Under the I never expected that label, and the color me embarrassed label…
Myself and a retired Marine that works in the area (and shoot with at Quantico) were taking a smoke break in the ‘lounge’ (aka the side street), when one of the PHDs we work with wandered out. We were discussing redoing the rifle dope for our next shoot, and “Ken” asked what we were shooting.
Now you have to picture this guy, he’s late 60’s maybe 70, hair going every direction, glasses stuck on top of his head, about 5′ 6″ and ‘maybe’ 140lbs; and perpetually grouchy…
We both said .308s and he promptly gave a full blown lecture on .308 ballistics, the differences between national match and M2 ball ammo, and how ‘little’ impact the temperature had in comparison to altitude…
We were both standing there with our jaws on the ground, when he then announces that he is a former “designated marksman” in the Marines, and shot expert with both the M-1 and M-14 and LOVED the M-14!!!
We both just kinda looked at him, and both of us burst out laughing… Which, of course, pissed him off (imagine a banty rooster strutting here)…
I ‘finally’ got him calmed down after I told him the reason I was laughing was that explained SO much about his attitude and dealings with people around the office (which it does).
He then proceeds to tell us about his Marine ‘career’ and how he made sergeant (once), and got out in 67 after a Vietnam tour. He also talked about Pendleton, shooting the SUPPORTS for the 600 yard KD range targets so they wouldn’t pop up and fire team qualifications and (other) stunts he pulled…
And how he ‘decided’ maybe the Marines were not a good choice, so he went to school and here he was. And now he wants to come shoot with us…
This should be interesting… And I’m REALLY ticked that I’ve had an expert sitting three doors down from me for 7 years, and I didn’t know it… GAH!!!
Better late than never – have fun at the shoot!
Good Luck!
It’s the quiet ones you gotta watch!
Have a good time!
Grouches are hard to get to know.
Wing- Yep… sigh…
Stopsign- I can already I’m gonna get my butt kicked 🙂
DB- problem is, he’s NOT quiet… LOL
ADM- Yep!
If he hasn’t been practising, you have little to worry about.
I was picturing a bird-chested little guy before you even mentioned a little rooster. It’s funny what you can find out about people, innit?
What great future blogposts will spring from this.
I look forward to them.
WSF- I’m not bettin on it… sigh…
Phlegmmy- Yeah, a day late and a dollar short… that’s me…
GB- Probably…
That book and it’s cover thing bit you, shipmate!
I think I know that guy… 🙂
Having spent most of the last decade in the shadow of Oak Ridge, to me, the stereotypical High Power/Benchrest/Handloader/Schutzen-type is a wizened little engineering type with a list of advanced engineering degrees as long as your arm.
The part-time gunsmith at Coal Creek is a big-time elk hunter, loves old Winchesters, and used to design guidance packages for cruise missiles for a living…
Wing- Yep… sigh…
Stopsign- I can already I’m gonna get my butt kicked 🙂
DB- problem is, he’s NOT quiet… LOL
ADM- Yep! 2945abc45 0223