February 2016 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for February, 2016

Renowned Veteran, Former Vietnam Prisoner Col Lee Ellis to Speak at RetroWeekend; Veterans to Receive Free Admission

Thursday, February 4th, 2016

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – A retired Air Force colonel and award-winning author who served more than five years in Vietnam prison camps will speak in East Tennessee as part of RetroWeekend, an event taking place April 29 and 30 in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Colonel Lee Ellis will share stories of leadership and courage from the years he spent in Hanoi prisons after his fighter jet was shot down during the Vietnam War.

Ellis’ speech is part of RetroWeekend’s Veterans Appreciation Day, which will be held Fri., April 29. Individuals with proof of military service will receive free admission to Friday’s festivities, which include a running class taught by Olympian Jeff Galloway, workshops covering everything from financial planning to home brewing and live music from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s played by well-known tribute bands. Day passes for non-veterans cost $50, while tickets for the entire weekend start at $89. A portion of every registration fee will go to charitable organizations in the area.

After retiring from the Air Force, Ellis became a nationally recognized presenter and expert on the subjects of leadership, performance, team building, mentoring and career planning. He has spoken on CNN, CBS, C-SPAN, ABC and Fox News, and at hundreds of engagements in various industry sectors throughout the world. His book, Leading with Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton, won multiple international book awards and includes a foreword by Sen. John McCain, a fellow Vietnam prisoner of war.

Ellis says he is eager to present his message at RetroWeekend, an event dedicated to celebrating culture, music and memories from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

“I’m really excited about this event in every way: seeing the people there, hearing the music, visiting with old friends and people who aren’t friends but with whom I share a common bond,” Ellis said. ”I’m always honored to speak to veterans. When I look back at my [military] experience, many of those lessons fit right into life and leadership and impact us on a daily basis.”

RetroWeekend Executive Director Steve Hall says he is glad to offer veterans a free chance to listen to Ellis and participate in Friday’s events.

”When we think back on the memories we treasure, nothing is more valuable than the sacrifice our veterans have made on behalf of this great country,” Hall said. ”While we can never fully repay them, we are excited to give them free Friday admission as a token of our gratitude. We believe Col. Ellis’ dynamic speech will resonate with veterans and civilians alike.”

While Ellis’ Veterans Appreciation Discussion will be a highlight of the day, his speech is one of many events on Friday’s schedule. Galloway, a member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic team, will host a three-hour running school to teach participants how to get the most out of an injury-free training regimen. Other workshops will educate attendees on such diverse subjects as hiking, financial planning, dancing, elder law, biking, identity theft and home brewing.

Saturday’s events include more workshops and speakers, as well as an optional race that winds through Pigeon Forge for more than five miles. The race features a unique ”Run at the Front” format, which enables each competitor older than 40 to race exclusively against members of his or her age group.

Well-known television host Rudy Maxa will fascinate and inform those with a keen interest in travel on Saturday. Maxa, a travel journalist for numerous publications and television channels, will recount his global excursions and offer advice to ardent globetrotters and novice travelers.

Live music will play throughout Friday and Saturday’s festivities. Upbeat dance band Top Tier (Nashville, Tenn.) will perform Friday evening, and North America’s No. 1 tribute band, Woodie and the Longboards (Riverside, Calif.), will take the stage Saturday evening to perform consecutive 75-minute tributes to The Eagles’ Glenn Frey and The Beach Boys.

At least 10 percent of all registration fees will go to charities that serve the needs of the area, including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Friends of the Smokies, Remote Area Medical and Wears Valley Ranch, among others.
Dolly Parton’s brand new and exclusive DreamMore Resort serves as the host hotel for the weekend. Workshops and speeches will take place at LeConte Event Center.

To register or receive more information about RetroWeekend, visit: goretrorunning.com

Posted in History | Comments Off on Renowned Veteran, Former Vietnam Prisoner Col Lee Ellis to Speak at RetroWeekend; Veterans to Receive Free Admission

Mechanix Wear – Limited Edition Whiteout M-Pact

Thursday, February 4th, 2016

Limited to 175 pair.

Tags: Mechanix Wear
Posted in Handwear | 25 Comments »

Morgan Timing Systems – Dry-Fire ProTimer

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

I saw the Dry-Fire ProTimer at SHOT Show. It was created by a Veteran of the 75th Ranger Regiment in order to facilitate dry fire practice with a pistol. In particular, it’s very good at working on draw and presentation. It utilizes a replacement barrel, training cartridge and timer app. One important note is that the training barrel won’t chamber a live round in the proper caliber (of course, smaller rounds will fit).

The Dry Fire Pro-Timer training device (Patent pend. #) allows the user to receive immediate timing feedback when practicing shooting drills such as draw stroke, magazine changes, clearing malfunctions, and transitioning from a primary to secondary weapon system without having to fire live rounds. The recorded times are accurate down to one-thousandths of a second, and stored on a smartphone (through a downloadable App, included with purchase) enabling the user to compare speed and efficiency while utilizing different techniques and equipment.

www.morgantiming.com

Tags: Morgan Timing Systems
Posted in Training, weapons | 21 Comments »

What Is A Shooter?

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

Recently, I’ve started to see folks refer to themselves and others as “Shooters.”

Although I kept my head down and feet and knees pumping during SHOT Show, every once in awhile I got to hear a few snippets from the herds of 5.11 clad bystanders that seem to gather in certain booths. Every once in awhile I’d hear someone say “shooter” as I looked around in confusion. Apparently, you’ve got to be a shooter to know what a shooter is and I am definitely outside the circle on this one. I understand it’s even been used as an attempt to disparage me personally, as I’m not a “shooter” so therefore I have no idea what I’ve been talking about for the past seven years. Obviously, 21 years of military service and nine years in industry aren’t enough qualification to know right from wrong. Perhaps that’s the issue. It was military service and not shooter time. But I digress.

What exactly is this shooter phenomenon?

When I hear shooter, two things come to mind. First, I see someone on the firing line at a range. Second, it conjures up negative thoughts about active shooters, mercilessly preying on the innocent.

So what exactly does this new terminology mean? Is it the civilian equivalent of Operator? Is it another example of the “everyone gets a trophy and cool title” culture? Or, is it some obscure reference to a character in an Adam Sandler movie?

Discuss.

Posted in For the Ladies | 101 Comments »

DSG Arms CDC HOLSTER

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

Compact Discreet Carry – New Pocket Pistol Models

Fort Worth, TX, – In a move to provide more options for concealed carry, Defense Solutions Group, Inc. has added three new models to the Compact Discreet Carry IWB Holster line-up: the Ruger LCP, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield and the M&P Bodyguard.

The DSG CDC Holsters, priced at $49 retail, are currently available for order in the new models as well as Glock 17, 19, 26, 42, 43, and Sig P229.

Feedback on the DSG CDC Holster has been strongly positive, with one reviewer stating “I had been using the DSG Alpha with J hooks for IWB carry. That was a good solution – no issues – however, the CDC is even better, much better. Carrying G26 (standard mag) I hardly notice it’s there — to the point where sometimes I reach back to make sure it’s still there.”

The CDC (Compact Discreet Carry) Holster was designed for low-profile all-day wear, with an adjustable cant for both appendix or behind the hip belt placement. The rubber-mounted belt clips are designed to easily slide onto standard size 1.5” or 1.75” belts, locking securely in place. The CDC Holster comes with an engineered sight channel for night sights, as well as adjustable weapon retention.

Features:

– Adjustable cant: upright/vertical for appendix OR forward for behind the hip
– Smooth kydex texture for comfortable carry
– Rubber mounted belt clip for easy on-and-off the belt
– Belt clip designed for secure retention through daily activities
– Adjustable weapon retention
– Engineered sight channel for night sights
– Smooth draw

Models for the Sig Sauer P320C/P320 subcompact, and left-hand models for the Glock 17, 19, 26, 42, and Glock 43 are in the production plans for Spring 2016.

dsgarms.com

Tags: DSG Arms
Posted in Holsters, Press Release | Comments Off on DSG Arms CDC HOLSTER

High Angle Solutions – DMM – Colors, Finishes and Customization

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

Colors and Coatings:

DMM offers a range of color and coating options on alloy and steel products to aid environmental concealment and noise suppression. Further customization services, such as identification markings and bespoke sewn elements are also available to create a custom product specific to its end use.

Anodizing:

Anodizing is the standard coating process for use on DMM aluminium products. This process not only offers corrosion and wear resistance, but also allows for color to be used for aesthetics and identification, or, in the military environment, to aid with concealment.

By fine tuning the anodizing process they are able to offer a range of subdued colours in a matte finish. The anodizing process DMM uses conforms to BS EN ISO 7599:2010 Class AA10 sealed. This process will withstand the rigors of a 48 hour neutral salt spray as described in ISO 9227.

Their standard tactical color from 2016 is Matt Grey and the bulk of their products will be available stock in this color although some will be available stock in black. Other subdued colors are available subject to a minimum order quantity.

For a number of years black has been the color of choice for tactical metal hardwear, however, it is hardly the most appropriate color to blend into any background as it produces an almost perfect silhouette and as we know, black is not often found in nature so is easily picked up by the MK1 human eyeball as being out of place.

Black seems to have stemmed from the shock and awe hostage rescue environment, however, there are now far more groups within the military employing climbing to provide a tactical advantage in wilderness, urban and maritime environments, these operators require a more subtle approach. Matt grey provides a very dull solution in all of these environments, it is far more consistent in production to get a very matt finish on grey than with other colors.

Cerakote:

Cerakote is a ceramic based coating that has excellent wear, hardness, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance andcolor consistency. Cerakote is available in a massive range of colors to suit the environment you are working in, it is also available in a reduced visual IR-signature detection version.

The main advantage of Cerakote for climbing equipment is the excellent color consistency and matt finish which allow the end user to specify colors which are impossible to achieve through anodizing.

PVC Coating:

Selected products are available with a PVC coating. The PVC provides a protective coating and more importantly reduces the sound signature in environments where sound suppression is a priority.

Custom Marking

Standard Markings:

All DMM metal products carry a unique serial number and any international certifications the product complies with. The unique serial number allows every single item to be individually traced back to its original date and order of production.

Unique Customization:

DMM are also able to offer custom laser etching in addition to the normal etching required by the standards. This can take the form of identification marks and numbers to aid internal administration, through to decorative markings such as unit insignia.

Sewn Product Customization:

DMM extend their customization options to sewn products where they can sew bespoke lengths of slings in a variety of technical Dynatec, nylon and polyester webbings that are suitable for safety critical environments.

Using the same traceability they apply to their metal products, all DMM sewn products have unique reference numbers, however DMM can also customise the labelling on sewn products such as slings, quickdraws and sewn terminations on rope with unit identity codes or reference numbers.

All DMM customisation options are subject to minimum order quantities.

dmmwales.com

High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM, CTOMS, and Atlas Devices.

Tags: DMM, High Angle Solutions
Posted in Mountaineering | Comments Off on High Angle Solutions – DMM – Colors, Finishes and Customization

EOTech Refund Update

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

We’ve received similar reports from multiple sources so we feel comfortable sharing this info regarding refunds for EOTech Holographic Weapon Sights.

The refunds will be in the form of a check, processing has been outsourced due to so many returns, and the checks will be sent out within the next two weeks. Also, there should be a phone number to deal specifically with return issues. Once we have it, we’ll share it.

Tags: EOTech, L3 Communications
Posted in Industry, Optics | 64 Comments »

ARG Tactical Is Looking For A New Helmet Name

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

Passing this along for ARG Tactical.

ARG Tactical is coming out with a new helmet line. We are running a contest to give this new high cut helmet a name. If your name is selected, you will receive a new helmet in the color of your choice with rails, carbon fiber filled shroud, upgraded 4D Tactical Zero G Helmet Liner and the new Boa dial system. When submitting your entry, please do so via email so it is private. We don’t want anybody using the same name. Enter your name and reason behind the name to:

contest@argtactical.com

The helmet will be NIJ IIIA certified and will pass US MIL STD 662F for V50 fragmentation. Looking forward to all the entries.

Once a name is chosen, we will put out pictures of the kit and name the winner publicly.

Note to SSD Readers: Don’t post here.

Tags: ARG Tactical
Posted in Contest, Helmets, Press Release, SHOT Show | Comments Off on ARG Tactical Is Looking For A New Helmet Name