FirstSpear TV

Archive for February, 2017

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Advanced Clothing Materials – Beanie & Neckie

Friday, February 3rd, 2017

As we recently mentioned, FirstSpear has been hard at work developing an American Wool line. They are calling this new addition to their catalog, FirstSpear ACM – Advanced Clothing Materials.

It consists of three different weights which incorporate 100% USA Merino wool. It’s harvested from sheep out West and milled into a proprietary blend which capitalizes on Merino’s naturally occurring properties, all without the itch. What’s more, it’s Made in USA, so it’s a great option for US military buyers looking for Berry compliant, performance wool.

The first items in this series are Beanies and Neckies featuring flat seam construction and low profile pile areas to attach IFF. Made from FirstSpear ACM Base 100, they are offered in four new colors: Sand, Charcoal, Heather Grey, and Commando.

Beanies

Neckies

Even more technical apparel items are coming soon, featuring ACM Base, ACM Mid, and ACM Warm from www.first-spear.com.

Rocky Making Donation to Medals of Honor for Every Pair of C7 Boots Sold in February

Friday, February 3rd, 2017

NELSONVILLE, Ohio — Now is the time to purchase a brand new pair of the incredibly lightweight and performance-driven C7 military boots from RockyBoots.com. Beginning February 1 through March 19, Rocky will donate one dollar for every pair sold through its website to the Medals of Honor organization.

Medals of Honor gives the endurance/race community a tangible way to engage with and give-back to the families that lost loved ones while serving our Military. Participants across the country can sign up at medalsofhonor.org and compete in honor of a fallen U.S. service member and donate a finisher’s medal to the surviving family. These medals act as a symbol of honor, remembrance and unity. The organization also accepts fallen hero registration and monetary donations.

“Receiving a medal of honor from, in most cases, a complete stranger who wishes to recognize your family member’s sacrifice is an incredibly moving experience,” said Amy Cotta, founder of Medals of Honor. “We’re honored that Rocky is willing to support our mission and help us provide medals to the families of those who lost their lives fighting for our country. Rocky does a tremendous job in support our military, and we’re thrilled to be able to work with them on this initiative.”

March 19 is the date of the 75th Bataan Death March in New Mexico. The Bataan Death March is an incredibly popular race through the high desert terrain of the White Sands Missile Range. The memorial march is conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health, and, in many cases, their lives.

Many participants in the Bataan Death March and other similar competitions wear Rocky footwear, and even some participants in local 5K and 10K races throughout the country chose to wear military boots to honor the men and women of the armed services.

“Rocky is a longtime supplier to the U.S. military and a popular footwear choice for those who serve,” said Mark Dean, VP of Rocky’s commercial military division. “We are always excited to partner with organizations that support our soldiers or their families. Medals of Honors offers a unique and meaningful way to honor those who lost their lives fighting for our country, and the Bataan Death March is the standard bearer for race events honoring our soldiers.”

For more information on Medals of Honor, visit www.medalsofhonor.org. Information on the Bataan Death March is available at bataanmarch.com, and more information on Rocky’s military footwear can be found at www.rockymilitary.com.

This Still Cracks Me Up

Friday, February 3rd, 2017

Magpul CORE – USMC World Record Parachute Landing

Thursday, February 2nd, 2017

Magpul CORE Instructor and USMC Captain Cody Carroll broke the USMC world record parachute landing at 15000 ft MSL last November at Ama Dablam in the highest mountain range in the world, The Himalayas. He utilized a Topout Oxygeneering Ltd oxygen system and a Complete Parachute Solutions parachute system to achieve the record. He even strapped on a 70 lb rucksack just to make it a little less easy.

Was Ist Das Denn Für Eine Neue Sturmgewehr von Heckler & Koch?

Thursday, February 2nd, 2017

My friend JP has posted the first story mentioning H&K’s new 433 on his blog, Strategie & Technik.

The blog is in German and rife with technical jargon making it difficult for many to make out. The guys at Spartanat have provided this translation. Correction, Mike Hartman provided the translation.

Roughly translated from German:
“The system connects – as HK in a first info – the advantages of HK416 and G36, both known as short-stroke gas pressure loaders with rotary head closure. The modular, two-hand operated weapon is not an AR-15 architecture, which eliminates the buffer tube. This allows the assembly of a foldable, length- and height-adjustable shoulder support. The transfer lever has an integrated closing aid, can be mounted without tools on both sides of the gun and remains in its position during the closing movement. The barrel lengths are interchangeable on utility level. The “Lower” can be adjusted to the G36 or the HK416 operating concept (45/90 or 90/180 degree firing levers). All loading operations can be carried out in the safe state. In accordance with the NATO standard AC225 / D14, safety is given according to the manufacturer in both the safe and the firing state. The upper part of the housing has a continuous 4694 rail at 12 o’clock. On the hand guard, a Mil-Std 1913 rail is still attached to 3 and 9 o’clock HKey interfaces and to 6 o’clock.”

Update: Larry Vickers shared these photos os the 433 on Facebook.

Additionally, SPARTANAT shared these images from H&K.

I hope to see it first hand during next month’s IWA in Germany.

Combat Control Team History Lesson

Thursday, February 2nd, 2017

CMSgt Alcide “Bull” Benini portrait, reproduced from Gathering of Eagles drawing (with permission).


This graphic hangs in the Combat Control School Heritage Foundation Museum at Pope Field, NC. Benini was designated the first Combat Controlled in 1953 and the Museum is named in his honor.

Gathering of Eagles Foundation

Osprey Elite 216 – Vietnam War US & Allied Combat Equipments

Thursday, February 2nd, 2017

I own quite a library of reference books and some of my favorites are from Osprey Publishing. Last week they released Osprey Elite 216, “Vietnam War US & Allied Combat Equipments” by Gordon L Rottman and illustrated by Adam Hook. In my collection, I’ve got books going back to the 80s by Rottman and it’s great to see him still in the game.

Right off the bat, I’ll acknowledge that this selection isn’t the definitive work on the subject. This is mainly due to the format of the Elite Series. However, while there are several other in-depth works on Vietnam-era load Carriage out there, “Vietnam War US & Allied Combat Equipments” is a welcome addition to my library. 

For one thing, it covers both US and Allied gear in one volume. In fact, they’ve packed a whole lot of information in these 64 pages. If you need a quick reference for mid-century load carrying gear (including specialist items), this is the one to get. They are all there; M1956, early-war M-1961 USMC Load Carriage, M-1967 (Army and USMC variants), LINCLOE, SF-specific items, and ANZAC Systems (’37 and ’44 pattern webbing) as well as indigenous systems used by RVN forces. What’s more, packs, shelters and sleep systems are also accounted for.

Additionally, the author and illustrator do a great job of offering multiple views of the equipment. Not only do they offer period photos of the items in use, but they supplement this with studio shots of artifacts for comparison. The icing on the cake is the series of excellent illustrations which bring the gear to life.

One thing I wish Osprey would do is offer up the artwork from their books as order on demand prints. They’d make great artwork for mancaves as well as going away gifts for military units.

You can order your copy from www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Allied-Combat-Equipments-Elite.

TacJobs – Quantico Tactical Seeks Deputy Program Manager

Thursday, February 2nd, 2017

Position: Deputy Program Manager

Quantico Tactical is seeking for candidates with drive and enthusiasm to join our Government Operations Team as a Deputy Program Manager. The ideal candidate is intelligent, creative, possesses strong leadership skills and has an entrepreneurial spirit. The position serves as the direct assistant to the Program Manager and second in charge for communication between Quantico Tactical and Defense Logistics Agency, Philadelphia (DLA) for the management of our Tailored Logistics Support contract for Special Operational Equipment (TLS/SOE). The Deputy Program Manager also assists in the management of a growing team of Contract Specialists and Customer Service personnel in support of the contract. Logistics backgrounds are applicable to this position.

Why Quantico Tactical?
Quantico Tactical is the premier source for tactical apparel, gear and weapons for the military, federal agencies, the law enforcement/first responder community and the serious tactical enthusiast.

A high percentage of our employees are law enforcement and military veterans with experience in an expansive array of operational specialties. This also deeply affects our corporate culture in that we are an intensely mission-focused team of professionals that embrace the values of integrity, teamwork, accountability and unyielding dedication.

We are a market leader with the best team, unparalleled products, and procurement solutions for our industry. We offer a great opportunity to play a vital role in supporting the noble cause of our defense, federal, and law enforcement customers worldwide in a dynamically growing organization.

This position is located from our corporate HQ in Aberdeen, NC and cannot be done remotely. Successful candidates will have no shortage of advancement opportunities.

Duties:
* Provides daily supervision of tasks as well as direction and leadership to the team
* Receives, reviews, assigns and manages customer requests through the contract
* Establishes a working relationship with new vendors and customers to enhance the contract
* Assists in managing pre-award and post award phases of the acquisition process
* Reviews EDI transactions for accuracy based on award notices
* Provides oversight and guidance for customer orders and deliveries
* Analyzes quotes and other data to determine fair and reasonable costs
* Ensure compliance of the contract and overall success of the program

Skills / Knowledge:
* Must possess logistical knowledge with respect to the US Military
* Must demonstrate strong interpersonal, speaking and writing skills
* Must be able to effectively communicate information to all levels of the organization
* Strong negotiating skills
* Must be very process driven
* Possesses strong math skills
* Must be highly organized and detail oriented
* Must be able to calmly work in a fast paced and deadline oriented environment
* Successful track record in the Government Contracting field
* Superior organizational, problem-solving, and multi-tasking abilities
* Prior military experience is an asset, but not required

Qualifications:
* 5+ Years experience in Microsoft Office environment with emphasis on Excel
* 3+ Years experience in Government Contracts
* 3+ Years in management positions
* 2+ Years of customer service

How to Apply: Please submit a meaningful cover letter with your resume to Opportunities@QuanticoTactical.com

Only those candidates offered interviews will be contacted.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
Quantico Tactical is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
Please visit our website at: www.QUANTICOTACTICAL.com