GAF Call for Volunteers

[Major Matt Lewis]

A reminder that this will probably be conducted under NCOWS rules and that all NCOWS classes will be offered, too. This is not to say that there could not be additional classes appropriate to the era created just for this event, as you are noodling about here, but if someone shows up and says they're shooting Working Cowboy, or Smokeless Shootist (2-handed), that they will be accomodated.

If three squads of 20 people show up, which I predict we'll easily exceed (my gut feeling is this is going to be the biggest and best Muster to date!), you are going to have a hooligan's assembly of different arms. And this is what makes a GAF Muster unique and such a treat.  
If there is a class for every conceivable longarm/sidearm/propellant combination, then be prepared to award a "First Place In Class" medal to everyone. This may make medals and awards a mild nightmare.

The stages will have to be written as generic and loose as possible just for this reason.

There is value to creating specific classes for side matches, though.


In a similar vein, though I am familiar with the Prairie Fire Range and the arrangement of their existing stages, many who have come forward to write stages are not. And from the sound of it Major, you have specific settings that you want to incorporate? In that case it would be extremely helpful if some basic topographical line drawings with general dimensions, placement and arrangement of permanent stage fronts(doors, windows); the Fort with multiple levels; the footbridge setting, etc.- could be posted to guide us.

RCJ  

John,

Good points.  Thoughts from the memberships?  If we don't honor NCOWS Rules, we can't take advantage of the insurance.  No insurance, no match...Suggestions?  Y'all wanted your say, this is a unforseen consequence.  But a real one none the less.  Do we get our own insurance.  What do we do.  John has a great point about first place medals for everybody.  So, what do we do?  Do we honor NCOWS catagories and rules and give everybody a first place medal? Do we just say the heck with it?  Common Fellas.  Wat do we do?

[River City John]

Major Matt,
in reading these threads, it appears that you are leaning towards having Squad Leaders be RO certified, which technically I am not.
(I have taken an RO course that was conducted when NTR was an NCOWS posse, based on approved RO instruction, as did most all of it's members just as sound safety policy.)

That being said, I would be more than willing to step aside for another who is "Board Certified" and assume other tasks as needed.
Please advise.

[Shamrock]

Pre-shoot-No Problem  Any excuse to clang some steel is fine with me.

regards,
Pat "Shamrock" Gannon

[Major Matt Lewis]

Major Matt,
in reading these threads, it appears that you are leaning towards having Squad Leaders be RO certified, which technically I am not.
(I have taken an RO course that was conducted when NTR was an NCOWS posse, based on approved RO instruction, as did most all of it's members just as sound safety policy.)

That being said, I would be more than willing to step aside for another who is "Board Certified" and assume other tasks as needed.
Please advise.

To late...your hired.  I know you and trust your judgement.

[Sagebrush Burns]

Pardon my ignorance, but when exactly will the muster be held and where.  If the timing is right, I will attend and assist on site as needed.

[Major Matt Lewis]

Mid September.  The Weekend of the 17th.

[US Scout]

Bvt Col and Maj Robson (aka Rattlesnake Jack) and Acting Master at Arms and Sgt Drydock are hereby volunteered to help judge the Uniform Competition by virtue of winning in the Dress and Field awards at the 2005 Grand Muster. 

Frenchie makes three.

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

[Major Matt Lewis]

Well,

That's one way to get volunteers....

[US Scout]

It is indeed.  However, they "volunteered" by having won the Uniform Competition. 

Policy is that if you win, you have to be a judge once before you can compete again. 

I haven't seen anything on who won at the 2006 Muster, but I know Jack didn't judge at that one, so he still has to pay up. 

If Drydock judged at the 2006, he is discharged from this duty.  If not, he is volunteered to be a judge.

Policy is also that you can't wear the winning uniform in any other Grand Muster uniform competion, though you can always enter in another uniform after you've served the following year as a judge. 

US Scout
GAF, Commanding

[Major Matt Lewis]

Guns Garrett won best outfit for his Missisippi Marine Brigade Outfit.  I forget who won Best Working. 

[RattlesnakeJack]

Bvt Col and Maj Robson (aka Rattlesnake Jack) and Acting Master at Arms and Sgt Drydock are hereby volunteered to help judge the Uniform Competition by virtue of winning in the Dress and Field awards at the 2005 Grand Muster...

Hmmm .... was that the sound of one step backward by all of the other Troops Assembled?           

Major Matt:  I'll endeavor to get a draft scenario done up fairly quickly, and submit it for review.
(Let's see if I have the basic criteria straight from past experience ... one rifle, one pistol, and - within reason - lots of both reloading on the clock and movement within the stage.  Does that have it covered?     )

[River City John]

Along with special instructions for the kilted-impaired.

[Frenchie]

Will the uniform judging include checking under kilts for appropriate undergarments (or period-correct lack thereof)? Perhaps the "Scottish Moon" would be sufficient to ensure compliance with period practice?

[Major Matt Lewis]

I talked to Kayleen and the range has NRA insurance so we can run the GAF Rifle classes without issue.  The Widow Barlows will be catering the food and banquet, as always included in the price of admission.  Now that I know the price point and the categories, I can build the application....for all those who were wondering, the price is the same as last year...$85....

[RattlesnakeJack]

Will the uniform judging include checking under kilts for appropriate undergarments (or period-correct lack thereof)? Perhaps the "Scottish Moon" would be sufficient to ensure compliance with period practice?

Och!  Are ye trottin' out that tired old mare yet again?   

In actual fact, the so-called tradition of "nae nether garments 'neath the kilt" is a relatively modern development.  Earlier British Army dress regulations actually specified that underwear would be issued to only two types of units: Highland Infantry and Cavalry.  (Regretably, I have lost the reference, and really must do my best to re-locate it ....)

[Major Matt Lewis]

We'll take your word that you should be wearing it....LOL

That is something I am prepaired to take soley on faith....No need to have Franks and beans siting....

[Dusty Tagalon]

I can do the score keeping, I already have what I need on my compuyer. I can do photographs as well. I will bring an extra digital camera for the other Posse.

Dusty

[Major Matt Lewis]

Come on folks we still need volunteers to step up.

[Guns Garrett]

I'm wouldn't qualify myself as an expert at anything, but I'll volunteer to help out in whatever position is required - with so many postings, it's hard keeping track of what's still vacant.  I am a SASS RO 1 and formerly a USMC Range Coach.  I can carry a clipboard for someone.  I am adept at multi-tasking - I can talk and annoy people at the same time. I could help out with check-in/registration (don't remember anyone else doing that).  My calendar shows the Muster to be on the 15-16 (Sat/Sun.)  I should make it up there the late afternoon of Friday the 14th, but will probably be leaving Sunday soon after the awards ceremony.   

- BTW: Sep 15, 2007 , my wife and I will celebrate our 28th wedding Anniversary

Guns

Oh yeah, I was a Master-At-Arms of the mess deck on the USS Midway for a time, so maybe I should hang around the galley and make sure everything is going right there?

[US Scout]

Guns,

As the winner of the Dress Uniform competition at the 2006 Grand Muster, you are automatically volunteered to help judge the uniform competion at the 2007 Grand Muster.  Congratulations!

Sgt Drydock and Rattlesnake Jack appreciate you joining the team. 

If we can figure out who won the field uniform competion this year, that will give us five judges which should help considerably in breaking ties. 

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF
Chief Uniform Judge