It's all in the breathing...

It's all in the breathing I tell ya...to achieve stability...that is the secret to hitting your targets...that's my take on how I am able to achieve the standards required of a marksman every year. To be able to shoot well, one must have stability (just like photography!). To be able to achieve good stability, one must control one's breathing. Especially when the test requires one to run from 300m all the way to 50m...and other than the one at 300m, all the other positions are 'unsupported' positions where one does not have the luxury of a natural support...This year I achieved 21 out of 24 for my day shoot and 13 out of 16 for my night shoot to give me a total of 34 out of 40. The standard is at least 32 for a marksman.

Here's the breakdown for those interested:-

Day Shoot

• 300m foxhole supported: 6/6
• 200m prone unsupported: 5/6
• 100m prone unsupported (Figure 11 moving target): 2/3
• 100m sitting/squatting: 2/3
• 50m standing shoulder: 6/6

Night Shoot

• 200m prone supported (Illuminated target): 3/4
• 100m prone unsupported (Silhouetted target): 4/4
• 100m sitting/squatting (Blinking target): 2/4
• 50m standing shoulder (Blinking target): 4/4

So, like my IPPT award this year, I dedicate my award to my Better Half (BH), my dearest wife...