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Special Interests - Groups & Societies => The Barracks => GAF After Action Reports => Topic started by: Pitspitr on June 29, 2015, 11:27:40 AM

Title: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Pitspitr on June 29, 2015, 11:27:40 AM
I am requesting that you post your after action reports here
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Delmonico on June 29, 2015, 03:07:02 PM
Well, I just made it home safe.  Will work on pictures later.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Major 2 on June 29, 2015, 03:44:20 PM
looking forward to them  :)
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Bow View Haymaker on June 29, 2015, 03:51:32 PM
https://www.facebook.com/groups/308112292558615/

there are some pictures and vid on GAF facebook group.

Know that I was with you all in spirit.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Major 2 on June 29, 2015, 04:52:54 PM
I don't face-book , twitter or any of the other social media ...I'll have wait on Glen
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Sagebrush Burns on June 30, 2015, 04:55:37 PM
This was my first Grand Muster and what a great time it was!  First was meeting folks in person that I have encountered at the Barracks - and a great group of people they are.  Next were the stages and shooting activities.  Movement and target distance and location were fun and challenging but not impossibly difficult (although on the first stage I discovered that my rifle was way off - point of impact was 2 feet right of point of aim at 50 yards and high also - once that was corrected the rest was quite straight forward).  I guess I'd better practice a bit at distances longer than SASS 15 yards before next year.  The swapping of yarns and tales (campfire BS) was most excellent and the various areas of knowledge and expertise were a joy to absorb.  I met so many people I can't begin to remember who everyone was...  Larry Little and his brother, Lonnie and his brother, Vaughan, Dave, Brian & Mark form Texas, and many more.  My wife, Karol, came along and has decided to become a part of GAF.  She had a great time and was treated wonderfully by everyone - thank you all.  Some thank yous are in order.  I can't remember everybody's name who helped put on the match, but here are a few:  Pitspitr, Drydock, Ned Niederlander, Quick Fire, River City John, Delmonico.  I am overwhelmed by the quality of the people and honored to be a part of it all.  Rest assured, I shall return!
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: ColDiamond on June 30, 2015, 08:07:49 PM
The Grand Muster was a challenging match.  Thanks Jerry, Chuck, Glen, Dale and all the rest who worked so hard showing us a good time in a beautiful area of Nebraska.   
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: LT Col Long on June 30, 2015, 10:00:35 PM
Special thanks to Glen who (in my opinion) did one heck of a job with the chow!!
Thank You Glen!!!

LtCol Long
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Pitspitr on July 01, 2015, 06:05:01 PM
(http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/661/RbTV3i.jpg)
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: pony express on July 01, 2015, 07:10:58 PM
Wish I could have made it! Looks like several new friends I haven't met yet.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Delmonico on July 01, 2015, 08:26:04 PM
July 1 2015
From Headquarters of Commissary Department
Lincoln Nebraska

To: General Jerry Davenport
Headquarters Grand Army of the Frontier
Near Sargent in Custer County Nebraska

Sir:

The Commissary Departments gear was loaded in The Field Marshall and lest Headquarters just before noon on June 23, arriving in camp with a small hole in the lower radiator hose.  Quartermaster Dale Beethe was able to obtain one and the Commissary Department is grateful for his fine work.

Upon arriving in camp, the Field Marshall was unloaded in the kitchen area and a fire was started, producing tea for iced tea and coffee.   The Ordinance Officer and I decided that rather than go to Sargent and try the food of the indigenous people of the area I would make our meal in camp.  A fine meal was made of sliced baked potatoes, Vidalia onions and Italian Sausage links, although the ordnance officer did not bring his Carcano.    Turkish Coffee was our desert. 
“Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love.”
Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord


A ham was put on to bake over night as well as potatoes for ham and fried potatoes for breakfast.  Colonel Long showed up and biscuits, cheese and more ham were served for lunch, a baked  ham, cheese and potatoe dish was served for supper.    The remains of said ham became ham and beans at another meal and the rest of that became baked beans.   

The usual roasted pork loin, cheese steaks on biscuit, pot roast and other familiar meals were served as well as the camp tradition of sausage gravy and biscuits for Sunday breakfast made with the good sausage made at the local suttler (The Corner Market in Sargent).

The Sunday noon meal was meatloaf, baked macaroni and cheese, homemade bread and both pear and peach cobbler, favorites of our late companion Steve Summers aka Stu Kettle.  His family dined with us before the memorial ceremony.   

The two local recruits were back and performed wonderful.

The Commissary Department was loaded on The Field Marshall  and departed about 11 am and was back at it’s headquarters a little after 3 pm. The unloading was completed yesterday and the cleaning and storing gear still continues.  The last of the leftover meat loaf was just consumed by the Chief Commissary Officer and was still quite tasty.

One of the new dishes served in camp was a turkey cut up to fit the 20 inch dutch oven “Bertha”  and rice was added and cooked in the juices before serving.  This dis was well received since it was totally eaten with no leftovers.

Your Obedient Servant

Bvt Major Glen Carman
Chief Commissary Officer
 
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: pony express on July 01, 2015, 08:44:16 PM
, arriving in camp with a small hole in the lower radiator hose. 

There seems to be a pattern developing here.....

Also, from the picture posted above, seems the Commissary Department's  camp helpers have acquired more suitable attire, look good! Hopefully, their quarters remained intact through the weekend this time.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Bow View Haymaker on July 02, 2015, 11:10:04 AM
The food alone is worth the trip. right?
I will attept to move ouintains ton be there nest year.

Sagebruch,  now you kinow what and why I was trying to start some GAF activity out here in AZ.
unfortunatly, life events have forced my hobbies to take a backseat for a while.  I hope to back in the thick of it again soon.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: ira scott on July 02, 2015, 09:50:37 PM
As a "first timer" I very much enjoyed The Muster! General Davenports Ranch is a beautiful place to spend time/shoot, and I felt privileged to have  spent time with a group of very knowledgeable and entertaining people. I won't soon forget Drydock's dry sense of humor (the guy could be a stand up comedian!), or Niederlander's infectious laugh! Thank you again to LTCol Long for hauling the Gatling gun all the way from "Illernoise" and to Jerry for all the time he spent at the loading bench just so everyone could enjoy it!   
Campin, shootin, eatin, drinkin, bullshitin with a fine group of gentlemen! It don't get much better than that! I also shall return!
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Quick Fire on July 04, 2015, 08:08:34 AM
July 4 2015
From somewhere out in the Plains, a scouting for Injuns

To: General Jerry Davenport
Headquarters Grand Army of the Frontier

Suh;

This herah muster was a fust rate doozy. Ya'll really outdid yerself once again. I'm proud to scout fer a first rate bunch of soldjurs such as ya'll have gathered. Ye can just bet I'll be back next year to scout on yer next campaign. Until then,
Adios
Quick Fire

PS. Wouldn't be much of a scout if I couldn't point out a couple of items that could be improved on to make it an even better Muster.
Water jugs on each battle site and some more shade on the site that I helped out. Other than those two minor improvements it was the best shoot I've ever been to.

Respectfully:
Quick Fire
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: River City John on July 04, 2015, 12:21:58 PM
July 4
Report by Veldcornet Johan De Covert


My Compliments to General Jerry Pitspitter and Staff and My Fellow Comrads in Arms:

Arrived at camp in the foothills of the Bohemian Alps on Thursday, 25 June, with my traveling companion Colonel Diamond of the U.S. Volunteers. I was struck by how the surrounding countryside reminded me of my homeland in Transvaal!
Ascended to the Laager at the top of Pitspitr Hill and made contact with the forces stationed there. All was astir with preparations for the coming Muster, so I got to work immediately and inspected the first of the latrines. An army may move on it's stomach, but the proper course of an army requires many movements. My unofficial mission was to ensure all was in order for the troops as to sanitation facilities.

I took the opportunity to spare five precious rounds to sight-in my newly issued short Mauser. Very pleased with it's performance, and very grateful for helpful tips received on sight adjustment from Col.'s Little and Drydock. Safe to say the rifle and load combination was capable of greater accuracy than were my poor efforts to operate it. It was apparent that 100 rounds was not sufficient to engage all targets planned what with misses, so next year I will know to bring more ammunition.

The four engagements were very challenging, fun and well thought out.
In fairness to myself, most of my costly misses were on the first skirmish of the day down in that infernal gully where the morning sun had not yet penetrated and the targets hidden in the foliage were shadowed, such that many carefully sighted rounds were expended removing the threat of what proved to be only a large, leafy plant. (It was a vicious looking plant, though!)

I was very impressed with all the efforts the General and Lt. Col. Neiderlander made in creating the many new improvements to the Muster, especially the newest stage below the camp in the valley, nicknamed "Fort Hell". A lot of work in building steps, bridging, ramparts and the palisades. Sadly, I was so footsore and exposed by the time we finished that run that Sgt. Bursovsky took pity on me and retrieved an ox-cart from camp to haul my sorry self back up to the Laager. It took some time afterwards, including eating the noon mess and drinking several tankards of your strange  American concoction, "Gatorade", before feeling refreshed enough to push on to the fight at Fort Scottsman. The desire to man the Gatling gun once again was an inducement, to be sure! Thank you to all in the Division of Illinois who made this second appearance of the Gatling possible.

The Commissary Dept. outdid itself, and my vote for the best meals would be the roast turkey and rice, pork loin and 'taters, and of course the biscuits and sausage gravy. Capt. Delmonico is to be commended.

The weather added some interesting entertainment. A very hearty Thank You to all who provided rides up and down Pitspitr Hill to Col. Diamond and myself when our beast of burden could not negotiate the muddy track and that treacherous wallow.

My only lament is that we who had lengthy travel times ahead of them on Sunday and had to break camp in the morning caused us to miss Stu's memorial later that afternoon. It was a very respectful and fitting remembrance towards Stu for his family. I am proud of GAF for planning this.

Veldcornet Johan De Covert


      

    (Edited for accuracy.)
  




  
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Bat 2919 on July 05, 2015, 10:45:10 PM
I would like to thank the Command Staff and every one who helped with set up and ran the stages for another very well run Grand Muster.  Having been the match director of many large matches including the AZSA Championships as well as SASS Regional and State Championship events I know just how much time and effort went into this match. 

The main match format was well organized and should work very well for a larger numbers of participants. 

The long range match was perfect for our rifles and very realistic.  I also enjoyed the long range pistol event.

I would also like to add my support for additional shade and water on the stages.

Waiting with baited breath for the results.

Congratulations gentlemen.

Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Drydock on July 06, 2015, 09:27:18 AM
Improvements can always be made.  Big acknowledgement of water and shade where needed!  Some targets probably need to be different colors. (We now know why Napoleon had so much trouble seeing Prussians in the woods)  And some particularly fearsome large leaf plants need to be cut back . . .
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Delmonico on July 06, 2015, 12:31:16 PM
Anyone having extra water jugs should bring them, we can always get plenty of ice.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Niederlander on July 06, 2015, 08:35:09 PM
From the Quartermaster,  Plans for better shade are already in progress, as are some improvements at the campsite.  We find things we need to improve on every year, and more water is going to be a MAJOR priority!
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Quick Fire on July 06, 2015, 09:11:59 PM
I have one  big water jug that I'll bring for next year for one of the battle sites.

Quick Fire
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Delmonico on July 06, 2015, 09:46:02 PM
I have one  big water jug that I'll bring for next year for one of the battle sites.

Quick Fire

Cool, I have just the 2 that I keep iced tea and gatorade in.   

We just keep getting better and better, anyone remember when we had to haul water in the barrel from down at Jerry's house?   
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Pitspitr on July 07, 2015, 07:40:55 PM
7, July 1876 (+139)

To: The ladies and gentlemen of the GAF at large
Copies to: (Bvt.) Major General U. S. Scout (Ret.),
(Bvt.) Col. Drydock Chief of Staff,
(Bvt. ) Col. Bull Schmidt Adjutant ,

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honor to submit my report following the 2015 Grand Muster of the Grand Army of the Frontier

The weather presented its own challenges. With rain nearly every night in the two weeks prior to the Grand Muster Mud and wet conditions made completion of the necessary preparations difficult. When the time for the Muster actually arrived deep and large mud hole in one gate made entry challenging. By Sunday 21 June most places had dried enough that I could do the necessary mowing and by Monday afternoon I was just completing the mowing as my Chief of Staff Col. Drydock arrived. Tuesday morning the two of us traveled to nearby Ord to retrieve the targets. We set some of the targets before family issues required my absence. By the time I returned on Wednesday the Commissary Department Chief Delmonico had arrived and Drydock had finished placing the targets. With their help the preparations were completed by the time the muster was scheduled to begin.
Thursday, Quickfire, Lt. Col. Long, Lt. Col. Ned Neiderlander, Col. Drydock and myself shot the main match stages to ensure that everything was set up correctly and so that we could RO the stages once the main match commenced.

Our mess consisted of 17 shooting participants excluding camp followers.
Also present were a few hardy sutlers. These were: Gripmaker, High Plains Shooters Supply, Plum Creek Leather and Runnin Iron.

Friday morning operations commenced with the Expansion Era Match side match. This year the long range match was shot at targets set at 100, 200, and 300 yards. These targets were cut from armor, thus allowing use of full power jacketed loads. Participants were limited to 15 rounds of ammunition and were required to hit each target 3 times before moving on to the next farther distance. Also new this year was a precision pistol match shot at 25 yards on B-27 silhouette paper targets. A local tradition has been to award a traveling trophy to the person ranking highest in all areas of competition in the Expansion Era Matches while wearing a qualifying uniform. This Year Bat Masterson of Aurora Colorado took home the trophy.

The Main match used the same skirmish format as the Expansion Era Match did. One of the highlights of the Main match was a new target stage called “Over the top” but more fondly known to the troops as “Fort Hell”. Another Highlight occurred Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning when the men shot the Fort Scotsman Stage utilizing a Gatling Gun as a guest gun.

Saturday evening we retired to the Comstock Lodge Bed and Breakfast for the banquet. The Ladies and the men seemed to quite enjoy the facilities. While there, door prizes were awarded. The Door prize committee led by River City John had procured enough very nice door prizes that nearly everyone present received four. I wish to personally thank Lt. Col. Mustang Gregg for assisting me in procuring the pistol awarded to (wait for it…) Bat Masterson as the first door prize drawn.

My Chief of Staff totaled the scores Sunday about noon and the certificates were awarded to the men. At this point some of the men broke camp and returned to their home quarters. The rest of us prepared for a memorial service in honor of the men and women of the GAF who have fallen. Chief amongst those present were the family and friends of Stu Kettle who died last winter of, in his words not mine, Ass Cancer. His widow Laurie brought some of his ashes which were fired from 4 mortars owned by Collin Penny of Sargent Nebr.

Here I should thank a number of people: The Broken Bow Lions Club for sponsoring the insurance; Lt. Col. Dusty Tagalon for printing the winners certificates; Lt. Col. Ned Neiderlander, his efforts building camp equipage, Col. Drydock for arriving early and helping set up as well as Lt. Col. Long, Ned Niderlander, Quickfire and Drydock all of whom arrived early and shot the match on Thursday so that they could RO the match for participants. And finally Capt. Delmonico. For those of you who missed this match, the food alone was reason enough to come to this Muster. It is simply amazing what Delmonico can make in dutch ovens. Thanks Glen!

Evaluation of the Muster is ongoing, but the consensus is that the format used this year is optimal but small improvements in target color and facilities such as shade and water can yet be made. I have used some of the Memorial monies donated by Stu Kettle’s widow to purchase water coolers.

I remain,
Your Ob'd Servant
Jerry M. "Pitspitr" Davenport
(Bvt.) Brigadier General Commanding,
Grand Army of the Frontier
Results
Main Match:

Brigade Champion: Ned Neiderlander

The Stu Kettle Memorial Gun Shoot Thingy Award: Ned Neiderlander

Division Plate: Nebraska

Smokeless Military Repeater
1st Ned Neiderlander
2nd Col. Diamond
3rd Col. Drydock

BP Military Single shot
1st Dalton Masterson
2nd Quickfire
3rd 1st Sgt. Tom Rhodes

Rifleman
1st Sam Perfye
2nd Tomas Nieve

BP Scout
1st Lonny Meyers
2nd Capt. Montgomery Little
3rd Cactus Rope

Militia
1st Broken Nose Scotty
2nd Coy Wolf

Long Range Rifle
1st Ned Neiderlander
2nd Bat Masterson
3rd Col. Diamond

Precision Pistol
1st Dalton Masterson
2nd Ned Neiderlander
3rd (tie) Sam Perfye Col. Diamond

Dress Uniform Officer
Sam Perfye
Dress Uniform Enlisted
Quickfire

Field Uniform Officer
Bat Masterson
Field Uniform Enlisted
Quickfire

Expansion Era Match

Brigade EEM Champion: Bat Masterson

Regular Military
1st Col. Diamond
2nd Drydock
3rd Ned Neiderlander

Hand Gunner
1st Bat Masterson

Infantry
1st Tomas Nieve

Forager
Quickfire

Civilian Militia
1st Broken Nose Scotty
2nd Scruffy Skippy
3rd Lt. Col. Long

EEM Long Range Rifle

1st Bat Masterson
2nd Ned Neiderlander
3rd Broken Nose Scotty

EEM Precision Pistol
1st Col. Diamond
2nd Bat Masterson
3rd Quickfire

Expansion Era Uniform
1st Tom Snow
2nd Quickfire
3rd Bat Masterson
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Cowtown Scout on July 07, 2015, 09:28:40 PM
Congratulations Ned and Bat!  I'm sure everyone who attended had a great experience.
Scout
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Sagebrush Burns on July 07, 2015, 11:11:46 PM
Are the complete scores available anywhere?  Some of us also rans would like to see where we finished.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Drydock on July 08, 2015, 05:05:06 PM
Jerry probably needs to recover from severe eye strain after deciphering my chickin sckratchin'.  (Apologies to any poultry)
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Pitspitr on July 08, 2015, 06:20:28 PM
Are the complete scores available anywhere?  Some of us also rans would like to see where we finished.
Sorry I didn't think of that. I'll double check, but I'm afraid the score sheets may have gone in the trash after the summary was figured. It's raining again here so it may be a day or 2 before I get back up to the cabin.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Drydock on July 08, 2015, 07:43:21 PM
I left them piled on the lower bunk in the chicken shed. (Chicken barracks?)  I'll bring a proper file next year!
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Pitspitr on July 08, 2015, 08:05:18 PM
I left them piled on the lower bunk in the chicken shed. (Chicken barracks?)  I'll bring a proper file next year!
I know, but I picked them up while I was cleaning, but I don't remember if I put them in the wood box in the coop or put them in the garbage barrel outside. My son and one of his buddies camped up there last weekend and I told him to burn up as much trash as possible.  :-\ :-[ If I put them in the wood box they'll still be ok. If not it's anybody's guess if they are still there.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Pitspitr on July 09, 2015, 10:01:12 PM
Good News!
They were in the wood box. It'll probably be a few days before I can get everything compiled as I'm leaving headquarters for a couple of days tomorrow as soon as I get off work.

BTW FWIW I shot better this evening while playing on the long range targets that I did at the muster. I went 10 for 13 at 400 with my Colt (M16/AR15) and 14 for 15 at 50 with my Beretta M9. I would recommend when shooting the long range be sure to shoot full power loads to coincide with the sights of your rifle. You won't hurt the armor targets we use for that.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Delmonico on July 09, 2015, 10:12:30 PM
I did Sunday after most every one left, full power 32 mags out of my Ruger.   ;D  The 100 was easy once I got the range (took 2) then hit it every time, took 4 rounds to get on the 200, but was hitting it about half the time, never got on the 300 but came dang close on most of them.  But it was windy.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Bat 2919 on July 12, 2015, 12:38:20 AM
Well now, I'm sure I could have shaved some time off on that long range match if I were allowed to shoot it with a M1 Garand or maybe my M1A.  My son (the Marine) was appalled with my times on the long range match until I reminded him I was shooting the 1903 and Krag.
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Niederlander on July 12, 2015, 07:23:41 AM
I'm going to get over there one of these days and try it with my M1A.  It will be interesting to see the difference in time!
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Sam Perfye on July 15, 2015, 06:11:16 PM
To: Command staff and enlisted personal GAF
Title: Re: 2015 Grand Muster After Action Report
Post by: Sam Perfye on July 15, 2015, 06:28:34 PM
Let's try this again, To the command staff and enlisted personal GAF. After retuning home and repairing telegraph(electronic) commuications, the Argentine contingent is able to submit it's after action report. Once again the commisary dept. outdid itself in keeping the troops fortified and able to take the field. Thanks to Del and his staff. The stages were challenging without being overpowering, congratulations to Jerry, Chuck, and Dale for providing another outstanding event. All previous suggestions would only make a great shoot even better. Hope to see everyone, and a few more next year. Al.