I'm confident that there can be a reasonable
lightweight summer uniform that can be agreed upon that does preserve the historical part of the N-SSA; otherwise, just change the organization name to Musket Shooting Group. As hokey as it may seem, having uniforms does provide for unit cohesion which in turn leads to higher morale thus participation. Just my 2?.
I'll go out on a limb here (visions of a racoon balancing 20' up with a pack of hounds baying below comes to mind.) My recommendation is as follows:
- Hat or kepi
- Cotton print long sleeve shirt. Sleeves rolled up as needed for heat reduction or down for sunburn protection.
- wetted bandana on the neck for cooling
- Blue or gray cotton pants.
- Suspenders
- Black or brown shoes.
- Optional: canteen with water or hydration drink.
Each team will submit to national organization a list of their uniform specifications with a pix emailed to them and national gives thumbs up/down on this uniform. Since done on the team level, there is going to be ample opportunity for individuals to get their desires voiced. And with everyone now having a smartphone, then everyone can get sent a pix of their unit's required uniform. Then, in lieu of multiple rules, it could be simplified to "The Match leaders and/or senior N-SSA officer can call for teams to wear previously approved lightweight summer uniforms during deemed periods of heat stress." Simple, quick, responsive, and we hold to having a uniform.
Additionally, there can be 'command drink' where every shooter has to hydrate x oz/ml prior to going on the firing line as a safety measure. If the match leaders deem it sufficiently heat stressful for light weight gear, then we need to address dehydration on the firing line. Seen a lot of men come through ER that were 'doing fine' up to the point that they drop like a rock.
Bookmarks