Bullets n Bourbon Podcast

Intergalactic Falling Steel Championship Part 2

In this episode, Darin and Matt discuss the final preparations for their upcoming match, now just six weeks away, while addressing recent leadership changes. Darin explains the reasons behind these shifts, while Matt shares his approach to taking on a lead role with limited time, detailing how he quickly organized and added value to the event. The duo dives into their philosophies on stage design, revealing whether they collaborated or worked individually on the layouts and providing insight into the round count. They also touch on their dynamic as a team, how they’ll measure success, and the departure of Hawks Nest Training from the event, and explaining who will take over the side stage. Lastly, they give shout-outs to key contributors to the match.

Shaun Muller - IPSC Rifle World Shoot

In this episode, we speak to Sgt Shaun Muller about his most recent experience in Finland at the IPSC Rifle World Shoot.

Tim Parkhurst - Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation

In this episode of "Bullets n Bourbon," we delve into the history and mission of the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation. Tim Parkhurst a former Marine Scout Sniper shares his experiences, discussing his journey through Scout Sniper School and the roles that he found most fulfilling during his service. The conversation highlights the rich history of the Scout Snipers, tracing their origins and the influence of legendary figures like Carlos Hathcock. The guest explains the mission of the Marine Scout Sniper Heritage Foundation, which includes the creation of a memorial to honor those who have earned their place in the community. He discusses the decision to commission artist Ben Cantwell for the memorial's design and details how listeners can contribute to the cause.

Brandon Alvarez from Broken Arrow Training

In this episode of "Bullets n Bourbon," Brandon Alvarez, a former Ranger Regiment member with a military background in Savannah and Fort Bragg, shares his journey from military service to becoming a Grand Master (GM) in multiple shooting disciplines, including Carry Optics and Open. Alvarez discusses his reasons for joining and eventually leaving the service, reflecting on what he might have done differently. He delves into the natural abilities that contributed to his rapid progression in practical shooting, as well as the challenges he faced and how he balances dry fire with live fire training. Alvarez also provides insights into how he internally critiques his performance and approaches different levels of competition. Additionally, he talks about his training company, Broken Arrow Training, its unique offerings, and the balance he maintains between coaching others and continuing his own development as a competitor and instructor.

John Royer from Outdoor Dynamics

In this episode of "Bullets n Bourbon," John Royer, a former NASCAR pit crewman turned competitive shooter and ammo manufacturer, shares insights from his unique career transition. He discusses the quirks from his pit crew days that have carried over into his daily life, and the similarities between visualizing a perfect pit stop and executing a flawless shooting stage. Royer reflects on the aspects of the fast-paced pit crew lifestyle he misses and the unique appeal of shooting in the Limited division. He also talks about managing the rush of orders during the busy match season, maintaining relationships with reloading component distributors, and the qualities he looks for when sponsoring shooters for his pro team. Additionally, Royer discusses the challenges of automation in reloading, his approach to keeping presses clean, and his focus on delivering top-quality products at Outdoor Dynamics, while also sharing his thoughts on whether In-N-Out is the best fast food burger.

Col Howard Hall Career Retrospective

In this episode, we interview Col Howard Hall, a distinguished advisor, innovator, and friend who recently retired after 30 years of service. Col Hall's leadership and guidance have been instrumental in driving change and mission accomplishment across the Marine Corps. He shares advice for newly promoted NCOs, SNCOs, and fresh lieutenants, highlighting the importance of flexibility and support. Col Hall discusses the characteristics of successful officer/SNCO relationships and reflects on pivotal duty stations and deployments that shaped his career. He also opens up about overcoming career challenges, the significance of maintaining pride and goals during the transition to civilian life, and the balance between diplomatic and aggressive leadership approaches. Additionally, Col Hall emphasizes the role of physical and intellectual hobbies in personal development and offers his vision for the future of Marine Corps Marksmanship, including necessary organizational and cultural changes.

Col Greg Jones Career Retrospective

 
In an insightful interview with Col Greg Jones, recently retired Commanding Officer of Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps, key discussions included advice for various career stages, from newly promoted NCOs to fresh lieutenants, and characteristics of successful officer/SNCO collaborations. Col Jones reflected on pivotal duty stations and relationships that shaped his career, overcoming significant challenges, and the importance of maintaining pride and goals during the transition to civilian life. He shared examples where diplomatic and aggressive leadership approaches yielded the best outcomes, emphasized the role of hobbies in personal development, and discussed the future of Marine Corps Marksmanship, highlighting necessary organizational and cultural changes for continued progress.

Red Stitch Targets - Intergalactic Falling Steel Match

In this episode of Bullets n Bourbon, hosts Matt Gundlach and Frank Gao are joined by Darin Morrel, owner of Red Stitch Targets and Match Director for the upcoming Intergalactic Falling Steel Championship at Shadow Hawk Defense. Darin shares his background, including his service in the Marine Corps, and discusses his journey into the steel target business, highlighting his commitment to creating challenging targets. He reminisces about the old North Mountain USPSA matches and compares them to contemporary matches. Darin explains the inspiration behind the name "Intergalactic Falling Steel Match" and his objectives for the stage designs. He reflects on the lessons learned from planning the match and emphasizes the importance of his relationship with Shadow Hawk Defense's owners, Lynn and Randy, in successfully organizing the event.
 

Generation GWOT

n this episode of Generation GWOT, Michael Phillips discusses his roles as a mentor with FourBlock and a member of American Corporate Partners, programs that aid service members transitioning out of the military by providing career guidance and networking opportunities. Phillips manages his time between these organizations and his own pursuits, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the veteran community. Phillips highlights how military experience can translate to civilian success through skills like leadership and resilience. He shares his passion for competitive shooting sports, specifically 3-gun competitions, and underscores the significance of such events in fostering camaraderie and competition among both active-duty and veteran service members. The Generation GWOT 3-Gun match, which Phillips describes as a unique and challenging competition, aims to engage participants with new experiences and growth opportunities. Phillips envisions the competition expanding in the future while maintaining its core mission of supporting the veteran community.

Harrison Vansky

Harrison Vansky, a former Army member, discovered competitive shooting during his service and sees valuable lessons the military can learn from the sport, such as dynamic movement and quick decision-making. As a left-handed PCC shooter, he advocates for more balanced USPSA stage designs to ensure fairness. Achieving Grand Master status shifted his focus to overall match performance. Vansky, who also golfed competitively in high school, finds parallels in mental focus and precision between golf and shooting. Despite the accessibility of golf, he notes USPSA’s need for better infrastructure, professional management, and media exposure to elevate the sport. This season, he aims to compete in major matches to further improve his skills and rankings.