CAMP PERRY, OHIO – Taking knowledge to a higher level was the theme of this year’s Pistol Small Arms Firing School on 7-8 July, as 365 attendees and competitors benefited from outstanding firearms instruction and the opportunity to participate in the third annual M9 Excellence in Competition (EIC) match the next morning.

Peggy Hedrick, 49, of Boerne, Texas attended her first SAFS this year after watching her two sons participate in 2007.

“Last year was so impressive that I was drawn into the program this year and I’ve learned so much,” she said. Peggy gained so much confidence in her SAFS performance that she has decided to shoot a .22 match later in the week for the first time.

The Pistol SAFS, like its rifle program to follow later in the month, is a joint effort between the CMP and the US Army Marksmanship Unit’s Service Pistol Team from Ft. Benning, Georgia. The USAMU is assisted by personnel from all other branches of the military with instruction and coaching on the firing line.

Salli Wandke, 47, of Tulsa, Oklahoma and her husband Harold, 47, enjoyed the friendliness of the Camp Perry environment, they said.

“The competitors and coaches are very giving,” Salli said. “They are just wonderful people and that’s why I like coming here,” she added.

Salli, a bulls-eye shooter is looking forward to competing in pistol matches this Sunday.

It was Harold’s first year at the Pistol SAFS. “In a lot of ways it was what I expected – very professional and the camaraderie is something special here.”

The program features an intensive classroom session in the Camp Perry auditorium, conducted by some of the nation’s top shooters followed by practical application on the range the same day.

“Where else can you go to get the best instruction available from people like that?” said Bert Cassidy, 67, of Castleton, New York.

Cassidy, who is enjoying his 34th year of competition at Camp Perry, said he continues to be fascinated by the National Matches.

“Last year I sat down under a tree with Hershel Anderson and we talked to no end about trigger control,” he said. “It’s the best vacation you can have.”

The classroom session on Monday featured key topics including equipment, fundamentals, mental preparation, range operations and safety. Instructors discussed choosing the right kind of equipment based on what the shooter can afford and to allow the gear to grow in quantity and quality over time.

Staff Sgt. Jason St. John discussed the necessities of the sport including a good gun box, spotting scope, tools, cleaning supplies, a scorebook and safety gear.

“Don’t price yourself out of the sport,” he said. “As your skill level and interest grows, allow your equipment to grow along with it.”

Staff Sgt. Robert Park emphasized the fundamentals of marksmanship – establishing a firm foundation, taking a natural and comfortable position and allowing the shooter to fall into a natural point of aim.

He concluded his remarks with tips on taking the proper grip and developing uninterrupted trigger control.

“Keep the trigger moving,” he said, “and accept what you’re seeing as real and break the shot.”

Sgt. First Class Gregory Wilson, a self-proclaimed day-dreamer who constantly reminds himself to focus, talked about establishing a system and goal setting.

“Don’t drive 200 miles to a match and realize half way there that you forgot your ammunition,” he related, describing an incident with a friend who committed that error.

“When you’re preparing for a match, lay your gear out where you’ll trip over it before you go out the door,” he added.

Sgt. First Class Wilson discussed the value of mapping your plan to reduce anxiety, improve self-confidence and improving performance. He left the audience with thoughts about establishing dreams, from low to high and finding paths to them.

Staff Sgt. Adam Sokolowski and Sgt. Sean Watson covered topics including on and off range training for slow fire and sustained fire, training aids, range safety, course of fire and both offered lots of encouragement to new shooters and veterans.

A panel discussion followed the formal classroom presentation and enabled more than 20 attendees to ask questions about pistol competition, techniques and personal tips from some of the nation’s top pistol shooters including Brian Zins, the new NRA Pistol Competitions Manager, Steve Reiter, Ruby Fox and Staff Sgt. James Henderson.

On the range, students and competitors fired Beretta M9 service pistols at 25 yard targets. The course of fire during the range training included five sighters in two and a half minutes, slow fire of 10 rounds in five minutes, timed fire of two strings of five rounds in 20 seconds each and rapid fire of two strings of five rounds in 10 seconds each.

Tori Fox, 16, of Westlake, Ohio and her father Phil, 51, continued a family tradition this year of bringing his daughters to Camp Perry for the SAFS.

“It’s all fun,” Tori said. “The instructors are great,” she continued. Phil and Tori participated in the 2007 Rifle SAFS and has done so with Tori’s older sister in years past.

Tori, a recreational shooter since she was 10, said she also likes to sing, dance, play the cello and is also learning to play piano.

Three members of the Holland family of Alpharetta, Georgia joined grandfather Jim Cihak, 63, of Toledo, Ohio for this year’s Pistol SAFS. Jim is an avid shooter who has been to the National Matches 13 times and wanted to introduce his grandsons Justin Holland, 16, Brandon Holland, 17 and their dad Jim Holland, 44 to pistol competition at Camp Perry.

The Hollands made the trip from Georgia a few years ago to participate in Rifle SAFS.

“It reinforced a lot of things I learned in the military,” said Jim Holland, who added that the trip was special because it gave him some great time with the kids.

Jim Cihak was pleased with the SAFS course. “I always pick up something new here, like planning,” referring to the in-class session on establishing a system.

All participants in the Pistol SAFS were awarded a certificate of completion and some earned credits toward their Distinguished Pistol badge as part of the EIC Match on Tuesday.

Pictures from the Pistol SAFS can be viewed at http://www.odcmp.com/Photos/08/PistolSAFS/index.htm.

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