National Molding has announced the appointment of James Rittenhouse as the Manager in charge of the Duraflex® Product Line. James brings over 25 years of product design experience across a wide range of industries which includes body armor systems, luggage, backpacks and small appliances.
Today is the 236th birthday of the United States Army. It is also Flag Day. Fly your stars and stripes with pride today and thank America’s Army for keeping America Free!
Revision has just released the ExoShield goggle to the general public. Previously in limited release to specialized customers, the ExoShield was developed initially to satisfy a requirement for a skydiving goggle. However, the low-cost design proved so effective it quickly began to be used for other applications.
“The Revision Exoshield is an ultra compact hybrid solution designed by special operators for special operations,†explains Dan Packard, Sr. VP of Military Sales for Revision. “This end-user driven product, the Exoshield, provides unequivocal night vision gear compatibility, ballistic protection and environmental shielding for use in high-speed, dynamic operations.â€
I have had a pair for a couple of months and they are fantastic. The design protects the eyes and keeps out dust due to the comfort foam which actually lives up to its name. Additionally, I have not noted any fogging but admittedly have not used them under particularly strenuous or high humidity conditions. The headstrap is a two piece design that Velcroes together and can be used with a variety of helmets. For Pro-Tec and Gentex Parachutist helmets the ExoShield is to be worn beneath the helmet with the straps extending out the back through the slits and attached on the outside.
If I would ask for one change at this point it would be to change the headstrap to a Foliage Green or Tan color. However, since the ExoShield was originally envisioned as eyepro for airborne operations I understand why it is currently Black.
Revision provided this quote form an unnamed PJ that echoes my sentiment, “The eyewear is great, keeps out the dust (even under freefall) and is comfortable even for extended periods. I think this is ‘the product’ for the guys that need a multipurpose goggle.†While he doesn’t mention it, they are extremely low profile and can be worn with NODs. The lenses meet or exceed military ballistic certification standards.
The Exoshield Extreme Low-Profile Eyewear Kit consists of a goggle with comfort foam in either clear or solar (as in dark) lens versions, Black headstrap, microfiber cleaning cloth, and storage case. It retails for $49.99 MSRP.
It’s so long Antioch and hello Brentwood for Tactical Command Industries. Effective 27 June, 2011, they are moving from their original business unit opened in 1996 in Antioch, California by Don Medine, a service disabled Police Sergeant and Tactical Team Leader to a new facility at 2150 Elkins Way, Brentwood, California 94513. It will give the company much needed space to expand customer service, production and R&D functions.
According to the company president, “The purchase and acquisition of the new facility for the company in Brentwood, California is exciting, but also delineates the end of part of the company’s history. We started the company in Antioch and we have operated a business unit there since the beginning.†Mr. Medine continued, “Part of my law enforcement career was with the police department in Brentwood, so it seemed quite natural for the company to move there.â€
Congrats!
VF Corporation announced the purchase of Timberland Footwear for $2.2 Billion. This is tactically significant because VF currently holds the uniform contract for DHS and could conceivably now offer VF footwear as part of that program. DHS is not required to comply with the Berry amendment.
The Army announced on Friday two significant changes to the Army Combat Uniform. While the Army’s birthday isn’t until the 14th of June many held their birthday balls over the weekend where it was announced to the troops by unit leadership.
Army Photo: Susanna Avery-Lynch
First and foremost, the Chief of Staff of the Army, Martin E. Dempsey announced that the Patrol Cap will become the default headgear for the ACU. According to Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III, who sees himself as the CSA’s “Scout”, the “The voice of the Soldier has been heard”.
“I am a scout for General Dempsey, who asked me to look into everything a Soldier wears from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet,” Chandler said. “These are changes that the field said they wanted to see.”
In a press release found on army.mil, SMA Chandler went on to explain he had spoken with “several thousand” Soldiers and also received comments via social media sites, like Facebook. “I have also discussed this with my board of directors — the most senior sergeants major of our Army,” Chandler said. Post-deployment combat uniform surveys were used as a basis for the changes.”
Please note that the Black beret is NOT going away completely but rather, only as the primary headgear for the ACU. It will however, remain the primary headgear for wear with the Army Service Uniform. The clothing bag will change slightly as Soldiers will only receive one issued beret. Berets may still be worn with ACUs at the direction of the unit commander. As far as we can tell this new direction only applies to the Black beret and not the Maroon, Green, and Tan worn by Airborne, SF, and Rangers. Although most of those guys wear PCs in ACUs already anyway.
The second big announcement is that Name tapes, US Army tapes and skill badges may now be sewn on. But get this, the Name and Army tapes have to be sewn-on OVER the Velcro. Unit patches, skill tabs, and the American flag will still be velcroed onto the ACU. Additionally, pockets will still be closed with Velcro so tell mama to separate her drawers in the wash if she doesn’t want them torn up by the Velcro.
Skill badges, which have been pin-on only up to this point may now be sewn-on as well. Of course this means that your “combat” uniform won’t be so combat if you sew them on, but the garritroopers should all be jumping for joy.
So, despite any goofy rumors you might have heard from someone who read a headline somewhere or half listened to an announcement, Velcro is NOT going away on the ACU.
Oh the irony. It was just a few years ago that the regular Army guys were sewing it on their BDUs and DCUs to look all special anyway. Now they all complain about it. Go figure.
Interestingly, the Army Uniform Board that normally decides such issues doesn’t meet until July so the past assertions by the Army leadership that uniform changes must wait for an AUB are bunk. Apparently, it’s ok to make unilateral decisions when it suits them.
As with all directives from on high, wait for implementing instructions from your unit leadership before complying.
Mayflower recently sent us this announcement:
Due to demand ranger green has been added back to the webstore as a standard color. Due to lack of demand ACU has been removed as an available color. ACU is available for unit/bulk orders of 25 pieces or more. Contact us via info@mayflower-rc.org or the contact page for more information on bulk orders.
