This photo taken during a recent trip to Oregon, is from Mike of OC Tactical. Does anyone recognize Fort Clatsop?
Archive for July, 2017
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up
Monday, July 17th, 2017Sneak Peek – XGO MultiCam Boxer
Sunday, July 16th, 2017XGO shared these limited run 85% Nylon/15% Spandex Multicam Boxers with us. They are treated with Acclimate Dry and AG47.
They also offered us this statement:
Look we know that buying underwear ain’t sexy but protecting them franks-n-beans should be priority numero uno. You can buy underwear that’ll make ya think you’re some lumbersexual…or you can buy ours….which will make you feel like a real man. We promise. Let’s just give you the facts:
1) Licensed MultiCam – Check
2) Discreet entry – Check
3) Anti Microbial protection so your marbles smell like berries and not 3 week old pizza – Check
4) Swamp arse protection – TBD…we make no promises but our Acclimate Dry moisture management is pretty good..
5) Last but not least….1776% Made in the 50 Stars and 13 Bars….High Five, Thomas Jefferson!
Available exclusively at PROXGO.COM starting 8/14.
Bushnell Offers New Purpose-Built AR Optics
Sunday, July 16th, 2017
OVERLAND PARK, Kansas – July 14, 2017 – Bushnell, an industry leader in high-performance optical solutions for more than 65 years, has extended its popular AR Optics line with four additional sights that are each optimized for the modern sporting rifle.
Bushnell’s line of AR Optics is already the category leader for MSRs. New this year, the AR Optics line has grown with the release of two new purpose-built, caliber-specific riflescopes, the cutting-edge Accelerate 3x prism sight and the ambidextrous Transition 3x Magnifier.
The 6.5 Creedmoor has quickly become a favorite of long-distance shooters and hunters alike. Bushnell’s new AR Optics 4.5-18x 40mm scope with Drop Zone 6.5 Creedmoor reticle is designed to maximize the round’s performance by providing holdover points for shots out to 600 yards. Tactical-style target turrets allow lightning-fast adjustments, and the side parallax focus allows clear target images at any range. The fully multi-coated optics give a bright, crisp sight picture and are housed in a durable 1-inch aircraft-grade aluminum tube.
Bushnell has also added an optic for shooters favoring MSRs chambered in the popular .300 Blackout. The new Bushnell AR Optics 1-4x24mm illuminated scope is equipped with a specially-designed DropZone .300 Blackout Illuminated reticle. The reticle features holdover points calibrated to both subsonic and supersonic .300 Blackout ballistics. The scope’s first focal plane design performs like a high-performance red dot at low power. When turned up to 4x magnification, it offers holdover points out to 300 yards. Magnification changes are nearly instantaneous with Bushnell’s exclusive ThrowDown PCL (power charge lever).
Gas guns like MSRs are well-suited for compact optics. Yet red dots don’t offer the magnification sometimes needed to reach downrange. The gray area between these two options isn’t so gray with the new Bushnell AR Optics Accelerate 4X Prism Scope. It has the compact stature of a red dot with the 4x magnification of a riflescope. The new, illuminated BTR-3 reticle in the Accelerate offers five brightness settings in both red and green. The center circle and red dot work together for quick acquisition, with drop points for long range shots. The mil-based design works with any caliber firearm.
Rounding out the new additions is the AR Optics Transition 3X Magnifier. Simply mount it behind a red dot optic with the ambidextrous flip mount. Engage the 3X magnifier when you need it, and flip it out of the way when you don’t. The Transition 3x Magnifier pairs perfectly with Bushnell’s AR Optics TRS-25, but works with any red dot. It’s built with fully multi-coated optics that provide optimal light transmission and is waterproof, fog proof and shock proof.
Bushnell, a Vista Outdoor brand, is one of the most recognizable and trusted names in precision hunting, tactical and recreational optics and accessories. For more information, visit bushnell.com/aroptics.
Marine Corps’ Acquisition Command Ensures 3-D Parts Are Safe And Certified
Sunday, July 16th, 2017
The Marine Corps has greatly increased the exploration of 3-D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) and uses it to reduce maintenance costs, increase equipment readiness and improve combat effectiveness. Additionally, it offers the Corps opportunities to solve day-to-day and low-risk challenges, such as those encountered on aircraft, weapons, vehicles and communications equipment, by offering the capability to repair and replace individual parts onsite.
3-D printing uses a digital file from a computer to create three-dimensional solid objects. An object is created by laying down multiple layers of material consecutively until the entire item matches its digital file. Instead of waiting for a manufacturer to build a replacement part for broken equipment, Marines can print whatever customized item they need right away.
“An AAV that is sitting on a forward operating base or a ship waiting for a part is not doing its job, and Marines are less effective because of it,” said Capt. Matthew Friedell, 3-D printing project officer in MCSC’s Systems Engineering and Acquisition Logistics. “3-D printing allows us to get that AAV back into the fight or even gets Marines the weapons they need.”
MCSC’s role is to validate that 3-D printed parts are safe and certified for use on the systems and equipment it fields to Marines. The SEAL team conducts testing and experimentation to find new ways to use 3-D printing technology.
This summer, for the first time in Corps history, 3-D printing was used to create a new part for an AAV. The part was installed and driven at the AAV product director’s Engineering Maintenance Test Site in Ladysmith, Virginia. In partnership with John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, MCSC’s SEAL team installed a 3-D printed steel yoke shifter onto an AAV. The yoke was redesigned for AM and fabricated using a metal AM process called Direct Metal Laser Sintering. The yoke shifter is part of an assembly actuated by the driver of the AAV, and engages and disengages the power take-off from providing input to the Hydrostatic Steer Unit. When the AAV is being towed by another vehicle, the HSU, which is responsible for controlling the steering of the vehicle, must be disengaged to prevent mechanical damage.
“It’s an essential part to ensure the vehicle can steer and function properly,” said Craig Hughes, Marine Corps additive manufacturing project manager at John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
Marines have been embracing 3-D printing for several years now, Friedell said. There are more than 40 units using 3-D printers in the field to create replacement vehicle and weapon parts out of plastic.
“This capability totally changes the way logistics are applied in warfare,” said Friedell. “Not only can we now fix weapons and vehicles faster, we can adapt in real time to meet new requirements.”
Marines are using 3-D printing to build drones, buildings, vehicles and other items out of various materials, including concrete and metals. 3-D printing is especially promising in combat zones where Marines can “quickly reproduce essential parts that might otherwise have to be shipped from a stateside location or a distant Defense Logistics Agency hub,” said Lt. Gen. Michael G. Dana, deputy commandant for Installations and Logistics, in a recent interview with Military.com. Because of the possibilities 3-D printing provides, Dana has become a vocal advocate for the innovative technology.
In the future, Friedell envisions that the Corps will have the ability to print customized vehicles to counter emerging threats right on the battlefield.
“The Marine Corps must adopt this concept at all levels to fully gain its benefit,” he said. “If we do not, we will fall behind our enemies as they’ll be able to repair their vehicles faster and with greater precision than us. We are delivering on our requirements from the commandant and embracing this rapidly growing technology.”
USSOCOM Commander’s Reading List 2017
Sunday, July 16th, 2017Leadership in Complexity
Washington’s Crossing, by David Hackett Fischer (2006)
Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders, by L. David Marquet (2013)
Six Simple Rules: How to Manage Complexity without Getting Complicated, by Yves Morieux and Peter Tollman (2014)
Adapting to Uncertainty
Antifragile: Things that Gain from Disorder, Nassim Nicholas Taleb (2014)
Learning from the Octopus: How Secrets from Nature Can Help Us Fight Terrorist Attacks, Natural Disasters, and Disease, by Rafe Sagarin (2012)
Disruptive Technology
Ghost Fleet: A Novel of the Next World War, P.W. Singer and August Cole (2016)
3D Printing Will Rock the World, by John Hornick (2015)
The Red Web: The Struggle Between Russia’s Digital Dictators and the New Online Revolutionaries, by Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan (2015)
Perspectives and Emergence
Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World, by Tim Marshall (2016)
Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia, by Peter Pomerantsev (2015)
Putinism: Russia and Its Future with the West, by Walter Laqueur (2015)
The Hundred-Year Marathon: China’s Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower, by Michael Pillsbury (2016)
The Dragon’s Gift: The Real Story of China in Africa, by Deborah Brautigam (2011)
A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind, by Michael Axworthy (2016)
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, by Barbara Demick (2010)
Special Operations from a Small State Perspective: Future Security Challenges, New Security Challenges, by Gunilla Eriksson and Ulrica Pettersson, editors (2017)
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up
Sunday, July 16th, 2017Greetings from the 21st Tag der Infanterie
These days the German Armed Forces’ Infantry and Infantry minded Community meets at the Ausbildungszentrum Infanterie (German Army’s Infantry Training Center) located in Hammelburg, Franconia, Germany.
Horrido, JP
Corps Strength – Excuses Are Like Ass****s, Everyone Has One And They All Stink
Saturday, July 15th, 2017
I’m sure you’ve heard that old line before as it’s well used, especially in the military. IMO it’s accurate too and pretty universal, as it applies to just about any subject. However, I will contend that more excuses are used around the subject of weight loss and fitness than any other area. Over the years I’ve heard an untold number of excuses from friends, family, students and my fellow Marines (who came up with some of the best ones), for being overweight and out of shape. “I’m big boned, I don’t have time. I have a slow metabolism, I can’t afford good food, etc, etc.” The excuse list is way too long to post here. Addressing those is a whole other article.
The other odd thing about this category of excuses, (set aside the fact they are all at least 95% bullshit), is how many people will follow a workout routine and/or diet that yields very little positive results, yet will stick to it, defend it and make excuses for it, to the bitter end. Over the years I’ve heard many people enthusiastically defend their favorite diet and workout program, even through it’s obvious it hasn’t worked for them, at least not very well. It’s a very weird, but very real thing.
I experienced this again just the other day. Several years ago, outside the main gym here on base they constructed a nice elevated workout platform with several pull-up bars attached, and there are some sand filled ammo cans and tires out there to throw around. A few times a week I do an early morning PT session there that usually takes me about an hour (if I kick it). Now, this platform is located right outside the gym’s “cardio room” I can see in there through several big floor-to-ceiling windows and when I get going around 0600, they seem to always have an exercise class going. From my casual observation it seems to be made up of active military, retirees and dependent civilians. The class itself appears to be a mix of calisthenics, those rubber band things, light dumbbells and stretching. Of course everyone has their mat, water bottle and I hear loud workout music playing and the female instructor yelling out what to do.
The class also has a wide range of fitness levels, with many that are overweight. Now, this is nothing new except for what happened the other morning. I was outside, doing my thing when a man, (who I don’t know, but I had seen a few times in the exercise class) came walking up to me and spoke:
“Hey man, that looks like a tough workout you’re doing”
“Well, it can be.”
“I see you out here all the time.” Is that all you do?
“Well, I run a bit also.”
“No weightlifting?”
“No weights like you’re thinking, but I do throw around these some ammo cans and tires a little.”
“Huh, I figured you lifted weights?” (Apparently I’m lying?)
“No, No weights, no inside gym at all unless it’s really bad weather.”
Then we got down to cases. (I knew what was coming).
“I don’t think that your routine would work for me.” (Keep in mind I didn’t suggest it).
“Why is that?”
“Well, I’m too old, that stuff is more for you younger guys”
“How old are you?”
“53, how old are you 40-45?”
“I’m 57,”
‘Really? Huh, well, I’ve had issues with my back and knees, I can’t do a lot of what I see you doing out here.”
“I see”.
“Plus, I really like the PT class they have here in the morning.
“Yeah, I think I’ve seen you in there.”
“Yes, I go almost every morning.”
“How’s that working out for you?”
“Great, I really like it.”
“Are you tiring to lose some weight?”
“Yeah, I want to lose about 25 lbs, I started this class to help me.” (IMO 30-40 lbs would be better)
“Has it helped?”
“Well, not really.”
Why is that?”
“I don’t know exactly, I think my metabolism has slowed down? but it’s a great class. A real workout!”
“How long have you been in the class?”
“Since, I retired from the Navy, hell, almost five years now. Great class. It’s the best PT class I’ve ever taken.”
“Sounds like it.”
The point is here is not to make fun of someone, (well, maybe a little) but to point out something that is critical to the success of any PT program; That you have to decide if you really want results out of a exercise routine and/or diet plan. Or, that you just want to do something that makes you feel like you’re trying, but in the end not really have to worry about achieving any real results. I get that it’s great to go to a class, get some sweat on and feel good about it. However, for me and the people I train, results are what counts, feeling good is important, but secondary. As in the end I contend that people will feel the best about achieving their fitness goals, not just trying.
When I work with someone on weight loss and improving their fitness it starts with a (realistic) goal, a comprehensive plan to get there and then constant observation of progress to ensure the plan is working toward that end. If not, adjustments are made to get on track. What I don’t spend a second on is making excuses for things that don’t work and worse, continue on that path. Everyone is different, but things either work or they don’t and there are no shit reasons for both. This isn’t rocket science, but sometimes people make it much harder than it is and excuses don’t make it any better, or easier, (Other than just in their mind). The fitness/diet advice I layout in my book and in person has always been based on results, not bullshit to make you feel good, but real honest results. Results gained through consistent, long term effort. Results that will last and you can be proud of, and BTW when that happens, excuses aren’t needed. My old boxing trainer told me something many years ago about excuses; “You never need an excuse for winning, only losing.” Something to think about.
Taking some leave to climb a few rocks up north, We’ll talk next month. Till then:
“Ba Safe always, Good when you can.”
Semper Fi
MGunz
Gunfighter Moment – Frank Proctor
Saturday, July 15th, 2017Hey Folks, we’ve all heard it or said it: Train like you Fight. A lot of times, folks think that means wearing full kit in order to train to better shoot your gun. I disagree with the party line that you have to wear full battle rattle to train to shoot better.
For tactical shooters I would strongly recommend shooting ‘slick with no kit’ and learn what they can truly do with their guns, what their full capabilities are, how fast can they really put bullets on targets, maneuver through a challenging course of fire, get into positions, etc. Once that base line of what’s possible is established then put your duty gear on and see if you can still do the same stuff.
If you can’t, why?
If it’s because your body armor is too restrictive, there are plenty of ways to keep the defensive capabilities of your body armor AND be mobile and able to mount your gun to shoot well, and give yourself and your team mates some valuable OFFENSIVE capabilities. This concept applies to all the gear you carry to duty; if it hinders your optimal performance I would fix it or get rid of it and stay as light as possible.
Here’s a proven concept that we all as tactical shooters can use to ‘Train to Win’. Every organized sports team in the country (especially the ones that win) use a similar concept to train. Football teams don’t go full speed in pads everyday in practice. That would be the conventional shooter’s wisdom of “train like you fight”. What they do instead is break down individual skill sets and train them to perfection. Then they’ll put on the pads and put all those things together and scrimmage. They take note of what went well and what didn’t go well, and then they take off the pads and train again. When it comes game time they are prepared to WIN.
That’s my ramble for now, maybe I’ll put together a video explaining it some more.
Thanks y’all!
-Frank Proctor
Frank Proctor has served over 18 years in the military, the last 11 of those in US Army Special Forces. During his multiple combat tours in Afghanistan & Iraq he had the privilege to serve with and learn from many seasoned veteran Special Forces Operators so their combined years of knowledge and experience has helped him to become a better operator & instructor. While serving as an instructor at the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course he was drawn to competitive shooting. He has since earned the USPSA Grand Master ranking in the Limited Division and Master ranking in the IDPA Stock Service Pistol division. He learned a great deal from shooting in competition and this has helped him to become to become a better tactical shooter. Frank is one of the few individuals able to bring the experiences of U.S. Army Special Forces, Competitive Shooting, and Veteran Instructor to every class.
All this experience combines to make Frank Proctor a well-rounded shooter and instructor capable of helping you to achieve your goal of becoming a better shooter.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Bravo Company USA. Bravo Company is home of the Gunfighters, and each week they bring us a different trainer to offer some words of wisdom.
