Straight-shooter hits the mark
Paulatuk's Frank Green competes
in Canadian Armed Forces Small Arms Concentration
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Monday, September 19, 2016
PAULATUK
Frank Green remembers the first time he shot a gun on as a 12-year-old on a caribou hunting trip outside Paulatuk with his family.
Canadian Ranger Frank Green from Paulatuk practices before competing in the Canadian Armed Forces Small Arms Concentration (CAFSAC) competition in Ottawa on Sept. 8. - photo courtesy of Capt. Stephen Watton |
"When I first shot a gun at a young age, I was scared at first," he said. "The more I shot, the more I was familiarized with the weapon."
Green, a Canadian Ranger, is now a top marksman. His skills earned him a spot at the Canadian Armed Forces Small Arms Concentration (CAFSAC) competition after tryouts in Whitehorse, Yukon in June
"The top shooters from the tryouts were selected to participate in this year's event," said Capt. Stephen Watton, communications officer with the First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group.
The CAFSAC took place from Sept. 5 to 17 in Ottawa, Ont. More than 500 participants from the the Regular Force and Primary Reserve Force of the Canadian Army, the Canadian Rangers, the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the RCMP competed in this year's event, as well as teams from the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
It's the first time in five years the First Canadian Ranger Patrol Group has entered a team, Watton said.
"It's a new experience and a good learning experience for everyone," he said.
Green, who competed in the service rifle matches, agreed.
"I'm learning, getting there," he said. "I'm having fun."
Getting a chance to compete against hundreds of skilled marksmen is one of the best parts of the event, he added.
"It's a whole new experience with all kinds of shooters from all Canadian Ranger patrol groups and also the United States as well and the U.K.," Green said. "It's different compared to competing back home where we're only competing with 15 to 20 rangers."
Green said it was his father and longtime Canadian Ranger Frank Green Sr. who first taught him how to shoot a gun. He also credited his father for sparking his interested in becoming a Canadian Ranger himself.
"He's still in the ranger patrol as well," Green said. "That was one of the reasons that got me into being a ranger."
Green said his advice to anyone looking to improve their shooting skills is simple.
"Keep practicing," he said. "The more you shoot, the better you get."
