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Part 13
Donnie had originally met Jim via the internet and then later at a gunshow. Donnie claimed to be ex military , but it was evident in just a few training sessions that this was clearly embellished. During a jungle lane exercise Donnie couldn't spot most of the targets and the ones he did spot he wasn't able to hit. Even at 50 yards distance, Donnie's shooting was horrible. His gear was setup via an old ALICE gear manual which was a big give away also.
Nevertheless the group had continued to work with Donnie. His pride and ego issues were the biggest obstacles that needed to be overcome. The obvious lack of any kind of serious training could be overcome fairly easily, provided Donnie came with a good attitude. Folks with a good attitude were able to be taught. Folks with pride and ego issues were not able to be taught and washed out of the group fairly quickly. The Group tried hard with Donnie, despite the fact that everyone recognized him as a liar. Jim didn't like to give up easily on people and Donnie was given several chances.
An old school group member and trainer met Donnie once at an outing. It didn't take him long to size up Donnie. He told Jim "that guy just wants followers." Indeed Donnie projected this "I'm better than you" attitude to most all of the group members that didn't help him become accepted in the group. Jim would talk with Donnie in a round about way about his attitude but he never seemed to think it pertained to him. Outwardly he would make statements like "I know I'm not perfect" but everything he projected to the others showed a smug attitude and a lack of care for others. Donnie always put himself in front of others.
Donnie had left the group in a relatively short period of time. He always attended training outings, but supposedly had other things going when it was time for everyone to work on a Group project.
In the interim between Donnie leaving and TS hitting TF, Donnie was never heard from by any of the Group members. Several mentioned seeing him out in public but that Donnie avoided them.
____________________________
A group sit down was called for later that day. Most everyone was there to include Donnie and his wife. The meeting was supposedly called to resolve some festering interpersonal and group dynamics issues. But the real reason for the meeting was to get to the bottom of the Donnie issue.
Jim has spoken with Donnie privately right before the meeting.
"Doesn't seem like we have had any time to BS a little bit." Jim said.
"No dude it sure hasn't. I missed you guys." Donnie replied.
"Yep, we missed you too. Was kinda weird how you left the group so honestly it was quite a surprise seeing you show up here." Jim said.
"Dude, if it's a problem we'll go..." Donnie said, clearly testing the waters.
"No it isn't. You know the deal, we keep an open arms policy with anyone that hasn't burned the group before. You didn't burn anyone but you did leave under some really funky circumstances and then no one heard a peep out of you for years. We all kinda figured you'd have your own little fiefdom set up somewhere." Jim said.
"No dude, I was never able to get anyone serious enough to do anything. Their was a few that talked a good game back when Obama became president years ago, but they didn't last." Donnie said.
OK, their went his chance to level with Jim. The wiggle room was gone.
Jim said "well sometimes people feel "wronged" either through something real or something imagined. Or they end up having a personal beef with another group member and pride issues won't let them just address it upfront." Jim said
"Dude, that wasn't the case with me. I love everybody, you most of all!" Donnie said.
"So their is nothing you want to tell me about?" Jim asked.
"Like what? You know I wouldn't hold anything back from you dude, I love you guys." Donnie replied.
Jim just smiled and they walked into the team house for the meeting.
Donnie had originally met Jim via the internet and then later at a gunshow. Donnie claimed to be ex military , but it was evident in just a few training sessions that this was clearly embellished. During a jungle lane exercise Donnie couldn't spot most of the targets and the ones he did spot he wasn't able to hit. Even at 50 yards distance, Donnie's shooting was horrible. His gear was setup via an old ALICE gear manual which was a big give away also.
Nevertheless the group had continued to work with Donnie. His pride and ego issues were the biggest obstacles that needed to be overcome. The obvious lack of any kind of serious training could be overcome fairly easily, provided Donnie came with a good attitude. Folks with a good attitude were able to be taught. Folks with pride and ego issues were not able to be taught and washed out of the group fairly quickly. The Group tried hard with Donnie, despite the fact that everyone recognized him as a liar. Jim didn't like to give up easily on people and Donnie was given several chances.
An old school group member and trainer met Donnie once at an outing. It didn't take him long to size up Donnie. He told Jim "that guy just wants followers." Indeed Donnie projected this "I'm better than you" attitude to most all of the group members that didn't help him become accepted in the group. Jim would talk with Donnie in a round about way about his attitude but he never seemed to think it pertained to him. Outwardly he would make statements like "I know I'm not perfect" but everything he projected to the others showed a smug attitude and a lack of care for others. Donnie always put himself in front of others.
Donnie had left the group in a relatively short period of time. He always attended training outings, but supposedly had other things going when it was time for everyone to work on a Group project.
In the interim between Donnie leaving and TS hitting TF, Donnie was never heard from by any of the Group members. Several mentioned seeing him out in public but that Donnie avoided them.
____________________________
A group sit down was called for later that day. Most everyone was there to include Donnie and his wife. The meeting was supposedly called to resolve some festering interpersonal and group dynamics issues. But the real reason for the meeting was to get to the bottom of the Donnie issue.
Jim has spoken with Donnie privately right before the meeting.
"Doesn't seem like we have had any time to BS a little bit." Jim said.
"No dude it sure hasn't. I missed you guys." Donnie replied.
"Yep, we missed you too. Was kinda weird how you left the group so honestly it was quite a surprise seeing you show up here." Jim said.
"Dude, if it's a problem we'll go..." Donnie said, clearly testing the waters.
"No it isn't. You know the deal, we keep an open arms policy with anyone that hasn't burned the group before. You didn't burn anyone but you did leave under some really funky circumstances and then no one heard a peep out of you for years. We all kinda figured you'd have your own little fiefdom set up somewhere." Jim said.
"No dude, I was never able to get anyone serious enough to do anything. Their was a few that talked a good game back when Obama became president years ago, but they didn't last." Donnie said.
OK, their went his chance to level with Jim. The wiggle room was gone.
Jim said "well sometimes people feel "wronged" either through something real or something imagined. Or they end up having a personal beef with another group member and pride issues won't let them just address it upfront." Jim said
"Dude, that wasn't the case with me. I love everybody, you most of all!" Donnie said.
"So their is nothing you want to tell me about?" Jim asked.
"Like what? You know I wouldn't hold anything back from you dude, I love you guys." Donnie replied.
Jim just smiled and they walked into the team house for the meeting.
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