Retirement Anniversary

[stokesrj]

Five years ago today I retired from competitive shooting. My goal was met, I had made US Distinguished Rifleman #2117. For those of you who do not know, the Distinguished program was established in 1885 to promote superior riflemanship in the US armed forces by Theodore Roosevelt who was then President of the United States.

I'm now just a hunter and am enjoying retirement from the grueling match seasons and all the preparations, travel, hotels, replacing barrels, cases of powder, cases of primers, and marathon brass preperation sessions that lasted for days. Now I load what I want to, when I want to, and count it all joy.

In this picture Sheri Gallagher is awarding me my US Distinguished Rifleman Badge on the stage at the conclusion of the 2012 National Matches at Camp Perry Ohio. Sheri was then the US National High Power Rifle Champion, she is a class act in all regards.

Distinguished Award 2.jpg

[pagosawingnut]

Quite an accomplishment! Congratulations.

[9.3x64]

Something to be very proud of Bob.

[Blasernovice]

Well done! Is a five year anniversary a new Blaser barrel? 10 yr a new R8, 15 year a new K95 Barnoness?

[7x57]

Well done! Is a five year anniversary a new Blaser barrel? 10 yr a new R8, 15 year a new K95 Barnoness?

Congratulations Bob a wonderful achievement. Blasernovice I like your thinking

[sav338]

Congratulations Bob that is an exceptional achievement.

[stokesrj]

Well done! Is a five year anniversary a new Blaser barrel? 10 yr a new R8, 15 year a new K95 Barnoness?

I'm thinking of pulling in the K95 Baronesse to 10 years. To celebrate the 5 year anniversary, I bought myself a second but more gorgeous grade 9 R8. I'll share pictures once I get a chance.

[mchughcb]

Congrats Robert. No wonder you have some spare change since retiring.

[stokesrj]

Congrats Robert. No wonder you have some spare change since retiring.

Not many people get that, I was spending $20K-$40K a year campaigning for my distinguished rifleman. That will pay for a whole lot of guns and hunting. My Grandfather was distinguished, and my son is only a short ways away from his distinguished. If he is able to prevail, we will be the first family in US history with three generations of distinguished riflemen. That would be really cool.

[canalrifle]

Well done. Sounds like a lot of dedication and perserverance.

[SPEEDY]

That would be a very impressive family achievement, I hope he doesn't feel too much pressure about making the hat trick

[Chamois71]

Thanks for sharing that Bob and congrats on that feat! No easy task and definitely not easy with older eyes....one reason I gave up on the dream of distinguished and now just stick to the fun matches the CMP promotes....they're fun and not 'work' as you accurately stated.

Best
Scott

[brumar]

Congratulation Bob

[skeetshot]

That is indeed a remarkable achievement.

Well Done and keep the family tradition alive