Matt in TN

The best place to learn all the details about this year's match is on the Facebook Event Page at https://www.facebook.com/events/635714022439018 but I totally get that we have several people who (rightly) hate Facebook, so I'll repost what I think are the important points here for non-FBers. Don't be shy if you have questions or if I've left anything out. Intro: The 2025 Legion Memorial Run N Gun is a centerfire biathlon – competitors will complete a 6k-ish or 10k-ish wilderness trail run combined with a shooting competition. The event is a test of man and equipment alike. It is intended to give participants an idea of how being hot, cold, exhausted, and challenged by the environment affects their shooting, and to test the effectiveness of their gear under field conditions. This event is not intended for inexperienced shooters – all participants are expected to be familiar with the operation of their firearms, and to observe basic principles of firearm safety at all times. With the exception of emergencies, Range Officers (ROs) are not allowed to help participants in any way. Good attitudes are a must. If you are the type of person who gets upset when minor changes are made to a plan or when you don’t always get your way, this is not the event for you. Basics: Participants will receive both a score for their run based on how long it took them to complete the course, and a score for their shooting based on how long it took them to clear each course of fire. The run score and shooting score will be equally weighted in determining the participant’s final score. This is true run-what-you-brung field-style shooting. For the most part, if you want to carry it for 6 or 10 clicks, be our guest. There are two equipment classes to reflect the different ways Green Berets fight: “Lightfighter” in which you can carry whatever you want, but are limited to one pistol and one rifle; or “Operator” in which you must FINISH the race with a pack weighing at least 45 lbs (not including your main rifle, pistol, and belt/chest rig) – but that pack may (and should) contain ANYTHING that can give you an advantage. The only limit is that pistol targets must be engaged with pistol rounds, and rifle targets must be engaged with rifle rounds. Want to carry a PCC? Be our guest. Think a scoped bolt gun or different upper in 6.5 Creedmore will give you an advantage? Go for it. You can even carry a shotgun to engage steel pistol targets if you want (birdshot only). Any weapons carried must be IN ADDITION to a primary rifle and pistol, and weight of the pack MAY include the weight of armor plates if you want to either wear or carry them in the pack. Packs may be removed prior to shooting, as that is how 5th Group would generally do it as well – but this will be done on your run time and BEFORE any wait time starts. Shooters are expected to have all their firearms sighted in and all their gear ready to go on the morning of the shoot. There will be no zeroing at the event. Think of this as a test of how you and your equipment would perform in a Second Amendment situation if you had to go take care of business at your current state of readiness, whatever that is. Run order will be more or less random. We will try to be accommodating to participants who wish to share firearms or equipment (we can have one person run in the morning and the other in the afternoon), or to partners who wish to run together. Due to issues with back-ups and large groups in the past, only two runners can start together. Equipment: The only equipment that is strictly required to participate is a safe center fire rifle, a safe center fire pistol, enough ammo to clear the course (at least twice the minimum required hit count is recommended), eye protection, ear protection, and some form of stopwatch. Rifle targets must be engaged with rifle rounds (no larger than 30-06), and pistol targets must be engaged with pistol rounds. In everything but the “Operator” class, competitors must carry one rifle and one pistol. Everything else is up to the participant. Shooters may use any type of gear they want to carry their equipment with, the only requirement being that pistols must be carried in a secure holster that covers the trigger if they are to be carried loaded. Rifles may be carried any way you like, as long as they remain pointed in a safe direction. You may not use tracers or armor piercing bullets that have a hardened penetrator core, as we will be using lots of steel targets that we don’t want to see damaged. To be safe – if your bullet attracts a magnet or has a green tip, leave it at home. Rules: First and foremost, all participants will be expected to comply with basic firearms safety at all times. If you demonstrate inability or unwillingness to follow basic firearm safety, you will be asked to leave, with no refund and no apology. Muzzles must be pointed in a safe direction at all times, and fingers must be off the trigger unless the firearm is pointed at a target. Long guns shall only be loaded when a shooter is at a rifle stage, after the RO has given the “fire” command. Shooters may leave their handguns loaded at all times if in a secure holster. However, loaded handguns must remain in that holster unless the shooter has been given the “fire” command on a shooting stage. Some stages will be active, involving moving and shooting. Firearms may remain loaded during movement, but strict muzzle discipline must be maintained. Shooters will be disqualified (DQ’d) and not allowed to finish the course for the following violations: having a loaded rifle anywhere EXCEPT on a shooting stage after the “beep”, dropping a loaded weapon anywhere on the course, pointing a loaded weapon at someone, or having a Negligent Discharge (ND). It is solely the judgement of my Staff that I trust if these should occur, and if you argue with an RO you will lose. Procedures: When a shooter approaches a station, he will be required to show the RO an empty mag well and empty chamber on his long gun(s). If another shooter is currently on the stage when he arrives, the one who just arrived will be instructed by the RO to start his stopwatch to keep track of his wait time (this will be subtracted off the participant’s run time when his run score is calculated). It is purely the shooter’s responsibility to keep track of his wait time. The ROs have no responsibility whatsoever to help you do this. Even if an RO offers to help you keep track of your time, you have no one but yourself to blame if this is not done. When the shooter is ready to shoot the stage, the RO will record his wait time if any. The shooter will be given a quick summary of the course of fire. The RO will ask if the shooter understands the course of fire. If the answer is yes, the shooter will be given the “fire” command, at which time he may load his rifle and/or draw his pistol and begin shooting the stage. All stages will have a zone where the shooter must fire from -- either a particular hole in a barricade that you must shoot through, or a marked zone on the ground, in which every part of your body or equipment which touches the ground must remain inside of when you fire. Hits made from outside the designated area will not count toward completion of the course of fire. Every shooting stage will have a 3 minute time limit. This is to keep the runners moving and to prevent large backups of shooters waiting to shoot a stage. At the end of that 3 minute period, the shooter will be stopped and time penalties applied to their score for any target not fully neutralized as per the course of fire requirements. If for any reason the “cease fire” command is given, you will immediately cease fire, holster your handgun, and unload your rifle. You will do likewise when you complete a stage or time out. The RO should tell you your time for the stage. The RO will record your time on their iPad. You may want to carry a pen and notepad to keep track of your score in there is a mix-up with the scoring. Every shooter must show the RO an empty mag well and chamber on his rifle before leaving each stage. The RO will give directions on where to go to continue down the trail. Shooters are NOT required to leave their rifle’s bolt open during the run… this is actually discouraged, as it will allow lots of that beautiful Tennessee red clay to accumulate inside the action. There will be ample opportunity for this to happen on the course. The Run: The path for participants to follow will be marked with brightly colored flags and/or tape. Shooters must stay close to the marked path. Do not cut corners. Failure to follow the marked trail may take you into the impact area of a hot range!!! If the trail takes you through some difficult terrain, this is on purpose! Parts of the trail may be down a road. Keep to the left edge of the road and watch for traffic. Your Fitness: This event is in a remote area, and you need to be aware of over-exertion. We should have some folks with medical skills on hand, but your health is your responsibility. If you start having problems, slow down... drink some water... listen to your body! There is no shame in walking the course; know yourself and your limitations. Accommodations: Dead Zero Shooting Park is in a remote area south of Spencer, TN, so lodging may be challenging. Primitive camping will be allowed on-site for $10/night (no reservations needed - just show up and pay at the Pro Shop). A Hotel/Lodge, Cabins and campgrounds with full hookups are available at Fall Creek Falls State Park about 15 miles away, but this is a popular weekend there so most of these sites are booked well in advance. The city of Dunlap is less than 20 miles to the south and has a couple hotels, restaurants, and a Walmart. The cities of Chattanooga and Cookeville are within about 40 miles and have all sorts of nicer options for food and lodging. There will be people on site all day Friday, as the ROs will be running the course. Registration for the day matches open at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 7:30 a.m on the morning of the match. The safety briefing begins at 7:30 a.m. Anyone who does not get signed in by 7:30 will not be allowed to participate, so be on time. The first runner will be sent out at 8:00 a.m., and another runner will be sent out in a uniform interval thereafter. The ROs will have run the course the day before. They will be scored along with all the other contestants. After the last runner has crossed the finish line, we will calculate the results. The winners will be announced, and trophies and prizes will be awarded as 5th Group sees fit. How to Sign Up: The registration fee for the Legion Memorial Run N Gun is $175 for the 6k (Saturday) or $225 for the 10k (Sunday) - which includes a match t-shirt. Registration will be limited in number so all runners can finish the course before dark. Registration will be handled through Practiscore, and we will collect full payment online at the time of registration. Make sure you are familiar with all of our rules and procedures before signing up. All participants must register under their true names. Tickets are non-transferable. Pre-registration is mandatory, and no walk-ons will be allowed on match day as space and time is limited. Pre-registration will open 90 days prior to match day. Full refunds will be given (minus the 3% credit card processing fee we don't want SFA to eat) from now until 30 days before match day upon cancellation/withdrawal. Between 30 days and 14 days prior to match day, a 50% refund will be given. From 14 days prior to match day, NO REFUND will be given if you withdraw from the match. Be sure you can come before you sign up. Lastly - there are two "discount" check boxes at the bottom of the registration form, just before you enter your credit card number. One is for active or retired 5th Group personnel, who get in for 1/2 price. The other is for Staff, who I charged $1 so I could test the online payment system. IF YOU ARE NOT EITHER OF THESE THINGS AND YOU TAKE A DISCOUNT WITHOUT HAVING EARNED IT, I WILL DELETE YOUR ENTRY AND KEEP YOUR MONEY FOR SFA. "Honor" is a word that has a strong meaning at this match and with these folks, and we take it seriously here. Do not select either of these discount boxes unless you are confirmed Staff or 5SFG. All proceeds from the match will go the Special Forces Association, Chapter 38. Learn more about them here: http://sfa38.org/ Directions: The start and finish line are both located near the Pro Shop at Dead Zero Shooting Park, 1195 TN-111 Scenic, Spencer, TN 38585. Chattanooga, TN has a small airport and is less than an hour’s drive from Dead Zero. Nashville International Airport is a little under two hours’ drive. Pictures by Lisa Stennett

Sorry - just saw this. Yes. Feb 15th: https://practiscore.com/dead-zero-own-the-night-match-february-15-2025/register

I am honored to share that Trevor, Jay, and I presented a check for $39,424.40 to the Special Forces Association, Chpt 38 tonight at their 63rd annual Reunion Dinner, where we spoke to a group of around 200 current and former 5SFG soldiers, including 7 original MACV-SOG members and the Unit Command team. THANK YOU for helping to make this happen for eight straight years and more than $150,000.00 donated in total.

Our two photographers (Lisa and Jimmy) did a great job of splitting up on the course to get as many people as possible - so if you don't see yourself in Lisa's pics, there's a good chance you're in Jimmy's. As always, feel free to use the pictures however you like, but please credit the photographer if you do. Commercial use must get permission first. Links are below: Lisa's Pictures: Friday (Staff/VIP Day): https://www.flickr.com/photos/lstennett/albums/72177720320185819 Saturday (5k): https://www.flickr.com/photos/lstennett/albums/72177720320201458 Sunday (10k): https://www.flickr.com/photos/lstennett/albums/72177720320235909/ Jimmy's Pictures: Saturday (5k): https://www.flickr.com/photos/run-n-gun-nation/albums/72177720320212031/ Sunday (10k): https://www.flickr.com/photos/run-n-gun-nation/albums/72177720320228608/

This years official match video is up! It's impossible to fit 3 days of this mental, physical, and dare I say spiritual experience into a 6 minute promotional video, but hopefully this gives JUST A TASTE of what it was like to be there. Share it with your family and friends to show them a small glimpse of what you did last weekend. Share it to give the sponsors some additional love and attention. But most importantly, share it to help remember the ten people we honored this year. Continue to say their names out loud and speak their stories any chance you get. https://youtu.be/ZCWe5V9F4Dk?si=8efUYkYFfU52mZ65

We've had SEVERAL people ask about buying extra match shirts - but we only printed a single shirt for every competitor, so there are no extras. HOWEVER: Pete Jones with Alan's Arsenal LLC printed up a ton of shirts specially for the match with the Twin Towers on one sleeve and the 5th Group V on the other - in many different colors and sizes (both men's and women's). You can buy them directly on his website, shipping is free, and 100% of the proceeds goes to SFA. So while you can't get extra "official" match shirts, you can still get a very cool match-related shirt, support SFA, and support a title sponsor. You might as well check out the rest of his website while you're there and order some gun parts too. Win - win - win. Order now at Apparel, Stickers and Patches (3dcartstores.com)

Scores are up! 5k: https://www.practiscore.com/results/html/71779139-eeb3-41f4-b02d-50ed8e4e6b43 10k: https://www.practiscore.com/results/html/7bbf6852-a5ad-4716-98f5-0fbaa508e274 Pictures usually take a week to process and publish. Video is coming too in hopefully the same time. Final accounting and the announced net donation will be announced as soon as all the numbers are confirmed. Thank you so much for helping to make this happen for the eighth year in a row!

I am excited to welcome back Jeremy Swofford of Red's Dinner Bell with his food truck to feed all the hungry competitors again this year. See his menu below for the regular stuff, and there is a very good chance he'll be doing another fundraising dinner at least one night there - more details to come! https://imgur.com/Vu2twvz

Pete Jones with Alan's Arsenal LLC is hosting a "SHOOT FOR GOLD" side match onsite. For $20 you can enter to do a target shooting course with a provided air pistol. The prize will be either a cerokoted gold S&W M&P or a gold Aero rifle - not sure yet if "winning" will be based off the highest score, a random draw, or whoever looks as cool as this guy. That will 100% be up to Pete to decide!

I am thrilled (and again, not surprised) to share that Samson Manufacturing has come back again for the eighth year in a row as a sponsor. Not only that, but this match likely would never have started without the advice, help, and caring of Bryan Ray and Brian Vaught. Not only did they welcome me at my first major 3-gun match at Rockcastle, but as I got to know them better and shared this crazy idea of Run N Gun they walked me through how to make it a reality, introduced me to all the people I needed to know to make it happen, and helped me understand how to make it a win-win-win situation for everyone instead of just showing up asking for favors. For these reasons alone, I will always buy Samson first if they make whatever I'm looking for. But they make some pretty cool stuff too! Check them out at https://www.samson-mfg.com/

If Mother Nature will cooperate (meaning no surprise monsoons), the land nav skills test for this year will be a simple terrain-following exercise. A portion of the course will not be marked at all, and you will find a sign signaling the start of the exercise that says "Follow the river for 0.8 miles until you see the red tape." I don't care if you walk down the bank, wade down the middle of the river, or switch banks 100 times because the other bank "looks easier." You analyze the terrain on the fly and find the best path through. Do NOT lose sight of the river at any time, or you risk getting lost and/or missing the exit point. Watch closely for that red tape that marks the stop point, and you'll see signs and yellow tape guiding you back on the marked path after that.

I am excited to share that Dead Zero Shooting Park has generously donated and built a hot shower setup for campers and competitors this year, one of our members has secured a water buffalo to feed it, and another volunteer is bringing a decon trailer with a shower as well. The main target for these is for the SF guys to have a quick wash after their run before they start playing with their families - so please keep your showers quick and give them priority if you see them coming. However, there should be plenty of water and propane for other to use them too as long as we don't abuse it. There is no charge for showers, but if you want to make an extra donation to SFA to offset the cost of this benefit and increase our donation it would be most appreciated!

I am thrilled to announce that not only is FN America signed on as a sponsor and making a generous donation to SFA for the match, but they are also sending two competitors to run with us. AND A MK48 MACHINEGUN AND A TECH TO KEEP IT RUNNING ALL WEEKEND!!!! This will be a stage gun on a 10k Stage - fittingly the stage honoring MA2 Michael Monsoor, who carried a Mk48 as his primary overseas. Every 10k competitor will get a 10rd belt of ammo to start the stage with, and then they'll have to shoot the rest of the stage with a 308 beltfed sized grin on their face. What do you get for running twice as far and paying more for the 10k? MOAR!!!! https://fnamerica.com/

One stage this year will honor Medal Of Honor Recipient MA2 Michael Monsoor. Even though Mike was a SEAL, he was part of SOTF-W (the battalion level command), under CJSOTF-AP (the Group level command) which was run by 5th SFG leadership when he was killed. Because he fell under 5th SFG Command when he was killed we honor him. There's a great Jocko podcast with Mike's father George you should listen to here: and his father George also wrote a book about his son's life that's definitely worth the read: Amazon.com: Defend Us in Battle: The True Story of MA2 Navy SEAL Medal of Honor Recipient Michael A. Monsoor: 9780785290599: Monsoor, George, Rea, Rose M.: Books https://imgur.com/x12RUnV

ROUND COUNT: The post everyone has been waiting for! As always, this is the MINIMUM required hit count. I highly suggest carrying at least twice this amount to account for all the missing you'll do. For example, I'll be carrying 200 rds of rifle and 192 rds of pistol on my 10k run, and I know exactly what's coming. 5k: 54 pistol, 45 rifle 10k: 92 pistol, 97 rifle Yes, these are higher than they've been for awhile now, but they are NOT the highest they've ever been. I have a spreadsheet.