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DPM – Camo Across the Pond

Friday, June 20th, 2008

British Soldier Systems industry sources have indicated that the MOD is poised to announce next week changes to the temperate and arid variants of the Disruptive Pattern Material camouflage. Testing of a digital version of the pattern has been halted and in its place both the arid and temperate styles will see a slight palette change in order to better accommodate scrub brush. Additionally, an entirely new variant of DPM is set to be unveiled that is intended exclusively for field equipment and is a compromise between the two current patterns.

Tags: DPM
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EOTAC Operator hat

Friday, June 20th, 2008

OK, so you got a Surefire helmet light but you don’t wear your helmet everyday. EOTAC, the guys who used to be Backyard Outfitter and developed the Woolrich Elite line, came up with this unique Operator Hat at the request of those in the tactical firearms training community. The helmet light attaches to the hat’s brim by means of a polymer mount developed in conjunction with Tango Down, LLC. These will be available soon.

The one-size-fits-all Operator Hat is an all cotton low profile design and has the following features:

– No Button on Crown
– Pile Tape on Crown for Combat ID
– Sewn Eyelets in Each Crown Panel
– Low Profile Shape
– Adjustable Back Design
– Surefire Helmet Light Quick-Release Mount on Visor
– Removable American Flag Patch
– Water Repellent Cotton
– Colors: Khaki, Black, Olive

*Surefire is the registered trademark of Surefire, LLC. Helmet Light not included with Operator Hat.

Tags: Helmet Light, Surefire, Tango Down LLC
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USMC Combat Desert Jacket

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008

If you have ever heard the term “scarce as hen’s teeth”, then you can aptly describe the Marine Corps issue Combat Desert Jacket. Designed by 180s, an innovator in the outdoor industry, and manufactured by Tennessee Apparel, the CDJ has seen limited fielding. The concept actually goes back to the early 90s when Raven Industries, the first full-scale contractor for ECWCS, developed prototypes of a lightweight Gore-tex 3-color desert shell for MARCORSYSCOM.

Naturally as the CDJ was designed specifically for desert operations, it is available only in Marine Desert Pattern Camouflage. Since the CDJ utilizes a complex print, the design’s strength has caused a bit of a technical challenge. As you can see from the photo, the sleeves are slightly discolored compared to the body. This is because the CDJ is made from various fabrics which are strategically placed in the design to provide diverse forms of protection and these fabrics all absorb dyes differently. For example, the lower back and shoulder area of the jacket are made from Freedom-Plus, a lightweight Gore-tex fabric in order to keep the wearer dry while the middle of the back, which requires more breathability when wearing a pack is made from a lined, knit fabric. The sleeves are crafted from a four way stretch material. Rather than pit zips, from the waist to the sleeve, along the entire length of the underarm, the CDJ features a stretchy wind resistant nylon material. Lined with coyote gridded fleece, it also features color matched waterproof zippers throughout. The pockets include handwarmer, chest, and sleeve as well as a rank tab. The sleeves are capped with a monkey paw design and the Marines hope to incorporate FR technology into the sleeves in future versions unless the winter FROG shirt is developed. The CDJ also has a roll up neck gaiter incorporated into the collar. To top it all off, the entire jacket is treated with silver to suppress the growth of odor causing fungus.

*UPDATE: A reader has sent me an update and a new version is being issued. They have solved the shade issues on the sleeves and dropped the monkey cuffs.

Photo Courtesy Eric Chevalier

For those who need a CDJ, the early version with shade differences on the sleeve is available from AFMO.

Tags: 180s, Combat Desert Jacket, MARCORSYSCOM
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Vickers Tactical Gloves

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008

About a year ago, the Larry Vickers signature glove line hit the market and made an instant splash but seemed to fall off just as quickly as it appeared. But the gloves didn’t go away, and during the lull have been in use by a variety of personnel. Some of the delay was due to the distributor, Backyard Outfitter cutting their ties with Woolrich and reforming as a new company; Elite Operator Tactical. EOTAC is back and ready to hit the market with an improved line of clothing and accessories for the armed professional.

Obviously, based on the name, the gloves were designed by Larry Vickers. Many of you probably already know LAV so he should need no introduction, but for those of you who don’t know Larry, he is a retired career Army Special Forces Soldier and noted firearms expert and tactical trainer. Check out his website at the link below to learn more about him.

A few things about these gloves really stick out. When LAV was designing the gloves he didn’t want to just be another version of the same old flight glove copies everyone else was making so he worked with a well known glove maker from the outdoor industry to incorporate the latest in hand wear technology. Naturally, they are fire retardant and utilize a 9 oz Nomex knit on the gauntlet as well as on the back of the fingers and hand. Additionally, they have an ergonomic design found in few tactical offerings. What is really great about these gloves is that in addition to standard sizes (XS-3XL), they also come in Cadet sizes for those with shorter fingers. Finally, they are available in both OD and Coyote.

Based on price point and features, you really need to check these out.

For more information contact Vickers Tactical.

Be on the lookout for more information on EOTAC’s new line.

Tags: Gloves, Larry Vickers, LAV, Vickers Tactical
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Mirage Camo Pictures

Tuesday, June 10th, 2008

These are actually from AUSA 07 but the pattern is so elusive, I have had requests to post them here. Bulldog as updated the cut of the uniform several times since then.

Access to the website remains restricted to those with .mil email addresses.

Mirage

Tags: Bulldog, Mirage
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The Danger of Optical Brighteners

Monday, June 9th, 2008

This article courtesy of

Some detergents a hazard for ABUs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska--Pictured, the Army Combat Uniform, with material identical to the Airman Battle Uniform, shows the difference optical brighteners make under ultra-violet lighting. Laundry detergents with additives known as
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by compiled from staff reports
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/4/2007 – EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska — Laundry additives known as “optical brighteners” should not be used for washing the Airman Battle Uniform.

Laundry instructions for ABUs specify not using any laundry detergents that contain optical brighteners.

Optical Brighteners make the ABU more detectable by night vision equipment and make the ABU more visible in a low-light environment of any kind, by reflecting more of any available light.

Optical brighteners are chemicals that absorb the ultraviolet and violet region of colors in a fabric. They trick the eye into seeing a brighter shade and reflect more light.

Near Infrared (nIR) capability of the ABU is degraded when washed with detergents containing optical brighteners. Because most commercial detergents contain optical brighteners, there is generally no indication on the packaging.

The impact of optical brighteners is permanent, it cannot be washed out.

Laundry detergents that do not contain optical brighteners:
Bold Powder
Cheer Liquid (all versions)
Cheer Powder (all versions)
All Powder (all versions)
Surf Powder (all versions)
All Detergent Free Clear Country Save Liquid Detergent
Allen’s Naturally Laundry Detergent (liquid and powder)
Bi-O-Kleen Laundry Detergent (liquid and powder)
Charlie’s Soap (liquid and powder)
ECOS Free and Clear Laundry Detergent
Mountain Green Liquid Laundry Detergent
Nature Clean (liquid and powder)
Ecover Ecological Liquid Detergent
Oxy-Prime Powdered Laundry Detergent
Planet Ultra laundry detergents
Seventh Generation Laundry detergents
SportwashSun and Earth LiquidSurf Powder (not Surf Liquid)
Washeze
Woolite, original and dark.

*No federal endorsement of products intended

Tags: ABU, ACU
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TAD Gear – Mission Capable, Wilderness Smart, Urban Readyâ€¦.

Sunday, June 8th, 2008

One of the goals of Soldier Systems Blog is to introduce cutting edge products and services to our audience. Triple Aught Designs stands as the perfect example. If you had to pick one word to describe TAD, it would be “tacticool”.

From somewhat humble beginnings, they have carved out a market niche offering high end tacti-gadgets from a variety of the world’s best suppliers and have further expanded their offerings with their own signature brands to cover market voids. One example is tactical clothing. Their designs blend the best designs and construction techniques of the commercial outdoor clothing market with innovative tactical features. Their success is finesse. They have developed a subtle yet effective color palette and incorporated features, that are at once both effective and subtle. With the exception of the products offered in Multicam, nothing screams “gun”. I have been using TAD products for several years now and have watched their textiles evolve into one of the finest tactical clothing lines available. In fact, it would be hard to believe but TAD has been producing specialized clothing for the past seven years except that they apply every lessoned learned in each new generation of products. What’s more, they have gone from small production runs that sold out as pre-orders, to large production runs that well out within days of release. At one time you could say they had a cult following, but not anymore. While they maintain a devoted customer base on the the Usual Suspects Network forum, their clothing is being used by armed and other service professionals the world over. If anyone doubts their market penetration, you can easily gauge their success by the amount copies you can find on the web.

Not content with just taking the tactical clothing market by storm, they have recently begun to launch a family of specialized nylon load carrying solutions. They aren’t reinventing the wheel here. Every design they offer fills a vacuum in the market. A classic example is the PSP pouch they made up as a “tacticool” accessory. They had initially only planned on making 100 but once it was featured in the Army Times newspaper, demand was so great that they streamlined the design and put it back into production, at a lower price point. This product in particular has drown the interest of competitors. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then TAD is very well liked indeed.

I recently acquired both the Combat Anorak and Bug Out Anorak. I love the design and appreciate the different materials. The pic below is of me conducting testing of an armor panel. The day was rainy and I was wearing the Big Out Anorak.

Check the entire line of TAD products at Triple Aught Designs

As TAD releases new products we will endeavor to keep up with them here.

Tags: Multicam, Tacticool, TAD
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Field Jacket – a Eulogy

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

Don’t expect to see a tear filled goodbye to the Field Jacket from me. Instead I am jumping for joy. Starting in FY09 the Army will cease fielding the M-65 Field jacket. Instead, each Soldier will be issued a Gen II ECWCS (Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System) parka in UCP (Universal Camouflage Pattern) and it will be transferred as an OCIE item with the Soldier from assignment to assignment much like the laundry bag.

It amazes me to see so many still wearing the venerable M-65. The basic design for the M-65 hails from WW II and remained relatively unchanged over the years. Soldiers wore the M-43 Field Coat during their march to Berlin. Over the years there were small changes like a redesigned collar or the introduction of Quarpel (Quartermaster Water Repellent), the precursor to today’s DWR treatments. In the 80s the Field Jacket was transformed from OD Green to Woodland Camo but the basic design didn’t change. Later a 3-Color Desert variant was issued as Organizational Clothing for operations in the CENTCOM AOR. Finally, when the ACU was fielded the Field Jacket saw its latest change. The pattern was changed to UCP and velcro was added to the sleeves for shoulder sleeve insignia and to the zipper flap for rank.

Its replacement, the Army version of the Gen II ECWCS parka is also in UCP and began its life as a Marine Corps garment. The Marine Corps wanted a replacement for the first generation of ECWCS which featured out dated design features. The Marine Corps has moved on to an even more improved version of the garment called APECS (All Purpose Environmental Clothing System). The USAF has also adopted APECS in conjunction with their switch to the ABU.

Tags: ABU, ACU, APECS, ECWCS
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