With the exception of the names for the milspec rifle classes (i.e. Marksman and Rifleman .... even though I consistently compete in one of them, I still have trouble remembering "which is which" ....) I like the existing category names just fine.
Keep in mind that, although we don't
require any category to be shot in uniform (... let alone a uniform which coincides with that class ...) much of the current structure was intentionally designed to
encourage the military theme of GAF as much as possible, and the category names were part of that .....
I suggest all that is required is a statement (emphasized by being capitalized, in bold print, or whatever) at the head of any listing of categories (on the website, in the Muster Guide, or wherever) making it as clear as possible that these are firearms-based "shooting classes" only, and that there is
no uniform requirement for competing in any of them. (All that then need be done is add that wearing of uniform is, of course, necessary for a competitor to win a uniform award, and that winning of such an award is one of the prerequisites to possible qualification for any "Brigade Champion" type of award at the event in question. (I realize that this information is already there, but likely needs to be clarified and emphasized, judging from the comments and inquiries you have mentioned .....)
All that would remain would be agreeing on suitable names for the two primary milspec rifle categories .... "Repeating" and "Single-shot" are the most obvious names, but lack the "period/military flair" of the other names ....
Should we concentrate on trying to come up with appropriator one- or two-word names for those two categories? Ideas?My only other "beef" with the shooting categories as presently organized is the
order in which the two milspec rifle categories are presented - it seems to me that it would make more historical sense to list the single-shot category first and the repeating category second .... and also the "black powder" division of each of these two categories before "smokeless". I acknowledge that my view is undoubtedly prejudiced at least in part by my own category choice, but also feel that the present "reverse" order in which the categories are listed may unconsciously reflect the preferred shooting category of the primary draftsman of the categories .... (
)
If the mere
order of shooting category presentation has any effect of emphasizing one category over the other (even minimally) I am strongly of the view that the sequence I suggest (single-shot before repeating, black powder before smokeless) is more consistent with the philosophy and goals of GAF. Otherwise, I greatly fear that GAF could be in danger of evolving into little more than an "Immediately Pre-Expansion Era" shooting organization, with the "arms race" mentality causing participants to move toward the most modern firearms and ammunition they can use while remaining within the "Victorian Era" criterion ....