RWVA Appleseed Marksmanship Clinic; June 7-8 While not technically an ODF event. This weekend clinic takes place in our "backyard" (Minerva) and since marksmanship is something that is at the core of our training several members are planning to be in attendance. Those members who have been with the Unit for awhile will attest to the value of shooting the AQT Course of Fire. This clinic makes strong use of that target & course. The Appleseed Program is designed to take you from being a rifle shooter to being a Rifleman. (from Fred's Articles on how to be a Rifleman:http://www.fredsm14stocks.com/article.asp?ITEM=39) Make sure you come to the nearest AQT Rifleman Appleseed Shoot in 2008, and you'll be on the road to becoming part of the tradition. The Rifleman down through our country's history has been able to hit a man-sized target out to 500 yards, no ifs, ands, or buts. It's traditionally "the rifleman's quarter-mile". With any rack-grade rifle; with any military ammo. Headshots at 250 yards, with your rifle? Yes - easy - when you are a Rifleman. The Appleseed program is designed to give you the tools to become a Rifleman. Even more: to give you the training so you can teach others to be Riflemen, and together save our great land. Think Riflemen are ever gonna see freedom die in this country? Don't think so. Which is why you need to become one, then bring everyone you know into the fold... Check out the other 'articles' about attending an Appleseed shoot for more info. And rest assured, you will be welcomed at an Appleseed shoot! This country needs Riflemen!     HAM Radio Operators Field Day June 28 & 29    Another non-unit event that some of our members are planning for. This event starts on Saturday June 28 at 1400 hrs and runs till Sunday at 1400 hours. Some of the Unit's HAM radio enthusiasts will be running "Echo Station" (a to be disclosed location). Echo Station will be a temporary camp hooked up with solar panels, batteries, and a generator to run several radios in several modes (i.e. 2 meter, 10 meter data/PSK31, 11 meter, and spread spectrum 10-100 meters). Also different antennas will be in operation. Echo Station will try to make contact to other stations in the NEODF area, other Battalion's stations, and other stations throughout the US and the world. Its part technical challenge to run radios as efficiently as possible using low power techniques (QRP) and making contacts across the globe. If you would like to be a part of NEODF's Echo Station, or you just want stop by and check out the setup and share a beer, contact the Training NCO for more information.