Bullets n Bourbon Podcast

Microtech ProAm Recap

In this episode, Frank and Matt spoke with Alex Goking and John Bodzioch about the 2022 Microtech ProAm. In this episode we asked:
You both just finished the 2022 Microtech ProAm: How would you describe that match and what growth did you see in Amateur shooters that progressed through your stages?
Given that it is a ProAm concept, which pro shooters stuck out in your mind as being the most helpful and beneficial to the growth of their Amateur counterpart?
This is the second year serving as RO’s for the match, what stuck out in your mind this year compared to last year? Why is it important for the team to continue to help at these major events?
What was your favorite stage of the match, and what skills did it draw upon? What stage would you like to get back, and what skills would you focus on in order to improve upon that deficiency?
What makes the Clinton House such an accommodating location for large-scale events such as the ProAm and the Zoo City Armory Fall Brawl?
Given that you just completed the ProAm, is there any information you would like to leave the amateur shooters with?

USPSA Area 8, Nationals and Tactical Games Wrap-up

In this episode, Matt and Frank reflect on the recent matches they shot, what went right, what went wrong, and what they would change for the next event.

U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit Nate Staskiewicz

In this episode Frank and Matt interview Nate Staskiewicz of the prestigious Army Marksmanship Unit.
The questions we covered are:
Tell us about when you started 3-gun, how old were you, who were some major influences in your life, when did you start noticing improvement in your game?
At what point did you know you wanted to go to the Army Marksmanship Unit, what was that process like, did they say anything to you, did you have to try out, was there a panel interview?
What has the Army Marksmanship Unit done for you in terms of increasing your ability, who are some key influencers/motivators in your life that keeps you at the top of your game?
What are some ancillary activities (fitness, hobbies, etc) that help you perform in yourcompetitive shooting career?
When we first met in 2018 when the Marine Corps Shooting Team (MCST) came down, you guys opened us up to so much in terms of how to train, how to set goals, achieving certain gates/what are gates, and how to prioritize certain actions before a match, can you go into that some?
Much like the MCST, you guys get tasked out to train other units, how do you prioritize training other units when you have a match right over the horizon?
How does the AMU keep you guys relevant in terms of going to specific schools, you yourself are an 11B infantryman, you’ve been to infantry school, jump school, and various other schools. What is the purpose of sending a soldier from the AMU to those specific service schools?
What about civilian schools?
What is your work life balance like, how do you prioritize work with school and various other activities that you find important?
What advice would you give a prospect looking to join the Army Marksmanship Unit?

Zoo City Armory Fall Brawl

In this episode, Frank and I speak to Jason Byerly of Zoo City Armory and discuss the newest match of the year, the Zoo City Armory Fall Brawl. We discussed:
Where did the idea of the “Brawl” come from?- So, this is a relatively new venue for Zoo City Armory to be using; why the move fromGryphon Group down to the Clinton House?- What are some considerations when looking at a new venue?o What gets you excited?o What are deal breakers?- What gives Zoo City 3-gun its personality?- What to expect from Brawl?o What kind of stages can we expect?o Furthest shots/target sizeo Jungle Runso Vendors on site?o What kind of facility is Clinton House if you’ve never been there?- What are the rulesets for the Brawl?- Where are some good locations to lodge and eat?o Staying on site.o Hotels in the areao Food at the evento Places to eat around the area.- Awards ceremony.Who do you have making trophies?

General Hammer Hartsell

In this episode, Frank and Matt sat down with Major General "Hammer" Hartsell. 
The questions we asked were:
Introduction- Hometown- Military background- What you are doing now
Where did the name “Hammer” come from?
How important was marksmanship to you as a Marine and how did you promote it among the Marines that you served?
What more do you think can be done to continue promoting the CIAP and see the Marines of the shooting team make a true impact on marksmanship throughout the Marine Corps?
Throughout your years mentoring shooters, what characteristics would you say your highest performing shooters possessed?
The Marine Corps Distinguished Shooters Association has a proud history of Marine Corps Marksman, every year they have an annual reunion. What do those gatherings symbolize to you, who are some individuals that you admire the most and give thanks in contributing to your success as a distinguished marksman?
As a General, you are the first in over 60 years to become distinguished which is no easy task; what does earning the distinguished shield mean to you, and how would you encourage other leaders to set a goal to do the same?
You are currently serving as the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs, what surprises you most about what you do on a daily basis, and how fulfilling is it to continue to serve those who gave so much?
What advice would you give transitioning veterans that are going back to their home state of Florida, and what advice would you give transitioning veterans in general?
What programs are out there for veterans that live in Florida?
What position did you hold in the military that gave you the most fulfillment?
Is there anything you want to say to the listeners before the show ends?

Retrospective of a 20 Year Career

In this episode, Frank and Chris Scott sit down and talk to Matt about his career in the Marine Corps. 
The questions that were asked are:
Could you give some advice to individuals at these particular points in their MarineCorps career: newly promoted NCO, newly promoted SNCO, fresh lieutenant to thefleet?
-What are some characteristics of the best officer/SNCO working relationships you'vehad during your time in the Marine Corps?Two examples:-What particular duty stations, deployments, or relationships do you consider pivotal towho you are today?
-What do you consider the most difficult or trying point of your career, and how did youovercome it? How did it change you as a Marine, a leader, and a person? What advicewould you give to someone going through something similar?-You left the Marine Corps at one point during your career- what were the reasonsbehind you leaving at that point in your life, and what called you back in?I-We'll call this the sweet or sour question. Can you go into one instance in your careerwhere being diplomatic achieved the best results, and another where being aggressiveyielded the best effect? Do you consider a balance of both approaches to be animportant facet of leadership in the Marine Corps?-You and I accidentally had an in depth discussion on Paradise Lost by John Milton onone of our calls. What got you into Milton, and why did that work resonate with youenough for you to get it tattooed on your body? How important has reading been to you, and what other books would you like to call out as your favorites?-How important has the pursuit of physical and intellectual hobbies been in terms ofbalance and personal development throughout your career?
-What do you think the future of Marine Corps Marksmanship holds? What needs tohappen, organizationally and culturally, for us to get where we need to go as a service?How do you see yourself continuing to contribute to Marine Corps Marksmanship andthe CIAP after your retirement?-What are some things you've learned from shooting 3Gun that you wish you couldimpart to the Marine Corps at large?

In the Beginning... James Gill and Jared Dalton

In this episode, Frank and I sat down with James Gill and Jared Dalton two of the original members of the Marine Corps Action Shooting Team.
How they ended up on the shooting team.
In this episode we discuss:
 
Aspects of the team during that time. 
Initiatives and threats.
 
Recruitment, competencies, and character traits.
 
Relationships that were necessary to running the team.
 
-What surprises them about the way the MCST has developed in its current day iteration? (scheduling, budgeting, shooter proficiency, facilities)
 
What still needs to be done.

Area 8 and Tactical Games Team Event

Frank and I discussed our preparations for the Area 8 Championship and the Tactical Games Team event that is coming up this weekend. This was originally going to be a before and after episode, but we decided to split it up and release our preparations for the matches that we are shooting and will follow up with an outcomes episode at a later date.

Mike Pannone - He Can Bang

-Marksmanship training throughout his career.
-Evolving marksmanship training.
-Benefits of Practical Shooting
-Does the military do a good job at marksmanship training?
-Success in getting service members into practical shooting.
-Has the GM card in USPSA been diluted?
-What benefit has there been to having "pro" shooters come in and train your teammates?
-What is CTT-Solutions?
-How do you think gun culture, marketing, and the pervasiveness of warrior culturewithin gun ownership lead to misplaced expectations when it comes to becoming a good shooter?

JJ Racaza

JJ was born in the Philippines and started shooting at six years old. He is currently a pro shooter for Beretta and the reigning USPSA Carry Optics National champion. JJ worked for the DHS as a federal agent and is widely sought after for his instructor credentials and charismatic persona.
 
-Phase 1: development of fundamentals Phase 2: explore/fail Phase 3: Execution/Overload
-How important is the concept of losing something tangible to your training? Are you your toughest critic?
-Fitness
-Recovery and Rehabilitation
-Immigrating to America
-What do you think can be done to push individuals in the military, federal agencies, etc to pursue and understand higher-level marksmanship?