- Author: Ariel Clay
In 1988, Mr. Ratto and his wife, Cathy, enrolled their children in several projects at Harmony Grove 4-H Club. 4-H places a high value on learning life skills that are not always available in the school classrooms. Living in a rural setting; Mr. Ratto knew that many families often provide their child's first pellet gun or long rifle. A firearm safety course was needed right away to prevent incidents of all kinds from occurring.
Mr. Ratto quickly went to work becoming a certified 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor.
Having a regular location for the 4-H Shooting Meeting, along with a safe backstop to shoot into became the second obstacle to overcome.
The land owner's insurance policy required all youth to hold a California Hunter Safety Certificate before participation could take place on site. With excitement of a new project, Mr. Ratto also became certified to teach this part of the program as well.
U.S. Congress created a program that was part of the 1903 War Department Appropriations Act. The program provided civilians an opportunity to learn and practice marksmanship skills so they would be skilled marksmen if later called on to serve in the U.S. Military.
Mr. Ratto, The Mehrten's Family, Clements Fire Station and San Joaquin County 4-H Office, all worked together so the Civilian Marksmanship Program could be brought in and taught in conjunction with the National 4-H Shooting Sports Project.
Many 4-H youth have taken the 4-H Shooting Sports Project in conjunction with the California Hunters Safety Course over the twenty-nine-years that Mr. Ratto has instructed. Youth, at each level, learned the following.
Beginning Level:
- Safely transport, load, fire, aim, shoot, clean and store their firearms
- Recognize if someone was handling firearm in an unsafe manner and to then exit the situation and notify an adult of what was happing.
Moderate Level:
- When and how to adjust their sites on a firearm
- Un-safe surfaces not to shoot into
- Participate in the Civilian Marksmanship Program for, Prone – Sitting – Kneeling – Off Hand, (standing)
Advanced Level:
- Complete the Civilian Marksmanship Program, qualifying youth as a Distinguished Marksman
- Teach other youth how to safely handle and shoot firearms
Mr. Ratto taught 4-H Shooting Sports & California Hunters Safety for twenty nine years. Some of his proudest moments teaching this project include the following:
- Seven youth that grew up to serve in military action from Desert Storm to the current Afghanistan Conflict
o Two of which were wounded
o One sniper
o One marksmen that also attended West Point
- Teaching children and grandchildren of past 4-H Alumni Students
Mr. Ratto and his Wife, Cathy, were also active project leaders in the Market Sheep and the Sheep breeding program. They held club membership in Harmony Grove 4-H, Clements 4-H and Alpine-Victor 4-H. Mr. and Mrs. Ratto live in Lockeford, California. They have two grown children; James and Elizabeth, and three granddaughters.
***This article was submitted by members of the Alpine-Victor 4-H Club as part of their nomination form for the Judy Waller Award.***