Feel free to caption this photo of a member of the West Ohio Minutemen who was photographed in Cleveland this week, during the Republican National Convention.
Feel free to caption this photo of a member of the West Ohio Minutemen who was photographed in Cleveland this week, during the Republican National Convention.
is…is his front plate in backwards?
Oh, and he has no BUIS.
There’s a Magpul MBUS on that receiver.
Just no front sight.
Probably uses his red dot as the front sight lol.
He has a front sight.
…..hes got a mbus pro rear, and a gas block front sight….
Sure looks like it… Of course, he’s probably got the AR500 crap in there too from the thickness.
Give him the claymore. It’ll be in good hands.
Yep, give that man a claymore!
I don’t know what I was expecting as a response from someone with your name. 😛
The whole carrier is inside out.
I don’t think it is. It looks like one of the shitty Blackhawk plate carriers:
http://www.blackhawk.com/Products/Gloves-Protective-Gear/Protective-Gear/Armor/Carriers/Low-Vis-Plate-Carrier.aspx
Cheap and uncomfortable.
Ah. Craphawk! strikes again.
This is why we can’t have nice things.
probably a piece of plywood…
Needs a “go fund me” for real armor….
People do that?
My lartner at work did. We have all given him so much crap. He has a boat.
I’d say he met the goal. He surely didn’t spend more than a minute throwing his shit together.
“Naw, I meant to wear it this-away. See, if’ns I get shot, them bullets will deflect away from me on account of the curve on the plate; like ’em softball basket toss games at the fair.”
I’m as pro-2A as they come, but these neckbearded Bubba Assclowns playing dress-up really do a number on responsible gun owners and our credibility. They exert too much effort arguing that they can, without stopping to think if they should. It’s just fuel for the anti-gun fire. I’ve already seen about a dozen headlines about “Militiamen with Assault Rifles Patrol Cleveland”…
Side note: anyone else’s jimmies at least slightly rustled by the so-called militiaman to the right toting a HiPoint carbine?
My eyes were drawn to the HiPoint as well.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/07/20/04/366D23BA00000578-0-image-a-37_1468986007736.jpg
OMFG, that daily mail link is priceless.
ya check that
Dirty ass John Deere hat? Check.
Safety sunglasses from the Fastenal vending machine at work? Check.
No-curve AR500 armor? Check.
I’d love to see more of the kit that guy has in the background too.
Do a google imagery search for those bozos. “West Ohio Minutemen” turns up a lot of Condor, Blackhawk, and probably stolen/sold by a surplus store UCP kit. There’s also a lot of nasty facial hair and the “I’d totally serve in the military but…” appearance.
That’s pretty much most of Instagram too- wanna be cops/swat/operators/etc…
I’m more concerned about the guy on the right flagging him with a Hi Point carbine.
I don’t want to be flagged….but if I am….please do it with the High Point…
Tip of the spear…..
Tip of the football bat.
Best post. JJ
I think he’s wearing his plate backwards as a commentary to the Republican Party having many threats coming from the inside. No?
Armor as social commentary
At least he looks happy. It’s probably a copy of Soldier of Fortune magazine stuck in there..
nice watch tan!
Imagine the raccoon eyes that go with it.
his hydro looks like he’s routing a comm earpiece.
If you google West Ohio Minutemen, there’s a few that are. Probably running to a FRS/GFRS, because reasons. The channels are encrypted, so check that COMSEC box…
I like the guy to the left, and what looks like a dangling micro-usb cable.
Protecting himself, from himself. He must be a Democrat.
I do believe the sling is ass backwards too
Maybe it’s one of those little “Red Baron pizzas”.
“Front Towards Retard”
Really? No one has even touched on the zip-off cargo pants yet? Haha
I wanted to say something snarky about how they can be useful but….
Also he appearing to be in the middle of doing the pee pee dance based on his leg positioning.
He’s still better kitted out than the original minutemen were. Too bad there isn’t less ego and more maturity among many in the gun community. Then, folks might learn more from one one another and not be afraid to ask questions.
I would say that he is surrounded by experts who would be more than happy to tell you they are, if you just asked them.
True enough.
Upon close inspection it does appear the plates have a curve but the curve is backwards….yes, no?
If so then it can’t be true ballistic armor but perhaps training plates? Cause armor backwards just has to be too damn uncomfortable to wear.
Lastly, have you guys ever given thought that this guy might be an SSD reader and has perhaps commented in this thread? Ah….to be a fly on that wall
Probably steel plates that he inserted wrong into his carrier.
So….good chance he should double check his loaded magazines?
Who needs BUIS when you have a combat proven optic like my Vortex.
I say Burris
I see a lot of this in many professions, the guys that know what they are doing making fun of the ones that don’t.
Put your egos away and try to invest in teaching the people that have the desire but not the money or knowledge. Contact them and offer your services instead of acting like high school jocks making fun of the chess team playing with a frisbee. Many cannot afford high-end gear or just do not know any better.
I’m no expert on everything tactical but what I do know I try to teach other people if they want to learn. Some do not and think because they were in the military doing something they are badass. Most people have no idea, I’ve seen many a person have ball ammo in their EDC. When I explain they just give me a blank expression, those people are hopeless but many are not and listen. I get a headache hearing the .45ACP has more knock down power.
I try not to make fun of them, at one time I did not know either. I educated myself and I still am learning. Even though I was in the Army and a combat MOS they didn’t teach me much of anything usable other than how to shine a floor.. I try to learn something about it every day and spend countless hours on the range even at my age, I’m close to 60. I try to have patience with other people and teach them.
.45 ACP doesn’t have more knock down power? 😉
No, a plate carrier put on wrong-side out, with his buddies looking on absolutely demands ridicule, for the whole lot of them.
Yeah, they went full OC Tacti-tard.
Seriously, how do they not notice that?!?!
If any of that we’re even slightly true, he/they have no business suiting up and manning a “militia”
If anyone ever said they “learned a lot from their buddy,” or from “tactical training sessions” at their local militia muster cannot be taken seriously. If I had one piece of advice for these “patriots”, it would be to get off their asses and earn the uniform they pretend with by signing on the dotted line and standing on the footprints of true patriots that hold the tides at bay. Then may actually learn a thing or two about what self sacrifice and service actually mean.
you do realize that rights and membership in the militia wasn’t determined by one’s enlistment in the continental army.
The founders would have an issue with what you’re saying. You might get taken behind the watering hole since many of them were mocked by the brits the same way.
Thats assuming your broad paintbrush doesn’t miss the fact that many militia members are former active duty or reservist (or both).
No-one would be quicker to rip on militia guys than Continental Army regulars. Of all the battles of the AWI, the militia severely fucked up in the vast majority of them, and in some cases (see Camden) the Continentals paid the price for the shitty performance of militia troops. As far as founders beating down anyone, well, relatively few of them were combat veterans, turns out it’s easier to be a politician than a soldier and a leader of men like John Eager Howard or Daniel Morgan.
Funny how little some things change.
Militia were not used as intended, which didn’t include supplementing active duty soldiers in the field and go toe-to-toe with brit regulars.
“As far as founders beating down anyone, well, relatively few of them were combat veterans,”
And this has ‘what’ to do with anything? last I recall we’re not a military-service oriented government.
Cause the way to stand up to ones government of tyranny is by joining the strong arm of said government, by signing on the dotted line…..
Did we all seriously let this comment slide? Are you shitting me douchebag? The US Military stands for the Constitution and the rights of all Americans, and also ends up people around the world. Any current government overreach is not the conducted by our military. How about we disband it, then you’ll see what all my brothers & sisters do to keep your ass safe. I’d love to see these “militia” goons go toe to toe with their Chechnyan irregular counterparts.
So by your standard the farmers that fought the British had no business manning a militia? Laugh at him for sure but then teach those that don’t know.
Those farmers you referred to were trained and led by professional soldiers. Those farmers no longer had a choice once the war started. If a “patriot” truly wants to do his or her part instead of pretending to be a “tactical operator,” enlist and be part of a movement of social responsibility that could lead to making America great again!
Not always and ‘trained” is relative.
“Those farmers no longer had a choice once the war started”
Dumbass. Some 3% most optimistically served and fought in the war. 3%!
Many chose to simply not fight.
“be part of a movement of social responsibility that could lead to making America great again!”
Oh jesus fucking christ…LOL…
Many already DO JUST THAT!
I like your approach and agree with a lot of it. The only way to make everyone better is through knowledge and education. I have seen the same thing from other “militias” and wannabe operators. I do believe the motivation is there but most lack that critical knowledge which would translate into performance and capability. As a former Military member myself I had to teach 3rd world military soldiers the basics. We could all just sit back and laugh or actually do our jobs. A lot of them watch 80’s and 90’s action movies and try to duplicate the outrageous BS depicted on those films, I $h1t you not! We had to break down them of that imaginary BS and start at the most basic foundation of weapons safety, SA and basic line drills. From there we could build on combat shooting and teach basic maneuvering working up to squad size IADs and IMTs.
That’s all a bunch of could contribute in our own communities if indeed it is needed someday, I hope to god it isn’t! If, it is then, are all of you going be out there amongst it, wouldn’t you want guys around you that have a clue too??? You never know who your shooting buddy is going to be, better to prepare than teaching on the go!
My $0.02,
Out
Jocks vs chess club? Not quite…
Many times when I try to educate someone a Condor/AR 500 dealer cock blocks me, PMs the individual, and I have just lost time and a sale to a guy who just wants to unload out of spec, uncertified crap. Just happened to me again two days ago, lost a sale to an EMS guy who is a first responder to a “great dude, who will hook you up”.
So, call it what you will, people don’t listen to reason as much as they should, and lean towards what’s cheap, what’s available, and what do the internet fame seekers recommend.
Reason fails consistently in this business.
You won’t get through to everybody, in fact most just do not get it. But you must try, either a person is part of the solution or the problem. I know that is a wornout saying but it is true. I just try to be part of the solution the best I can without insulting anybody and belittling anyone.
I have a good friend a little younger than me, an ex- SSGT. 11C & 11B, who saw a lot of combat in both Afgan and Iraq. Doesn’t know chit about this stuff, just how to kill and survive. I learn from him and apply it even thought he is clueless on the finer points. It’s difficult to teach him, he’s the one that actually has killed in war, not me.
Living near Ft. Hood I come across many professional soldiers, ex-SOF/Ranger/Green Beret/SEAL and some of the things I hear from them I know for a fact is incorrect. I just smile and listen, I am no one to correct them.
How many of you guys that are ‘in the know’ would be okay with knowingly training militiamen such as the ones pictured above, with small unit tactics, and any other potentially applicable skills (in the members’ estimation, at least), if they sought out the training?
The Catch-22 is, the folks you’d want to learn those things from charge hundreds of dollars for such classes…and rightfully so. They have to earn a living, and their training and experience is literally worth millions of dollars in many cases. How much are these militia guys or wannabees going to shell out for a class when they can’t be bothered to spend more then $100 for a PC or $600 for a fighting rifle?
I could just say that they should just enlist as 11Bs or 03-series, and get PAID to learn that shit, along with all the operational experience you could ask for, but that would be expecting a lot of them, I suppose.
Airsofters do it better than this…
With the money they spend, airsofters do it better than anybody
^ This man speaks truth.
So true
I’ll say this much. Nothing runs like a Deere rifle.
Hehehe das a good one. Seriously though, I’m as plebeian as they come and even I have better kit than these tools. Really though, it’s like “where do they find these guys?”
The carrier is a Blackhawk Low Viz plate carrier
The plate is inserted incorrectly
I’m sure he will tell you there is some sort of tactical advantage to having it in backward.
I went through the trouble to free float my barrel so let me attach a sling to it anyways.
Haha outstanding
I will say he has most of my .mil counterparts beat on atleast proper wear of armor (in terms of placement of plates)
Exactly. Most people have them on too low. I guess their stomach is more important to them than their heart.
You can see this being done by high profile people in this “gear industry” even.
Looks like the Mil-Spec Monkey owner.
Not even a little bit
Ya I am not seeing any of the monkey there at all!!
Don’t most all plates have some form of instruction on which way faces outward or body side? This poor guy just needs a bit more ARFCOM and YouTube before he heads to battle. I pity more than I poke fun!
I may be a dork, but I think I’ve proven I know how to put on a plate carrier if we are going to go there…
The Monkey with the mic drop!
No disrespect intended, by the way.
MM is a dork but always has the ladies!
The inside out plate carrier is a mistake. “Operating” with a hi point is a life choice.
Why am I’m I the first comment to say this but you never go full retard!
Check it out. Dustin Hoffman, ‘Rain Man,’ look retarded, act retarded, not retarded. Counted toothpicks, cheated cards. Autistic, sho’. Not retarded. You know Tom Hanks, ‘Forrest Gump.’ Slow, yes. Retarded, maybe. Braces on his legs. But he charmed the pants off Nixon and won a ping-pong competition. That ain’t retarded. Peter Sellers, “Being There.” Infantile, yes. Retarded, no. You went full retard, man. Never go full retard. You don’t buy that? Ask Sean Penn, 2001, “I Am Sam.” Remember? Went full retard, went home empty handed…
This… ^
Am I the only one who sees and is disgusted by the valgus knee? Fuggin panty-waist.
No, I caught that right away as well. Glad you pointed it out, confirming what I thought.
He’s wearing long pants and his foot is canted. How can you tell it’s valgus?
I can tell because the foot is canted and the angle the lower leg is making in relation to his femur. If you mimic the same position, you’ll see it.
Maybe he has to take a piss or crap and is holding it in???
Yeah I caught that and was like WTF!!!!!
Valgus knee, that’s a new one for me and I’ll remember it.
It might be backwards, but after googling these yahoo’s, he is one of the only ones with the PC at the right height
So, what you are saying is this guy needs training & leadership?
You’d be surprised at the number of people who put their plates in wrong or ask if their is a front and back plate. Working in the armor shop you got to see all sorts.
We’ve found Gecko 45!
Ayyyyyyyy!
I re-read that thread every now and again for just for laughs.
I understood that reference 😉
Please God, guide my actions and give me the tactical wisdom so I do not end up like buddy there.
Enough about that tool, what about the knob to the left with the zip off cargo pants!!?? And a dump pouch? What’s he dumping, boiled peanut shells? And really, a USB cord dangling from his kit? Is he the skwad comms guy? “Hey guys, if you need a boost, just plug in right here. I brought my battery pack!!!”
Muzzle at rt is pointing at his armorless left testicle.
Found a few more of this guy.
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cnreba8XEAA5up4.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cnreba9W8AA0nUm.jpg
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cnq6ndtXgAQvLJf.jpg
He’s not the hero Cleveland deserves, but the one it needs right now….
I wonder what they would do if someone lit off some firecrackers behind them……just wondering?
So much NO going on…
So many “operators”, no time in service.
Also, so many fucking neck beards..
Apparently
No uniformity whatsoever
No clearly defined task and purpose
Budget, made in China gear
Budget, not-even-close-to-mil-spec weapons
Candy in dump pouches (from a video of the same group)
Either beer gut or noodle arms, or God help you…both
equals
A well-regulated militia. Facepalm…hard.
See this is what happens when you get one pic or of what we were doing. We are the west ohio minutemen based out of Lima, Ohio. What he has is 3/8ths thick ar500 raw steel as a plate. No curve. Srry we arnt funded by George soros or obama. We went to Cleveland to protect the innocent people, local businesses and to show police that there are people who still support them. Before yall judge…get the whole story…..we are trained by ex-marines also. Un-fuck yourselves.
And there’s my answer for fly on the wall.
As for police…I am sure you meant well but I am not so sure you gave them comfort. My guess is they thought if a gun goes off somewhere we are gonna have a “yuge report to file” -OR- If we get shot at, it will be total mayhem in this parking lot!!!
Seriously though, the gun on the right?
You guys and the rest of the open carry parade community are the westboro baptist version of the 2A community. You arent doing us any favors. Please just stop.
America thanks you for your patriotism, valor, and fidelity. You bring great credit upon yourself, the West Ohio Minutemen, and the United States Militia Movement. There are no finer members of society than yourselves.
Remember, it’s hard to join the military or the police, but it’s very easy to throw on Condor plate carriers and a HiPoint and walk around in public.
Yeah, because where were the colonial militia without their exquisite quality gear and matching uniforms, their clean shaven faces, and professional military etiquette that would have gave the brits a run for their money?
Maybe you should crack open a couple history books before you decide to ridicule people based off of appearances.
Plenty of insurgents with noodle arms killed and f–ked up plenty of steely eyed anglo-american professionals.
I seem to recall the Continental Army needing to get its assed beat into shape by professional military officers (to include Frenchmen) in order to actually win the war.
Please tell me about how badass insurgents are in relation to the American professional warfighter after looking at the staggering statistics and the fact that we basically ran over their damn countries in weeks and would have no problem wiping them off the face of the earth save for political hesitation and restraint.
First paragraph: you miss the point entirely. swooooosh!
And despite the lack of equipment and appearance of the continental army, even after valley forge, they still beat the brits in the end (with the assistance of the french).
So what? want another example? How about the heavy toll the confederacy inflicted on the union, despite differences in equipment and appearance?
and 2nd paragraph:
Your hyperbole doesn’t address the fact that we’ve been in those countries since 2001 and 2003 for afghanistan and iraq, respectively, yet its 2016…and still ongoing. Afghanistan in particular has been mired in war since 1979 with no end in sight any time soon.
So you can disparage people on appearances all you want, but some of us know better. I suppose its fun to do so up there from the high horse.
No its fun having to educate posers and wannabes. Its less fun seeing the right we defended being used to badmouth us. While you were playing prepper and open carrying to make political point we were sacrificing and serving to fight actual threats to you. Keep prepping for the jackbooted thugs or the aliens or whatever its going to be. We’ll keep bleeding and fighting real threats so you can have your fantasy.
whats with the ‘you’?
Just in case you want to throw around another ham-fisted assumption, ill emphasize that I have already worn the uniform and served, and yes, that includes overseas deployments in an active duty combat arms unit.
so, prepping and open carrying isn’t just all theory and unicorn shit with me, bub.
and fantasy? especially when idiots like the current batch of dimwits running for president have loyal braggarts like yourself wearing the uniform, standing poised to free the shit out of everybody. who is living in what delusional fantasyland?
and i take it you haven’t found your way to Kosovo or 2003 post saddam iraq, as indicated by your dismay towards preppers.
“We’ll keep bleeding and fighting real threats”
Hey tell your bosses to stop arming the bad guys, and maybe you wont have to do as much work. Just a thought.
Meh, not a fan of open carry or blatant showmanship, especially in a politically charged boink off session that is the republican national convention (barf)
However, I can see the utility of the unorganized militia in certain emergency situations. They leave much to be desired in comparison to a professional unit, although, the two purposes are entirely different. Disagree? read a history book for once.
Groups of people like that who stick together in an extraordinary situation will undoubtedly last longer than the few loud mouth, know it all, operators here that are too busy flaunting their active duty credentials around to get involved in their communities or other like-minded people, pretty much sealing their fate when they fight alone against the hordes with their 3K dollar fighting rifle.
Of course theyre the same type of people that are too busy ridiculing others to actually provide useful input and knowledge to other gun owners, not even being militia related. But maybe when it comes down to it, they know absolutely fucking nothing?
Your reviled “loud mouth, know it all, operators here that are too busy flaunting their active duty credentials around” probably live in a community that’s full of other active duty people IE base housing, Jacksonville NC, Fayetteville, all of the Chesapeake area (and that’s just keeping it in a 2 state region). So if something like a zombie apocalypse were to happen I’m willing to but a bunch of 11B that only have to ask “hey what unit are you with?” and then proceed on their merry way will do better than a crew of militia with no formal training and an obesity epidemic.
The other guy has a Hi Point carbine. ‘merica.
The internet debate here rivals the efficacy of the young man’s “kit”.