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 ...
Sep 30, 2022•52 min•Ep. 49
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.
Sep 23, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 48
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 Marksmans...
Sep 16, 2022•40 min•Ep. 47
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 from Gryphon 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 ex...
Sep 12, 2022•50 min•Ep. 46
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?...
Sep 09, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 45
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 Marine Corps career: newly promoted NCO, newly promoted SNCO, fresh lieutenant to the fleet? -What are some characteristics of the best officer/SNCO working relationships you've had during your time in the Marine Corps? Two examples: -What particular duty stations, deployments, or re...
Sep 05, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 44
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 prof...
Sep 02, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 43
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.
Aug 26, 2022•51 min•Ep. 42
-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 culture within gun ownership lead to mispl...
Aug 16, 2022•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 41
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 -Reco...
Aug 12, 2022•48 min•Ep. 40
This week we talked to the coach of the Marine Corps Action Shooting Team, Sgt Tyler Arellano. In this episode we covered: Bio information: hometown, previous units, path to the MCST, history of competitive shooting. How the summer season has gone. Balancing training for each weapon system. Difficult concepts to coach into the summer shooters. A weapon system that you are most confident within 3gun. How many shotgun shells have been dropped? Matches that are on the radar....
Aug 05, 2022•30 min•Ep. 39
In this episode, Frank and I discuss ways to improve marksmanship training in the military. This conversation was based on a conversation with an infantry unit leader who wanted some solutions to improve the marksmanship proficiency within his unit. They are cost-efficient and simple.
Jul 29, 2022•50 min•Ep. 38
Frank and I sat down with Shane Butler from the Army Marksmanship Unit in this episode. The topics we covered were: Quick recap of the summer season so far as the rifle team moves into Nationals, Describe your path to coming to the MCST Tell us the story of what joining the Army was like? What are some ancillary knowledge sets that you think enhance your abilities as a competitive shooter (hunting, reloading, ballistics, gunsmithing). -What skillset in high power rifle transitions well into acti...
Jul 22, 2022•54 min•Ep. 37
Frank and I had the pleasure to sit down with our friend Austin Hill. In this episode we discussed: -Biographic information- MOS, first unit, path to the team, accolades -Quick recap of the summer season so far- as the rifle team moves into Nationals, -What skillset in high power rifle transitions well into action, and vice versa? -What’s changed in the way you view shooting from when you first joined the team to now? -You’ve served in a victor unit, at PI training recruits, and now as a coach o...
Jul 15, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 36
In this episode Frank and I give our match debriefs from the 3man3gun Championship and the Maryland State USPSA Championship.
Jul 08, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 35
In this episode, Frank and I interviewed Donna Eberle and JK Khan, two very special individuals. they were the two responsible for the resurgence of the 2022 Duskin match. In this episode we covered: Introductions Who was Mike Duskin? Where and when did the Duskin match come to life? Why is this match so special. What makes this match so different from all the other 3-gun matches out there. How long Donna has been helping with the Duskin match. What relationships were important to establish to e...
Jul 01, 2022•2 hr 3 min•Ep. 34
In this episode, Frank and I interviewed Patrick Moody, a member of the Marine Corps Rifle Team. We discussed: - Background -Current season/Past Seasons -Strides in action shooting between 2021-2022 -Perspectives -Future plans -New England Accent
Jun 24, 2022•41 min•Ep. 33
In this episode, we interviewed Ben Fouse who is a gunsmith and revolver shooter. The topics we covered are: -Revolver Nationals -Why revolver and how he picks his gear. -Marine Corps weapons culture. -1911/2011 gun builds. -Future aspirations.
Jun 10, 2022•41 min•Ep. 32
In this episode, Frank and I discuss the elements of match burnout and what we do to combat it.
Jun 03, 2022•47 min•Ep. 31
We sat down with a good friend Andy Brown, a former member of the shooting team who is now a sheriff's deputy in Indiana. In this discussion we covered: Introductions Who you are. What do you do for a living? -Time on the Marine Corps Shooting Team. -Training while on the team, and current training plan. -Transition from Marine to Law Enforcement Officer. -Developing attainable goals. -Tactical Games.
May 27, 2022•50 min•Ep. 30
In this episode, we Interviewed a good friend of mine Chris Hutchison. This was a very fun episode where we all got very passionate about what we were talking about and gained some good perspective on just being a good representative of the organizations we represent. We covered: -Training in Ranger Regiment and the Special Missions Unit. -Benefits of training to the modern warfighter. -Successes in getting other active-duty service members in the shooting sports. -Training Philosophy. -Goals. -...
May 20, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 29
In this episode Frank and I sat down with Dan Horcharik, we had a great conversation covering a multitude of subjects. -MCMC East and Championships. -Starting a Shooting Club. -Milestones and Goals. -Adventure races. -Closing the gap in fitness and marksmanship. Dan also created his own Patreon site where he will be pushing out content to spread the good word. Give it a listen and we hope you enjoy it. https://www.patreon.com/horcharik
May 13, 2022•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 28
In this episode, we sat down with Chris Scott and got updated on: -What he's been doing since we last spoke. -AMTP? -Marine Corps Championships. -What it's like being a cyborg! -Most memorable trip. -Most memorable match.
May 06, 2022•50 min•Ep. 27
In this episode, I sat down with George Dorbert, a firefighter from Maryland. George has been a good friend and competitor in the 3gun community, and he exemplifies what it is to be a competitor and mentor for those starting out. -Goals -Training -Battle for the South -Upcoming matches -Sponsors -Words of wisdom After this episode, all episodes will include my good friend and co-host Frank Gao.
Apr 29, 2022•57 min•Ep. 26
Introduction: hometown, military history, current billet Can you detail your journey to becoming a distinguished rifleman for us? How early does your preparation process start for a match? How does your mental preparation differ between a local and national level match? The path to any achievement worth celebrating involves some form of disappointment along the way. Can you describe a loss or setback, how you overcame it, and how it made you a better shooter? Support systems are important, espec...
Apr 22, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 25
In today's episode, Capt Frank Gao and I discuss this year's Marine Corps Championships and give it a very objective review.
Apr 15, 2022•35 min•Ep. 23
-Introductions -How long have you been a competitive shooter? -What disciplines do you shoot? -Can you talk about how you got into the tactical games? -How did you and Frank prepare for the WV Games in terms of shooting and fitness? -Recap of the events: Axel Bar two-man carry Farmer’s carry while partner is shooting, and sandbag over yoke 5-mile run Yoke, Sandbag, Farmer Carry Sled, sandbag, husafell stone relay El Cartel -How do you feel you did, based on your level of preparation and experien...
Apr 12, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 22
If you are a Marine and want to start a command-sponsored shooting team, this is an episode you are going to want to listen to. Capt Frank Gao breaks down the processes he took to start his own shooting team aboard Camp Lejeune. How did you convince your command to allow you to start a team? Selling the concept to the right people Winning your commander’s approval What are the benefits of starting the team? -marskmanship proficiency (ARQ scores for promotion, identity as Marines) -leadership dev...
Apr 01, 2022•46 min•Ep. 21
In this episode, we sat down with Ian Norris. He is an avid 3 gun competitor with years of experience behind him and gave a breakdown of how he trains in order to achieve his goals. Introductions Who you are. What do you do for a living? Talk about your time in the Marine Corps Deployments you’ve been on. The training you’ve received. How would you describe your skills now, compared to when we served together? What are your goals for this upcoming season? How do you train? Maximize time for live...
Mar 25, 2022•27 min•Ep. 20
Today we sat down with Kevin Kolenda from Phoenix Trinity Firearms. We discussed everything Phoenix Trinity and what they offer the competitor and the direction they are looking at going. Switch from Athlon to the opportunity you received at Phoenix Trinity. Who is Phoenix Trinity? What kind of company? How long they’ve been around? What do they offer? 1776 vs Morph? Honcho’s Options Available Characteristics What you get Where is PT looking to go? Who is currently representing PT in 3-gun? What...
Mar 18, 2022•52 min•Ep. 19
