August 2014 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for August, 2014

As far as the Army Is Concerned – It’s OCP

Monday, August 4th, 2014

It’s a s simple as OCP

If you notice in the Army’s announcement last Thursday that they plan a transition in Summer 2015 to the Operational Camouflage Pattern, they never referred to that pattern’s developmental name; Scorpion W2. Some found the announcement cryptic. But the reason is simple. As far as the Army is concerned, it’s OCP. And, OCP is OCP, which may blow the minds of some CSMs as this rolls out, considering OCP has been synonymous with MultiCam for several years. There are going to be instances in the future where your OCPs aren’t an exact match.

There are several advantages for the Army in transitioning to OCP. For one thing, they don’t have to make any drastic changes to existing contracts for OCIE. For another, it’s easier to continue to use the equipment previously purchased in OCP. In my opinion, the Army is looking at this as a supply chain solution.

Who’s Down With OCP? Yeah, you know me!

For Soldiers, this decision is a major boon. If you look at what’s available on the open market in OCP, there are currently a lot of options out there for equipment. In fact, chances are good, you’ve already got a whole bunch of kit in OCP. By the Army’s own admission, it will take years to fully field the new OCP. During the transition period, things will be very fluid. Use that to your advantage.

So, OCP, it is. Embrace it.

Posted in Camo, OCP | 34 Comments »

MMI Tactical – M240 MAG Pack

Monday, August 4th, 2014

MMI Tactical’s MAG (Minimalist Assistant Gunner’s) Pack is designed to provide two man machine gun teams a more efficient way to carry and deploy ammunition. Intended for use by the Assistant Gunner in a manner much like an assault-style pack, the MAG is capable of carrying up to 600 rounds of 7.62 NATO belted ammo organized in easy feed trays rather than loose belts or ammo cans. In addition, the MAG also features a small sustainment pouch, a removable, configurable sleeve for carrying a 100 oz. water bladder, and a system for carrying the M192 tripod. The front flap is equipped with heat resistant material for carrying hot barrels, and is fitted for both short and long M240 barrels.

Features

Minimal sustainment storage for a 100 oz water bladder and 2 MRE’s

Holds 6 – 100 round belted 7.62 ammunition (Proprietary ammo trays/boxes)

Holds the M192 tripod

Holds short and long barrels in heatshield/heat resistant pad (1800 degree sewn with Nomex thread)

Boxes made from reinforced polymer material and are MOLLE compatible

Designed for shorter patrols and should be treated like an assault pack

Includes places to hold two cleaning rods

Available in MultiCam, Coyote, and AOR1/AOR2 (under contract only).

www.mmitactical.com – M240 MAG Pack

Tags: MMI Tactical
Posted in Load Carrying | 5 Comments »

An EPIC Story

Monday, August 4th, 2014

I remember first seeing the Nextec folks at Outdoor Retailer many years ago. As we make our way to this week’s OR Summer Market, I thought it would be good to sure this with you.

You’ve probably run across a material called EPIC by Nextec at some point over the past decade. If you are, or have been, assigned to SOCOM, you’ve definitely used it. The same EPIC technology, that set the foundation of the outdoor industry’s softshell category with leading brands in the late 90″s, can also be credited for helping create the much improved military uniform systems fielded over the last decade of war. If you have worn PCU Levels 4,5 & 7, GEN III ECWCS Levels 5 & 7 or USMC ECW Parka & Trouser; you have experienced the EPIC performance!

EPIC’s silicone encapsulation technology places an environmental barrier inside fabrics that does not wash out or wear off. This durable performance of water resistance, wind resistance, lowest absorbing, fast drying, high breathability and packability set the highest standard for softshell items.

As the outdoor industry and its consumers became more savvy with the rapidly emerging softshell market in the early 2000s; products that were less about performance but more concerned about their brand strength and revenue goals captured much of this now predominant softshell market. As the outdoor market was quickly getting saturated with many softshell offerings; Nextec recognized that it did not have the brand strength, marketing dollars or the resources needed to hold onto the outdoor softshell business it ignited. More importantly, Nextec acknowledged early feedback from the SOF community after their field testing of EPIC gear. This SOF feedback generated the “walk dry” criteria and the fact that SOF expressed more concern about the user’s survivability performance of its gear versus the commercial brand strength set in motion today’s update Military uniform layering systems.

Prior to 9/11, Nextec shifted its focus from commercial market to working closely with SOF on the development of their Protective Combat Uniform system PCU. The EPIC performance became the cornerstone of the PCU system, which the Army field tested shortly after and Gen III ECWCS was born! Unfortunately with the lowering of spec performance, an inferior knockoff and budget cuts the soldier is not wearing the authentic gear the Army first fielded. Thankfully if you are SOF, NSW or USMC you are still protected with the authentic battle tested EPIC gear!

Nextec is currently supplying several large International militaries with its EPIC fabrics.

When purchasing from the range of tactical brands out there research the true item performance you are investing in…inferior well marketed substitutes should never be an option!

nextec.com

Tags: EPIC, Nextec
Posted in Materials, PM-SSS | 5 Comments »

American Marauder – Choose Danger Shirt

Sunday, August 3rd, 2014

In Norse mythology, Siegfried is a brave young man who is raised by the dwarf, Regin. He decides that he wants to do something important and goes into the cave where the dragon lives. He battles and slays the dragon. The quote is from Euripedes circa 412 BC – ‘A coward turns away, but a brave man’s choice is danger.’

American Marauder’s ‘Choose Danger’ shirt features a “design that is dedicated to those that choose to wake and slay the dragon every day.” Made from 65/35 polyester/cotton, the shirt is slim fit and comes in black.

Printed in the USA.

www.americanmarauder.com/choose-danger-shirt

Tags: American Marauder
Posted in Clothing, Morale | Comments Off on American Marauder – Choose Danger Shirt

88 Tactical Offers Civilian SERE Training

Sunday, August 3rd, 2014

First off, I have to address their name. 88 Tactical isn’t some nefarious code for something that would turn my stomach. Started in 2009, it’s made up of guys with a history of public service in the military and law enforcement. They are based in Nebraska and you may have seen them on one of the “survival shelter” shows on cable.

Second, I’ll address what they do. Aside from the usual firearms and tactical training, the guys at 88 Tactical are working to make a name for themselves in the bushcraft and survival arenas. There is definitely a demand for Survival training in the civilian market. But, I’ll address a concern some of you will share with me. 88 Tactical offers what they refer to as SERE training (Survive, Endure, Respond, Excel) but some of their courses, which I won’t cover here, are offered to select LE and civilians only, so this isn’t all open enrollment training. You’ve got to have the credentials to get more in depth training.

Of their offerings, Intro to Survival Skills is a good starting point. It’s a one day course with some basic classroom followed by “dirt time” where you’ll get hands on experience in these areas:

Survival mindset
What to do in a wilderness emergency
Choosing the proper equipment
Personal Survival Kits (PSK)
First Aid Kit (FAK)
Choosing proper cutting tools
Man made fire starters
Safety considerations
Shelter construction
Knot-tying
Building fires
Signaling rescuers
Procuring water

88tactical.com/categories/16-survival-series/courses/40-intro-to-survival-skills-tekamah

SERE Level 1 builds on those basic skills in a two-day course featuring an overnight in a shelter built using techniques taught in the course. Topics include:

Shelters
Firecraft
Water procurement
Sustenance
Personal protection
Signaling
Tool care
Land nav and making movement
Weather dependent skills

88 Tactical’s SERE 1, “Rural Ops” from 88 Tactical Group on Vimeo.

88tactical.com/categories/21-primal-performance-series/courses/38-civilian-s-e-r-e-level-1-omaha-tekamah/

SERE Level 2 is an intermediate course that once again takes place in the field over a two-and-a-half period. You have to have completed their Level 1 course and the instruction goes into more depth in these subjects:

Personal Survival Kits (PSK)
First Aid Kit (FAK)
Choosing the proper cutting tools
Safety considerations
Sourcing food and water
Camp selection
Knife and saw use
Improvising
Sheltercraft
Firecraft
Foraging
Knots and hitches

This video, gives you an idea of what this course is about.

88 Tactical’s SERE 2, “Escape from Metropolis” from 88 Tactical Group on Vimeo.

88tactical.com/categories/21-primal-performance-series/courses/50-civilian-s-e-r-e-level-2-omaha-tekamah/

Tags: 88 Tactical
Posted in SERE, Training | 23 Comments »

How To Subscribe To The Soldier Systems RSS Feed

Sunday, August 3rd, 2014

We’ve been getting a few questions about how to subscribe to our RSS feed. Well, it couldn’t be simpler.

1) Visit www.soldiersystems.net/feed. It’ll look like this:

2) Subscribe to the feed using the dropdown menu. You can utilize Live Bookmarks, Microsoft Outlook, or any other program which supports RSS feeds.

3) Alternatively, a number of web services also allow for subscription to an RSS feed. Just search ‘RSS Reader’ or a similar term in your search engine of choice and work from there. Usually, with online services you’ll simply have to provide the website for the feed to pull from, which in this case would be www.soldiersystems.net.

4) Enjoy your new subscription to the SSD RSS feed!

If you have any more questions, feel free to post them in the comments section and we’ll see what we can do to help you.

Posted in Admin | 1 Comment »

20DollarBandit – GEN2 Mini Kit MK-7 Kryptek Pouches

Sunday, August 3rd, 2014

20DollarBandit’s GEN2 Mini Kit is now available in Kryptek patterns. Made from 1000D ballistic nylon, the Mini Kit is a compact organizer of kit and gear. The Mini Kit features two large pockets, one with a clear plastic window for visibility. Three double-layered reinforced bungee loops with 2″ bungee at the base and 1″ bungee on the top create retention options for tools and kit. An exterior strip of Velcro loop allows for nametape, ID, or morale patches.

HonorPoint USA manufactures the new GEN2 Mini Kits out of San Diego, CA.

www.20dollarbandit.com

Tags: 20DollarBandit, Kryptek
Posted in Load Carrying | Comments Off on 20DollarBandit – GEN2 Mini Kit MK-7 Kryptek Pouches

TrackingPoint Solar Backpack And Folding Charger

Saturday, August 2nd, 2014

Tracking point has expanded their line of products to include a backpack and folding charger. Designed primarily for use with TrackingPoint PFG batteries, the charging system is also useful for providing on-the-go charging for mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets.

The backpack features padded shoulder straps, padded backpanel, padded removable waist strap, and a handgun carry pocket. Side PALS webbing allows for the attachment of MOLLE compatible gear. Additionally, the pack has its own flexible solar module which provides up to 4 watts of power, with a front facing USB port and rear 12v socket.

Made from 500D cordura nylon with a urethane coating, the folding charger consists of 4 solar modules which provide up to 16 watts of power, with a single USB port, single 12v auto socket, and dedicated TrackingPoint PFG charger pocket. Features a zippered mesh accessory pocket and side accessory pockets for storage. Also features a MOLLE system compatible front panel and MOLLE compatible mounting straps.

tracking-point.com

Tags: TrackingPoint
Posted in Power | Comments Off on TrackingPoint Solar Backpack And Folding Charger