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Archive for the ‘Morale’ Category

SÄRMÄ Cottage Rank Insignia from Varusteleka

Sunday, November 17th, 2024

Varusteleka is based in Finland and not only do they make great gear, but they have fun as well. Take for example these Cottage Rank Insignia’s.

They look and feel like genuine Finnish military rank insignia, but they are designed for civilian battlefields. They have the same simple hook and loop attachment system as issue clothing so you can sport them for fun.

Prince Colonel

Prince Colonel is the rank of the head of guard for the queen of Fog Valley. There is also a herbal liqueur with this name in Finland. This might also suit someone who is into stolen valor larping and in need of a made-up military rank.

The Sheriffs

These ranks have everything to do with the national drink of Finland, Jaloviina. The one star Jaloviina has been aptly named “Sheriff Bottle” by loving customers. The more stars there are on your Jaloviina bottle, the quality gets better but the overall taste somehow gets worse. Get “three stars” if you think you deserve cognac but can’t afford it – get “one star” if you’re attuned with the universe and know that life is all about pain and disgust.

Sauna Gollum ranks

Sauna Gollum is a delightful Finnish party game. The person chosen as Sauna Gollum goes under the sauna benches to poke the people sitting on them from underneath. The first one to stand up becomes the new Sauna Gollum. Great game among naked friends. Since the game is very demanding, you will start at the candidate stage and work your way to the esteemed Sauna Gollum rank through rigorous training.

Sauna Major

Sauna Major is the commander of the sauna troops, and the one in charge of heating the sauna and making sure that there is enough löyly, you know the magical steamy heat that we love here almost as much as sisu. So, if you master the art of heating a traditional sauna or simply love the experience like a Finn, this is a patch for you.

Grill Sergeant

Here’s a rank for all BBQ soldiers that protect their pits until the very end. May your grill never go cold.

Grill Master

As the highest non-commissioned officer rank in outdoor cooking, Grill Master oversees the Grill Sergeants keeping sausages in line on the grills – when he has time, that is, as he is very busy with his own beverage investigations, working on a case somewhere.

Made in Finland

These are manufactured by patch makers who also make insignia for the Finnish army. In other words, these are quality stuff!

Get yours here.

Feind Hört Mit

Saturday, November 16th, 2024

Our friends at Spartan.AT are offering a fun tip of the hat to the German language version of “The Enemy Is Listening.”

“Der Feind Hört Mit” dates back to at least World War Two where the slogan was placed on propaganda posters as well as affixed to the front of radios. This is an DDR (East German) National Volks Armee version of the Soviet Cold War-era R104M radio. Check out the engraving at the top.

Get your patch at shop.spartanat.com/products/feind-hort-mit-der-patch

U.S. Patriot Introduces New Engraving Services at Fort Campbell Off-Post Location

Tuesday, October 15th, 2024

Customers at Fort Campbell can now personalize a variety of items to commemorate significant moments and milestones from promotions to deployments.

Lexington, KY (October 2024) – U.S. Patriot, a GALLS® company and the nation’s largest supplier of military and related high-performance gear for professionals, is proud to announce the launch of a new engraving service at its Fort Campbell off-post location. This service allows customers to personalize a variety of items, including graduation gifts, PCS awards, holiday gifts, custom unit apparel, memorial bracelets, and personalized gear. Whether you’re celebrating a loved one’s achievements or looking to add a special touch to your gear, U.S. Patriot’s engraving services provide a meaningful way to honor and remember important moments.

“We are proud to introduce our new engraving service at the Fort Campbell off-post location,” said Josh Sandhaus, VP of Military Operations at U.S. Patriot. “At U.S. Patriot, our commitment to supporting the military community goes beyond providing exceptional products; it’s about enriching the lives of those who serve. This initiative is a testament to our dedication by offering superior services and unwavering support to our service members. With this personal touch, we aim to help commemorate significant moments and milestones, further enhancing our support for those who serve.”

The engraving service is available at 16298 Fort Campbell Boulevard, Fort Campbell, KY 42262, and offers a perfect solution for commemorating special milestones, from promotions to deployments. U.S. Patriot is using advanced engraving technology provided by xTool, ensuring precision and durability in every customized piece. Watch the xTool in action on U.S. Patriot’s Instagram page.

For more information on U.S. Patriot and its commitment to veterans and military professionals, please visit www.uspatriot.comor follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

Haley Strategic Partners – Pocket Flag and Keeper

Wednesday, July 17th, 2024

The Pocket Flag Keeper was specifically designed for carriage of the 8″x12″ United States pocket flag. The flag keeper is constructed from reversible and ambidextrous VELCRO Brand ONE-WRAP to adhere to any hook or loop surface while also offering a compact and protective way of carrying the flag.

Available in Black or Coyote.

haleystrategic.com/pocket-flag-keeper

Happy Easter!

Sunday, March 31st, 2024

Black Triangle Presents: The E4 Mafia Shirt Featuring Clint Trial

Tuesday, January 30th, 2024

Master Sergeant Clint Trial (USMC, Ret) is one of my favorite Americans, so I was quite pleased when one of my favorite small businesses, Black Triangle, decided to offer a CT t-shirt to raise money for the Third Option Foundation and Torn Warriors.

Here’s the story behind the shirt from Clint himself:

“A man will never excel at giving orders if he’s never questioned the orders he’s been given.”
I wrote this a long time ago. Probably around the time this photo was taken. It felt like the truth back then every bit as much as it does today.
I’ve always had issues with “authority figures”
…from as far back as I can remember, I always looked at authority figures with suspicion. I didn’t know why I was that way… seemed like that was just how I was designed. After 51 years of living, I think it’s all starting to make much more sense now. My healthy distaste for authority figures was not unwarranted.
It is this Marine’s opinion that “authority figures” are nothing more than an illusion created by men who crave power over others.
One might very easily point out the glaring contradiction in this photo… “uhhh but yeah man… if you hate authority figures so much then how the hell did you spend 20+ yrs in the Marine Corps?”
My answer is simple – because any good Marine who is worthy of leading other Marines is NOT an authority figure… he is a leader. And the difference between those two things could not be greater. Being led is a much different feeling than being forced to follow. A good leader will lead by example and mentor and guide those who follow. An authority figure doesn’t give 2 shits about any of those things. An authority figure says “Obey or else!” The Marine Corps I served in did an excellent job of weeding out authority figures and an excellent job of creating strong leaders. But like anywhere else in life …there are always those who slip through the cracks.. even in the Corps. When this picture was taken … that middle finger was aimed towards a few of those “authority figures”.

I post this somewhat embarrassing photo of myself because I can see how it is a micro reflection of how I feel about our current government. Only it seems the cracks now are massive fractures that have allowed a flooding of “authority” types into the halls of our most sacred American institutions.”

Available in Olive and Black, sizes Small through 5XLarge.

blktriangle.com/products/e4-mafia-shirt-w-clint-trial

Flexsystems SHOT Show Orders Close January 10

Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024

There’s still time to place an order with Flexsystems for those last minute, Made in USA patches.

They offer:

• Morale Badges

• Keychains

• Zip Pulls

• Embroidered Patches

Visit Flexsystems at the Supplier Showcase in Booth #52503.

flexsystems.com

My Second Favorite Christmas Story – Washington Crosses The Delaware

Monday, December 25th, 2023

On Christmas night in 1776, George Washington led American patriots across the Delaware River to attack the Hessian mercenary garrison at Trenton, New Jersey; a force which was fighting for the British.

You’ve likely seen Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, painted in 1851, aspirational to be sure, but modern artist Mort Kunstler created a much more likely depiction of events in his 2011 painting entitled, Washington’s Crossing.

It was an audacious plan; take a force of 5400, including artillery, conduct a nighttime river crossing in a storm, and with the ultimate element of surprise, attack a sleeping enemy. 2400 made the crossing, but with 3,000 troops and the artillery so crucial to the plan stranded on the wrong side of the Delaware. Regardless, Washington pressed the attack, striking out toward his prey and at 8:00 AM met the enemy. Fortune favors the bold; the defenders were still groggy from their Weinachtsfest, with many slumbering soundly in bed.

Miraculously, only three Americans were killed, while over 1000 Hessians were captured with 22 killed and 98 wounded. Unfortunately, without his additional force, Washington was forced to withdraw. But the psychological victory fed faith in the revolution.

Consequently, George Washington crossing the Delaware in the middle of a stormy night in order to kill German mercenaries remains my second favorite Christmas story.