Project Appleseed is a rifle marksmanship and historical awareness program developed by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association.[1] The program focuses on teaching marksmanship from standing, sitting, and prone positions. In addition, each Appleseed teaches an oral history of the events leading up to the start of the American Revolution, specifically the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the subsequent British retreat to Boston. These stories include an overview of the events of the day but focus on the stories of individuals such as Paul Revere, Captains John Parker (Lexington) or Isaac Davis (Acton), Hezekiah Wyman and Samuel Whittemore.
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Project Appleseed began in April 2006 in Ramseur, North Carolina.[2] In 2006, Appleseed instructors began a national tour to attempt to attract new instructors who could maintain and develop local programs.[3] In 2008, Appleseed had nearly 4000 attendees. In 2009 there were more than 450 scheduled Appleseed events which taught 10,000 shooters. In addition, a select cadre of Appleseed instructors from across the nation gathered at Fort Stewart, GA and taught a deploying Army unit in marksmanship skills.
Over 800 Appleseed events are projected for 2010. Among them are several events dedicated solely to teaching women. These events are likewise staffed entirely by women who are fully qualified as Appleseed instructors. In addition, another select cadre Appleseed instructors also gathered at White Sands Missile Range, NM to teach a second deploying Regular Army unit as Designated Squad Marksmen. Appleseed is the fastest growing shooting event in North America.
Anyone may attend an Appleseed Rifle Clinic. The program welcomes shooters of all ages shooting a wide variety of rifles. $70 For two full days of instruction* $45 - Single day* FREE - Active Military, Reserve, National Guard, and Peace Officers
Women [for 2011] pay $10 - a substantial discount over the normal $70 pre-reg fee and youth under 20 pay $5
The marksmanship goal of the Appleseed Project is to train shooters to achieve a score of 210 or higher on an adapted Army Qualification Test (AQT), out of a possible 250 points. This score will place shooters in the top 5% in the country in terms of accuracy. The AQT uses timed stages to test shooting skill from standing, sitting and prone positions. The test simulates ranges of 100, 200, 300, and 400 yards. The 400-yard simulated target is approximately 6.25 square centimeters (about one square inch) at 25 meters. This translates into a 4 minutes of angle (MOA) wide target which is the rifleman standard in the Appleseed program.
Shooters who score 210 or better on the AQT earn the Rifleman designation and be issued a patch which also enables them to come back and enter the Instructor In Training (IIT) program to teach others.
Rifle marksmanship clinics are known as "Appleseeds." These clinics are run over a period of two days and take shooters from the basics of firing a shot to more complex courses of fire from several shooting positions. Project Appleseed uses United States Army techniques to teach its participants the skills of becoming a rifleman: a "marksman capable of hitting a man-sized target from 500 yards away."[4]
Two elements are fundamental to Appleseed rifle clinics: the Six Steps to Firing a Shot and natural point of aim (NPOA). The Six Steps to Firing a shot as taught by the Appleseed Project are:
Natural point of aim is a firing technique that does not rely on the shooter's muscles to aim the rifle. Using a sling, a relaxed body, and the NPOA technique, the rifleman can consistently shoot 4 MOA groups at 500 yards. [6]
Instructors will teach anyone who shows up with whatever rifle they bring. Appleseed Clinics are for anyone with a rifle who wants to learn to shoot it well. It is suggested that attendees start with firearms chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge, since the ammunition is inexpensive and recoil is negligible - factors that bear consideration in the face of two days of very intense shooting practice. A magazine-fed, semi-automatic rifle with quality iron peep sights and a military loop sling is recommended. Examples are Ruger 10/22 and Marlin 795. Some participants may prefer to use a telescopic sight if their eyes are not able to work well with iron sights.
Clinics require approximately 900+ rounds of ammunition for the two-day course. Participants work in standing, sitting, and prone (flat on the ground) positions. Extensive use of the loop sling is made for accuracy.
Participants are also advised to bring a mat for prone shooting, a hat, sunscreen, water, food, appropriate clothing, a small folding chair, safety glasses, (double) ear protection, and spare magazines.