Fellow fathers, today is as much about you as it is about your kids. If you can, do something with them. If you can’t, talk to them. No matter how old you are, or they are, they still need you. And, thank the dad in your life.
“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”
– Elizabeth Stone
“The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies.”
-Napoleon Bonaparte
I thought this one was worthy of the website…
Memorial Day traces its roots to the post Civil War period. Originally known as Decoration Day, Veterans chose 30 May because it was NOT the anniversary of any battle. Over time it transformed to the last Monday in May and changed names but wasn’t recognized as an official national holiday until 1967. While the implementation of the holiday has changed somewhat as well, its intent has not; it’s about the Veterans. But just remember, earlier generations sacrificed in other ways, and those members of your family who didn’t fight the Axis on the battlefield probably served in their own fashion. Also, some wounds take years to kill you. So take some time today and consider what you and yours have done for America. This is a solemn occasion, I just don’t feel that “Happy Memorial Day” is a proper term.
ITS Tactical is running a Crew Leader Membership Sale during Memorial Day Weekend. Until 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Monday, May 30th you can snag an annual $50 membership for just $35. Just enter MEMORIALDAYCL at checkout.
For ITS Crew Leader members, the savings don’t end at joining. Check out their website for full details of everyday savings for members with some of the best brands in the business. Additionally, members receive additional benefits.
US Army Photo by David J Kamm
Brigadier General John J. McGuiness assumed command of Natick Soldier Systems Center on May 10th from Brigadier General Harold J. Greene who will become Program Executive Officer, Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors. In an odd twist he will be the first General Officer to serve on Natick in eight years. His predecessor worked from Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
“I am excited to be here at Natick,” said McGuiness, noting that he had worked with many of its employees as Project Manager for Soldier Equipment. “From day one, the professionalism, the dedication and the true compassion for Soldiers was evident.
“I promise you that I will walk the center every, single day with one thought in my mind: How can I make this place better so that you can do your job for those Soldiers and members of the Joint Force so they can do their jobs better.”
Fancy yourself a writer of zombie fiction? Or maybe it’s not fiction at all but rather a tell all expose on our Government’s war on the undead, so long as those undead are hippies. Either way, Breach Bang Clear is seeking your story for their upcoming anthology, “Attack of the Hippie Zombies”. It’s a first for us too, combining the hippie and undead genres. Submissions should be 800 to 20,000 word (unless it’s so good and full of zombie killing, hippie stomping goodness it makes them want to make an exception) and should be set in the era between 1965 and the present.
Would-be authors will be donating their proceeds to support the Independence Fund and veterans who have suffered extensive traumatic injury. It’s for a good cause guys.
The rules get a little complicated so make sure you visit www.breachbangclear.com for full details.
Believe it or not, SSD is poised to share all of your online moments.
TacticalFanboy.com
Last Fall we realized that as our readership grew, so did their interests begin to vary and in response, our editorial content began to shift somewhat as well. Ever conscious of our core readership, consisting of Industry, Government, and Military, we became a bit concerned that we had lost some of our focus. And in that notion, the idea for Tactical Fanboy was born. Officially launched during SHOT Show, you can think of it as sort of an alter ego. Over the past few months TF’s fan base has grown and grown. In fact, some of our most popular stories have been from TF.
Now, we can have our cake and eat it too and so can you. SSD at work and TF at home. SSD has moved back to its roots concentrating on hardcore Government and Industry news while TF has picked up the more recreational and entertainment sides of this community, with a little bit of humor and risque content thrown in for good measure. While this may mean no more worries about running across content on SSD that may be questionable at work, don’t just write TF off as some milsim wannabe site. The name might be lighthearted but the content will always be on point. But don’t worry, you’ll see us share content and collaborate regularly.
www.TacticalFanBoy.com
News
We put the “new” in news. If it’s worth knowing you are going to read it here first. And if you do happen to see it somewhere else first, we will tell you to go see it there, unless we have the rest of the story. Which, all too often seems to be the case. We will always endeavor to give you the best and most up-to-date coverage of the tactical industry, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No one else provides this level of coverage.
Comments
Our readers kept asking to be able to comment on our stories and finally, we listened. You can now comment on our articles. We were a bit standoffish at first and maybe one or two commentors seem to forget that this is primarily a tactical gear site but overall we are very pleased to see how well behaved everyone is. Additionally, it is nice to see some of the added value our readers have offered.
Twitter
We have found Twitter to be one of the best means to reach out to our readers and our list of followers continues to grow. In addition to alerts of new stories we also release information through Twitter that might be of interest to our readers or is related to our core content but originates elsewhere.
twitter.com/soldiersystems
Facebook
We launched our Facebook page awhile back and recently started taking advantage of it. Tactical Fanboy has also got his up and running so check him out as well. Make sure you like us and tell your friends about us as well. We recently conducted a test of live Facebook/Twitter coverage of a recent PEO Soldier media roundtable. Overall, it was very well received.
Wibiya
We have added the Wibiya toolbar to our website and found that it really slowed down page loading. We’ve taken it down.
iPhone
Our iPhone app has been extremely popular and delivers the latest updates directly to your iPhone each time you open it. If it seems to have died on you, delete it and reinstall. We want to do an Android app but we are not happy with the company we had chosen. Any suggestions?
iTunes
M4Carbine.net
M4Carbine.net has been most gracious in offering us a dedicated sub-forum to interact with our readers. Not only is it a great place to discuss our articles and current issues in the Soldier Systems industry but M4Carbine.net gives access to the best group of Subject Matter Experts we have run across. No over-inflated CVs, no BS, just good information. Military, Law Enforcement, or a fan of the Black Rifle? You should be a member of M4Carbine.net.
M4Carbine.net
Youtube
We post videos for our articles on our Youtube channel. Additionally, we make use of content posted by others. Always be on the look out for more content.
www.youtube.com
Kindle
Subscriptions to SSD’s content are available for the Kindle via Amazon. Don’t forget there is a Kindle reader for iPhone and iPad.
Scribd.com/solsys
Contests
We have been running some cool contests this year thanks to our sponsors. Our recent kit design contest was the first time we have seen industry reach out to partner with a user to develop new products. We also ran a camouflage design contest that brought 29 unique patterns vying for a $500 prize from one of our sponsors.
Contest.SoldierSystems.net
SWAG
Looking for some swag? If you don’t run into use at a trade show, our logo patches are available from Mil-Spec Monkey and our American Heritage T-shirt series is available from Tactical Distributors.
Trade Shows
In the near-term look for us at Blade Show and ADS Warrior Expo East.
On-line Gaming
If you have an Xbox Live account, you can friend request ‘Tactical Fanboy’.
The Future
Here at SSD we continuously look at ways to increase interaction with our readers. For example, some of our writers have begun to develop specialized content for other sites. In fact, you may have seen the article on HIGH GEAR on ADS Inc’s web site. If you look hard enough, you will also see some of our stuff in print. Additionally, we have also posted guest content from the Mad Duo and others. Look for some SSD logo items becoming available VERY soon through well known vendors. We don’t run this site to sell you anything but people keep asking us for it so we’ll let them do what they do best and we’ll stick with the news.
One final word. None of this would be possible without the support of our sponsors. We have affiliated ourselves with reputable companies who provide solid products and services and we would not hesitate to recommend any of them. At SSD we look at our sponsorship program as a two-way street. We are endorsing them as much as they are us and we urge you to support them. They offer some great products. Use them and let them know you saw them on SSD.
One of the first things I learned in the Army was to constantly improve my fighting position, so if you have any additional ideas on ways SSD can do more for you, please feel free to share them with us.
The 3rd Annual Naval Special Warfare Foundation Golf Tournament is coming 10 June, 2011 to the Virginia Beach National Golf Course. In addition to good times, players will vie for a variety of prizes based on skill such as hole in one.
There is still room for foursomes and they are still seeking sponsors. Interested parties should contact www.tidewatertactical.com. The Naval Special Warfare Foundation provides scholarships to the survivors of fallen NSW Operators.
