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The Aftermath of Fayetteville’s Killer Tornado

Sunday, April 24th, 2011

One week ago Fayetteville, North Carolina was hit by an F3 tornado that left one fatality. Fortunately, our friends at Grey Group were unscathed and set about immediately to documenting the effects of the storm as well as securing their perimeter. Early on, Matt the potty mouth drops a coupe of expletives so watch your volume around civilians.

I am saddened by the destruction. I have spent more of my adult life in Fayetteville than any other one place so I guess you could say I am from there as much as I am from anywhere else. It’s rough to see places you know torn asunder by mother nature. On the other hand, it’s good to see friends surviving and putting things back together. I’ve known some of the Grey Group crew since before there was a Grey Group and they were on the horn letting folks know they were ok as soon as the “all clear” was sounded. I gotta tell you, that was a big relief. Thanks to Grey Group from producing this record of the storm.

www.greygrouptraining.com

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Put More SSD in Your Life

Saturday, April 23rd, 2011

Ok, so you can’t spend 24 hours a day with us, but we have come up with several ways for you to keep in touch during your every waking moment.

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 after learning about it from our friends at Shellback Tactical. Once installed, it is configurable from their website so we can update links to our social media without having to mess around with our site’s code. Additionally, it allows the reader access to social media features without leaving SSD. Please let us know what you think and if it has been causing any performance issues for you.
www.wibiya.com

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

Trade Shows
In the near-term look for us at ADS Warrior Expo West and SOFIC.

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.

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Posted in Admin, TFB | Comments Off on Put More SSD in Your Life

Donkeys Led by Lions

Sunday, April 17th, 2011

According to a recent article in “British Army Review” the Taliban are referring to British Squaddies as “Donkeys” and saying that they “waddle” around the battlefield due to the heavy loads they have to carry. The article, entitled “Donkeys Led by Lions” is an obvious play on words. During WW I the British Army was said to be made up of “Lions Led by Donkeys”. The author who chose to write anonymously, further contends that, while Tommies are being referred to by the enemy as Donkeys, the headquarters are like so many “fat, lazy” lions saying, “Lions, contrary to Victorian opinion, aren’t brave or noble; they are fat, lazy creatures that lie around all day licking themselves.” He goes on, “They get others to do the dirty work and they have a penchant for infanticide. We are not saying our commanders are fat, lazy child killers, far from it, but it has reached a point where their headquarters are.”

He writes of a “bloated over complex system that sucks the life out of operations” and that “decision and action get lost in Chinese whispers and Chinese parliaments that turn most of operational staff ‘work’ into operational staff waste”. Sounds like the cries for help from a small unit leader drowning in a sea of militocracy. He’s right. In the western way of running armies, those deemed the best, lead units in combat and the marginal become staffs.

As for the issue of mobility v. protection. Make no mistake, everyone in the Coalition is up against the same enemy and terrain as the United States. Afghanistan is a Soldier-centric environment with other systems acting in supporting roles. We, as well as our allies, have taken great pains to protect our troops but this has come at a cost of mobility and agility. Over the last year, the British military has further modernized their personal equipment providing enhanced camouflage as well as new armor systems that has netted a 10 kg weight savings. On the US side PEO Soldier is keenly aware of the situation and each enhancement in capability is looked at from the perspective a SWAP (Size Weight and Power) analysis once reserved for aircraft and vehicles. Work is being done to not only lower the weight but also to add no additional weight as new capabilities are fielded. Additionally, here in the US, programs such as SPD 9 are looking at ways to better handle the weight of armor systems.

As for bloated commands? I got nothing for you. It might be a lousy war, but it’s the only one we’ve got.

The nameless author does leave us with one excellent observation, “If we don’t work out now how we are going to lose that weight we will do the old trick of starting the next war by repeating the mistakes of this one.”

Posted in Admin | 4 Comments »

Rip Shears Giveaway

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011

Don’t forget to enter the Rip Shears giveaway below. No skill is needed to win one of the three pairs. Just make sure you enter with a valid email address. The sweepstakes closes tomorrow at 1200 GMT.

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Posted in Admin | 15 Comments »

Getting Your SSD Fix

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

Awhile back, one of our readers described SSD as “Crack for the Tactical Addict”. We think he might be on to something considering how often some of you visit us each day. But even if we were to publish 10 times a day, and we’ve been coming close lately, some readers would still be jonesing for more. Well, more we can offer, and in several flavors.

TacticalFanboy.com
Awhile back 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; 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 TFB’s fan base has grown and grown. In fact, some of our most popular stories have been from TFB.

Now, we can have our cake and eat it too and so can you. SSD at work and TFB at home. SSD has moved back to its roots concentrating on hardcore Government and Industry news while TFB 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 TFB off as some milsim wannabe site. The name might be lighthearted but the content will always be on point. Additionally, TFB is more of a traditional blog so feel free to comment and join in the discussion. 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. There were over 2000 registered media at SHOT show but there sure as hell aren’t 2000 publications or websites worth reading. 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 commenters 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. Additionally, look for special giveaways open to our fans.

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.
Contest.SoldierSystems.net

Trade Shows
In the near-term look for us at ADS Warrior Expo West and SOFIC.

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. You will also begin to see some of our stuff in print. Additionally we have also posted guest content from the Mad Duo and others.

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.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Admin, ADS | 2 Comments »

2011 – A Year of Remembrance

Saturday, March 19th, 2011

September 11th of this year will be the 10th Anniversary of the worst attack on the US in our history as a nation. It also marks the beginning of this country’s longest continuing engagement in active hostilities. Many will want to focus on 9/11 as a single day and to isolate the victims of those tragic events from what followed but I propose something more comprehensive. Even though we are already three months into 2011, I challenge each and every one of you to make this a year of remembrance. 9/11 was the just the beginning. Since that time many more have fallen in an international war on fascist tyranny. Remember them always.

Posted in Admin | 8 Comments »

Army Camo Improvement Effort Solicitation Delayed

Friday, March 18th, 2011

According to Army officials the new release date is 1 April, 2011. No changes have been made to the draft But rather the delay is associated with staffing.

Posted in Admin | 8 Comments »

Join Us on Facebook

Friday, March 18th, 2011

We finally broke down and have been assimilated into the Faceborg. We will be updating our wall with alerts for our latest articles and generally interacting with our fans, oops we meant “likes”. Is it just us or does “like” sound kind of 8th grade danceish? Check us out over there and “like” us.

www.facebook.com

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Posted in Admin | 4 Comments »

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