It might sound like an odd request but play along for now because it should all be clear and make sense at the end of the words below. Maybe. probably. For sure, possibly.

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Once a month I shoot with a select group of fellows who have particular skills similar to mine that we all want to keep sharply...umm...sharp. (Ok, I know that wasn't my best writing right there.)

Anyway, we gather at the gun range and set up various "scenarios" that replicate real-world military situations on the open range and within a building complex complete with "bad guys" and "good guys and gals" and we run and gun (with semi-automatic handguns) through these scenarios as quickly and with as much accuracy as possible; the runs are timed and scored then discussed, improvements found and run once again. We do this for fun but also because skills required for this sort of thing are hard-won and diminish if not used. Oh, the aim is not to hit the "good guys and gals" but it happens which is why we practice - Fortunately I'm talking about targets that are representative of shoot and no-shoot targets not actual guys and gals.

One of these chaps has transitioned from his former life and now works in a local gun shop at which I shop now and then, and yes I get good discounts and some freebies as well because he's my buddy and I shop there a lot too I suppose.

The other day I was there and the owner of the shop told me he was putting together a team to represent his shop at a large shooting event (a competition thing) that throws teams of people like me into the grinder to battle with the others for ultimate glory...some sort of trophy I guess, and the right to say fuck you we fucken won and you suck! (Not that anyone there is likely to say such a thing out loud.)

He asked if I'd wear his shirt - that means he wanted me to be a team member was going to sponsor me for the event as part of his team.

Sponsorship means ammunition for the purposes of practice and training leading into the event and for the event itself (thousands of rounds), associated equipment as required, airfare in and out, accommodation, meals, a car when we arrive at the airport and other such things. All I have to do is bring my handguns and wear his shirt - the team shirt - and, oh yeah, do my best to win as part of the team.

I've been a sponsored shooter in the past, usually for long-range rifle shooting which is what I'm well-trained for and it's good and bad...good because it means free everything, bad because it means a lot of pressure to deliver a result commensurate to the level of free stuff; it becomes a job. And speaking of jobs, There's no payment as such so I'd need to take 4-5 days off work meaning I'd use my own annual leave entitlements...but I'm ok with that; done it before loads of times.

I've not decided what I'm going to do yet but considering I'll be shooting as part of a team that includes a couple of my bros who I shoot with regularly and I feel we have a solid chance to win represent at a high level I think I'm leaning into it...and it'll be some fun and life is meant to deliver exactly that.

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