When hornets stung Grey Group’s Eric Page he started plotting regime change for the nest. He was last heard swearing, “So you want to sting me hornets? Guess what, I’m going to kill your queen,” in a voice much like like Bloefeld or Dr Evil. Either way, the current Administration might want to take a lead from his policy example.
Industry Pro James Gilliland has joined Digital Concealment Systems, LLC the creators of the A-TACS family of camouflage.
Jim will serve as Director of Special Projects with primary responsibilities including interfacing with new and existing manufacturing partners to bring new and innovative products to market utilizing both the A-TACS AU and A-TACS FG Camo patterns. Additionally, Jim will assist the DCS Marketing team with content creation and with the development of specialized media projects. Jim will also coordinate with various Government Agencies with respect to utilizing the A-TACS Camo platform.
Jim brings over 15 years of practical military experience to the A-TACS Camo team. He Joined the Army in 1996 where he served in the 3rd Batallion of the 75th Ranger Regiment as an Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortar Gunner), Forward Observer, Sniper, Spotter, RTO, Team Leader, and a Squad Leader. He later deployed twice to Afghanistan with C company 3/75 as a Squad Leader where he participated in the highly televised night combat Airborne Assault in the Helmand providence on 19 Oct 2001.
Jim went on to instruct at the NCO academy for 18 months before being assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division. While there, Jim selected and trained a Sniper Section from scratch in 2004 and deployed for one year as a Sniper Section Leader. Jim’s sniper section was recognized as the best Sniper Section in Iraq in 2005 by the Joint Chief Counter IED Task Force. Jim is accredited with taking a record successful single shot engagement with a 7.62 rifle.
Jim was later assigned as a Ranger Instructor at Mountain Phase of the Army’s Ranger school for three years as both tactics and mountaineering instructor. Following that, Jim returned to the 3rd ID and completed his second tour in Iraq as a Platoon Sergeant leading a quick Reaction Force and counter IED/Post blast section Leader finishing his time in the 3d ID as a First Sergeant.
Jim was assigned to Fort Benning in the summer of 2011 to serve in the Soldier Requirement Division, Small Arms Branch as the Senior Enlisted Adviser and Branch NCOIC. In this role Jim was directly involved in the selection, refinement and development of all future Army small arms. Jim is currently assigned to Cco 2-29 IN as the Rifle Marksmanship Proponent where he is tasked with the update and rewrite of the Rifle Marksmanship Manual.
Jim also founded and runs Shadow 6 Consulting. Through Shadow 6, he focuses on individual and group firearms training with emphasis on Weapons Handling, Marksmanship Training, Tactical Maneuver scenarios, Home Defense Training, Equipment Selection and Use, and Industry Consulting. Jim can be contacted at: jim@a-tacs.com.
Jim is going to be a great addition to the A-TACS team. Congrats to all!
Now that Team Wendy has officially launched their new EXFIL carbon fiber bump helmet, War Sport Ind already has a version of their popular War Bungee ready. The War Bungee creates tension to maintain devices such as counter weights, IR strobes, IR devices, cables, etc. from coming loose when jumping or encountering high-wind conditions. It can also be used to mount foliage when camouflaging your helmet.
Look for it later this week on their website in Coyote, OD and MultiCam.
During SOFIC we told you about the new Tactical Bump Helmet from Team Wendy. It’s since been renamed the EXFIL Carbon Fiber Helmet. Whats even better, it’s just hit the market and it’s available NOW in both Tan and Black from GSS Gear.
It’s the same helmet we showed during SOFIC with one major addition. It now incorporates a new Wilcox Industries NVG mount designed specifically for the EXFIL. It’s an injection molded shroud with a machined aluminum mounting mechanism to lower weight.
The EXFIL incorporates the Boa lacing system found on boots. It offers a custom fit and ease of use. In fact, we’ve been working with it and it’s amazing how many different head sizes it’s been able accommodate, everything from an 8 year old to Fanboy’s big melon.
It features an entirely new suspension/padding system that minimizes the use of foam. Instead the energy is dissipated through a combination of a crown sling and buckling zones. In fact, this helmet’s liner technology was developed specifically in support of Natick’s Heads Up program.
Price is $560.00 with Picatinny rail sections and the new Wilcox NVG mount. It’s so new, it’s not even on their site yet so if you want to pick one up by emailing proshop@gssgear.com or call 757-227-6757.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Of the first Ten Amendments, none have received more attention than the Second. Discussions generally revolve around the concept of a “well regulated militia.” It’s the type of dialogue that academics love because it allows them to fantasies about sitting around in togas having elaborate intellectual discussions about what the Framers meant.
The fact is quite simply that no one knows – unless you were the fly on the wall or part of the 1st Congress – why it was written as it was. All of the “cerebral horsepower” directed at the subject is no more than self-flagellation, and an opportunity for self-aggrandizement.
Now, I make no claim to clairvoyance, nor am I a Constitutional Scholar, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express so I’ll give my analysis!
There are two distinct thoughts embraced by the Second Amendment; (a) a well regulated militia* and (b) the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. These are two independent clauses, which the Framers could have easily separated by a period and not a comma. Yet they chose to modify “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed**” with their recognition that a militia is necessary to the security of a free State. Why?
1. The Continental Army was formed on June 14, 1775 prior to adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 and well before Congress approved 12 Articles to amend the Constitution. Therefore, one must assume the concept of an Army was well established in the minds of the Framers. In drafting Article IV, which became the Second Amendment, the Framers refer to a militia and not an Army; a significant distinction in my view.
2. Furthermore, James Madison advanced the 12 Articles to amend the U.S. Constitution because there was a genuine concern by the States that the Constitution, as originally adopted, could lead to domestic tyranny.
The combined effect of items 1 and 2 suggest the Framers and the States wished to retain the ability to call on its citizens to stand up a force capable of defending its rights and freedoms, should it become necessary to defend them from foreign or domestic threats. Nothing is written in the Second Amendment that is mutually exclusive; it is all complementary. The existence of a National Guard does not preclude the right to keep and bear arms by the people.
Another common argument, which creeps in when discussing the 2nd Amendment, is embodied in the ridiculous statement published in Recoil Magazine by its former Editor Jerry Tsai:
the MP71A is unavailable to civilians and for good measure. We all know that’s technology no civvies should ever get to lay their hands on. This is a purpose-built weapon with no sporting applications to speak of.
Nowhere in the Second Amendment is there reference to the types or quantities of arms “the people” may keep or bear; in fact, if you read historical accounts, biographies and autobiographies of the Framers, and many State Legislators of the time, you walk away with a sense that had they had access to MP7A1s, Kalashnikovs and 100-round magazines they would treasure them as much as their liquor and women.
When Mr. Tsai states “…We all know that’s technology no civvies should ever get to lay their hands on…” you have a clear indicator he lacked respect for the 2nd Amendment rights of his readers, and just as importantly his advertisers. Moreover, Jerry Tsai’s words play into the hands of those that live to infringe on 2nd Amendment rights; adding fuel to the fire of more gun control.
I will also add that Jerry Tsai’s comments are a vulgar display of ignorance. It was apparent that Mr. Tsai lacked understanding of the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 and its amendments, which does not prohibit the ownership of automatic weapons.
Let there be no doubt, The Second Amendment is under attack, and will probably continue to be so, whether out of ignorance and irrational fear, or a genuine desire to subjugate. Be ever vigilant! However, for an editor of a magazine that purports to advance knowledge and familiarization with technologies embodied by the 2nd Amendment to make statements, like those credited to Jerry Tsai, is repulsive and worthy of toilet reading.
I sincerely hope Recoil Magazine will regroup and deliver on its promise to be a premier publication.
-Sal Palma
twobirdsflyingpub.wordpress.com
*Note that in the original text, militia is not capitalized and for that reason, I believe it refers to the act of assembling a group of people for defense and not a specific military structure or organization.
**I use “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” as the principal clause because the Bill of Rights is rightfully people centric.
***There are numerous scholarly works written on the 2nd Amendment this is but one “THE SECOND AMENDMENT: A GUARD FOR OUR FUTURE SECURITY[1]” by Andrew M. Wayment – published in the Idaho Law Review
The Sentinel Design GLOCK magazine well is now in stock at Austere Provisions Company and currently shipping to other retailers as well.
Machined from solid aluminum and type III hard anodized, it is designed for full size frame GLOCK generation 3 guns in 9mm/.40 S&W/.357 Sig including the G17, G22, G31, G34, G35, G24, and the G17L.
In addition to the flat factory GLOCK baseplates, Sentinel’s design is compatible with factory GLOCK +2 baseplates and copies, Arredondo +2 and +5 extensions, Magpul Speedplates, as well as Dawson Precision’s excellent extended tool-less magazine extensions and Ez-Off baseplates. It’s easily installed by the user and will make a great addition to your GLOCK.
The Mystery Ranch 3-Zip Overload was designed specifically to accommodate the carriage of a weapon (rifle, crew-served or rocket) which fits vertically in between the frame and pack bag. There is PALS webbing down the sides of the bag but nothing overwhelming. Additionally, there are open top side pockets toward the bottom for water bottles or other items you need quick access to.
Equipped with a NICE Frame, it integrates the Futura Yoke system and the Contour Lumbar Wrap. The waist belt can also be upgraded to a model with pockets.
The 3-Zip Overload boasts 3000 cubic inch (49 Liters) and incorporates the 3-Zip opening that acts as a top/panel loading hybrid. The frame also incorporates the latest removable Bolstered Ventilation and Stability (BVS) System which stabilizes the pack when you are wearing armor with a rear plate. The pack is available in Coyote, Foliage, or MultiCam.
Sniper Company published a pretty extensive review of the pack that you should check out. www.snipercompany.com
www.mysteryranch.com/military/weapons-carry-packs/nice-overload-3zip-bvs-pack
