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Archive for 2014

Help NASA Choose A New Spacesuit

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

Every once in awhile we do a NASA story and I thought this one would be of interest for our readers. NASA is working on their next generation suit to follow on to the groundbreaking Z1 seen below.

They’d like the public’s input regarding final details on the new Z2 design developed with ILC (manufacturers of the famed Integrated Combat Helmet). The Z1 prototype has a soft upper torso, while the Z-2 is made of hard composite and is also the first spacesuit to use 3-D laser scanning and 3-D printing.

Participants can choose between three design models.

The first option, “Biomimicry,” is inspired by the oceans of Earth and mimics some of the bioluminescent qualities of fish and reptiles. Its signature feature is electroluminescent wire that stretches across the upper torso and becomes visible in low light.

The second design is called “Technology” and uses Luminex wire and light-emitting patches that can help crew members easily identify each other on spacewalks.

The third option is called “Trends in Society,” and with a bright color scheme mimicking athletic training gear, it’s supposed to reflect what everyday clothes might look like in the future.

Voting ends for the Z2 project April 15, and the winning design will be revealed by April 30. After that, NASA expects to have the suit completed by November and will immediately begin testing at the Johnson Space Center in Houston in vacuum chambers and a neutral buoyancy lab as well as a simulated Mars environment.

Submit your vote at jscfeatures.jsc.nasa.gov/z2

Tags: NASA
Posted in Design | 30 Comments »

And Now A Message From Kevin Brittingham

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

Tags: Kevin Brittingham
Posted in Morale | 4 Comments »

Dickies Occupational Wear Launches Tactical Collection For Law Enforcement Industry

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014

Dickies Uniform Customers May Now Offer Tactical Apparel Developed and Tested by U.S. Sworn Officers

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (April 1, 2014) –– Dickies®, the global leader in workwear, today announced the addition of a tactical collection designed for the law enforcement industry. For more than 90 years, Dickies has built a reputation in the marketplace for providing durable, comfortable and functional workwear at an unmatched value. The brand is continuingits legacy with field-tested tactical wear developed to help when seconds count and movement matters. When duty calls, Dickies Tactical Collection performs.

“We’re honored that our new tactical line is a true collaboration between our design team and the men and women working hard to protect and serve our country,” said Alex Smith, senior vice president of occupational wear at Dickies. “The law enforcement industry is an important market for Dickies and is part of the fabric of the brand. We began outfitting men and women in the military during World War II and look forward to expanding our offerings in the tactical segment by meeting the needs of today’s law enforcement officers.”

The new tactical collection from Dickies includes:

• Lightweight Ripstop Tactical Pant
• Canvas Tactical Pant
• Long Sleeve Tactical Shirt
• Performance Tactical Polo Shirt
• EMT Pant

Developed with mobility and comfort in mind, key product features include mag pouches, pockets for documents and cell phones, knife and mic clips, and a loop for sunglasses. In addition to these functionality features, the collection offers water-repellent fabrics, UV protectant, reinforced double knees, breathable fabrics, hidden vents and expandable waistbands with grippers to enhance mobility.

Not only is this collection designed to meet the needs of law enforcement officers, the purpose-built apparel was tested by U.S. sworn officers throughout the U.S.

“Our new tactical line underwent extensive testing with law enforcement officers across America, and their feedback was integral to the final design elements of the line. We were pleased to learn that a large number of the officers tested have high awareness of our brand and wear Dickies while off the job,” added Smith.

For more information on the Dickies Tactical Collection, call 800.336.7202 or contact your local Dickies representative.

www.dickies.com

Tags: Dickies
Posted in Clothing | 15 Comments »

Darkhorse Benefits & Tempur-Sealy Announce Special Operations Forces-Support Program

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014

Founded by a former 160th member, Darkhorse Benefits was created to find meaningful employment for SOF Veterans. The name “Darkhorse” comes from 2nd battalion, 160th SOAR(A) which founder Rob Mott served with in the US Army. Darkhorse Benefits is a 501(c)3 non-profit that focuses on awareness, training and integration into the workforce in occupational sectors that provide the largest capability for injured or disabled veterans to participate, future earning potential, geographic location and long term career advancement. The goal is to match Special Operations Veterans with civilian jobs that leverage the skills in Adaptability, Stress Inoculation, Force Multiplication, Mission Improvement Processes and “Lessons Learned on Target” that they learned while serving their country.

Tempur-Sealy has stepped up to the plate in a big way offering a total of $1,25 Million in donations and support.

Over the course of 3 years, they pledged to hire 300 SOF warriors into management positions by waiving the Bachelors degree and 4 years of business experience requirements.

They are working with SOF units to donate over 150 of their highest quality mattresses to active Operators, that have sustained orthopedic or other injuries, to assist in rest and recovery to return to their SOF career.

(Click on image to view PDF)

darkhorsebenefits.com

Tags: Darkhorse Benefits, Tempur-Sealy
Posted in Fundraising, TacJobs | Comments Off on Darkhorse Benefits & Tempur-Sealy Announce Special Operations Forces-Support Program

Beyond Clothing – “Stitched In The States” Part 1

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014

In this video, Beyond Clothing demonstrates what “Made in America” means in regards to their outdoor products, which are all designed and manufactured in the USA. Their process allows for more prototypes, quicker turnaround, and allows Beyond to drive customer feedback into the production line to ultimately create better outerwear.

www.beyondclothing.com

Tags: Beyond Clothing
Posted in Clothing | 3 Comments »

Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition Holds 5th Annual Day on the Hill

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014

I’d say that it’s more important now than ever to work together as an industry. America currently enjoys an industrial base, unprecedented in history, that exists specifically to support the Warfighter. For that industry, this isn’t the time to take a back seat and hope for the best, but rather, to take steps to ensure an enduring role in supporting our nation’s most formidable weapon, it’s Warfighters. Many companies have already joined the Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition or are involved in other, similar lobbying efforts. It’s imperative to organize in order to better raise awareness on Capital Hill of what strides have been made and what we can lose if the relationship between industry and Government is not properly fostered. The industry is feeling the effects of a changing demand for its products. For many years, the military has purchased equipment in a “feast” mode. All along, the industrial base has worked to develop better ways to protect our troops. Now that it would seem a “famine” has begun, we must not lose the momentum it has taken so long to build. Measures can be out into place to help soften the blows of Sequestration and to generate the next generation of protective equipment technology. One way is through the budgeting process and to do that requires Congressional support.

Now in its 5th year, the WPRC Day on the Hill brings together industry partners and key Congressional Leaders to share ideas and concerns regarding equipping our troops, now and in the future. We don’t want the protection of our troops to become an afterthought. The best way to ensure a viable industrial base is to proactively engage decision makers. Right now, the WPRC is the best, unified voice, our industry has.

Member companies of the WPRC will meet with Congress April 8th and 9th to recommend reform of procurement practices to improve U.S. manufacturers’ ability to develop and produce individual military equipment and clothing critical for mission readiness.

WASHINGTON, D.C. April 8th, 2014 – For the fifth consecutive year, member company representatives of the WPRC will travel to Washington to build awareness for the essential part of the U.S. industrial base that manufactures the personal equipment for the Armed Services, such as operational clothing, body armor, knives, boots, and optics, and advocate for the improvements needed to streamline government procurement practices and ensure the United States maintains a robust industrial base with key technical capabilities.

Acquisition reforms being recommended by the WPRC include:

Adhere to “Best Value” performance-based contracts for critical warfighter equipment and restrict the use of “lowest price technically acceptable” contracts.

Increase the visibility of warfighter equipment and clothing funding in Department of Defense budgets to sustain industry’s innovation investments.

Extend the Berry Amendment to the Coast Guard and TSA components of the Department of Homeland Security.

“The Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition serves an essential role of advocacy and education on behalf of the innovative companies who manufacture equipment and clothing for our Armed Services,” said David Costello, Executive Director of the WPRC. “Our Coalition is comprised of the leaders in advanced US manufacturing, with capabilities that range from creating ballistic ceramic plates for body armor to the next generation of camouflage. Our work to maintain and build upon the capabilities provided to the warfighter and peacekeeper by our industry has never been more important. As a Coalition we remain committed to lending our voice to supporting the needs of those who serve our country.”

For a list of WPRC members, visit warriorprotection.net/members

Tags: Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition
Posted in Industry | Comments Off on Warrior Protection and Readiness Coalition Holds 5th Annual Day on the Hill

American Silencer Association – Iowa Suppressor Legalization Needs Immediate Support

Tuesday, April 8th, 2014

ATLANTA, GA — Iowa House File 2381, a bill which sought to legalize the possession and ownership of firearm suppressors in Iowa, was denied a hearing in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee chaired by Senator Thomas Courtney (D-44), and is no longer active. HF 2381, formerly known as HF 384, passed the Iowa State House by an 83-16 margin.

The opposition for the legalization of suppressors stems from the vehemently anti-gun Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Robb Hogg (D- 33). Despite overwhelming bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, Sen. Hogg continues to oppose the measure in a blanket attempt to block any and all legislation that advances the Second Amendment.

What Sen. Hogg does not understand is that the legalization of suppressors is about more than the Second Amendment. It is about jobs. It is about economic development. It is about hearing protection.

The primary role of a suppressor is to reduce the overall sound signature of the host firearm to hearing safe levels. Despite their name, suppressors do not silence anything. Instead, they simply trap the expanding gasses at the muzzle and allow them to slowly cool, in a similar fashion to car mufflers. Their muffling capabilities intrinsically make them a hearing protection device for both the shooter and those around them.

Even the most effective suppressors on the market on the smallest and quietest calibers reduce the peak sound level of the gunshot to that of a chainsaw or a hammer drill (110-115 dB). According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), “without proper hearing protection, running a chain saw for only 2 minutes can become dangerous to the human ear.” For centerfire rifle and pistol calibers, suppressors can only reduce the peak sound level to that of a snare drum at a rock concert, or a jet engine at takeoff (130-140 dB).

According to NIOSH, individuals should not be exposed to sound levels over 85 dB for more than eight hours (Occupational Noise Exposure, Revised Criteria 1998). For every three dB increase, exposure time is cut in half. At levels between 130-140 dB, the sound level of most suppressed firearms, noise levels are loud enough that only a few rounds can be safely fired without earplugs or earmuffs. Any exposure to sounds in excess of 140 dB will cause instantaneous and irreversible hearing damage. However, when suppressors are used in conjunction with traditional hearing protection devices, shooters can safely expose themselves to hours of additional shooting without risking permanent damage to their hearing.

Iowans have made it clear that they want to become the 40th state to allow their citizens to protect their hearing by possessing and using suppressors. In order for it to become a reality this year, the Senate and House leadership will need to agree to include language from HF 2381 in their end of session leadership bill. They will only do so if you keep the pressure on them.

Please contact members of the Senate and House Leadership IMMEDIATELY and urge them to support the legalization of suppressor ownership in Iowa. Urge your friends and family to do the same. Without everyone’s support, your rights will not be granted.

Contact information can be found here:

Senate:

Senate President Jochum: Pam.Jochum@legis.iowa.gov (563) 556-6530
Senate Majority Leader Gronstal: Mike.Fronstal@legis.iowa.gov (712) 328-2808
Senate President Pro Tempore Sodders: Steve.Sodders@legis.iowa.gov (641) 751-4140
Senate Majority Whip: Joe.Bolkcom@legis.iowa.gov (319) 337-6280

House of Representatives:

Speaker Paulsen: Kraig.Paulsen@legis.iowa.gov (515) 281-3521
Speaker Pro Tempore Olson: Steven.Olson@legis.iowa.gov (515) 281-3221
House Majority Leader Upmeyer: Linda.Upmeyer@legis.iowa.gov (641) 357-8807
House Majority Whip Hagenow: Chris.Hagenow@legis.iowa.gov (515) 281-3221

americansilencerassociation.com

Tags: American Silencer Association
Posted in 2A | 2 Comments »