Last month I squadded with some of the students from my previous "Introduction to USPSA class", and as usual I was treated to the rewarding demonstration of people who are experiencing their first match.
I had a Father and Son pair show up at the class. They were shooting reloads, but toward the end of the class they began to experience squib load. The first time was an anomaly; the second was a trend, and so I was reluctantly obliged to discontinue the class; there was only one other shooter in the class, and it would not have been fair to anyone to complete the class with only one shooter.
Besides, it's always better to quit than to reinforce negativity in competitive shooting.
The next weekend, the Father (Chris) and the son (Dominic) showed up with Factory Ammunition. Sure, they had reloading problems; but they were not about to miss the fun just because of that!
They both did well during the match, but at the last stage it was clear that Dominic, at least, was determined to have his 'best stage ever'. He was working hard to get through the stage in a minimum amount of time, and we could all see the big grin on his face as he double-tapped every target on the stage.
At the end of the stage, I approached Dominic and said: "Hey, Dominic ... the stage is over, you can calm down now."
He was still grinning like a Cheshire Cat, so I continued:
"Hey, you're still excited? What is it? Do you like this stuff?"
He replied breathlessly:
"YEAH!"
The only one there with a bigger smile than Dominic was his father, Chris. Well, I was pretty happy for him, too! He had completed his first match safely (it was my privilege to present him with his Certification card), and from now on he can shoot at any range in the Columbia Cascade Section, and compete at any match safely. He has proven himself.
That's what it's all about.
When you can prove your ability to compete in the toughest, most rigorous competition shooting venue in the world; when you can stand up in front of your father and your friends and demonstrate that you are not only competent, but "Safely Competent" ... then you have shown that you are the moral and competitive equal of any man. They may be 'faster', and 'more accurate'... but they are not 'better'.
And when your own parent beams with pride at your accomplishment .. well, nobody else really counts quite so much.
Not everyone can do that. Many of us need a couple of tries before we meet the challenge. Some of us never meet the (deliberately difficult) challenge at all. I've known grown men, with a lot of experience, who just couldn't meet the test.
But when you do, then that's the truest test of all, of your ability to be fast, accurate, and safe.
I'll squad with Chris and Dominic anytime, and I'll be confident that they can both perform safely and competitively every time. I can't say that about everyone I've hosted in my classes. It gives me special pleasure to work with people who can allow themselves to reach for the maximum. Perhaps they may not achieve it, but they do not falter in their attempts to be ...
"Faster. Stronger. Better."
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