Chapter 31

The Competition Mounts

After our qualifications were finished and everyone had been certified, we were instructed that we were going to have a little fun. We were spread out around the range in our previous groups. As each group went to one of the five range setups, we were excited and nervous to see what was in store.

Our group set up around two large steel railings that set up off of the ground about three feet in the air. The railings were painted a bright white color. Each of the railings had nine steel plates attached to them via hinges, and on each side of the railings was a white painted silhouette on a three-foot post.

We were divided into groups of five. We then lined up behind the respective railings at a distance of seven yards or twenty-one feet. We stood in a single file line and awaited further instructions.

After a full day of qualifying in the hot sun, most of us were hot, sweaty, and ready for a break. We just wanted to go back to our rooms and get ready to go home for the weekend; at least that’s what went through my head while I was standing in line. I love firearms and the smell of burnt gunpowder in the air, but I was beyond tired and I wanted to see my family. Of course, I forgot all about that after I found out what we were fixing to do.

“Okay, ladies and gentlemen, we are going to have a friendly competition to see who the quickest and most accurate officer is. We are going to have a quick draw competition and use process of elimination to determine who the best recruit is. The scores will be based on how many shots it takes to knock off each target and the time that it takes to complete the course. In the event that you don’t shoot and knock down every target, the winner will be declared according to who was quicker in eliminating the targets that were engaged. Only the best recruits will move to the next stage and the prize will be bragging rights. Does everyone understand?” Lt. Welch asked.

“Sir, yes, sir,” we all screamed.

I, of course, was paired up alongside my roommate for the start of the competition. I am a good shot and as such was very excited to show my skills. My heart was racing as I stood there watching the targets with my right hand on the butt of my sidearm. I glanced over and saw determination in Julio’s eyes as he watched straight ahead and waited for the whistle to sound off, indicating the start of the competition.

All at once I heard the shrill sound of the whistle cut through the soundless air. At this point everything left my head; it was just me and the white of the targets. There was no sound, but my own breath and beating heart. As my training kicked in, everything happened without thought and with lightning speed.

I heard a faint snap as I popped the leather strap open, releasing my sidearm. All at once the weapon was brought up to eye level. I could feel the cold steel in my hand, the raw power that waited to be unleashed. As I took aim on each individual target, I fired without prejudice and without remorse. I did not wait to see if I struck each target. As the firearm recoiled, I was already moving on to the next target. I could hear the faint ding of metal striking metal, but I paid it no attention. As the smoke cleared, I found that I was faced with one last target.

I slowed, taking careful aim to ensure that I would not miss. I pulled the trigger ever so slightly, not knowing if my roommate had beaten me, only focused on this one task. As the trigger released and flame erupted from the end of the barrel, my only thought was, Please hit the plate. Slience, I had missed my first target. I fired again, this time hearing the sweet ding of metal on metal. I had completed the course and only then did I look over and see that my roommate was only on target three. What had seemed like an eternity had only taken me a total of seven seconds. I still had a couple of rounds left.

We competed for a couple hours that day before declaring an overall winner. While I did place in the top end of my class, I did miss a couple of targets. This was not what I wanted, and so, I do not feel I deserve the right to brag.