid that the decision not to use you as a mentor makes sense. Mentoring at the Imperial Meeting (because that's what the scheme is for) isn't primarily about helping people shoot straight. It's primarily about helping people find their way through the necessarily complex administration that surrounds an event as big as the Imperial. You say that you have no civilian competition experience. I can absolutely confirm from my own experience as a competitor and a mentor that if you have never participated in the event you are not in a position to advise someone else who has never participated in the event.

That said, there are all sorts of ways people can assist. If Match Rifle is your interest and you would like to help, PM your details, I'll pass them on to the MR rep on the Shooting Committee.

yours

Iain

Iain,

I agree that the mentoring is not to only help people to shoot straight but the admin side of things. Fair enough I havn't shot the Uk Civvy comps but I have shot in some of the Biggest events in the Armed forces Competition Calender here and abroad. I know what it takes to step up to the firing point and engage those targets with the weight of the world on your shoulders( In my case the RSM, CO and Army coach etc) and the nerves you have. I know what it feels like to be intimidated by 100s of other shooters and how to deal with it. I also know about the sheer amount of paperwork, Briefs, learning different shoots etc. So some of the competitons I have shot in have been equal to the imperial if not bigger. Just because I havn't fired in that particular competition doesn't mean what I have to say cannot be applied.


James

Rifleman798 wrote:Just because I havn't fired in that particular competition doesn't mean what I have to say cannot be applied.

I’m sorry you disagree, but with the greatest respect for your clearly extensive and impressive competitive experience, Iain is right; someone who has not participated in that specific meeting a minimum number of times (I would say about 5) is not able to provide the required experience of how that meeting operates – and that is the primary role of the mentor (particularly in the case of overseas competitors – they are likely to be experienced internationals). If I were assigned a mentor I would expect him to be able to immediately answer specific questions like: “what is the deadline for entering this match”, “where do I go to appeal”, “what is the programme tomorrow afternoon”, “what do I do with my special duty card”, “how do I get considered for such and such a team”, “when are the results of this match posted”, “what do I do if my rifle fails a trigger test/chamber test” etc. etc. If you have neither experience of the meeting nor the discipline then you should not feel put-out that you were not asked to be a mentor.

Bob.
..

IainWR wrote:Hi James

I'm afraid that the decision not to use you as a mentor makes sense. Mentoring at the Imperial Meeting (because that's what the scheme is for) isn't primarily about helping people shoot straight. It's primarily about helping people find their way through the necessarily complex administration that surrounds an event as big as the Imperial. You say that you have no civilian competition experience. I can absolutely confirm from my own experience as a competitor and a mentor that if you have never participated in the event you are not in a position to advise someone else who has never participated in the event.

That said, there are all sorts of ways people can assist. If Match Rifle is your interest and you would like to help, PM your details, I'll pass them on to the MR rep on the Shooting Committee.

yours

Iain

IainWR

I have to come down on the side of James here,,,as I think you might have misunderstood him slightly,,,,here we have a Trained British Army sniper offering his services, to ensure good and safe shooting to people who are new to the world of target shooting on Ranges,,,I think that is what his point is,,,,The British Army's Sniper Course is one of the hardest, if not, the hardest small arms course in the Army, as a trained British Army Sniper james would rank as one of the best trained marksmen/Snipers in the world,,, no question!

your quote....isn't primarily about helping people shoot straight. It's primarily about helping people find their way through the necessarily complex administration that surrounds an event as big as the Imperial. unquote...

This is where, as I read it,, where the misunderstanding is,,,,,James appears to be offering his services, experience and know how to ensure that those people who are new to target rifle shooting on a controled range,,,1. learn to shoot correctly...2. learn how to get the best from themselves and the rifle that they are firing,,, but most of all to do it all safely,,,,and enjoy the experience, which in turn will tempt them into the sport and once tempted to retain then in the sport and their respective clubs.....

I feel that James, would fit in very well in a civilian competition,,he will have taken part in many Military Competitions,as have I,,,can I ask how many Military Competitions you have partaken in??

I have some time ago now, (to be fair) sat and watched a civilian club firing on a M.O.D. Range,,,and I have to be frank I was not that impressed by what I saw,,,ok these days things may have changed,,,but in comparison to how the military run the range on any given range day,,,,many of the participants on the civilian run range would have ended up in jail by the end of the day...

I dont think James was talking about the administration side of things,,,,I think again from what I read here he would make an excellent mentor for any novice shooter,,,and leave the Admin side to those in the club whose job it is,,,secretary, treasurer, Chairman etc, etc,

If a club has the opportunity to use the talents, experiance, and know how of an Army Marksman/Sniper etc, etc, then snap that chance up and use it...

And yes before anyone jumps on the band wagon there are those in the sport and on this forum who could do just as good a job, as any Army Sniper/Marksman in shooting and teaching/mentoring,,,,no doubts there....and please dont think Im having a go at you Iain, cos im not I am merely stating things as I percieve them from what has been posted here...we are all on a continuos learning curve when it comes to shooting,,,,and safety is the priority for all..

rox wrote:

Rifleman798 wrote:Just because I havn't fired in that particular competition doesn't mean what I have to say cannot be applied.

I’m sorry you disagree, but with the greatest respect for your clearly extensive and impressive competitive experience, Iain is right; someone who has not participated in that specific meeting a minimum number of times (I would say about 5) is not able to provide the required experience of how that meeting operates

The important thing here is James is a highly experienced shooter that is prepared to offer his not inconsiderable experience to the NRA for events and that in its self has to be worth considering, if not for the Imperial then for the future. I certainly would not refuse the opportunity to shoot with such a person and I am confident I would learn from the time spent together as would others.

The Imperial might not be the right slot for the knowledge offered by people like James but such and offer should never be dismissed either. Hopefully James will be joining my local club very shortly and I am certainly going to grab the opportunity given by such a person in our club.

barney57 wrote: I feel that James, would fit in very well in a civilian competition,,he will have taken part in many Military Competitions,as have I,,,can I ask how many Military Competitions you have partaken in??

Oh dear oh dear oh dear! :lol:

Now this should be funny!

Love

Karen

karen wrote:

barney57 wrote: I feel that James, would fit in very well in a civilian competition,,he will have taken part in many Military Competitions,as have I,,,can I ask how many Military Competitions you have partaken in??

Oh dear oh dear oh dear! :lol:

Now this should be funny!

Love

Karen

Its a reasonable and valid question!

James

You would be more than welcome in many many situations but the Imperial wouldn't be the right place for your skills if you havent shot it. The Aunts and Uncles Scheme is not run by the NRA - it is run by Tim Elliott and as others have said it is to help newcomers find their way with all sorts of issues. It is not designed to help with the sort of coaching that your skills would be best for.

Suggest volunteering to Heather, Phyllis, Charles Perry, CCRS etc who will be sure to find something for you to help with

However we are urgently looking for people to help Open Unit Cadet organisations around the country - would you (or anyone else) be up for that? If so let the lovely Iain know and we'll put you in touch with the right people if we can

Love

Karen

barney57 wrote:
Its a reasonable and valid question!

It is indeed!

It may just result in a very looooonnnnnggggg answer as anyone who knows Iain will confirm :lol:

Love

Karen