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Correct, I don’t know why everyone seems to think he’d sell the rights. In his book, “Civilian Warriors”, Mr. Prince talks about keeping the rights and wondering if he’d ever restart Blackwater in some capacity.
In my opinion, the dude was singled out and bent over by the media and the US Government. My wife and I were fortunate enough to meet and visit with Mr. Prince at SHOT 2014, where he signed my copy of his aforementioned book. He was a joy to talk to, very kind and generous with his time. I wish him all the best of luck and if he does restart Blackwater gear, I’ll absolutely be in line to support the brand.
Is that the face on the volleyball from the Tom Hanks movie? Fred I think was his name. Definitely a QC issue or maybe an overseas import. You know how they always get it right.
With absolutely no offence intended to Eric Prince or anyone else; given to some of the appalling actions associated with and committed by Blackwater personnel, think I’ll give buying that particular brand of gear a rather wide ranging pass. I’m definitely a big fan of Eric Prince and his accomplishments but not of the people his company hired and used in Iraq(Nisour Square). Interestingly, if one looks around on eBay, there’s Blackwater ID, hats and T-shits up for sale too. Guess you just send them your picture and PayPal payment and voila! One becomes an “instant” former Blackwater employee! Why anyone would want to wear this gear(other than being an actual former employee) – has me as mystified as Don Shipley is with fake Navy SEAL’s…
Thank you for this post, SSD!!!
When you say you don’t want to offend anyone and then go on to say you don’t care for anyone that ever worked for BW, you’re going to get that response. It is, simply, an unthought-out ignorant statement. Aka, idiotic.
I’ve seen a lot of reckless and negligent usage of force overseas. I really don’t think Nisour Square is all that unique.
I think everyone can safely agree that the leadership being shielded from harm while several of the guys low on the totem pole are sent down the river for a LONG time is jacked up.
Private military Industry contains a diverse range of people just like the army, there for for all sorts of motivations.
I’ve met a lot of people like myself who have BTDT in the military and simply wanted to continue to serve the country in a capacity that allowed for greater accountability and emphasis on personal development and responsibility.
No matter what anyone’s opinion is, I hope we can refrain from characterizing an entire industry, company or war by the actions of a few people.
As for the “Blackwater” gear on Ebay, I’m guessing your unfamiliar with the Airsoft hobby? I don’t see this as any different than being able to buy repro CAC cards and emulate any military unit who committed massacres or weapons smuggling like 75th rangers, 23rd infantry, 20th infantry, 502nd infantry. The list goes on.
In any case, I hope you stick to your guns and continue to not buy any products that support or are in any way affiliated with any unit or entity that’s committed a human rights violation.
In some areas the US military has a fundamentally different interpretation of IHL than the ICRC does. Especially in reference to civilians and DPH (direct participation of hostilities).
In contrast, in my humble opinion, I don’t think the US military has been more humanitarian minded in it’s entire history. We’ve made great strides in applying IHL to our conduct on the battlefield. There’s always room for improvement however.
One of my prior unit’s in the military I served with had sent people to prison after it was discovered they committed premeditated murder. Accountability for war crimes is at an all time high.
We should always be striving to wage the most humane war possible. ICRC offers free training to military units which I think lack a good understanding of IHL at the lower tactical level.
At least from my experience as a SAW gunner there wasn’t a huge effort to really explain much more than shoot, no-shoot solutions which is only a small part of IHL.
We all have a personal and moral responsibility to understand what’s expected of us and fully comprehend how we should treat other human beings. Not only is IHL important, but understanding voluntary national treaties and native/host nation laws.
Blackwater brand gear has been around for awhile now. Rights were sold off by Academi when they rebranded.
What’s new here?
The rights were retained by Erik Prince and have not been active for some time.
Correct, I don’t know why everyone seems to think he’d sell the rights. In his book, “Civilian Warriors”, Mr. Prince talks about keeping the rights and wondering if he’d ever restart Blackwater in some capacity.
In my opinion, the dude was singled out and bent over by the media and the US Government. My wife and I were fortunate enough to meet and visit with Mr. Prince at SHOT 2014, where he signed my copy of his aforementioned book. He was a joy to talk to, very kind and generous with his time. I wish him all the best of luck and if he does restart Blackwater gear, I’ll absolutely be in line to support the brand.
I’m willing to separate the person, the brand and the product–to a point. The Uncle Mikes-produced Blackwater Gear sucked. Absolutely SUCKED.
The type and logo on that hat looks pretty “downrangey.” Is that what they’re going for?
Thanks for the correction. Very interesting to note.
Anyone who worked for or with DOS can attest to a lot that’s in Mr. Prince’s book.
Last guy who had the license was Robert Young Pelton.
Cliff notes from a WHOIS check. If anybody cares.
The WHOIS obviously doesn’t necessarily reflect who’s running/licensing the brand or running the shop.
Registrar URL: http://www.godaddy.com
Update Date: 2013-10-08T16:22:30Z
Creation Date: 2013-10-08T16:22:30Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2018-10-08T16:22:30Z
Registrar: GoDaddy.com, LLC
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientTransferProhibited
Domain Status: clientUpdateProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientUpdateProhibited
Domain Status: clientRenewProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientRenewProhibited
Domain Status: clientDeleteProhibited http://www.icann.org/epp#clientDeleteProhibited
Registry Registrant ID:
Registrant Name: (redacted)
Registrant Organization: Blackwaterusa
Registrant Street: (redacted)
Registrant City: (redacted)
Registrant State/Province: Virginia
Registrant Postal Code: (redacted)
Registrant Country: United States
Registrant Email: (redacted)@gmail.com
Registry Admin ID:
Admin Name: (redacted)
Admin Organization: Blackwaterusa
Admin State/Province: Virginia
Admin Email: (redacted)@gmail.com
Registry Tech ID:
Tech Name: (redacted)
Tech Organization: Blackwaterusa
Tech Street: (redacted)
Tech City: Middleburg
Tech State/Province: Virginia
Tech Postal Code: (redacted)
Tech Country: United States
Tech Phone: (redacted)
Tech Phone Ext:
Tech Fax:
Tech Fax Ext:
Tech Email: (redacted)@gmail.com
Name Server: NS63.DOMAINCONTROL.COM
Name Server: NS64.DOMAINCONTROL.COM
DNSSEC: unsigned
URL of the ICANN WHOIS Data Problem Reporting System: http://wdprs.internic.net/
>>> Last update of WHOIS database: 2015-07-07T00:00:00Z <<<
For more information on Whois status codes, please visit https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/epp-status-codes-2014-06-16-en
Blackwaterbrand.com
The domain is currently for sale by Godaddy.
I think it’s been purchased.
The logo looks pretty jacked up…
Just noticed, yeah, wow.
Looks like a dead crab, not a bear paw
yeah, that screams knockoff.
Far away from original paw.
It’s like someone’s ripping off the Airsoft ripoff.
Is that the face on the volleyball from the Tom Hanks movie? Fred I think was his name. Definitely a QC issue or maybe an overseas import. You know how they always get it right.
WILSON!!!
With absolutely no offence intended to Eric Prince or anyone else; given to some of the appalling actions associated with and committed by Blackwater personnel, think I’ll give buying that particular brand of gear a rather wide ranging pass. I’m definitely a big fan of Eric Prince and his accomplishments but not of the people his company hired and used in Iraq(Nisour Square). Interestingly, if one looks around on eBay, there’s Blackwater ID, hats and T-shits up for sale too. Guess you just send them your picture and PayPal payment and voila! One becomes an “instant” former Blackwater employee! Why anyone would want to wear this gear(other than being an actual former employee) – has me as mystified as Don Shipley is with fake Navy SEAL’s…
Thank you for this post, SSD!!!
You’re an idiot
Actually you’re the idiot if you can’t respect one’s opinion solely because it’s different than yours.
When you say you don’t want to offend anyone and then go on to say you don’t care for anyone that ever worked for BW, you’re going to get that response. It is, simply, an unthought-out ignorant statement. Aka, idiotic.
If you are current/prior feel free to shoot me an email. Always looking to talk to new people.
privatemilitary@contractor.net
I’ve seen a lot of reckless and negligent usage of force overseas. I really don’t think Nisour Square is all that unique.
I think everyone can safely agree that the leadership being shielded from harm while several of the guys low on the totem pole are sent down the river for a LONG time is jacked up.
Private military Industry contains a diverse range of people just like the army, there for for all sorts of motivations.
I’ve met a lot of people like myself who have BTDT in the military and simply wanted to continue to serve the country in a capacity that allowed for greater accountability and emphasis on personal development and responsibility.
No matter what anyone’s opinion is, I hope we can refrain from characterizing an entire industry, company or war by the actions of a few people.
As for the “Blackwater” gear on Ebay, I’m guessing your unfamiliar with the Airsoft hobby? I don’t see this as any different than being able to buy repro CAC cards and emulate any military unit who committed massacres or weapons smuggling like 75th rangers, 23rd infantry, 20th infantry, 502nd infantry. The list goes on.
In any case, I hope you stick to your guns and continue to not buy any products that support or are in any way affiliated with any unit or entity that’s committed a human rights violation.
“I’ve seen a lot of reckless and negligent usage of force overseas. I really don’t think Nisour Square is all that unique.”
Well that’s just great to hear
In some areas the US military has a fundamentally different interpretation of IHL than the ICRC does. Especially in reference to civilians and DPH (direct participation of hostilities).
In contrast, in my humble opinion, I don’t think the US military has been more humanitarian minded in it’s entire history. We’ve made great strides in applying IHL to our conduct on the battlefield. There’s always room for improvement however.
One of my prior unit’s in the military I served with had sent people to prison after it was discovered they committed premeditated murder. Accountability for war crimes is at an all time high.
We should always be striving to wage the most humane war possible. ICRC offers free training to military units which I think lack a good understanding of IHL at the lower tactical level.
At least from my experience as a SAW gunner there wasn’t a huge effort to really explain much more than shoot, no-shoot solutions which is only a small part of IHL.
We all have a personal and moral responsibility to understand what’s expected of us and fully comprehend how we should treat other human beings. Not only is IHL important, but understanding voluntary national treaties and native/host nation laws.