By close of business yesterday, the Army had cancelled the Request For Information from industry for “Request for Information on Field Solutions to Soldier Camouflage: Identify in-the-field solutions/materials that will give Soldiers the ability to improve/adjust camouflage uniforms and equipment to better match the specific terrain.” It’s too bad. This could have been pretty cool.
This is just the survival tool that goes with the DPx HEST 2.0 Folder. The Mr DP skull tool features a built-in Peyser brass survival compass. It is used to adjust the pivot tension on the HEST 2.0 Folder and replace the glass breaker with a flat screw (flat screw also included with the knife). The tool also has an edged side that can also be used as a knife.
Check out the knife that it comes with at dpxgear.com.
The war is almost over. We can’t have a bunch of cowboys running around making up the rules as they go along. The time is nigh to bring them to heel.
You may recall my recent comments on surviving as a disruptive thinker in conventionally minded organizations. Looks like folks on active duty are starting to consider what they have wrought and what a future military will look like.
Navy officer Michael Campbell has penned an interesting read, “Disruptive Thinkers: Intrapreneurship vice Entrepreneurship – Why this Distinction Matters” in which he asserts that entrepreneurs work outside the system and intrapreneurs work within the framework. I’ll throw in my two cents that anyone who has only served during wartime doesn’t have the length of view to see what things were like during the peacetime military. Lockstep adherence to the status quo is what we had. Even after the war began, unconventional thinking was looked at with suspicion by ‘company men.’ While the author suggests that the intrapreneur “puts the goals of that organization first,” so does an entrepreneur. He just looks outside the organization in order to make it better, and doesn’t allow the dictatorship of ‘good enough for government work’ to stifle his efforts. Rather, author Campbell vilifies the concept of entrepreneurship, writing, “failing as an entrepreneur in uniform can very well result in breaking a solemn promise between you and the American people.” Spoken like a future member of the board. For examples, he cites Lt Col Oliver North and PFC Bradley Manning. Laughable. He equates being a military entrepreneur with being a criminal. Too bad he didn’t suggest such examples as Gen Billy Mitchell.
I once had an O6 SF officer call me a used car salesman because he was threatened by my confidence, knowledge (as a mere O3, and an Air Force one at that) and ability to move in circles outside our organization to bring in new, enabling capabilities. What makes this completely outrageous is that this was in 04 and I worked in a future capabilities cell at a Theater Special Operations Command. If anyone should have been thinking outside the box, it was me. He was just very threatened by unconventional thinking. Then again, he was serving as a Chief of Staff and not a Group commander. I’d say the system had his number but that doesn’t mean that he couldn’t do damage outside of command.
Remember, bucking the system isn’t for everybody. You’ve got to decide if the juice is worth the squeeze. And, coming up with a new way to conduct arms room inventories doesn’t make you a disruptive thinker.
Please take the time to read the article I referenced. It is well worth your time and will give you insight into the future groupthink.
And…make sure you keep up with disruptivethinkers.blogspot.com.
Infidel Caps has introduced their new Patch Pages which fit standard 3-hole binders. Measuring 8 1/2″ x 11″ the pages features two sides of Velcro Loop with a total 176 square inches per page surface. Individual pages are $9.00 each or 3 pack for $22.00. Available in OD, Coyote, and Black. Made in USA!
Get yours now from www.infidelcaps.com.
It’s been almost two years since we first wrote about Bawidamann’s revolutionary PALS Universal Platform (PUP) which is an add-on for knife sheaths and other items that you want to attach to PALS webbing. At first these were all hand cut from Kydex which meant they were often out of stock due to the popularity of the design. But, they realized that they could do it faster, better and ultimately cheaper through injection molding.
Available in both standard and mini sizes, PUP is a versatile design that allows you to assemble your sheaths and pouches to the PUP at virtually any angle and consequently to your gear, the way you want. Additionally, they’ve introduced blank models that allow you to cut your own mounting holes. These are a TacHacker’s dream!
All models of the PUP are manufactured in Ohio, USA.
Get yours at www.bawidamann.com
Battle Systems LLC gave us a sneak peek of their new marker panel. It is made from much lighter materials, allowing the user to fold it up and stash it in a shoulder pocket or admin pouch without hinderance. It also features a loop Velcro square on each side for a 2″x2″ IR reflective patch which they’ll be offering as a drop-down menu item.
This is a great size for 99% of uses. Sure, some units will still need to use full size VS-17 panels but the average guy cuts his down anyway to save space and weight.
These will be available mid-June from www.battlesystemsllc.com
Extreme Outfitters is holding a great sale on the Garmont Eclipse.
Available in sizes 7 – 14, the Garmont Eclipse Vented light hiking boot is based on the Eclipse GTX but for Summer use. They feature a 1.8 mm suede leather and mesh upper along with a compression molded EVA midsole paired with a Vibram G3 +2 outsole. And, for a limited time get a free Extreme Outfitters or Tactical Assault Systems Water bottle with the purchase of any pair of Eclipse Vented boots.
The real War Sport "War Bungee".
-DR
