Right in time for the holidays FirstSpear has released three new color options on the popular Stratton Flannel. Same cut and features but now even better for winter in a much heavier 9oz weight.
100% American Made, available now in the FS Store along with what appear to be some new hats!
www.first-spear.com/technical-apparel/outerwear/stratton-flannel-7376
www.first-spear.com/shadow-hat
Radford, VA – The Military History Chronicle (MHC, milhistorychronicle.com) is now live.
Though still in a nascent stage, the Military History Chronicle promises engaging, in-depth analysis of critical military events throughout history.
MHC features the perspective of accomplished historians Jeff Ballard and W. “Bucky” Lawson on everything from the (overrated?) significance of the Battle of Midway to an analysis of Lincoln’s strategic victory at Ft. Sumter. Current content is only on YouTube but will soon spread to the blogosphere. No Fighting in the War Room, the channel’s signature segment, features Ballard and Lawson discussing (and occasionally arguing over) such questions as, “Who was the best fighting admiral in the Pacific?”, and “Was Kelly’s Heroes better than The Dirty Dozen?”
Hosts Lawson and Ballard themselves are an odd combo of California surfer dude and Appalachian hillbilly. Both earned master’s degrees in Military History (with honors even!) and decided to use their newly-minted edjumacation to engage the world on social media. Or something. Lawson writes for the peer-reviewed Journal of the Saber and Scroll Historical Society and other publications; Ballard likewise scribes for the Journal and can also be found in the pages of Strategy & Tactics Press.
Though both historians are primarily interested in WWII matters, the channel and blog will address topics from any time periods. Content will include book reviews and interviews, tongue-in-cheek responses to viewer and reader questions, and the consumption of both bourbon and cigars. There is also a historical swag shop (www.thewarroom.store) with t-shirts and other loot; proceeds will be used to improve production value. And buy cigars.
NO FIGHTING IN THE WAR ROOM
Visit Military History Chronicle online; www.milhistorychronicle.com
Connect with Strategy & Tactics Press; www.facebook.com/StrategyTacticsPress
Buy some swag; www.thewarroom.store
Newington, N.H. (November 20, 2018) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been recognized for two of Guns & Ammo Magazine’s prestigious annual awards for SIG SAUER products. The SIG SAUER P365 pistol was named “Handgun of the Year,” and the SIG SAUER Electro-Optics Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX™) rangefinder and riflescope system was named “Innovation of the Year.”
Recipients of the 2018 Guns & Ammo of the Year Awards were evaluated on the following criteria: 1) the product was new and available for purchase in 2018, 2) the product must have demonstrated quality and reliability to a degree that met or exceeded its design objective, and 3) the product must offer the greatest appeal to the masses.
2018 Guns & Ammo “Handgun of the Year”: Since its introduction in January 2018, the SIG SAUER P365 pistol has taken the market by storm, and is the top selling pistol on the market today. The P365 is an everyday, concealed carry pistol. This high capacity micro-compact pistol is smaller and lighter than other pistols in its class. It features a high-capacity, patented modified double-stack magazine for a 10+1 full-size capacity, with 12-round factory made magazines available for 13-round capacity.
“To have the P365 micro-compact pistol receive the Handgun of the Year award by Guns & Ammo magazine is really an exceptional honor, and is the direct result of the relentless drive of our engineers and product managers to push the envelope when developing new products,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer, and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “Our goal with the P365 was to bring an everyday carry, micro-compact pistol with full-size capacity to the market that consumers could depend on 365 days a year, and this award is validation that we succeeded.”
2018 Guns & Ammo “Innovation of the Year”: The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics BDX system combines traditional hunting equipment with technology. BDX™ is a fully integrated rangefinder and riflescope system that utilizes Applied Ballistics Ultralight and Bluetooth™ to calculate and illuminate the exact holdover dot for the perfect shot. BDX™ is simple, fast, and intuitive – just connect the dot. The SIG BDX app is free and available for Android or iOS devices.
“The foundation of the BDX™ rangefinder and riflescope system is innovation, and to have the editors of Guns & Ammo Magazine recognize the rangefinder, riflescope, and app that creates the BDX system makes our entire team at SIG SAUER Electro-Optics immensely proud,” added Andy York, President, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics. “In their analysis the magazine editors really hit the mark by acknowledging BDX™ for its simplicity, speed, quality, and affordability, and further noting that when used together, it is the most advanced hunting technology introduced in many years.”
The 2018 Guns & Ammo of the Year Awards, and the full-feature articles on the SIG SAUER P365 and SIG SAUER Electro-Optics BDX™ system, are featured in the current issue of Guns & Ammo magazine.
Direct Action is offering a discount on tactical gear from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. 20% off backpacks and bags and 10% off tactical equipment.
It’s the last promotion this year. Don’t miss it!
In this episode, Royce Gracie discusses Gracie Jiu-Jitsu techniques for Law Enforcement Officers.
Royce Gracie was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is one of nine children, seven of whom are boys. His training in Jiu-Jitsu began at a very early age as a game with his father Helio. He never pushed any of the children to take formal classes until they wanted to do so. However, they often went to the Academy in Rio after school and on weekends.
Royce began competing in tournaments at age eight. He received his blue belt at age 16 and was promoted to black belt in less than two years. Royce moved to the United States at age 18 to live with his brother, Rorion. They began teaching private classes out of their garage, sometimes for more than ten hours a day. Together they opened the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy 30 years ago in Torrance, California. Although Royce no longer teaches there because of his rigorous travel schedule, it remains one of the largest martial arts schools in the country.
Royce’s reputable career as a fighter began in 1993 after defeating three opponents in the first Ultimate Fighting Championship in Denver, Colorado. His brother Rorion came up with this innovative challenge as a way to show Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the world. Discipline after discipline was defeated by the slight 6’1”, 180 pound Royce Gracie. The viewers were in awe.
His opponents consistently outweighed him by more than 50 pounds. He went on to win 3 UFC titles and today is the only man in the history of no holds barred matches to successfully defeat four opponents in one night. After leaving the UFC Royce went on to compete in MMA events in Japan and is a huge icon in this country.
Royce holds the record for the longest MMA match in history: 90 minutes against Japanese superstar Kazushi Sakuraba in PRIDE Grand PRIX 2000. He also showed total domination of the Olympic Judo Gold Medalist Hidehiko Yoshida. His largest opponent was Sumo Grand Champion Akebono, 6? 8? 486lbs. Royce vs. Akebono was the main event of K-1 Premium Dynamite New Years Eve show on New Year’s Eve in 2004. Royce defeated the giant in just 2min and 13sec with a shoulder lock. Royce’s continued success has opened the eyes of many disbelievers to the importance of leverage and technique in grappling.
In November of 2003, Royce Gracie was the first fighter to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame along with fellow UFC veteran Ken Shamrock. Since then Royce’s face has has been seen on countless martial arts magazines such as Black Belt, Inside MMA and Tapout. He has also been featured in Men’s Health and Fitness and GQ and continues to give magazine and radio interviews. His recognition spans the globe to include fans on most every continent. In 2014 Royce was named one of the 50 Greatest Athletes in the World by Sports Illustrated.
Today Royce is privileged to spread the techniques perfected by his father all over the world. Throughout his busy fighting career Royce has maintained a rigorous travel schedule of seminars and classes. He currently oversees more than 55 US and international Royce Gracie Jiu-jitsu Networks. The techniques of Gracie Jiiu-jitsu have become mainstream in most martial arts dojos. Fighters everywhere are racing to learn and implement this jiu-jitsu in their training regimen.
His list of students is enormous. Royce has taught many of the big screen greats like Chuck Norris, Ed O’Neal, Guy Ritchie, Jim Carrey, Josh Duhamel and Nicholas Cage. He has also been very active with the CIA, FBI, DEA, Secret Service, Army Rangers, Army Special Forces, Navy Seals and many sheriff and police departments. His G.R.A.C.I.E. course for law enforcement has gained international recognition. Aside from teaching at his Networks across the United States, he regularly visits Canada, England, Scotland, Portugal, Spain, Israel, Australia, UAE and South America.
Royce makes his home in Southern California with his wife, Marianne, three sons, Khonry, Khor and Kheydon and daughter, Kharianna. He maintains an impressive training regimen, which includes running, weight training, cross training, meditation and countless hours of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. He is a full time professional athlete who eagerly awaits his next challenge. Recently he completed a 40 mile run with his long time trainer, James Strom. In Royce’s own words, “Go ahead, tell me what I can’t do!”
Historic uniform change for Female Marines; ‘there will be no doubts that they are U.S. Marines in the dress blue uniform’
Marines with November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion wait in line Nov. 9, 2018 to have their uniforms examined by base fitters at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. The clothing team at Marine Corps Systems Command was tasked to develop the dress blue coat which features a white belt, form-fitted coat and a standing collar. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. Tyler Hlavac)
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.— A white belt, form-fitted coat and a standing collar are a few features female Marines can expect to see on the new dress blue uniform. Based on a 2014 Marine Corps initiative, Marine Corps Systems Command was tasked to develop a dress blue coat for women that was similar to the male uniform.
The goal was to make the Corps look unified while also offering female Marines a more tailored fit. Marines with November Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island were the first to don the new uniforms during their graduation ceremony Nov. 16. MCSC’s Sgt. Maj. Robin Fortner served as the parade reviewing official.
“I was honored to be a part of history and stand out on the renowned parade deck to witness the newest Marines who will enter into the operating forces,” , Fortner said. “All the Marines looked sharp. The uniform represents the United States Marine Corps and its proud, rich legacy, which was exemplified by the Marines.”
MCSC’s Infantry Combat Equipment conducted extensive research with female Marines through surveys and roadshows to ensure their voices were heard. To gather input, the team visited I and II Marine Expeditionary Forces, and conducted onsite surveys with 2,632 Marines from the National Capital Region, Parris Island, Camp Lejeune, Cherry Point, Yuma and the entire west coast. Nearly 3,000 additional Marines elected to take the survey online instead of attending a roadshow.
“It was important for MCSC to get this right for the institution,” Fortner said. “I appreciate the diligence that went into this effort from the beginning and the follow on support to the Depot.”
The coat MCSC fielded is the third iteration of prototypes, said Louis Curcio, ICE clothing designer. The main additions are a white belt and standing collar (previously a standard lapel).
“Throughout the process, we conducted three different surveys to figure out if the new coat was something Marines actually wanted—and we only surveyed females,” Curcio said. “We gave all of the results to the commandant, and he made the final decision based on their input.”
Designers also added a seam to the upper-torso area to make the uniform easier to alter to fit different body types. Additionally, the coat was lengthened 1.5 inches to give it more structure and balance with the trousers, which also offered greater range of motion and mobility.
“With this change, all Marines will have the uniform of the Corps, and there will be no doubts that they are U.S. Marines in the dress blue uniform,” Curcio said.
During the roadshow tour, Lt. Col. Jeniffer Ballard and Sgt. Lucy Schroder traveled with Curcio and his team to model the uniforms and answer any questions from fellow Marines. Current Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller asked their opinions directly along with other female Marines to ensure he was hearing the information straight from the source.
Ballard, section head for Operations, Plans, Integration, and Distribution for the Manpower Management Integration branch at Manpower and Reserve Affairs, said she was surprised by some of the feedback they received while on the roadshow. Some women were worried that the new coats would take away from their femininity, while others said they would lose their tradition as female Marines.
Looking back over the course of the Marine Corps, there have always been changes and options for women, Ballard said.
“It was important for us to show what the uniform looked like in person versus in an online survey, and some Marines were pleasantly surprised saying it exceeded their expectations,” she said.
At first, Ballard said she was not a fan of the uniform changes because she thought it would be an exact replica of the male coat with the same pockets and collar.
“Over the course of time the coat grew on me, and I really like it now because it helps modernize the force, so there isn’t such a distinction between male and female uniforms,” she said.
Sgt. Schroder, who works for the Wounded Warrior Regiment aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, said Marines need to actually try the blue coat on before forming a negative opinion, because this is a huge step for the Marine Corps.
“Before I joined the service, my first impression was the iconic male uniform coat I saw on commercials,” she said. “When I got to boot camp and they gave me my coat, I was confused because it looked different than what I expected. The more we progress in time, the more female Marines are having a voice and opinions on how they want to look, which will hopefully draw the attention of future recruits.”
The new dress blue uniform is now available for purchase at Marine Corps Exchanges. By fiscal year 2022, every female Marine will be required to wear the new uniform.
“We cannot be afraid of change, often times a new era brings about changes,” Fortner said. “Many Marines have adapted throughout their careers, and this is no different. We must take it on and own it.”
Marine Corps Systems Command serves as the Department of the Navy’s systems command for Marine Corps ground weapon and information technology system programs in order to equip and sustain Marine forces with full-spectrum capabilities.
Polish GROM re-selected Direct Action® SPITFIRE® Plate Carrier in the recent tender which took place in October. GROM decided to order another 100 pcs sets (after July’s tender) build on SPITFIRE® platform. Each of the chosen set consists of gun belt with belt sleeve, as well as multiple ammo and utility pouches.
You can learn more about the SPITFIRE® Plate Carrier, along with other Direct Action® products on their web page: www.directactiongear.com
