From the eyes of a country boy
Jan 26, 2009 15:29:14 GMT -5
Post by ozark on Jan 26, 2009 15:29:14 GMT -5
Not long after starting basic training at Ft. Jackson SC in 1948 this country boy along with a bunch of other recruits spent a day or two at a PRI station. PRI stood for Preelimary Rifle Instructions. We were told about how to squeeze a trigger and how to aim the rifle but what got my real attention was when they got into teaching positions. There was the standing, kneeling, squatting, sitting and the prone. I had not trouble getting my body to conform to the positions but my mind wasn't seeing it correctly. I thought it was taught soldiers because in a combat situation you might have to shoot from all types of awkward position. I had no idea that using these positions could make your shooting more accurate. I seen it as being able to perform while uncomfortable rather than as an aid to accuracy.
At the range i found hitting the bulleye easy enough but somewhat harder from these weird positions. Back home we just steaded it against a tree or over a tree limb. Anyway, in spite of the position handicaps I got a expert rating. Heck, that bulleye was as big as a pumpkin and painted black with a white background and it didn't move.We had click type adjustments.there was no need to aim anywhere except right on. Years later I used these same positions to make the rifle rock solid and stopped soldiering altogether to help collect trophies and teach other the shooting skills that brought success for me. I loved the Army. No one worked or did anything that was hard to do. You just went to school for awhile and then begin teaching. I had cut timber, farmed and picked tomatoes and cotton before joining up. Compared to real work the Army was gravy. Yes, it is sometimes a little dangerous but those times are best forgotten.
At the range i found hitting the bulleye easy enough but somewhat harder from these weird positions. Back home we just steaded it against a tree or over a tree limb. Anyway, in spite of the position handicaps I got a expert rating. Heck, that bulleye was as big as a pumpkin and painted black with a white background and it didn't move.We had click type adjustments.there was no need to aim anywhere except right on. Years later I used these same positions to make the rifle rock solid and stopped soldiering altogether to help collect trophies and teach other the shooting skills that brought success for me. I loved the Army. No one worked or did anything that was hard to do. You just went to school for awhile and then begin teaching. I had cut timber, farmed and picked tomatoes and cotton before joining up. Compared to real work the Army was gravy. Yes, it is sometimes a little dangerous but those times are best forgotten.