Finally, the highlight of the summer camp that the kids had been looking forward to arrived—the live ammunition shooting training.
In the gun-friendly country of America, laws varied by state, but most allowed legal purchase of firearms.
Walmart also varied by state, but some stores directly sold guns and ammunition, possessing various types of firearms, ammo, and gun experts.
Thus, the kids’ parents were reassured and pleased that Walmart, essentially a firearms specialty store, was directly providing live fire training.
“I’ve never shot a gun before.”
“I shot one at last camp.”
“The recoil and sound were bigger than expected, surprised me.”
As a military-service-completed middle schooler with rifle shooting experience, Jaesung got interested at the mention of pistol training.
Though guns relatively freely usable in America, rifle shooting—that most Korean men experienced—required special licenses, while the market formed around easily purchasable pistols or shotguns.
Jaesung had done K-2 shooting and disassembly-assembly to death, but had no experience with pistols usable only by officer ranks or shotguns requiring gun licenses.
Kids shooting guns is concerning, but with over-spec instructors, probably no issues.
Seemed they’d conducted training multiple times already, and prepared small pistols just for kids.
“This is Seecamp’s LWS-32 pistol, mainly used for self-defense. Small size makes it usable even for girls with small hands.”
Gun so small recoil seemed low, and they made dedicated hollow-point .32 ACP rounds for it.
Explained it operated on chamber-ring delay blowback where lock ring rising behind chamber delayed slide recoil to reduce it—kids didn’t understand, but meant easy to use.
Magazine held 6 rounds total, but for safety, loaded only 2.
“Let me say again, gun training is to prevent dangers and accidents. Guns are for killing, so always stay tense.”
Experts who’d handled countless firearms taught kids proper usage and precautions, quite useful education in gun-common America.
“Pocket pistols have no sights, so can’t aim with eyes. Imagine virtual straight line from muzzle to aim.”
When shooting, instructor stuck right beside, holding kid’s wrist to prevent accidents while assisting.
Even scared-looking girls quickly adapted and shot, surprised by louder-than-expected sound but getting into the fun.
Small but heavier than thought?
Pistols heavy with many heavy parts, heavier than looked, even light pocket pistol slightly heavy for kids.
Still, small gun let small-handed kids grip stably, continuing shooting safely.
“Good. Fix legs stably, don’t lean upper body too back, tilt slightly forward. As expected, James takes textbook posture.”
First time small pistol, but as instructor said, imagined virtual line aiming at can 5m ahead and pulled trigger.
Clang!
“Wow! James hit the can!”
“James first to hit?”
Instructor demonstrated hitting can, but pistols far harder to aim than thought, no one hit can yet Jaesung first.
“Should recommend military academy after all? Military needs computerization ahead, you’d be even more useful talent.”
To instructor mentioning West Point, said no plans for military and returned pistol.
Pistol shooting ended, clay shooting shotgun training followed.
Again, small shotguns for kids with reduced-powder rounds prepared, using slow-flying clays easy to hit.
“Ugh! Sound big and recoil too strong.”
Though reduced, shotgun recoil still strong, instructor supported back to prevent falling accidents.
“Even you fail clay shooting. Tip: don’t aim too long, shoot as fast as possible when clay launches.”
Said hitting when close highest accuracy since clays keep flying.
Jaesung repositioned, when clay out moderately aimed and immediately pulled trigger—puff with sound clay burst.
“Wow! This fun?”
“Haha. Clay shooting good for stress relief. Actual bird hunting much more fun.”
Didn’t expect much, but shotgun shooting far more fun than thought.
First shotgun usually bruises right shoulder from recoil, but used low-recoil rounds, attached shock pads no injuries.
“Many kids good at shotgun.”
Quite many hit flying clays, later learned rural kids played clay shooting at home.
Shooting training more fun and effective than Jaesung thought.
Kids directly experienced guns’ scariness and danger, body-learning caution and proper usage.
“Best not use guns, but if ever must, remember stay alert, most important not hurt self or allies.”
“Yes~!”
Live fire training ended, most summer camp schedule neared end.
Walmart’s summer camp, strategic planning team collaborating with field experts directly made programs, far exceeding Jaesung’s expectations in completeness and substance.
Thanks, by camp end kids became comrades who’d survived war together.
“Write letters even back home.”
“I’ll never forget this summer with you.”
Seeing kids already teary at parting pain, even dry-emotion Jaesung felt slightly moist.
Definitely Walmart seriously made this. This level, experiencing summer camp once not bad.
One favorite: no special treatment for Walton family kids.
Worried racial discrimination instead implanted Asian fantasy in kids, imprinting as special beings.
“James, won’t move to Florida? Seattle too far.”
“You seem coming to LA? Same West, we’ll meet.”
Kids’ gazes on Jaesung, even checking Austin Timberlake became follower, sad at parting.
“Then, send just Jenny to Florida without you. Talented, I’ll raise well.”
As expected people don’t change easily—smacked Austin’s fluffy back head, bid farewell to Brian.
“Definitely contact.”
“Yeah. I unlikely east, but come California, see.”
Hugged American-style with Christina and Britney sharing parting sadness.
No immediate meetings, but definitely made memories this time, could meet as adults.
Tearful kids analog-style promised letters exchanging addresses, thus Walmart summer camp closed.
“Haha. Heard James top outstanding camper.”
“Camp better than thought, embarrassingly showed bit sincerity.”
Camp ended, with parents picking up went to Sam Walton’s house.
“Instructor in charge wanted send you West Point, what think?”
“I’m middle school second-year now. Think in 3 years.”
“Yeah. West Point needs governor recommendation to apply, if interested I’ll help.”
Wanting keep Korean nationality, Jaesung planned enlist Korean Army, not West Point.
If keep living America ways to avoid, but waste hot youth 2 years, Jaesung proper patriot man.
Already liking Jaesung, Sam Walton watching camp showed more affection to Jaesung and Jaeeun, stayed few days at his house with parents finally returned Seattle.
“Home best after all.”
“Oppa. Miss friends.”
Sister bonded with kids called Christina and Britney right upon home arrival, Jaesung unpacked turned on computer sleeping in garage.
“Camp already over.”
“Empty house month, already? Jefferson doing well?”
Neighbor confirming Jaesung back visited.
Jefferson opened office while Jaesung away, moved most stuff from garage.
“Hard help in garage now.”
“Helped enough. Now I hire employees expand business properly. If free tomorrow, show new office.”
No contact outside during camp, talked Jefferson what happened meantime.
Started service Amazon.com growing fast, Jefferson interested Walmart summer school.
“Later want send my kids Walmart summer school too.”
“I’ll tell Grandpa Sam. As top graduate, can recommend.”
“Haha. Thanks.”
Finished talk Jefferson, called busy Yahoo starting company.
“James? Summer school over?”
“Back Seattle today. You well?”
“Thought grad school worst, but CEO more horrific.”
Yahoo founded this year also busy days, major shareholder Jaesung directly received month report from CEO.
“Hard work.”
“Growing fast good, but too fast mind gone. Without Korean coffee mix, couldn’t endure.”
Comforted complaining Jeremy and Dave, called Pixar’s Steven Jobs.
“Haha! Summer school, really kid.”
“Not for one receiving kid’s investment?”
“Legally got your dad’s signature.”
Busy ahead Toy Story release, Steven Jobs body-detachment talk subtly enjoyed call with Jaesung.
Jaesung too mingled month with early teens kids, talking CEOs felt blocked insides clear.
Thus dished each other with Steven Jobs relieving stress, mind-body peaceful in returned daily life.
Ring ring~!
“Hello?”
“Microsoft. May I speak to James?”
“It’s James? What’s up?”