Loaded some shells for clay birds today

[DWalt]

It has been around 15 years since I have loaded any shotshells, but I still have the equipment and supplies. My plan is to take my 18-YO grand-daughter out to break some clay birds this coming weekend. Up until the last six months, she had never shot anything, but I decided it was time for her to learn. As usual, I started her out with several .22 rifles and handguns, then gradually had her shooting some larger stuff - .38 Special, .32-20, 9mm, .38 Super, and .45 ACP, along with a .30 Carbine, an M1 Garand, my Model 70 .270 and an '03 Springfield. This coming weekend will be her first experience of shooting a shotgun at anything, so I am starting her off with my Model 12 in 20 Gauge.

The reason for this marksmanship practice is that she, very surprisingly to me, decided to go military. The only place she wanted to go to college was the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) in Roswell. She put in her paperwork some months back and got a notification of acceptance into the ROTC program last week. Some may know this, but the NMMI program is very unusual as it results in an actual Army reserve 2 Lt commission after two years, plus an associate degree. It's also a backdoor way to get into one of the service academies. Of course, she plans to keep going for a full bachelor's degree afterward. She will be going to Ft. Knox for basic training in June. And Uncle Sam pays the tab. She is a very sharp girl and my wife and I couldn't be happier. I believe she will do very well in uniform.

See: New Mexico Military Institute - Wikipedia

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Walt, You are a grandfather that I admire. I bought my grandson a Life Membership in the NRA for his 12th birthday. Same with my granddaughter.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I hope she likes shooting a shotgun.

Trap and skeet can get under your skin, in a hurry, if you can find ammo.

As you learn the games, you will just hate it when one or two get away to
prevent you from a perfect score.

Loading 8's ?

 

[StakeOut]

I'm surprised she didn't consider Texas A&M for their ROTC.
Is she a Texas resident for 3 years or more?If so she may be eligible for a Texas Education Grant if she chooses a Texas school and any tuition costs will be lower as a resident.
You are also close to the National Skeet Shooting Club in San Antonio if you want to shoot sporting clays,skeet or trap.Lessons also available.

 

[DWalt]

She wanted the 2-year early commissioning program and also most of her expenses at NMMI will be paid by the Army. She also did not want to go to a large school. I believe she really wants to get into the AF Academy after she finishes at NMMI, and that should not be too difficult. Assuming she does not change her mind.

She is very mature and has already spent a year on her own studying ballet at the Dutch National Ballet Academy in Amsterdam on scholarship, but decided there really wasn't much of a future in that.