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Champion Announces New Small Frame Ear Muffs

Wednesday, May 5th, 2021

New Muffs Designed Specifically to Fit Small Frame and Women Shooters

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – May 3, 2021 – Champion Range & Targets, makers of interactive and challenging target systems and trusted eye and ear protection, announced today the arrival of their new Small Frame ear muffs. These new muffs are designed specifically to fit smaller heads, making them ideal for shooters that find traditional hearing muffs too large.

“At Champion, we are constantly looking at the hearing protection market in order to bring the best products to the shooting industry,” said Will Hemeyer, senior product manager for Champion Range & Targets. “Premium materials and comfort have been a key component of our new hearing protection over the last few years. These small frame muffs were developed based on feedback from shooters with smaller heads who had tried traditional muffs but found them to be too big and uncomfortable. Based on their feedback and from others across our retail channels, we now have the most comfortable set of slim muffs on the market that users can obtain in five exciting color patterns.”

Champion Small Frame sound dampening ear muffs offer the same great protection shooters have come to expect from Champion, with a noise reduction rating of 21 dB, comfortable headband and adjustable fit for a wide range of ages. These lightweight, low-profile muffs are made for all-day comfort and superior hearing protection at the range. Multiple color options are available, including black, gray, pink, orange and blue.

The muffs are also priced for entry-level shooters with an MSRP of $14.95. For more information about these or other Champion hearing protection products, visit championtarget.com.

Posted in Comms, For the Ladies, Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on Champion Announces New Small Frame Ear Muffs

Veterans History Project Spotlights Military Mothers with May Panel Discussion

Sunday, May 2nd, 2021

Mothers have volunteered to serve in the military since the Revolutionary War, where they held traditional roles as nurses, seamstresses or cooks and, since 2015, in designated frontline combat roles. On Thursday, May 6 at 12 p.m. EST, the Library of Congress Veterans History Project (VHP) invites the public to a virtual panel titled “Motherhood and the Military” through the VHP Facebook page. The panelists and moderator will be available to answer questions and address remarks in the comments section.

Women were 16.5% of all active-duty personnel in 2018 and make up 10% of all military veterans, a percentage that is likely to increase rapidly in the next decade, according to Pentagon data. Women veterans hold many roles, including that of mothers, but their contributions have often gone unrecognized, according to experts.

Ahead of Mother’s Day, the panel will explore the intersection of the role of mothers and their connection to the military through the personal experiences of four women veterans.

“These strong women, just like those who came before them, remind us that while motherhood itself can be a full-time job, some mothers choose to continue serving in the Armed Forces. They juggle the trials of parenting with the responsibility of maintaining operations, coping with deployment and the uncertainty that can come with it all,” said Elizabeth Estabrooks, acting executive director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans, and the panel’s moderator.

The discussion will include special introductions by Senators Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill, and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, both of whom are military veterans and mothers and serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran, is the first female double amputee to serve in the Senate, while Ernst was the first female combat veteran to serve in that chamber.

“The dual roles of mother and soldier are not uncommon, but too often the story of service, sacrifice and the impact on individual families goes untold,” said Duckworth, who made history in 2018 when she took her newborn baby to a Senate floor vote, just weeks after giving birth.

For her part, Ernst, a former company commander in Kuwait and Iraq, said it wasn’t easy for her to leave her little girl for deployments “halfway across the world.”

“That experience left me with a deep appreciation for the sacrifice our military families make, particularly our moms in uniform,” said Ernst, the first woman to represent Iowa in Congress.

The panel will feature mothers from different military branches who have served our nation through various generations and armed conflicts. They will discuss the trials of parenting and fulfilling operational obligations, coping with the heartache of deployments and separations, and the uncertainty that comes with military service.

Panelists for the program include:

• Chief Warrant Officer 5 Candy Martin (U.S. Army, retired) — Martin served 38 years with the U.S. Army Reserves, including a deployment to Iraq in 2005. Her son, Lt. Tom Martin, was killed in action two years later. She remains very active in the veteran community and with American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

• Command Sgt. Major Rue Mayweather (U.S. Army, retired) — Mayweather served 30 years in the U.S. Army. She and her son, Capt. Kenieth Mayweather, both deployed to Iraq in 2014 in support of Operation New Dawn.

• Dr. Rupa Dainer (U.S. Navy veteran) — Dainer remembers having “50,000 emotions” when she learned of her deployment to Afghanistan in the parking lot of her daughters’ daycare in 2010. The Navy doctor going off to war helped her daughters, only 4 and 2 years old at the time, get through deployment with videos she made before she left, photos, and a calendar to track the days.

• Mary Dever (U.S. Air Force veteran) — Dever served as an embedded Air Force broadcast journalist in Iraq and Afghanistan. She later became an instructor for the final three of her 10 years of service. When she became pregnant, she fought for her extended maternity leave and relied on an online support group for moms in uniform. Not wanting to leave her son for a new deployment, Dever left the military and started to work with Disabled American Veterans.

Congress created the Veterans History Project in 2000 to collect, preserve and make accessible the firsthand remembrances of United States war veterans from World War I through the more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of military service. For more information, visit www.loc.gov/vets/ or call the toll-free message line at (888) 371-5848. Subscribe to the VHP RSS to receive periodic updates of VHP news. Follow VHP on Facebook @vetshistoryproject.

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.

Posted in For the Ladies, Press Release, Veterans | 1 Comment »

Queen Of The Mile

Saturday, April 3rd, 2021

“Queen of the Mile” is a new documentary-style series created by firearms journalist Sean Utley.

The premise is that five amateur female shooters get the opportunity to participate in three days of training from a former Marine Scout Sniper before taking a shot at a target a mile out. Along the way, the competitors are faced with challenges which offer additional attempts at the target. The hitch is that they only have those three days to complete everything.

The series is presented on the Precision 4 Life channel.

Posted in For the Ladies, Media, Shooting Sports | 5 Comments »

Team SIG’s Lena Miculek Becomes First Female to Capture an Overall PCC Championship in Competition

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2021

Team SIG’s Lena Miculek Takes Overall PCC Title at Florida Open&nbsp

NEWINGTON, N.H., (February 23, 2021) – SIG SAUER congratulates Team SIG professional shooter Lena Miculek for a remarkable career first for taking the Overall Championship Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) division title at the 2021 Annual Florida Open. Additionally, Miculek earned the High Lady title and First Grandmaster for the competition.

“Congratulations to Lena on this historical win and earning the overall championship title for the PCC division at this year’s Florida Open,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales. “We are extremely proud of Lena for this monumental achievement, and for being a trail blazer for females in the industry. This is just the start of the 2021 competition season and knowing how dedicated Lena is to her training, and her unmatched skill as a PCC competitor, we can’t wait to see what her achievements will be as the 2021 season continues to unfold.”

To earn her multiple titles at the 2021 Florida Open, Lena competed through ten stages using her MPX PCC 9mm with a ROMEO3XL red dot reflex sight.

“This match was a difficult one, but my goal throughout was consistency and I managed to come away with a personal achievement that I am very proud of,” added Miculek. “In 2021 I set some lofty goals for myself which included taking my PCC competition to the next level and proving, through wins like this, that females in professional shooting sports can consistently move past the high lady title and win it all.”

The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMEO3XL red dot reflex sight used by Team SIG Pro Shooter Lena Miculek can be purchased online at sigsauer.com/store or retailers everywhere.

The 2021 Florida Open was hosted by Universal Shooting Academy in Frostproof, Florida, February 18 -21, 2021.

Posted in Advertiser, For the Ladies, Press Release, Shooting Sports | 4 Comments »

Shoot Like A Girl Welcomes Back Returning Corporate Partners in 2021

Friday, February 5th, 2021

ATHENS, Ala. – February 2, 2021 – Shoot Like A Girl is pleased to welcome back more than 38 corporate partners for the much-anticipated 2021 Home of the Brave Tour. Returning sponsors include Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Beretta, Bushnell, GLOCK, Ruger, Colt, Magpul, Savage Arms, Springfield Armory, Walther, FN America, Heckler & Koch, Smith & Wesson, TrueTimber, Walker’s, Birchwood Casey, Mossberg, CrossBreed Holsters, Thermacell, Black Rifle Coffee Company, GTM, SABRE, Archery 360, Bowhunting 360, SOG, Women’s Outdoor News, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Primos, Gold Tip Arrows, Hoppe’s, Federal Ammunition, Mathews, Hoyt, S & S Outdoors, ALPS OutdoorZ, LaCrosse Footwear and Upper Canyon Outfitters.

“We’re so honored to welcome these incredible partners back as we launch into our Home of the Brave Tour which starts next month,” said Karen Butler, Founder and President of Shoot Like A Girl. “In the midst of a challenging year in 2020—and in spite of ever-changing COVID-19 regulations, civil unrest and political uncertainty—Shoot Like A Girl had an incredible year of growth, and these partners played a big role in that. We’re excited to make history again in 2021 and see even more women become empowered with confidence as they begin their journey in the shooting sports.”

Empowering Women in 2021

The Shoot Like A Girl experience is truly unique, giving women the opportunity to shoot a pistol, rifle and bow in a safe, controlled environment with the guidance of female NRA-certified instructors and archery coaches. In 2020, the tour included stops at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, conservation events

and corporate events—with several events having lines out the door and record numbers of attendees. Looking ahead to the 2021 Home of the Brave Tour, Shoot Like A Girl is anticipating continued momentum from the previous year. The tour will begin in early February, and a full event schedule is available online.

More information about Shoot Like A Girl’s mission, partners, resources and event schedule is available at ShootLikeAGirl.com. Additionally, fans are encouraged to follow Shoot Like A Girl on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube for news, instruction, information and much more.

About Shoot Like A Girl

As a leader in the industry, Shoot Like A Girl is committed to growing the number of women who participate in the shooting sports by empowering them with confidence. The Shoot Like A Girl trailer, utilizing InVeris Training Solutions state-of-the-art military grade firearm simulator, travels to cities all across the United States, hosting an interactive experience that gives attendees an opportunity to shoot pistols, rifles and bows in a fun, safe and comfortable atmosphere. The event is free to each guest thanks to Shoot Like A Girl’s generous corporate partners, including Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Beretta, Bushnell, GLOCK, Ruger, Colt, Magpul, Savage Arms, Springfield Armory, Walther, FN America, Heckler & Koch, Smith & Wesson, TrueTimber, Walker’s, Birchwood Casey, GPS Bags, TekMat, Dead Down Wind, Mossberg, CrossBreed Holsters, Thermacell, Black Rifle Coffee Company, GTM Original, SABRE, SOG, Women’s Outdoor News, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Primos, Gold Tip Arrows, Hoppe’s, Federal Ammunition, Mathews, Hoyt, S & S Outdoors, LaCrosse Footwear, Moultrie Mobile and Upper Canyon Outfitters.

Posted in For the Ladies, Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on Shoot Like A Girl Welcomes Back Returning Corporate Partners in 2021

Shoot Like A Girl Reveals New Mobile Shooting Range Truck Wrap for 2021 Home of the Brave Tour

Sunday, January 31st, 2021

ATHENS, Ala. – January 26, 2021 – Shoot Like A Girl has introduced a new look on the Shoot Like A Girl mobile shooting range tractor trailer for the 2021 Home of the Brave Tour. The new wrap displays the impressive list of sponsors on a TrueTimber Strata camouflage backdrop with accents of the notorious Shoot Like A Girl pink. The mobile shooting range trailer will make 20 stops across the country over the course of the tour, giving women nationwide the opportunity to learn, experience and practice using the state-of-the-art mobile shooting range. The Home of the Brave Tour is set to begin February 6 in Fort Myers, FL.

“We are thrilled to reveal the new truck wrap and we are really excited to see this truck hit so many destinations in 2021,” said Karen Butler, Founder and President of Shoot Like A Girl. “We want to say a special thank you to TrueTimber, JR Motorsports and Bass Pro Shops for helping us secure this amazing truck. We can’t wait to get it on the road to kick off our Home of the Brave tour.”

The Shoot Like A Girl mobile shooting range gives women ages 16 and older the opportunity to gain experience in handling and shooting handguns, longs guns and compound bows using advanced technology. Inside the mobile range, women are guided through a revolutionary introduction process, called the Test Shots™ and Test Flights™ by certified National Rifle Association instructors and archery coaches. Onsite, at the Shoot Like A Girl Gun Counter, people can also compare a variety of firearms including revolver’s, semi-automatic pistols, shotguns, and rifles from Shoot Like A Girl’s firearms partners. New and experienced shooter are invited to attend.

To see the list of tour locations, please visit ShootLikeAGirl.com/events.

For more information on Shoot Like A Girl and empowering women in the hunting and shooting industries, please visit ShootLikeAGirl.com. Additionally, fans are encouraged to follow Shoot Like A Girl on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube for news, instruction, information and much more.

Empowering Women in 2021

Posted in For the Ladies, Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on Shoot Like A Girl Reveals New Mobile Shooting Range Truck Wrap for 2021 Home of the Brave Tour

USAF to Allow Longer Braids, Ponytails, Bangs for Women

Friday, January 22nd, 2021

As an outcome of the 101st Air Force uniform board, Air Force women will be able to wear their hair in up to two braids or a single ponytail with bulk not exceeding the width of the head and length not extending below a horizontal line running between the top of each sleeve inseam at the under arm through the shoulder blades. In addition, women’s bangs may now touch their eyebrows, but not cover their eyes.

These new changes will be effective upon publication of the new standards in Air Force Instruction 36-2903 in February.

“As I outlined in Action Order A: Airmen, this decision is a commitment to supporting the Airmen We Need and sustaining the culture and environment of excellence that will continue to make the Air Force an attractive career choice for Airmen and families,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. “I’m thankful for the feedback and research conducted from a number of women leaders, the Women’s Initiative Team, the Air Force uniform board, and our joint teammates.”

The Air Force uniform board convened virtually in November 2020 to discuss ideas sourced from Airmen across the Air Force who participated in a dress and appearance crowdsourcing campaign. Participants on the board included 19 diverse Airmen of various ranks from across the major commands and headquarters directorates.

The board reviewed all ideas including a recommendation from the Air Force’s Women’s Initiative Team. Thousands of women across the Air Force provided feedback to the Women’s Initiative Team, stating constraints to hair grooming standards resulted in damage to hair, migraines and in some cases, hair loss. The detailed work done by the Women’s Initiative Team to research and support the recommendation was greatly appreciated by the uniform board.

“In addition to the health concerns we have for our Airmen, not all women have the same hair type, and our hair standards should reflect our diverse force,” said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “I am pleased we could make this important change for our women service members.”

In addition to addressing issues associated with personal health and hair loss, adjusting female hair standards supports ongoing efforts to address diversity and inclusion in the ranks. Earlier this year and in her role leading the Defense Department’s Diversity Board, then-Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett played a prominent role in supporting these types of adjustments to ensure a more inclusive culture in the services.

The Air Force chief of staff approved the policy after considering feedback from the force, the uniform board recommendation, and the professional image and standards of the Air Force and U.S. military.

“We remain committed to removing barriers to service,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services. “In an all-volunteer force, we want fully qualified volunteers who are representative of the nation to see us as a great opportunity to maximize their talent and serve.”

Members must adhere to current occupational safety, fire and health guidance, and mishap prevention procedures emphasizing when and how to mitigate the potential for injury from hair of varying lengths around machinery, equipment, power transmission apparatus or moving parts. Airmen are encouraged to reach out to their safety office for assistance in analyzing any potential hazards, as applicable.

Another idea considered by the board related to beard wear for men. Unlike with women’s hair standards, there are no known health or hair loss issues associated with current male grooming standard compliance. As such, the Air Force plans to continue under the current male grooming standards without adjustments. Beards are currently permitted in conjunction with medical exceptions such as shaving waivers or for approved religious accommodations.

At this time, Guardians will adhere to the female grooming standards of the Air Force. Eventually, the U.S. Space Force will develop its own policy.

Numerous other ideas from the board are still under consideration for implementation and will be released in the future. For more information, consult AFI 36-2903 Dress and Appearance.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, For the Ladies, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | 4 Comments »

Shoot Like A Girl Releases 2020 Annual Report

Sunday, January 10th, 2021

ATHENS, Ala. – January 6, 2021 – Shoot Like A Girl has released its annual report for the 2020 calendar year, announcing a full tour schedule, impressive attendance numbers and impactful results in spite of current events. Shoot Like A Girl was proud to, once again, host an extremely diverse group of women in age, ethnicity, political point of view and economic level at mobile range events last year. The mobile range traveled over 20,000 miles to conduct 22 events as part of the 2020 Coast to Coast Tour, and more than 2,701 women (and some men) were introduced to the shooting sports in 2020. The full report is available online.

“Upon reflection, there is one word that describes the experience of Shoot Like A Girl in 2020, Gratitude,” said Karen Butler, Founder and President of Shoot Like A Girl, in a letter to corporate partners. “Alongside and with the support of our partners, the team faced the challenges of COVID, and we were able to successfully complete our 2020 Coast to Coast Tour. When you look at the data in this report, you will find we continued the trends of previous years—we grew the number of women who participate in shooting sports, but moreover, we empowered women and their families with confidence.”

Empowering More Women

In the spring, Shoot Like A Girl’s tour was interrupted momentarily by COVID-19; however, Shoot Like A Girl adapted by utilizing technology and social media platforms to educate followers and stay connected with its audience. After the President announced the “Re-open America Guidance,” Shoot Like A Girl implemented new operating procedures to abide by the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines and began traveling again to reach more women.

Continuing the Momentum

Looking ahead to 2021, Shoot Like A Girl is anticipating continued momentum from the previous year. The recently announced Home of the Brave Tour will begin in early February, and a full list of all tour dates is available online.

About Shoot Like A Girl

As a leader in the industry, Shoot Like A Girl is committed to growing the number of women who participate in the shooting sports by empowering them with confidence. The Shoot Like A Girl trailer, with a state-of-the-art firearm simulator, travels to cities all across the United States, hosting?an interactive experience that gives attendees an opportunity to shoot pistols, rifles and bows in a fun, safe and comfortable atmosphere. The event is free to each guest thanks to Shoot Like A Girl’s generous corporate partners, including Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Beretta, Bushnell, GLOCK, Ruger, Colt, Magpul, Savage Arms, Springfield Armory, Walther, FN America, Heckler & Koch, Smith & Wesson, TrueTimber, Walker’s, Birchwood Casey, GPS Bags, TekMat, Dead Down Wind, Mossberg, CrossBreed Holsters, Thermacell, Black Rifle Coffee Company, GTM, SABRE, Archery 360, Bowhunting 360, SOG, Women’s Outdoor News, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Primos, Gold Tip Arrows, Hoppe’s, Federal Ammunition, Mathews, Hoyt, S & S Outdoors, ALPS OutdoorZ, LaCrosse Footwear and Upper Canyon Outfitters.

Posted in For the Ladies, Press Release, Shooting Sports | Comments Off on Shoot Like A Girl Releases 2020 Annual Report