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Archive for July, 2013

In Memoriam – Rumiko “Miko” Wheeley

Thursday, July 25th, 2013

Cancer recently took away a cherished member of the LBT family. Although most of us didn’t know her, we knew her work intimately. Even though we didn’t know her name, we admired her attention to detail. That woman was Rumiko Wheeley, a pattern maker at LBT. Known as Miko to her friends, she will be sorely missed by all.

Miko Wheeley joined the LBT family in 1992 (21 years ago) and throughout her career proved to be an invaluable asset/team member. Miko began as a team sewer and later transitioned to the fabric-cutting department, progressing up to pattern making and design. She later became the leader of the fabric cutting/pattern department. Early on Miko displayed a strong work ethic and attention to detail. Well liked and respected by all members of the LBT team, one of her strong points was her ability to train and share her knowledge/experience with others. Miko was a key element in our design and engineering department with an instinctive capacity for developing, reengineering, and updating products. She will be greatly missed as a team member as well as a person.

-Doug McDougal

In Case You Were Wondering Where I Was All Day

Thursday, July 25th, 2013

Thank you Grey Group Training and Daniel Defense.

Canipe Correspondence – Unloaded Guns

Thursday, July 25th, 2013

Lately, Canipe has been the busiest man in the business but he took a minute out of his schedule to share these words of wisdom.

Unloaded guns have two purposes…

– Keep a safe from floating away
– Paperweight

Canipe

RAAF Blue MultiCam Variant – The Rest Of The Story

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

Remember this photo we posted of a blue variant of the Australian MultiCam Pattern developed for the Royal Australian Air Force? Apparently, it promoted a query to the Department of Defence.

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Questions:
1.) Are there any variants (colour variants or otherwise) of the AMP being tested, considered, or evaluated. In particular, is there a ‘blue’ RAAF version as seen here (https://ssdaily.tempurl.host/2013/06/27/an-raaf-variant-of-amp/)
2.) Are there publicly available results of the comparative camouflage testing in which AMP featured? If not, when are these expected to be made available.
3.) What is the timeframe for the rollout of AMP to various units (including an variants), and will CPCU uniforms also be replaced?

A Defence Spokesman responded to all of the questions with this statement:
RAAF and Army currently wear the same Disruptive Pattern Camouflage Uniform (DPCU). RAAF is currently considering alternative patterns and/or colours which would easily identify Air Force personnel from Army personnel. The new uniform would provide the same protection from the elements as DPCU.

The image you are referring to is a prototype only. It was developed to provide a visual comparison to DPCU. This prototype is not being further considered. Patterns and/or colour variants of the new uniform are currently under development, hence no further information on timeframes can be provided at this time.

While we’re happy to see that this isn’t something that the RAAF plans on fielding, we have to wonder what these other variants might look like.

Thanks to N for the heads up!

Some Words of Wisdom from the Legendary Bull Simons

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

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Many have seen this statue at Ft Bragg of COL Arthur “Bull” Simons (USA, Ret) (1918-1979). But, few know what is engraved at the base of the statue.

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SC Governor Nikki Haley Visits FN Manufacturing

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

TacJobs – Phokus Research Group Seeks Product Manager

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

Company Description
Phokus Research Group, LLC is committed to improving the capabilities of our Nation’s Warfighters and Domestic First Responders by bringing them innovative products. Through our partnership with creative Special Operations Forces (SOF) end users, and best-in-class companies. Phokus has successfully established itself as patent holding inventors, consultants, and hands on facilitators capable of taking ideas from discovery, through the manufacturing process, and delivering combat quality products. Phokus draws from 50 years of combined active duty service as SOF operators and utilizes an extensive network of innovative end-users, world class manufacturers, and superior distributors to provide the pipeline for successful new product development. Phokus currently has two products in the marketplace, with a third coming Fall 2013 and a vast pipeline of new ideas and inventions waiting to be commercialized.

Product Manager Job Description
Phokus Research Group is seeking a Product Manager to join our dynamic team in Carmel Mountain (San Diego). This position reports to the Founder and as a start-up company this person will play a key role in the growth of the company. You will be directly responsible to plan, direct, manage and coordinate the activities of the means of production for our innovative widgets. These innovations are used on the front line within the DOD, Federal Law Enforcement, and civilian markets.

You will be joining the Company during its startup phase, and so in addition to the core duties, and especially at the early stages of the Company’s growth, you may be asked to perform other tasks as the need arises. We anticipate that as the Company grows and matures your duties and role will evolve as well. Needless to say, regular work attendance, punctuality, professional and appropriate interaction with clients and staff, and a commitment to achieving the Company’s objectives will be expected from all of the Company’s employees.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:
-Ability to respond to inquiries or request for information from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to management.
-Establish and maintain production plans and schedules.
-Lead manufacturing to meet published shipping schedules and develop contingency plans to prevent late customer shipments.
-Ensure manufacturing compliance to Quality Management System procedures, standard operating procedures and work instructions.
-Must have demonstrated knowledge of production scheduling, inventory management, analytical skills, and reporting skills.
-Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
-Prepare budgets for indirect expenses and capital expenditures.
-Ensure appropriate facilities and tooling is in place.
-Understand and administer company policies pertaining to the areas of safety, loss prevention, environmental standards, and employee administration.

Desired Skills & Experience:
Education/Training: B.S. degree in a technical field or equivalent combination of education and work experience required.
Experience: Four-Six years of experience in a high mix, high volume manufacturing and product development environment. New product experience preferred. Manager level experience preferred. Start-up experience a plus.
Skills/Technical Requirements:
– Technical knowledge in at least four of the six areas of responsibility (production [assembly and test], production control, test engineering, manufacturing engineering, systems integration, and supply chain).
– Proven ability to work effectively across functional boundaries, takes an active role in the transfer of products from Engineering into Manufacturing.
– Proficient in MS Office and MS Project.
– Excellent organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects.
– Strong oral and written communication skills.

Additional Support Role Requirements:
Marketing duties include:
– Updating and maintaining the website
– Managing CRM system
– Managing PR (information for releases, and newsletters)
Sales duties include:
– Fielding Sales calls
– Sending follow up informational emails
– Creating and updating “demo” kits to support sales initiative.
Administrative duties include:
– Managing registration timelines for trade shows and conferences.
– Managing employee out of office schedule.
– Fielding general phone calls.

We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness programs. We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO/AA Employer. We encourage qualified candidates with the required technical and leadership skills and experience to apply online for this challenging position. Please send an email to jobs@PhokusResearch.com, include a resume with salary history. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be contacted to further the application process. No phone calls, outside agencies, or recruiters.

US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort Update – The Announcement

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

I’ve heard it from enough sources now that I’m prepared to share a new target date for the official announcement of selection for the US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort. While already a year behind schedule, a lot as happened. They began by pitting 20 candidates against one another before whittling the field down to four.

During the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting, October 21-23, we anticipate the Secretary of the Army, the Honorable John McHugh, to announce the winner from among the four finalist patterns. They are from top left, clockwise: Crye Precision, Kryptek, ADS Inc partnered with Guy Cramer, and Brookwood.

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In addition to the new pattern we also expect an announcement for a new boot color although we understand that the actual color has not yet been determined. Don’t be surprised if we see a new accessory color as well for T-shirts, socks, gloves, etc.

First off, it’s nice to hear confirmation after confirmation (although not officially) that the announcement is coming. But, we’ve been here before and still no announcement. I’m still a bit skeptical, so I’ll believe it when I see it. Second, both Houses of Congress have passed versions of the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act that require DoD to move toward a common combat uniform and associated camouflage. Those bills will take effect 1 October. While not a mathematician, I can look at a calendar and when I do, I see an issue.

To say that I am less than impressed would be an understatement. In military terms, this strategy is the equivalent of the Army knowing that an attack was coming on 1 October but planning to respond on the 21st of October. Of course, the Army could head all of this pesky legislation off at the pass and come out on top in the DoD Camo Wars. They did it already with the Individual Carbine program when members of Congress passed an amendment to the NDAA requiring them to complete testing. They didn’t wait around for that good idea to become law. but they seem to be waiting for this. if they would only act, they would not only be the dominate land force but also look like it and simultaneously, dominate the camouflage debate and do it with empirical evidence.

Even so, the impending legislation remains contentious with services openly challenging the notion of returning to a common combat uniform. Last week, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, GEN Amos let his Marines know that he wasn’t going to give up the service’s distinctive MARPAT camouflage.

“We are on it like a hobo on a ham sandwich,” Amos was quoted in a DoD press release, “I love the hell out of this uniform and I don’t have any intention of changing it.”

It will be very interesting to watch this all play out.