Project Appleseed: Questions and Answers

A deeper look at the goals and objectives of Project Appleseed

Revolutionary War Veterans Association (RWVA), 2021, with permission

In our previous article, History Comes To Life at Project Appleseed, I covered my experience of the Project Appleseed main event, the Appleseed. I had a great time and learned a lot. Many of my initial questions about the organization were answered during my time there, but I (and our readers) had more.

History Comes to Life at Project Appleseed

My experience learning marksmanship and revolutionary war history

That article reached the desk of Rusty Bonkoski, the National Coordinator for Project Appleseed, who offered to follow up with me. I was able to ask some of the bigger and more nuanced questions, and get some very detailed answers which I share below.

Growth and outreach

Citizen Upgrade: I find Project Appleseed is not very well known, despite being well received by those who attend. Does the organization have plans to grow or expand its outreach, especially in the light of the massive surge in new gun ownership over the last several years?

Rusty Bonkoski: One of my mentors in the program is fond of saying Appleseed is "the biggest marksmanship program you've never heard of." That's not far off the mark, despite the fact we are chartered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization with over 750 volunteers nationwide. We've taught well over 100,000 students since we began in 2005/2006. Because we are a 100% volunteer program, we are able to keep costs low. Many folks consider us the best value in marksmanship instruction today.

We don't have a huge advertising budget, but we're always looking for growth and partnership opportunities. In the past year we've released our Appleseed Pistol and Rimfire Known Distance (200y) clinics. Both of these have been well-received.

Revolutionary War Veterans Association (RWVA), 2021, with permission

Working with other organizations

Citizen Upgrade: It's been suggested that the Scouts might be a natural partnership for this organization. Similarly, more focused special interest organizations that teach gun introduction and safety courses like the NRA, NAAGA, and the Pink Pistols might find natural synergies here. Is Project Appleseed currently working closely with any other groups or looking to do so in the future?

Rusty Bonkoski: We've hosted groups from many youth organizations over the years, including the Scouts. We've also been privileged to host Trail Life, American Heritage Girls, Young Marines, and Sea Cadets. These classes are a lot of fun and the youth enjoy the history as much as the marksmanship.

Project Appleseed is also affiliated with women’s shooting organizations such as A Girl & A Gun and The Well-Armed Women. In fact, we offer discounted rates to their members.

Revolutionary War Veterans Association (RWVA), 2021, with permission

“Pistolseeds” and history

Citizen Upgrade: A new format, the Pistolseed, has been starting to pop up. Until I can attend one myself, what can I share with others from the organization about the event? Is it still focused on Revolutionary War history from a general marksmanship perspective or are there other pistol-centric history lessons being taught?

Rusty Bonkoski: I'm glad you asked about that. When the pistol class was in development, it was nicknamed "Pistolseed". When we rolled it out, it was named "Appleseed Pistol Clinic".

Our intended audience for an Appleseed Pistol Clinic is someone with a bit of experience but not lots of formal instruction, but we welcome new pistol owners. A student attending an Appleseed Pistol Clinic can expect instruction on shooting with speed and precision. All firing is done from the standing position. Between strings of fire, pistols remain on a table - no holsters required. The targets are posted at 7 yards, a distance chosen so we can host this class at most ranges across the country. The course of fire is designed to be challenging, but not impossible.

During an Appleseed Pistol Clinic, the history we cover focuses on the events of April 19th, 1775. We also include history that meaningful to pistol shooters, such as the stories of Texas Ranger Samuel Walker and inventor Samuel Colt. These stories are as relevant to individual Liberty as to those surrounding the Revolutionary War.

Teaching armed revolution without advocating armed revolution

Citizen Upgrade: The registration question that affirms one is not "affiliated with any group that promotes, supports, or encourages taking up arms against the citizens or government of the United States of America" is very eye-catching this year. When did this affirmation show up as part of registration? Does the organization have anything to say about teaching a course about marksmanship and the American Revolutionary War, while also maintaining both publicly (and in the course I took) a strong "ballot box, not ammo box" stance?

Rusty Bonkoski: That's an interesting question. We regularly review the way we do things. Last year, one of our volunteers had an idea to update our registration process. It helps us be clear what we're about and why we're teaching marksmanship.

But let me take that a bit further. Our Founding generation made extraordinary sacrifices for us to purchase our Liberty. Their choices were summed up in a letter from George Washington. When he heard about the events of April 19th 1775, Washington wrote, "Unhappy it is to reflect that a brother’s sword has been sheathed in a brother’s breast and that the once happy and peaceful plains of America are either to be drenched with blood or inhabited by a race of slaves. Sad alternative! But can a virtuous man hesitate in his choice?"

You see, our Founders only had two choices: outright rebellion to their government or slavery to a tyrannical British Crown. But through their sacrifices, they gave us a third choice. That choice is the option to participate in a representative system of government. Project Appleseed is about waking up Americans to our extraordinary history and the sacrifices made on our behalf. Once someone understands that story, it's inconceivable they would want to be apathetic rather than get involved in their community and government. That third choice offers Americans hope our Nation so desperately needs.

Project Appleseed is here for every law-abiding American. We don't care how (or if) you voted, who you worship, or what color your skin is. We don't care where your ancestors came from. We don't care who you love. Just come on out - learn to shoot and hear the story of the beginning of our Nation.

Revolutionary War Veterans Association (RWVA), 2021, with permission

Semi automatic rifles and politics

Citizen Upgrade: Finally, the most current topical question: The AR-15 is often described in 2A groups as the "modern American musket" with potential bans being compared to British restrictions that helped spark the American Revolution. Conversely, groups advocating gun control support a government ban of "assault weapons" or "weapons of war". Given both Project Appleseed's history-centered view and use of semi-automatic rifles for training, does the organization have an opinion on what regulations around these (and other semi-automatic) rifles should or should not exist?

Rusty Bonkoski: Our mission as an educational program is to teach the real events surrounding the founding of our Nation and to promote the Second Amendment with a goal of increasing Liberty. In Project Appleseed, we eschew modern politics in favor of the message and traditions of our Founders. When the Second Amendment was crafted, our Founders had just struggled through a horrific, bloody, eight-year war for their Liberty against a tyrannical government. They believed the citizenry should have the capacity to throw off the shackles of tyranny. Of course, we have that third option they never did.

Project Appleseed teaches the art and American tradition of riflery, but we do not "train" for any particular purpose. The tradition of American rifle shooting since World War II has been with semi-automatic rifles. So yes, we think every law-abiding adult American should have such a rifle and be proficient in its use.

Although much of our rifle instruction centers around semi-automatic rifles, we want folks to attend our classes with the rifle they have right now. Got a bolt-action rifle? Cool, bring it on out. Got a tube-fed rifle? Cool, bring it on out. Come learn to shoot better than you ever thought you could and hear some history you might not have learned in school.

Revolutionary War Veterans Association (RWVA), 2021, with permission

Summary

First, I want to thank Rusty Bonkoski for the considered answers. In today’s political climate, I’m never completely sure what any group will find acceptable or offensive. The Appleseed I attended certainly gave the impression of being an open invitation to people of all stripes. It was good to hear it directly from the organization as well. I’ll leave you with this quote from above, the best summary of Appleseed I’ve heard so far.

Project Appleseed is about waking up Americans to our extraordinary history and the sacrifices made on our behalf. Once someone understands that story, it's inconceivable they would want to be apathetic rather than get involved in their community and government. That third choice offers Americans hope our Nation so desperately needs.

Project Appleseed is here for every law-abiding American. We don't care how (or if) you voted, who you worship, or what color your skin is. We don't care where your ancestors came from. We don't care who you love. Just come on out - learn to shoot and hear the story of the beginning of our Nation.

That right there is a noble goal and expressly open to everyone.

Photo by Joseph Chan on Unsplash

As citizens, we should try to understand our nation’s history and we should work to get involved in its future. As individuals, we should always be working to better ourselves. Project Appleseed offers an excellent opportunity to do both.

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