February 2025 | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for February, 2025

OP Tactical Launches New Website

Monday, February 3rd, 2025

The OP Tactical site has been updated. Originally the site was made to be simple and low-maintenance for service members down range with poor connection to the internet. With tech advancing, this seems to be less of an issue and OPT has updated their site. The original site was made in 2003 upon the founding of the company. The new website signifies a new chapter in OPT’s history and continues on with the company’s mission: providing the best gear and customer service. Take a look at the new site at:

www.optactical.com

Posted in Advertiser, Industry | 1 Comment »

ZeroTech Optics Unveils the World’s First Variable Prism Sight

Monday, February 3rd, 2025

ZeroTech Optics is excited to introduce the world’s first Variable Prism Sight – a revolutionary new optic that is pioneering a new era for precision shooting. For the first time, shooters can enjoy the versatility of variable magnification within a prism sight, offering the flexibility that traditional fixed-power and binary optics have lacked. The new ZeroTech 1-4x Variable Prism Sight allows users to adjust magnification seamlessly between 1x all the way to 4x, providing both close-range accuracy and extended-range precision in one powerful optic – all at an unbeatable price point.

Introducing the ZeroTech 1-4x Variable Prism Sight

Traditionally, prism sights have been limited to a fixed magnification or a simple choice between two magnifications (e.g., 1x or 4x). With ZeroTech’s innovative approach, the 1-4x Variable Prism Sight provides shooters with the ability to adjust magnification on the fly, ensuring optimal performance in any scenario. Whether you’re engaging targets at close range or reaching out to extended distances, this sight gives you the flexibility and precision you need – all while offering an unbeatable value for its performance.

Why Choose a Prism Sight?

Prism sights have long been a favorite among shooters for several key reasons. Unlike red-dot sights, which rely on reflective lenses, prism sights feature etched reticles that provide better clarity and contrast, even in low-light conditions. They also offer exceptional durability and maintain zero accuracy in harsh environments, making them ideal for tactical applications and rugged outdoor use. Additionally, prism sights are etched so shooters with an astigmatism due not suffer from the common “startburst effect” contributing to more accurate and consistent aiming.

For a more in-depth look at the advantages of prism sights over red-dot sights, check out our full article here: What’s Best: 1x Prism or a Red Dot?

The Evolution of Variable Prism Optics

The ZeroTech 1-4x Variable Prism Sight represents a major leap in the evolution of prism optics. If you’re curious about how optics like these have progressed over time, we invite you to explore our article on The Evolution of Shooting Optics. It offers valuable insights into the development of variable prism scopes and their growing role in modern shooting, providing context to the groundbreaking advancements found in this new optic.

ZeroTech’s New Standard in Optics

The ZeroTech 1-4x Variable Prism Sight builds upon these established advantages while introducing new levels of adaptability. The optic offers:

• True 1x to 4x variable magnification for enhanced flexibility

• Premium etched reticle with adjustable illumination for fast, precise targeting

• Parallax-free at 100 yards for improved accuracy at distance

• Fully multi-coated lenses for superior light transmission and clarity

• Lightweight, rugged design that can withstand even the toughest conditions

• Quick, intuitive adjustments for a personalized shooting experience

And all of this comes at an unbeatable price point, delivering top-tier performance without breaking the bank. To learn more about this exciting optic check out our Tech Talk video.

Availability and Pricing

The ZeroTech 1-4x Variable Prism Sight is now available for purchase through ZeroTech Optics’ official website and select authorized dealers. To learn more about pricing and to place an order, visit www.zerotechoptics.com.

About ZeroTech Optics

ZeroTech Optics is a leading provider of high-performance optical products designed for shooters of all levels. With a focus on innovation and reliability, ZeroTech delivers advanced optics that enhance accuracy, confidence, and performance for professional marksmen and recreational shooters alike.

For inquiries, please contact:

ZeroTech Optics

Email: sales@zerotechoptics.com

Phone: 615 674 4755

Posted in Optics, Press Release | 9 Comments »

G-Form and High-Speed Gear Deliver 26,469 SF Wrap Pads to the US Army

Monday, February 3rd, 2025

PROVIDENCE, RI, February 03, 2025 – G-Form®, the leader in innovative technology protection, in collaboration with High-Speed Gear® (HSG), proudly announces the successful delivery of 26,469 pairs of SF Wrap Shoulder and Belt Pads to the U.S. Army.

G-Form, renowned for designing and manufacturing protective gear that integrates SmartFlex™ proprietary technology with Department of Defense (DoD)-specific Berry-compliant advanced materials, delivers unmatched mobility, lethality, and protection to enhance warfighter survivability.

“It’s time to revolutionize how luxury in protection is defined,” said David Jackson, Director of Military Programs at G-Form.

High-Speed Gear, a leader in high-quality tactical gear solutions, played a critical role in the success of the SF Wrap Pads, leveraging its expertise in tactical load carriage.

“The collaboration between HSG and G-Form represents a commitment to delivering products that enhance the comfort, endurance, and effectiveness of our warfighters,” said Allison Mitchum, VP of Sales & Marketing at High-Speed Gear. “This innovation ensures that service members can maintain peak performance with reduced fatigue, allowing them to focus on their mission.”

Product Development & Benefits

The SF Wrap Pads were developed following insights from the 2022 Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE), where prototypes received overwhelmingly positive feedback from soldiers. The pads:

• Enhance comfort by reducing energy transfer from plate carriers or rucks to the user

• Feature a 1/4” thin profile, preventing interference with cheek welds during weapon deployment

• Offer cable management with two strapping locations

• Dissipate heat and reduce unnecessary friction

• Provide versatile applications, from over-the-shoulder straps to battle belts, with or without Velcro inner belts

The SF Wrap Pads officially launched with High-Speed Gear in February 2024 and are available for purchase at www.highspeedgear.com.

Product Description

The HSG SF Wrap Pads feature SmartFlex™ non-Newtonian impact solution, which attenuates shock and reduces fatigue by dampening energy transfer. Their versatile design allows for:

• Wide configuration for maximum surface area on large backpack straps

• Slim configuration for minimal bulk on shoulder straps

• Compatibility with most plate carrier shoulder straps, belts, and weapon slings

• Customizable fit, as the material can be trimmed with scissors

• Set of two shipped with One Wrap straps

Part Number: 95SF00OD

For More Information

• Sales Inquiries: sales@highspeedgear.com

• Strategic Partnerships: strategicpartners@g-form.com

Posted in Advertiser, Army, Contracts, Load Carrying, Press Release | Comments Off on G-Form and High-Speed Gear Deliver 26,469 SF Wrap Pads to the US Army

MATBOCK Monday – Celebrating 15 Years

Monday, February 3rd, 2025

Last week MATBOCK celebrated their 15 year anniversary. MATBOCK was founded with a vision to bring innovative solutions to the warfighters. Thank you to all the customers, vendors, industry partners, and friends who have supported us since day one and continue to support us today. 15 years later, we stand true to our mission and are excited for what the next 15 years and beyond bring.

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post | Comments Off on MATBOCK Monday – Celebrating 15 Years

Air Force Kicks Off Roadshow, Prepares Airmen for ‘Units of Action’ Implementation

Monday, February 3rd, 2025

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

Air Force senior leadersconducted one of their first stops of a recently launched roadshow at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Jan. 24, to prepare Airmen as the service transitions into Combat Wings, Air Base Wings and Institutional Wings as part of the ongoing U.S. Air Force reoptimization.

This structural change increases the ability for commanders to focus on their mission and enables the creation of an Air Force “Unit of Action” capable of deploying as a cohesively trained and highly effective team of warrior Airmen.

Senior leaders will visit approximately 20 bases and their corresponding wings over the next few months to communicate the wing reorganization plan, to include the implementation of the wing A-Staff and dissolution of most group command echelons.

They will also explain the long-term effects of the new force presentation model to Airmen and their units, both in garrison and deployed.

Implementation is expected to begin in the summer of 2025 to include the stand-up of new Air Base Wings at designated installations.

Following the transition, Air Force installations will be comprised of a Combat Wing and/or an Institutional Wing and an Air Base Wing.

Combat Wings will focus on training and certification for mission level warfighting skills and being ready to deploy or execute in-place in support of combatant command requirements.

The mission of Institutional Wings will be to organize, train and equip the Air Force combat forces and will include units such as flying training wings and test wings.

Air Base Wings will focus on the skills and readiness necessary to protect, sustain and operate the power projection platform (the installation), supporting Combat Wings and/or Institutional Wings along with any other tenant units. They maintain the responsibility to ensure base operations in competition, crisis and conflict while also providing for the care and support of family readiness for the entire base community.

The missions of preparing and employing forces, as well as defending the installation against threats are full time jobs; the addition of the Air Base Wing allows all Airmen, from commanders to those working the line, to dedicate their full attention to their specific mission instead of dividing their attention.

“Operating and protecting our bases under enemy threat is crucial, and we must ensure our Airmen are properly trained and prepared for deployment,” said Col. Scott Yeatman, current operations deputy director. “To achieve this, our goal is to have teams of Airmen receive comprehensive training through the four phase Air Force Force Generation cycle so they’re ready for action the minute they hit the ground on a deployment.”

According to Air Force Deputy Chief of Operations Lt.Gen. Adrian Spain, “Airmen will form into cohesive units focused on training, exercising and deploying together as a mission-ready, warfighting team. These changes are fundamental to generating team readiness and increasing lethality for assured mission success.”

In parallel with these efforts, Air Force wings will largely dissolve the group command echelon and implement a wing A-Staff to facilitate wing commander decision-making and better enable the squadrons to execute their missions.

“We’ll be standardizing our staff structure across all bases, with a consistent framework, while allowing for necessary flexibility based on mission requirements at the local level. These changes will ensure the service is better organized and trained to execute operations across the joint warfighting functions,” Yeatman explained.

Roadshow engagements address how these changes will directly affect each installation they visit, how each organization will be equipped to more effectively support Department of the Air Force mission requirements and provide a forum for Airmen to ask questions.

“Reoptimizing the Air Force into Combat, Institutionaland Air Base wings is a foundational change to how we prepare and deploy combat effective forces,” said Brig. Gen. David Epperson, special assistant to the Air Force Chief of Staff. “I am excited for this roadshow and the opportunity it provides to both share information and engage in direct conversation with Airmen at the unit level about the way forward.”

More resources on the Air Force’s ongoing reoptimization efforts can be found here.

By TSgt Nick Z. Erwin, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on Air Force Kicks Off Roadshow, Prepares Airmen for ‘Units of Action’ Implementation

Passing of a Legend: Saying Goodbye to Doc Dater

Sunday, February 2nd, 2025

The firearms industry lost a true legend on Wednesday, January 22^nd, with the passing of Doctor Phil Dater. You may not know his name or his history. But if you know anything at all about suppressors, you definitely know his legacy.

I had the privilege to work for Phil at Gemtech for almost a decade, and I can truly say he will be missed.

Photos courtesy of JK Armament.

Dr. Phil Dater: Goodbye to a Suppression Pioneer

by Patti Miller

Doc Dater started with suppressors in the late 1950s, and as he used to love to recount in stories over the years, he created suppressors in the machine shop in the basement of a hospital where he worked. He tinkered over the years and officially started AWC in New Mexico, where he registered his designs and started production models for sale. He would later leave New Mexico for the Boise, Idaho area.

There, in the early 1990s, he created Gemtech.

For the next three decades, Phil would continue to build the company with his business partners, colleagues, and employees. Many of his designs from the early days through his time at Gemtech would be copied by competitors or used as the basis for the next generation of suppressors in the industry as we know it today. In addition to Gemtech, he would dedicate time and effort to share his vast knowledge base with others in the industry through seminars, writings, and mentoring others in the suppressor industry. That’s just a brief description of what he accomplished – his life was much more than that.

Anyone who knew Phil knew how passionate he was. He held strong beliefs about many things, including suppressors and sound suppression. At times, this would cause some heated debates regarding techniques or applications. But in the end, Phil really cared about the science and, more importantly, the people. While not always patient, he was usually ready and willing to help you learn.

I’m not going to lie and say that we always got along perfectly. I can honestly say there were many times we didn’t, but he never treated me any differently. He would go out of his way for those he cared about, and if you were one of the lucky ones he cared about, his generosity would know no bounds. He would strive to do what was right for those around him, and he was a man of his word. Phil went out of his way to take care of me as an employee at different times, and for that I’m extremely grateful. It was a testament to his overall caring and generous nature.

All I can say is that if you’re currently enjoying shooting suppressed, you need to thank Doc Dater. He will be very much missed, and the industry wouldn’t have been the same without him.

So, here’s the legend: may he rest in peace.

Learn more about the history of Gemtech or learn more about Doc Dater on RECOILweb or on Small Arms Defense Journal.

Patti Miller is a longtime industry/marketing maven with a passion for search and rescue work, overlanding, shooting suppressed, and mighty works of gardening. Learn more at Everything Miller.

You can read more of Miller’s work on Breach-Bang-Clear, the Cadre Dispatch, The Mag Life, and other publications.

Posted in Guest Post, Memorial, Suppressors | 1 Comment »

POTUS Stands Up Task Force 250

Sunday, February 2nd, 2025

President Donald Trump (“Trump 47”) has issued an executive order establishing what they’re calling Task Force 250, more formerly titled the “White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.”

The United States will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of its independence on Independence Day 2026, roughly 18 months from now.

The Executive Order was issued yesterday, January 29.

This is how it reads:

Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose. It is the policy of the United States, and a purpose of this order, to provide a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026. It is also the purpose of this order to take other actions to honor the history of our great Nation.

Sec. 2. Establishing the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.

(a) There is hereby established the White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday (Task Force 250).

(b) The President shall be the Chair of Task Force 250 and the Vice President will serve as Vice Chair. The Chair shall appoint an Executive Director, who shall administer and execute the day-to-day operations of Task Force 250, and who shall report through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. The Chair, the Vice Chair, or a member of Task Force 250 designated by the Chair, shall convene regular meetings of Task Force 250, determine its agenda, and direct its work, consistent with this order. The Executive Director and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy shall assist in the performance of these duties. The Chair may designate any member of the Task Force to preside over meetings of the Task Force.

(c) In addition to the Chair and Vice Chair, Task Force 250 shall consist of the following members:

(i) the Secretary of State;
(ii) the Secretary of the Treasury;
(iii) the Secretary of Defense;
(iv) the Secretary of the Interior;
(v) the Secretary of Agriculture;
(vi) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;
(vii) the Secretary of Education;
(viii) the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy;
(ix) the Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs;
(x) the Cabinet Secretary and Deputy Chief of Staff;
(xi) the Director of Speechwriting;
(xii) the Chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities;
(xiii) the Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts;
(xiv) the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services; and
(xv) the heads of such other executive departments, agencies, and offices that the Chair or the Vice Chair may, from time to time, designate or invite to participate.

(d) The Chair and the Vice Chair, as they deem appropriate, shall invite the Executive Director of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to provide recommendations and advice to Task Force 250.

(e) Task Force 250 shall coordinate with the executive departments and agencies (agencies) to plan, organize, and execute an extraordinary celebration of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence and shall coordinate agencies’ communications with the United States Semiquincentennial Commission. In addition, the Executive Director may seek information or advice from such other agencies as Task Force 250 shall direct.

(f) For administrative purposes, the Task Force shall be housed in the Department of Defense, which shall provide funding and administrative support for Task Force 250, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(g) Agencies shall provide a report to Task Force 250 regarding their respective planning and activities with respect to the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of American Independence. These reports should be submitted to the Executive Director of Task Force 250 no later than March 1, 2025.

(h) Task Force 250 shall terminate on December 31, 2026, unless extended by the President.

Sec. 3. National Garden of American Heroes.

(a) Executive Order 13934 of July 3, 2020 (Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes) and Executive Order 13978 of January 18, 2021 (Building the National Garden of American Heroes) are reinstated as they were prior to issuance of Executive Order 14029 of May 14, 2021.

(b) The Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy shall recommend to the President additional historically significant Americans for inclusion in the National Garden of American Heroes, to bring the total number of heroes to 250.

(c) Section 3(c)(ii) of Executive Order 13934 is amended by striking “prior to the 250th anniversary of the proclamation of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026” and inserting in its place “as expeditiously as possible”.

Sec. 4. Protecting America’s Monuments from Vandalism.

Executive Order 13933 of June 26, 2020 (Protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues and Combatting Recent Criminal Violence) is hereby reinstated as it was prior to the issuance of Executive Order 14029 of May 14, 2021. Recent examples of conduct necessitating reinstatement of this order include pro-Hamas-related vandalism of historically significant public monuments and related assaults on Federal officers and employees following October 7, 2023, including the vandalism of the exterior of the Department of the Treasury and of statues in Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C. on June 8, 2024, and the assaults on Federal officers and vandalism of the Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain and Freedom Bell at Union Station in Washington, D.C. on July 24, 2024.

Sec. 5. General Provisions.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Read more Presidential Actions online at Whitehouse.gov.

Posted in Admin | 2 Comments »

M05 Camo Fur Hat from Finland

Sunday, February 2nd, 2025

For guys who want to brave the cold wearing something a little different, the ORIGOPRO Fur Hat in M05 camo is available now. The only thing missing is the official insignia.

origopro.com/tuote/karvalakki-m05-talvikuvio

Posted in Camo, Clothing, International | Comments Off on M05 Camo Fur Hat from Finland