Designed in collaboration with Bernhardt Watch, the Spartan Blades Field Diver Watch runs on a Swiss Quartz movement made by RONDA which keep near-perfect time and offer shock protection against the heaviest of concussions. The housing is machined from 316 stainless-steel and the case has a sapphire crystal. The case-back and crown screw down, offering 200 meters of water-tightness and the watch incorporates a steel diver’s bezel. The stainless steel bracelet and case are black PVD coated. The watch face and bezel numbering is tan. Each watch comes delivered in a great leather travel case. Every watch is engraved with Spartan Blades Logo along with limited edition numbering (XXX of 200) on backside.

spartanbladesusa.com

SERGEANT MAJOR: Don’t stand there gawping like you’ve never seen the Hand of God before! Now, today, we’re going to do marching up and down the square! That is, unless any of you got anything better to do. Well?! Anyone got anything they’d rather be doing than marching up and down the square?! Yes?! Atkinson. What would you… rather be doing, Atkinson?

ATKINSON: Well, to be quite honest, Sarge, I’d… rather be at home with the wife and kids.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Would you, now?!

ATKINSON: Yes, Sarge.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Right! Off you go! Now, everybody else happy with my little plan… of marching up and down the square a bit?

COLES: Sarge!

SERGEANT MAJOR: Yes?!

COLES: I’ve got a book I’d quite like to read.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Right! You go read your book, then! Now! Everybody else… quite content to join in… with my little scheme of marching up and down the square?!

WYCLIF: Sarge?

SERGEANT MAJOR: Yes, Wyclif?! What is it?!

WYCLIF: Well, I’m, uh, learning the piano.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Learning the piano?!

WYCLIF: Yes, Sarge.

SERGEANT MAJOR: And I suppose you want to go and practice, eh? Marching up and down the square not good enough for you, eh?!

WYCLIF: Well,–

SERGEANT MAJOR: Right! Off you go!

WYCLIF: Oh.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Now! What about the rest of you? Rather be at the pictures, I suppose.

SQUAD: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Ooh, yeah. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Right.

SERGEANT MAJOR: All right! Off you go!

SQUAD: Oh. Ooh. Great. That’s great. What a day. I want to see the Merle Oberon picture. Eh hehheh.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Bloody army! I don’t know what it’s coming to. Right! Sergeant Major, marching up and down the square. Left, right, left. Left…

NARRATOR #1: Democracy and humanitarianism have always been trademarks of the British Army…

SERGEANT MAJOR: Rubbish!

NARRATOR #1: Shh! …And have stamped its triumph throughout history, in the furthest-flung corners of the Empire,…
[mayhem]
…but, no matter where or when there was fighting to be done,…
[patriotic music]
…it has always been the calm leadership of the Officer class that has made the British Army what it is.

Now through June 30 get 20% off all Granite Tactical Gear from US Elite. Granite Gear is committed to designing, building and testing innovative gear that will offer superior durability, function and comfort for unpredictable tactical environments. They use the most advanced and highest quality USA materials such as solution dyed Cordura® fabrics and webbings that meet military specifications for Near-Infrared (NIR) compliance for minimal signature and exposure. They also guarantee all of their products for life against defects in materials and craftsmanship.

www.us-elitegear.com

CO Residents order Here: store.magpul.com/product/MAG233-BLK

CO Residents not already registered can sign up for the Airlift here: www.magpul.com/colorado

Crye is one of the sponsors of the Hot Shots Calendar, the proceeds of which support US and UK charities such as Special Operations Warrior Foundation and Help For Heroes.

When I was in the Army, if you were anybody, you had a Claymore Bag. It might be used for a shaving kit or for use as a range bag but it was a highly prized item. The one that comes with the actual mine is made from cotton duck and while it’s durable, it was designed to be disposable, so it is far from indestructible.

Enter Combat Flip Flops. They’ve sourced a USA Made version of the iconic Claymore Bag that incorporates multiple new features. First and foremost is construction. They’ve switched to modern, durable materials. Second, and the gussetted exterior pockets that are large enough to accept an iPad Mini. Additionally, the bag’s two exterior pockets each accept Velcro inserts and the main pocket’s interior is daisy chained with 1″ nylon webbing to accept shock cord. CFF has also introduced redundant closures including button, hook and loop, and Figher Design covert magnetic closures. Finally, a 5.56 mag/cell phone holder and sunglass case come standard with each Claymore Bag.

There are several additional accessories planned that aren’t available yet and include:
-IPad mini holder (optional)
-iPad holder (optional)
-Surface holder (optional)
-Kindle Holder (optional)

The current limited run is made from Ranger Green LiteLok with Black, Dark Earth, Ranger Green, and You Can’t Miss Me Silver in Cordura coming in July.

www.combatflipflops.com/claymore-bag

For example, check out their Picatinny Rail Bracelet. The reverse side has a slight curve to be more comfortable against the wrist. Manufactured from Aluminum and Class III Type II Hardcoat Anodized. Offered in Bronze, Black, Silver and Green.

They have also introduced a Trigger Necklace that looks to be inspired by those sharktooth necklaces but in Steel and cooler. Offered in black oxide plated steel, 24k Gold Plated, White Bronze, and Bronze.

Either item comes with deerskin leather cord and is Made in the USA.

The men’s model on the left is the Pussy Galore and the ladies’ model is the Moneypenny.

Look for these Spring 2014.

Yet, the are two additional stressors on industry that are avoidable, yet doing some serious damage. The first is sequestration. The Government and particular, the military, long industry’s largest single customer, isn’t buying much. Not for lack of need, but for lack of cash. And the blame for that lies with forces outside their control; politics. Reportedly, sequestration has caused the second stressor; the delay in announcing the US Army’s new family of camouflage patterns.

Many companies have figured out that they have to switch back to a pre-war, retail-based business model. But now, even that is fraught with problems. Normally, the purchase of many Soldier System items would fall back on the individual as the military itself stops buying. Individual service members would buy socks, boots, daypacks, eyepro, gloves, flashlights, knives, etc. with their own cash. Soldiers universally abhor the current issue Universal Camouflage Pattern and according to the Army itself, they don’t want it anymore either. But due to the delay Army’s in announcing new camo, Soldiers in particular are wont to spend money on anything lest they buy the wrong pattern. And this has many in industry worried.

The retail market isn’t the only side that is skittish over Army camouflage. For the Government, DLA has delayed several procurements in anticipation of a new camouflage. But even then, crunch time is coming for some commodities that will have to be purchased before the Army runs out. At the very least, Soldiers will need uniforms.

You see, no one wants to be left holding the bag, ie a huge inventory of fabric or finished goods in UCP. Already, it’s practically being given away in fire sales by vendors. Manufacturers are afraid to order fabric because they fear the few orders for UCP they have will be cancelled at any any moment as the client specifies delivery in the new pattern. As one industry insider put it, “the supply chain is getting crushed due to lack of orders on top of drawdown and sequestration.”

The longer the Army delays announcement of a new camouflage pattern, the more it hurts the industrial base it relies on. Additionally, the Army is forced to purchase clothing and equipment that will have to be abandoned after the switch. And finally, delays impact readiness. The American Soldier (as well as members of other services/organizations that must use Army camouflage) deserve to use effective camouflage.

U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Gina Vaile-Nelson, 133rd MPAD