2018 Legion 9/11 Memorial Run N Gun, Rockcastle Shooting Center, Park City, KY

[Matt in TN]

I'm honored to announce I'll be helping to put on the second annual Legion 9/11 Memorial Run N Gun on Sept 8th and 9th, 2018 at Rockcastle Shooting Center in Park City, KY.

Details are still sketchy this early, but I wanted to get this out there now to get on everyone's calendar. This will be a benefit match for the Special Forces Association, Chapter 38 (who takes care of 5th Special Forces Group soldiers and their families out of Ft. Campbell, KY).

See last year's event page to get an idea what you might expect: https://www.facebook.com/events/1623894691019344/

All photos by Lisa Stennett

BACKGROUND: 

When the United States was attacked on September 11, 2001, the country needed a response. The Green Berets of the 5th Special Forces Group, known as “The Legion,” answered that call. From crushing the Taliban in Afghanistan, to dismantling Al Qaeda networks in Iraq, and combating the Islamic State in Syria, The Legion has carried the torch in the fight against America’s enemies. Many of the battles have been fought in the shadows, known only to those who were there. This 9/11, the Special Forces Association invites you to honor the dedication and sacrifice of The Legion by participating in the second annual Legion 9/11 Memorial Run N Gun

This match is an opportunity to test rifle and pistol skills in stages based on combat situations faced by members of The Legion throughout their history. Both a 5k with 5 shooting stages and a 10k with 7 shooting stages will be offered, so you can choose your level of challenge. 

All proceeds from this match will be donated to the Special Forces Association, Chapter 38 – an organization dedicated to supporting the Soldiers and families of the Special Forces Community.

WHAT YOU NEED:
Minimum Rifle Round Count: TBD
Minimum Pistol Round Count: TBD
(Recommend carrying 2 x minimum rnd count. Also, there will be a side matches you can shoot as well)
- Rifle that can reach out to TBD yds
- Rifle sling
- Enough rifle magazines to hold the minimum rifle round count at least
- Enough rifle magazine pouches to hold your rifle magazines
- Pistol with secure holster (must cover trigger guard)
- Enough pistol magazines to hold the minimum pistol round count at least
- Enough pistol magazine pouches to hold your pistol magazines
- Headlamp for navigating the cave to/from the shooting portion (you cannot use a weapon mounted light for navigating the cave)
- Tac light (pistol mounted or hand held) for the shooting portion in the cave
- Clear Eye Protection
- Hearing Protection

TIMELINE:
8 SEPT
0630 - Registration
0730 - Shooters Meeting/Safety Brief
0800 - First Runner
TBD - Awards Ceremony

9 SEPT
0630 - Registration
0730 - Shooters Meeting/Safety Brief
0800 - First Runner
TBD - Awards Ceremony

Edited June 14, 2018 by Matt in TN

[Matt in TN]

For those who have shot my March matches or other Run N Guns - this match is a little different. I decided early on I can't "out badass" 5th Group, so I'm not even going to try. My March matches are simple fun events which test your skills and fitness level. The Legion match is a chance for civilians to actually experience a watered down version of what our 5th Group friends live every day, and is the closest we can get to "real world" in a safe competitive environment.

For example - 5th Group rarely knows exactly what they're in for until they get there, so all stages will be shot completely "'blind" and there will be no stage details released before the match.

5th Group never quits, so you can't either. You must keep shooting until you either run out of ammo or the RO makes you stop. There is no "taking the penalty and moving on."

It's not always clear who the good guys and bad guys are in the field, so you will be briefed on various intel items as part of the match and be expected to remember, analyze, and decide who and when to shoot and who not to shoot. On the clock. While you're exhausted.

In other words, you must be able to perform physically. You must be able to shoot well. And you must be able to think and process information while doing both of the above.

More info coming soon. Good luck!

[Matt in TN]

So...I had a meeting with my 5th Group counterparts recently. I don't want to jinx anything, but I will say that if even half the stuff they already have in process comes through this will make "epic" look boring.

What we do have nailed down is that the basic schedule will be identical to March: ROs run on Friday. 5k on Saturday with 5 shooting stages (same route and shooting locations as before). 10-ishk on Sunday with 7 shooting stages (new route and two new shooting locations still being nailed down).

Should be plenty of side matches with VERY unique opportunities available to help raise funds for the Special Forces Association.

More to come...

[Matt in TN]

Since I'm a freaking genius and forgot to put this in the first post, the Facebook Event page for this year's event is located at:  https://www.facebook.com/events/201547557109879/?active_tab=discussion

By far the best way to keep up with every detail discussed about this event is to visit that page and click "Interested" or "Going" - and you should be notified any time anyone posts anything new regarding the event.

I will be also be reposting things I think are important in six other public forums (this is one!) for those who don't do Facebook.

[Matt in TN]

Full disclosure: the prize table will NOT be random draw for this match as I have done in the past. My 5th Group counterparts prefer to award prizes by order of finish. This makes a lot of sense for a match celebrating a group of folks for which "good enough" never is.

However - the real prize really IS the match in this case.  The time you spend testing yourself, experiencing just a taste of what the 5th Group guys actually do, and having the honor of both competing side by side with active duty SF and honoring their fallen heroes makes the baubles you might pull off prize table seem a little less significant.

So if you want a prize off the table, you'd better start training now and show up with your A-game. But really, you should do that anyway.  :-)

[Matt in TN]

From one of my 5th Group counterparts.  THIS is what it's all about:

"This past Friday several of us experienced the honor of participating in funeral services for Major Donald Carr at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Maj. Carr is the embodiment of the American hero; a multi-tour Vietnam MAC-V SOG veteran who left behind country and family to free the oppressed. He went missing June 6, 1971 when the OV-10A Bronco he was riding in disappeared. To the family and his Recon Brothers: It was truly the greatest honor to be a part of bringing your father, grandfather, and friend home. Rest easy Major; we'll take it from here. DOL"

 

Edited May 18, 2018 by Matt in TN

[Matt in TN]

We're going to do things a little differently with this match, and will have three equipment classes to reflect the different ways guys in the Legion fight:

 

“LIGHTFIGHTER”: carry whatever you want, but you are limited to one pistol and one rifle

 

“OPERATOR”: you must wear body armor with plates installed (front and back at a minimum), and are still limited to one pistol and rifle

 

“TIER ONE”: you must FINISH the race with a pack weighing at least 45 lbs (not including your main rifle and pistol) – 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). 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.

 

Green Berets are much more than just knuckle-dragging door kickers; they are well-known for their intelligence as well (just ask one how many languages he speaks, for example). TIER ONE represents a class that has the freedom to think creatively, plan ahead, and bring equipment that might help you in any way you'd like to beat all of the unknown challenges you might face. Take advantage of it, and let's see what you can come up with!

 

I'll have an announcement very soon about registration. Stay tuned...

Edited May 24, 2018 by Matt in TN

[Matt in TN]

Memorial Day is very fitting for this announcement: Registration will open at 10:00am (Central Time) on Saturday, June 9th, 2018. This will give you 90 days to train up once you KNOW you are in. History shows matches like this sell out quickly, so make plans to be near a computer June 9th at 10:00am Central Time.

And the Group guys want to reward those of you who took a big chance on them last year with ZERO information by opening registration a week early to anyone who attended last year's Legion Match. Watch for an email either from me or from Practiscore - if you attended last year and DON'T get an email by next weekend please email me at mstennett@twlakes.net and I'll get you set up.

In a funny twist - there's a good chance SF Recruiters will be there. Partly for my own selfish reasons, as recruiters can bring more toys off base for us to play with than normal SF guys. And partly for their own selfish reasons, as they are having trouble finding enough intelligent young fit guys to fill their roles. They said if they can run our COF that means they are fit, and if they can do it without shooting anybody they're smart.  :-)

I warned them their biggest problem will be all the 40 and 50 year olds they'll have to tell over and over again "I don't care how awesome you are, you are too old to begin the training!"

As in March - there are TWO SEPARATE MATCHES for the 5k and 10k. Be sure you sign up for the right match. I also ask that you only sign up for ONE match in the first week or so to give everyone a chance to get in. If there are still slots open after the first week and you want to run BOTH the 5k and the 10k - go ahead and sign up then. Prepayment is required on registration.

Here's the 5k link: https://www.practiscore.com/5k-legion-9-11-memoria…/register

And here's the 10k link: https://www.practiscore.com/10k-legion-9-11-memori…/register

Edited May 28, 2018 by Matt in TN

[Matt in TN]

Early registration invite just went out via email to all who participated in last year's match. Let me know if you were there last year and did NOT get an email just now.

 

And if I catch anyone sharing or using the secret code improperly, I'm going to use you for the dummy drag BOTH days of the match!

[Matt in TN]

Saturday I practiced water crossings at the Rock, and I was glad my boots were tied tightly to my feet.

 

I'm just sayin' -

[Matt in TN]

Reminder:  Registration opens in 24 hours - Saturday morning at 10:00 am Central Time!  Keep in mind three things:

1.  You now need an "account" with Practiscore to log in before you can register.  It's free and simple, but it takes some time to do.  Don't wait until 10am tomorrow to do it.

2.  The match fee must be paid in full when you register.  We had several people last year sign up and not show up - which kept several other people who really wanted in from coming.  Paying up front in full should help that.  The cancellation policy is set in stone and non-negotiable:  Full refunds will be given if you withdraw more than 30 days before the match. Half your fee will be refunded if you withdraw between 14-29 days before the match. NO REFUND will be given if you withdraw less than 14 days before the match.

3.  There are TWO SEPARATE MATCHES set up in Practiscore - one for the 5k and one for the 10k.  Be sure to sign up for the correct match.  

Here's the link for the 5k:  https://www.practiscore.com/5k-legion-9-11-memorial-run-n-gun-2018/register

Here's the link for the 10k:  https://www.practiscore.com/10k-legion-9-11-memorial-run-n-gun-2018/register

Edited June 8, 2018 by Matt in TN

[Matt in TN]

And we're open - go and get some!!!

If it fills up before you get in, be sure to sign up anyway and get on the waitlist.  You will not be charged until you move off the waitlist.  We're holding several slots for active 5th Group guys that may very well be released to the public later.

[Jack]

Ill be there.

[Matt in TN]

6 hours ago, Jack said:

Ill be there.

Awesome!  Will you wear the Kool-Aid outfit for your run???

[gjohnsoniv]

This makes a grand total of three TGO members.

[Matt in TN]

8 hours ago, gjohnsoniv said:

This makes a grand total of three TGO members.

Yeah, but with three TGO members, we can take over the world!

And I know another one who signed up - so we're at four.

Edited June 12, 2018 by Matt in TN

[Matt in TN]

 

I am pleased to announce High Speed Gear has joined on as a sponsor - donating a Sure-Grip belt, riggers belt, triple double-decker taco shingle, and slick plate carrier to be raffled off to benefit SFA, Chapter 38.

HSGI's Sure-Grip belt is the one I use, and is the only one I've found that holds up well to the heavy weight of all the .308 and .45ACP I carry.  They make good stuff!

https://www.highspeedgear.com/

[Matt in TN]

I am thrilled to announce Alan's Arsenal LLC has just very generously joined on as the Title Sponsor!  Please join me in welcoming them and thanking them for their support of the match and the Special Forces Association, Chapter 38.

And be sure to check out their website and buy lots of cool gear from them to help pay them back - this is a VERY significant donation!

http://alansarsenal.3dcartstores.com/

Edited June 14, 2018 by Matt in TN

[Jack]

On 6/11/2018 at 9:45 PM, Matt in TN said:

Awesome!  Will you wear the Kool-Aid outfit for your run???

Something like that. If the weather permits.

[gjohnsoniv]

13 hours ago, Jack said:

Something like that. If the weather permits.

Wait, are you the guy who ran in the SCBA tanks?

[Jack]

On 6/16/2018 at 9:03 AM, gjohnsoniv said:

Wait, are you the guy who ran in the SCBA tanks?

MAYBE

 

[gjohnsoniv]

4 hours ago, Jack said:

MAYBE

 

Hahaha, you were. 

[Matt in TN]

I'm honored to announce Spike's Tactical has jumped on board again this year as a Stage Sponsor. And nothing is for sure until match day, but it sure sounds like we'll have a 37mm Havoc with chalk rounds to incorporate into the match.

https://www.spikestactical.com/

SF makes the call in the end, but let's just pretend for a moment you had a grenade launcher you could use in a match.  How would you do it???

[Matt in TN]

Only a Green Beret can call out Lanny Oakley, JP Enterprises, Bryan Ray's "lacking pistol skills" and Chris Hemsworth!

The Rockcastle Gun Show on ESPN Radio dedicated an entire hour yesterday to allow three active duty 5th Special Forces Group Green Berets to talk about the 2018 Legion 9/11 Memorial Run N Gun, presented by Alan's Arsenal and the Special Forces Association, Chapter 38.

If you're coming to this match, you NEED to download and listen to this broadcast to hear what you have coming. And if you're not coming to this match, you need to listen anyway and find out why you need to come out to Rockcastle on Sept 7 - 9 to support the SFA, shoot some awesome side matches, and rub elbows with some very impressive people.

http://rockcastlegunshow.libsyn.com/podcast/rockcastle-gun-show-81

Edited June 29, 2018 by Matt in TN

[Matt in TN]

More match DOPE! Ever shoot a clay that was launched by falling steel? With your pistol? Be prepared if you're running the 10k. #runwiththelegion #strengthandhonor
#deoppressoliber

Big thanks to WSRC Pistol and Multigun Competitions, @sig_glockincolt and @bilodeau13 for setting this up to show our shooters how it's done and that it's doable. @tacticalsht will be at the match representing our amazing sponsor pool. Better go train!

See here to find out how to do it:  https://youtu.be/DPf_tJn-E1g

If you practice this, be sure you have a big enough backstop.  Do NOT launch pistol rounds into the air willy-nilly.

Also - shotshells in your pistol (or a shotgun) is ONLY allowed for Tier 1.  45 lbs just started looking better...

Edited July 4, 2018 by Matt in TN