The 2nd Annual Lendy’s Wings for Warriors is right around the corner. Since it’s here in Virginia Beach all of our readers won’t be able to make it. But don’t fret. You can still help the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation out and get a cool T-shirt by purchasing one of these from sponsor mission First Tactical. To place an order, send an e-mail to amber@missionfirsttactical.com.
Thanks to Tactical Fanboy for the tip.
Whew, that’s a mouthful, but Magnum USA’s new Spider Tac Spec is an athletic-inspired SWAT boot. Check out the new video at www.magnumboots.com/tacspec to learn more about the boot’s many features.
Remember, you saw it here first.
We received a letter last week from a reader criticizing our coverage of the Army’s Family of Patterns effort. First off, it is important that you know that the author is involved commercially in the development of camouflage patterns. It is also important that SSD readers realize that we are in no way affiliated with the US Government and do not represent the views of the military but rather function as a news outlet serving the tactical industry. While we appreciate the time it obviously took to craft this letter, it seems as if the writer is expecting SSD to explain Army decisions. Since we are in no way involved in the acquisition process this is impossible. However, we will do our best to address the concerns of this writer from our perspective, based on our attendance at Industry Day and our interaction with Government and industry over the past few years. Hopefully, this article will help to expand your understanding of the upcoming Family of Patterns solicitation to be released later this week. Due to the length of the letter please read the rest of the story. (more…)
“Army conducting ‘full-court press’ to reduce weight Soldiers carry” – That’s the title of latest story from the Army News Service discussing testimony provided last week by Army officials before the House Armed Services Committee on the Army’s budget and modernization. Afghanistan as you know is a very Soldier-centric environment and the Soldier serves as our most important combat system. Since the onset of hostilities in 2001 the Army has made huge strides to improve the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) of our Soldiers but it has come at a cost.
However, the article leads the reader to believe a couple of things that are untrue and hopefully, the article is incorrect and these same misstatements weren’t provided to Congress as testimony.
For example, according to the article the Army’s Vice Chief of Staff GEN Pete Chiarelli “said the Army has given Soldiers the option between the Improved Outer Tactical Vest and the new light-weight plate carrier. That provides a weight savings of 8 pounds…” Actually, the Army provides both systems but it is not up to the Soldier which he will wear but rather up to his chain of command. While it isn’t an out and out mistruth, it is a bit misleading. Individual Soldiers don’t get to apply METT-T and decide which PPE to wear.
He went on to state, “And the Army “continues to look at ways to further lighten body armor,” though he told lawmakers it’s not likely that the most common protective gear for Soldiers, the ceramic protective plates worn close to the body, could become lighter — because the technology isn’t there yet.
“I have not heard of any technologies now that will give us the required protection — as enemy capabilities continue to increase — at a lighter weight,” Chiarelli said.”
Once again, not entirely true. Industry can drop weight, but the Army doesn’t want to foot the bill associated with the reduction.
But, according the article GEN Chiarelli wasn’t the only one putting out incorrect info. LTG William N. Phillips, the military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) apparently hailed the Army’s new “Danner” boot due to its weight reduction. Unfortunately for him, the Army chose the Belleville boot instead. While the boots are very similar, the fact that a senior Army leader is passing out bad info is a bit disconcerting. What else is he getting wrong? It might be the tidbit about the “added” $5.8 Million for armor R&D. Yes, it’s a new line item, but the money isn’t. Most of it was pulled out of the old single line item that covered armor as well as Organization Clothing and Individual Equipment. Now they are separate.
Soldiers are our most precious resource. When it comes to their protection, we’re not opposed to a little gold plating. But please, no sugar coating.
According to Tactical Fanboy Predator BDU is already shipping their A-TACS ACUs from Propper! That’s right, ahead of schedule. How often can you say that? This also means that they have them in stock.
One of our readers sent us this DoD photo of a Special Forces Soldier helo casting with his K9 during Exercise Emerald Warrior 11. While the reader thought that it was interesting that the Soldier was wearing Five Fingers, we were more interested in the K9’s Bass Pro Shops flotation vest.
Thanks Anatolii!
S.O.Tech has three new additions to their full line of tactical symbology which was designed as a Mil Std 2525C supplement to accurately represent specialized job functions at the individual level. S.O.Tech has also adapted the symbols for use on patches which can be worn to designate various functions at the small unit level. This can be an excellent way to identify special skills often found in attachments to a patrol or to cut through the “fog of war” during chaotic situations. Additionally, they have affixed the symbols to prints and T-shirts to facilitate pride in one’s job.
Of course, the best use of these symbols is as they were originally intended; on maps and other operations graphics. S.O.Tech produces the excellent TMPST (Tactical Mission Planning Set) system. Designed as the ultimate portable sane table, its magnets include blank arrows and blank tiles for users to draw on their own symbols and names. This encourages Soldier creativity and gives S.O.TECH feedback on potential new symbols. In fact, they are always looking at new designs so if you need a special symbol for your job function let us know in the comments. We know they’ll be reading. The best suggestion will win a prize from SSD. Finally, keep an eye peeled for the Battalion-level TMPST, currently in development.
You asked for it so we did it. The comments sections are now open for all new posts. We are looking forward to hearing what you have to say.
