I began shooting competition with both handguns and long guns in the Marine Corps. I enjoyed the fellowship among other shooters as much as the shooting. The extra shooting insured I would do well when I had to go with the unit for the required standard qualifications as well.
I continued to compete when my post military career turned out to be a profession of arms. Again, because I loved to shoot, but I enjoyed the company and socializing with fellow shooters. I competed for years both at local levels in PPC and also, as someone else mentioned, shooting the Glock matches. A great time.
Revolver and Pistol classes at a State Level PPC match.
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In addition to keeping my skill levels sharp, my competition added credibility to my position as a department instructor. During the introduction period the Chief would outline my qualifications and that was enough. I rarely shot a firearm or felt the need to discuss my skill sets as my background spoke for itself. Most of the time when I was on the range or in the classroom, I didn't wear a duty rig or carry a weapon unless it was for demonstration purposes.
A break between range sessions at the Department Range.
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From Left to Right:
My Co-Instructor / Patrol Partner,
One of our Sergeants,
and myself at the far right.
(Yeah, old pictures, all of them,
I was younger and in Patrol shape)
Not rounder, like now.)
I shot competition after leaving the Corps, for about ten years or maybe a bit more, then we got a new batch of officers flowing in. The young guys wanted to scratch and argue about every target's scoring, challenge every point.
They were all about a win at any cost and knew little about sportsmanship or socialization. They chatted between strings and after the matches. Among their department groups. They didn't worry about building Interdepartmental Networks, an amazingly valuable asset that could last an entire career.
The matches were becoming less and less enjoyable as the time to check and score targets doubled, then tripled as the umpires were tied up checking challenged targets up and down the line between strings. (Disputes rarely went in the favor of the young officers.) I finished out that last year and then hung up my competition belt. I was never in the matches for trophies or medals, though I built up a nice collection in ten years. I was there for the skill maintenance and for a personal goal, and I had met those years earlier.
Shooting? I could shoot on my own range, but I really missed the company of the other shooters and their fellowship. The new direction those new guys took the organization ruined that too. A lot of the other "seasoned" veteran shooters quit competing, as I had. Not all did of course, but many of us, who had been in the matches for something more than just the win... left. More and more left over a period of two or three years and the match attendance faded.
Like many sports, Golf for instance.... there is more to the game than hitting that ball and walking the course.
A friend of mine, an attorney, says that many of his biggest business deals take place on the course. He is an average golfer, but he is a SHARK, and a partner in his firm.
He said he is rarely competitive on the Golf Course... but he is competitive in the board rooms. Gotta pick your battles.
And I kick my rear end all the time.
