As seen at the recent SOMA conference, the Mission Pack Micro with built in magazine, shotgun, and GP pouches. There is also a BLoCS Gen III carrier with plates stored inside.
Archive for December, 2010
GGT – The T is for Training
Monday, December 27th, 2010Many regular readers of SSD will recognize Grey Group Training as one of the fastest growing online sources for cutting edge gear. Some of you probably even know about the pro shop right outside of Ft. Bragg, or you may have heard some scuttlebutt about their upcoming retail ventures. The surprising thing is that many of you probably don’t know there is actually the “training†side to Grey Group. While researching this article, I was amazed at the amount of training opportunities organized for the upcoming year.
The training side actually started before the either the retail or online stores were operational. While Grey Group CEO Josh Burmeister was working for another company he began hosting classes with some of the top instructors in the world. Once he formed Grey Group he solidified the infrastructure for hosting classes, and began growing both the number of instructors as well as the footprint of the training around the country.
Along with rapid growth and success came some challenges. Running the business, teaching, and deploying on top of keeping track of the training became overwhelming for just one person. There were also limitations associated with booking classes on the old web store. So, a Director of Training and dedicated customer service representatives were hired. Then, a new web store with better functionality was created (and an even newer one will be launched very soon). These additions have provided the easy one-stop shopping training and equipping that Grey Group has come to be known for.
In this industry reputation is everything, and Grey Group has put great effort into theirs. That is why most of the premier instructors and training companies in the country trust Grey Group to handle their training schedules and backside support. The list is a who’s who in the training world includes: Larry Vickers, Ken Hackathorn, TigerSwan, Bennie Cooley, Steve Tarani, Dave Harrington, Kyle Defoor, Rob Haught, Jason Falla, Paul Howe, SouthNarc, Jim Smith, Frank Garcia, Mike Pannone, and Pat Mcnamara, Solkoa. Additionally, Grey Group will be announcing a few more soon. What makes this even better is that they schedule classes with these premier instructors in a variety of locations across the country. As of now, there are about 150 classes in over 15 locations on the Grey Group schedule for 2011 with more to be added as the year progresses. They are still working to finalize some of the dates but many are already on their web store.
Grey Group also has another side of the training industry. They provide instructors for closed training for Military, Law Enforcement, and Security Professionals. This is usually provided by instructors with tremendous resumes, but without the recognition of some of the more known instructors on the schedule. Keep an eye out for some of these new names from Grey Group. You may not know them yet, but if they are in the Grey Group lineup you can bet they are well qualified and soon to be a heavy hitter in the training world. But please, by no means think that the training offered by Grey Group is just for the pros. Sure, some of the classes have restrictions but the vast majority are open enrollment.
There are few companies that have a retail store, an online store, and a training division under one roof. Even fewer do it all to the level of fidelity that Grey Group does. Furthermore, no one else is offering this variety of training around the country. This one-stop shopping approach to training is refreshing. Next time you want to attend a class, or your unit is looking for some training, consider Grey Group Training. Training is in the name for a reason.
ZERO POINT Combat Exploitation Kit 
Monday, December 27th, 2010
ADS has just added ZERO POINT to their line up of vendors. ZERO POINT makes some pretty amazing equipment and much of it is built for very specific purposes and the CEx-E is just such a kit. Designed as a small and lightweight site exploitation kit it provides the EOD operator the capability to detect, identify and sample explosives, desensitize sensitive explosive compounds as well as sample and package unknown liquids and powders. In addition to the tools, the kit also provides supplies to collect evidence for Sensitive Site Exploitation purposes. There are components to collect and tag evidence, protect sensitive electronic IED components and media, and document and photograph a site. There is even a large collapsible bag to transport all recovered materials. They have thought of everything. The organizer which is designed to be carried in a larger pack is Berry Compliant and available in a variety of colors and camo patterns.
For more information visit www.zeropointusa.com. ADS can support unit and agency orders. www.ADSinc.com/ZEROPOINT
Tags: ADS Inc, Zero Point USA
Posted in ADS, EOD | Comments Off on ZERO POINT Combat Exploitation Kit
Venture Brothers Annual Christmas Song
Sunday, December 26th, 2010
Hardcore “The Venture Brothers” fans know that they put out a free Christmas themed song each year. This year’s ballad by Hank and (spoiler alert!) Half-brother Dermott’s band Shallow Gravy entitled “Fan Club Christmas Album 2010″ can be found here. And by the way, in case you had any doubt, VB is green-lighted for a fifth season. VB mastermind Jackson Publick confirmed the news on his blog on Christmas Eve.
Stuff We Didn’t Write About
Sunday, December 26th, 2010Bulletstorm ‘Epic Edition’ To Include Early Access To The GoW3 Beta
Sunday, December 26th, 2010Saddened by the news that Gears of War 3 was pushed back from its original release date? Can’t wait for some awesome Gears multiplayer action? Then the (possible) solution is Bulletstorm! A very limited number of first run Bulletstorm copies on the Xbox 360 will be labeled as the ‘Epic Edition’ and will include an early access key for the Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta, along with a number of exclusive in-game upgrades and bonuses. Unlike a majority of special editions released these days, the ‘Epic Edition’ will almost entirely be composed of preorder copies, so if you’re interested in playing the beta before everyone else you’ll have to put some money down now. Bulletstorm is coming out February 22, 2010 and the GoW3 beta will be available sometime in the Spring.
One more thing: I am now open for e-mail contact. Just click the link below. If you want to shower me with praise or alert me to any errors in my articles then I’m more than happy to hear from you. If you have any complaints or want to try and sell me cheap viagra, just make sure the subject line is written as ‘TRASH’ so I know to dispose of it ahead of time.
–Tactical Fanboy
Merry Christmas to the Boys Overseas
Saturday, December 25th, 2010And now that DADT has been struck down maybe some of the ladies who are downrange will appreciate this too…
Warning: Clicking through will take you to a holiday message that some may consider N S F W
‘Twas the Night before Christmas
Saturday, December 25th, 2010‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”
-Clement Clarke Moore
