Constructed with Isolwool (50% Wool and 50% Polypropylene), the Woodbridge Sock utilizes merino wool and polypropylene to deliver moisture movement and is cushioned in high wear areas. I’m impressed with the price at $14 a single pair with discounts in multi-packs.
Made in the USA.
WASHINGTON — The Defense Information Systems Agency has been offering “milDrive,” a cloud-based storage solution for desktop users, for nearly a year.
The cloud service already has about 18,000 users across 20 organizations, the program manager said.
“There’s quite a large user base in the queue right now that’s interested, and we are currently piloting with and developing a migration strategy for them,” said Carissa Landymore. “The need is definitely there.”
The milDrive service is available for users on DODIN, the unclassified Defense Department information network.
Users often store files on network drives so they can be shared with others within their organizations. The milDrive service gives users that ability, and it also allows them to access files from any common access card-enabled computer on the network and from their government cell phones and tablets. Typically, network shared drives only allow users to access files when they are on their home network.
Unlike other cloud-service solutions in use by some DOD agencies, milDrive allows users to store files that contain personally identifiable information, personal health information and “for official use only” information because the storage for milDrive is maintained by DISA, rather than by a commercial provider, Landymore said.
“From a security perspective, all the data is always encrypted, in transit and at rest,” she said. “So, it’s always providing that extra blanket of security.”
Also, unlike with typical network shares, milDrive users can grant access to their files to any milDrive user in the Defense Department, Landymore said. Users can even share files with other DOD personnel who don’t have milDrive access through a web-based interface. And unlike some web-based cloud service solutions, milDrive is thoroughly integrated into the desktop environment, which means users can create, read and manipulate files stored in the cloud using the software already installed on their desktop computers.
“It’s completely integrated and transparent on your desktop,” she said. “It’s the same traditional look and feel as Windows File Explorer and used like any other location to open or save files.
Landymore said DISA offers 1 terabyte or 20 gigabyte licenses for individual users. Both licenses cost less than $10 a month. Organizations can also order “team drives” starting at 1 TB. As with traditional network shares; milDrive “Team Folders” allow organizations the ability to collaborate traditionally with the added benefits of online and offline access, mobility and portability of group data they do not have today.
Guidance from the DOD chief information officer and DISA direction is going in the direction of the cloud, Landymore said. “MilDrive is going to help the department get there faster,” she said. “It’s going to help folks immediately migrate off their end-of-service-life equipment right onto another service that DISA is already invested into. We’ve made that investment to really help the department long-term, getting to a cloud solution and realizing our cost savings with economies of scale.”
Jeremiah Collins, the information technology services deputy director at Army Futures Command in Austin, Texas, said milDrive has provided the command with cost savings over traditional storage solutions and a reduction in workload for a limited information technology staff.
Army Futures Command stood up in July 2018, and Collins said the command has used milDrive as its storage solution from the start.
“When we were standing up the command, we really needed a storage solution that would support a mobile workforce beyond just the installation boundaries,” Collins said. “So, where teams are collaborating, no matter where they are located, they can reach back to those documents. Traditional network storage doesn’t allow for that. But with milDrive, anybody that has a CAC can access it from any web browser. That was monumental in our decision to choose milDrive.”
Additionally, Collins said, the low cost of storage was a deciding factor in the command’s decision to go with milDrive.
“The DISA milDrive was about a third of the cost of traditional storage,” Collins said. “It wasn’t even close.”
The cost of milDrive isn’t the only way the command saves money, he said. There’s also a reduction in workload by information technology support staff — something Collins said is important in Army Futures Command, where they have both limited space and a limited staff.
“For us, we don’t have the luxury of a lot of resources in our IT shop,” he said. “We have to be very diligent in what we assign for tasks. With milDrive, it’s simply provisioning a user to a milDrive account, which is exponentially easier for the staff here to execute based on our current resourcing thresholds.”
To achieve a seamless, transparent use of milDrive, software does have to be installed on a user’s computer. Until that software is installed, users can access files via a web-based application. Collins said initial use of milDrive at Army Futures Command was complicated by that requirement, but those challenges disappeared after the software was approved for use on their network.
“Quite frankly, ever since the application was installed, we’ve received zero complaints,” Collins said.
Landymore said organizations that want to make use of milDrive can check out the services catalogue on the DISA website. In addition, she said, DISA can help organizational IT staffs migrate data on existing storage services to milDrive.
By C. Todd Lopez
On that flew under the radar at SHOT Show is the ATHENA Precision Chassis Rifle by Drake Associates.
Currently offered in a 5.56 platform and coming soon to 7.62, the ATHENA is monolithic design with the lower receiver and handguard machined from a single piece of aluminum, leaving a freefloated, 18″ Satern Button Drake Heavy Profile Contour Barrel (16″ and 20″ also available). However, there is a top section of the handguard incorporating Picatinny rail which can be removed. The 6 O’clock position also features partial Pic rail for a bipod.
This results in average accuracy of .6 – .7 MOA at 100 yds, with the best group at .366 MOA, using 77 gr Federal OTM ammunition. Now get this, it’s at a muzzle velocity of 2,737 fps.
WASHINGTON — The Department of the Army announced today the activation of an additional corps headquarters, called Fifth Corps (V Corps), which will be located at Fort Knox, Ky.
The V Corps Headquarters will consist of approximately 635 soldiers, of which approximately 200 will support an operational command post in Europe on a rotational basis. The Corps Headquarters is projected to be operational by the fall of 2020.
“Combatant commanders know they can count on highly-trained and ready Army forces as they implement the National Defense Strategy around the world,” said Gen. James McConville, Chief of Staff of the Army. “The activation of an additional Corps headquarters provides the needed level of command and control focused on synchronizing U.S. Army, allied, and partner nation tactical formations operating in Europe. It will enhance U.S. Army Europe and U.S. European Command as they work alongside allies and partners to promote regional stability and security.”
The establishment of V Corps enables the Army to fulfill requirements of the National Defense Strategy. It also supports a U.S. European Command request for increased command and control capability, and will support U.S. interests, allies and partners in the region.
The V Corps’ history dates back to 1918, when the unit was activated during World War I during combat in France. Later, it took part in the World War II D-Day invasion and liberation of Europe.
Currently, the Army has three corps headquarters: I Corps, located at Joint Base Lewis- McChord, Washington; III Corps, located at Fort Hood, Texas; and XVIII Airborne Corps, located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. V Corps will be the Army’s fourth headquarters.
Each week we bring you products that should be on all military standard issue kit lists. This week it’s the Snigel 90L backpack system
Snigeldesign started their first backpacks back in 1977 and was directly aimed at military use.
Rough terrain and hard work required the most reliable and functional of solutions which naturally attracted the military user. Since those humble beginnings Snigeldesign has expanded to bring its innovative and functional approach to a large range of load carriage and protective products.
The 90 Litre Backpack is designed for the needs of forward elements and light role forces out in advance of the main body of troops. It offers a huge range of options and flexible ways to carry all the mission essential equipment. The back system provides an ultra-comfortable way to carry large loads for long patrols enabling the user to get where they need to be without compromise and fit to fight.
Enhancements from earlier versions of the 90L backpack:
• The outer pockets are fitted with a zipper instead of a hole band / buckle. Easier and faster to take off and to put them back.
• The hip belt is sewn with edge bands so it keeps the shape better.
• Fixed strap for side stabilization of the hip belt does not get lost and does not break as the rubber cord did.
• Change to a stronger 10 mm zipper from 8 mm
• The openings on the inside compartment in the lid are now both accessible when opening the lid. It is easier to access now
• A hole band at the back of the lid for attaching duffel straps, when the lid is to be used as a small backpack
For more information contact: interantaional@brigantes.com
Or for UK sales: warrior@brigantes.com
In this episode, Will Petty of Centrifuge Training LLC discusses techniques for injured shooters while running a carbine.
William Petty began his Law Enforcement career in 2003 in Albuquerque, NM. While there he served as a Firearms Instructor, an Emergency Response Team member and was also a member of the department’s shooting team. In 2011, Petty relocated to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates where he worked as a Counter Terrorism Instructor with the Critical National Infrastructure Authority. In 2013 (to present) he returned to the U.S. and resumed law enforcement with his department in Texas. While there he worked patrol and ran the firearms programs for several large regional Police academies. He has and continues to run contract courses establishing various programs and in-service material for major local, state and federal departments in the US and Canada.
Utilizing the same Air Commando technology as their baselayers, XGO’s Extreme Hot Weather Combat Shirt features both knit torso as well as cape and arms unlike others on the market which use woven fabrics for the cape and arms. There are also stretch woven elbow patches.
The Air Commando material offers FR protection as well as Acclimate Dry moisture management and AG47 Silver anti-microbial. Additionally, the torso has UPF 23+ with the sleeves at UPF 25+. The sleeve and cape fabric is a Modacrylic and FR Rayon blend, paired with a no melt no drip Tan torso. The zippers are also FR and the Velcro patches on the sleeves are time matched. Flat seam construction avoids chaffing.
Offered in MultiCam and Tan 499 sizes XS-3XL.
CORE Survival has updated the HEL-STAR 6 marker light with a new case design. It’s much more streamlined and much less likely to catch on anything. Below, you can see the updated case in front of the previous version.
Otherwise, the features remain the same.
