“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”
— Robert Heinlein
“Time Enough for Love”
All I can say is that the S2 at Ft Lee’s 59th Ordnance Brigade and CASCOM Webmaster Team have some talented folks.
I spent the week with industry at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. Many attended a rather disappointing government briefing on an Arctic Clothing System requirement. It made me think about the myriad other programmatic issues that pop up and I knew the perfect film for Saturday Night at the Movies, HBO’s ‘The Pentagon Wars’.
Starring Kelsey Grammer and Cary Elwes, ‘The Pentagon Wars’ is based on the book of the same name by Col James G. Burton (USAF, Ret) and showcases the development of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
Ironically, we actually watched portions of this movie when I attended Air Force Operational Test Command’s Test Officer Course and yet, similar issues continue to crop up across the acquisition enterprise.
Regardless, remember, it’s a movie, not a documentary, and enjoy.
The Department of State released this photo in a series of images depicting “2016 Diplomatic Security Service Day On The Hill“.
A DSS special agent (left) lets a visitor peer through a high-tech rifle scope used on DSS weaponry, Washington, D.C., June 23, 2016. (U.S. Department of State photo)
State Dept Image / Jun 23, 2016 / Washington, D.C.
Reportedly, it is a AAA battery powered variant from Aimpoint. Said to be a downsized M4 with T2 capabilities, the battery choice is to make logistics easier on agencies like DSS which operate in remote locations and may have difficulty sourcing the 2032 battery.
Coming SHOT Show 2017?
Hat tip to Matt L
Five years ago today a US Chinook helicopter was shot down west of Kabul, Afghanistan. There were no survivors. 31 American lives were lost. These men had ‘The Guts to Try’ and we must never forget them.
From the Joint Special Operations Association.
The Cairn Trail sandal from Bedrock Sandals is gaining a lot of interest.
They are a simple, lightweight alternative for those who prefer sandals in the outdoors.
Over the course of my few days at OR, I noticed several people wearing them and across the board, they all raved about the comfort.
Here is a shot of the adjustment system which works in conjunction with an adjustable buckle on the opposite side to make them easier to don and doff.
The Carin Trail exclusively features the sticky Regolith Vibram sole.
Bedrock Sandals are a made in the USA and are guaranteed for the life of the Vibram soles. If the sole or straps break during that time, they will repair or replace them for free.
Although it might seem counterintuitive, adding a sleeping pad to a hammock has merit. For instance, it’s cold outside, or you’ve got the lumbago and need a little extra support. Another reason might be that you want a little more structure for your hammock. No matter the reason, Klymit has the answer with a model designed specifically for use in a hammock.
Here, we see Recoil’s Rob Curtis checking out the Hammock V.
Coming Spring 2017 from www.klymit.com.
If there was an industry trend at this Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, it was these inflatable loungers. They were everywhere. Referred to by a number of names including inflatable hammocks, it’s no wonder that Eagle Nest Outfitter would offer the snazziest model. This is the Billow Air Lounge.
Made from a low porosity material, you inflate the Billow via a baffie system and then use the roll top closure to trap the air. Eventually, it’s going to lose air so for long-term use, you’ll find yourself refilling it every few hours.
Offered in a variety of color combos.
www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com
