Off-Duty | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Off-Duty’ Category

The OPERATOR Project – An Innovative Range of High Quality Spirits from Hotspur LEAF, Ltd

Sunday, July 14th, 2024

Founded by “Andy” a UKSF Veteran, Hotspur LEAF, Ltd is becoming well established in their homeland with a reputation for offering elite military customers high quality spirits in innovative packaging. This makes for excellent gifts and mementos. They are also gaining some interest from US units who have begun to see the bottles during exchange visits. The bottles have been restricted to military units and their members, until now.

Their OPERATOR Range is just open is open to civilian purchase and features a bottle with custom lid which is a perfect scale replica of a high-cut FAST helmet. Cast in solid pewter, it includes a ‘functioning’ night vision system and an IR strobe that are initiated by a motion sensor and powered by an internal, rechargeable, battery.

Every Operator lid is hand assembled in the UK by craftsmen. The pewter outer is bolted, with stainless bolts, to an internal 304 stainless steel carriage that also supports and holds the electronics. The 304 stainless steel pouring spout engages with the stainless carriage and seals via an ‘o’ ring seal.

The 1st Civilian Edition is filled with an 8 year old single malt, single cask scotch whisky, specially chosen by Jason ‘Foxy’ Fox at the Annandale Distillery in Scotland. For military bottles there are options on the spirits you may like.

To maintain its OPERATOR ‘DNA’ the bottle is packaged in an ex-military 40mm grenade ammo tin.

Here’s what you get:

• Presented in a genuine military issue 40mm grenade tin. (These are supplied from the Ministry of Defence and may show signs of wear and on occasions rust) This is intended to add OPERATOR Character to the product.

• A presentation booklet that documents Jasons journey and reasons for being involved with the OPERATOR brand.

• An FFE Certificate (Free From Explosives as supplied in an old ammo can)

• A certificate of authenticity

• A Quality Assurance card

• Every bottle is individually numbered.

• The 1st Edition is strictly limited to 2500 pcs.

• Pre orders will receive a free OPERATOR 40mm HE grenade hip flask. Offer ends when the first bottles are shipped, this is likely to be Mid/end of July 2024.

I actually learned of the line through Jason Fox who is a brand ambassador for The OPERATOR Range. Jason is also UKSF Veteran and a founder of ThruDark, a clothing brand. I then chased Andy and his main business Hotspur LEAF Ltd, down through some friends at Edgar Brothers who are starting to work with The OPERATOR Range.

Andy had this to say about what motivated him to create this brand:

Hotspur LEAF was created to embody the core principles from UKSF selection process. These include honesty, integrity, humility & to be relentless in the pursuit of excellence. Values we strive for every day within our business.

The business began in the shadows, solely supplying discreet military units and related entities with premium quality spirits & bespoke laser engraved items. We earned a reputation for quality, discretion and a ‘name’ for creating truly unique products for unique people. We grew steadily through personal recommendation.

I recently spent about an hour on a video conference with Andy and I was overwhelmed by their offerings. Check them out.

Civillian edition orders: PLEASE CLICK HERE

Military orders: PLEASE CLICK HERE

Their main website is www.hotspurleaf.com

Posted in International, Off-Duty, Veterans | 1 Comment »

The First and Only Black & Veteran Owned Scotch Fior Partners with Operation Gratitude

Saturday, July 6th, 2024

Retired Marine Major Eric Dominijanni’s brand to donate $10,000 to the organization

MIAMI – June 2024 – Fior Scotch, the super-premium, hand-crafted, small-batch scotch launched by Marine Major Eric Dominijanni, announced today that it will partner with the non-profit Operation Gratitude.

Launched in 2023, Fior is the first and only Black-owned scotch and the first and only U.S. veteran-owned scotch. Major Dominijanni isn’t your typical Marine or scotch enthusiast. After a 20-year military career as an Assault Amphibian Officer with three tours in Iraq and two in Okinawa, he started to mix various samples of particularly good scotches into what would become his “Infinity Bottle.” Eventually, the blend became so good that he didn’t want to change it. To fulfill his dream, Major Dominijanni tapped industry talent James Landis, who is known for successfully launching and growing brands like Hypnotiq. They were able to help recreate the taste, aroma, and smoothness of that original infinity blend, which is now Fior.

Operation Gratitude is an organization that provides opportunities for Americans to express their gratitude and show the U.S. Military and first responders that what they do matters. Founded in 2003, Operation Gratitude has sent more than four million care packages to active military members, including carefully chosen items meant to boost the morale and resilience of the U.S. service members and give them warm reminders of home.

Major Dominijanni and his Marines received numerous care packages during his time and formed a friendship with Operation Gratitude’s founder, Carolyn Blashek. Fior’s $10,000 donation will mean Operation Gratitude can send more than 400 care packages to the military.

“We are honored to join forces with this fantastic U. S. Veteran-owned company in support of our mission to deliver Care Packages to our nation’s heroes, like we did to Major Dominijanni years ago,” said Carolyn Blashek, founder of Operation Gratitude.” I am honored to reconnect with one of our early Care Package recipients to make an even greater impact in the future.”

“We are incredibly grateful for Fior Scotch’s generous contribution to Operation Gratitude,” said Meg Barron, Executive Director of Operation Gratitude. “This unique partnership that allows us to work with a former Care Package recipient empowers us to expand our reach. Together, we can continue to uplift and honor our brave Service Members and First Responders.”

“I first met Carolyn during my second tour in Iraq. I have personally benefited from Operation Gratitude’s care packages on several deployments. Each one brought me great comfort, and I truly appreciate it. I’m proud Fior can donate to this noble cause, and I hope it will go a long way for the organization,” said Major Dominijanni.

Fior has earned a number of impressive accolades since its 2023 inception, including a double gold medal at both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and New York World Spirits Competition, a 93 rating at the The New York International Spirits Competition, a gold medal from Santé Magazine and a platinum rating at the Ascot Awards.

Fior Scotch is available in stores in New York, South Carolina, Texas and Georgia and online. For more on Fior Scotch, please visit www.fiorscotch.com.

Posted in Off-Duty, Press Release, Veterans | No Comments »

Introducing the Combat Flip Flops X Tacticon Armament Limited Edition Floperator de la Muerte

Sunday, May 19th, 2024

Issaquah, WA, May 17, 2024] ? Everyone knows that flip flops are bad for running and worse for fighting, or are they??? Combat Flip Flops, the veteran-owned flip flop and accessories brand creating jobs, empowering veterans, and improving people’s lives around the globe, has announced its first limited edition collaboration with Tacticon Armament – the Floperator de la Muerte.

The Floperator de la Muerte (aka flip flop of death) celebrates Combat Flip Flops’ highly popular Floperatormodel with injection molded arch supports, proprietary rubber outsole, EVA mid-layers, and military grade tubular nylon webbing upper. Made in Bogota, Colombia at a family-owned facility, the Floperator de la Muerte comes with Tacticon Armament and Choncla de la Muerteinterchangeable morale patches.

“After years of reading the comments, ‘you can’t fight in flip flops,’ we sought out the world’s top flip flop warrior,Tacticon,” said Combat Flip Flops’ CEO, Matthew Griffin(who has run with the bulls in his flops). “Not only are they great people, but they also field tested the hell out of our footwear and validated two things: Combat Flip Flops arebuilt to handle anything, and people should spend more time training, less time commenting.”

“Combat Flip Flops and Tacticon share the same ideal of wanting to inspire each person we encounter to be a little bit better than they were yesterday,” said Nolan Meeks of Tacticon Armament. “Whether that’s a better husband, wife, friend, parent or human, or just better at a skill, we encourage everyone to try to leave the world a little bit better than they found it.”

Scientifically proven to make you stronger, faster, more agile, and more attractive, the Floperator de la Muerte is available at www.combatflipflops.com/products/floperator-de-la-muerte. And with a lifetime warranty, you’ll be running these for years to come. Get yours today.

Posted in Boots, Off-Duty, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Olive Drab Project – Quad NOD Lamp

Saturday, November 18th, 2023

If you’re looking for something to spruce up the mancave, check out the Quad NOD Lamp from Olive Drab Project.

Specs:

Overall Height 13.8 inches
NODs Width 8.7 in
NODs thickness 4 in
NODs Depth Around 5 inches
lamp base 6.25” in diameter
lamp features LED bulbs is rechargeable

Pre-orders are up now. They are also offering Lamp themed morale patches and T-shirts.

olivedrabproject.com/shop

Posted in Off-Duty | 2 Comments »

Armageddon Gear Hunt Line

Monday, October 16th, 2023

Armageddon Gear recently launched their hunting line with this post.

Hunting is our passion. We are committed to bringing you gear that is worthy of the heritage of the pursuit of hunting. All our products are made from the best domestically sourced materials, crafted to stand the test of time, and designed to keep you more organized and ready when afield. Just like the tradition of hunting itself these products are made to be passed on to the next generation.

armageddongear.com/hunt

Posted in Load Carrying, Off-Duty | Comments Off on Armageddon Gear Hunt Line

Blue Force Gear Releases Updated ULTRAcomp Wallet Just in Time for Father’s Day

Monday, June 12th, 2023

Pooler, GA – Blue Force Gear is proud to announce the release of its updated ULTRAcomp® Wallet. Made from a self-extinguishing fabric, it’s literally a wallet your money can’t burn a hole through. The ULTRAcomp Wallet’s water-resistant and anti-microbial properties make it a great line of defense against summer swamp ass. And it reduces IR signatures, so you won’t have to worry about it giving away all those covert purchases you “didn’t” make.

The ULTRAcomp Wallet is designed to be as slim as possible while holding up to 12 credit/debit cards and licenses. The oversized bill fold accepts most forms of paper currency, including Canadian and EU size currency. And because it’s made from ULTRAcomp—the same material Blue Force Gear uses in its plate carriers, battle belts, and other tactical gear—this wallet exceeds military tear- and abrasion-resistance standards. How’s that for durability?

The ULTRAcomp Wallet is available at BlueForceGear.com in four colors: MultiCam®, Coyote Brown, Black, and Wolf Gray.

To learn more, visit blueforcegear.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Materials, Off-Duty | 2 Comments »

Kitfox Design Group Releases the Waterfowl Hunting Blanket

Friday, April 28th, 2023

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (April 28, 2023) – Kitfox Design Group is excited to announce their latest throw blanket project, the Waterfowl Hunting-themed blanket.

The Waterfowl Blanket is woven in a small family-owned textile mill located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The throw features several popular waterfowl species, including the Blue-winged Teal, Mallard, Wood Duck, and the Canadian Goose. The throw blankets are made on European Jacquard looms with roughly eight miles of American-made, 100% cotton yarn.

“After completing four war centric throw blanket designs, it was time to take a break and work on something a little more lighthearted.” said Sara Westman, the owner of Kitfox Design Group and illustrator behind the blanket. “This is really only the start of a spin off collection centering around bird hunting, but as the owner of two labs it was only natural to start with waterfowl.”

Pre-orders open April 28th at 9:00 a.m. CST and will close at 11:59 p.m. CST on May 12. This time around, pre-orders will begin shipping as soon as two weeks after pre-orders close.

The blanket is launching in two sizes: a throw which measures roughly 54”x72” and a queen measuring roughly 62”x84”. The blankets will retail at $125 and $150 plus shipping respectively and will ship worldwide.

The blankets and other items from the Waterfowl Collection are available for purchase on the Kitfox website.

Posted in Off-Duty, Press Release | Comments Off on Kitfox Design Group Releases the Waterfowl Hunting Blanket

Sneak Peek – Waterfowl Blanket from Kitfox Design Group

Sunday, April 2nd, 2023

Kitfox has produced several sought after throw blankets depicting weapons of war, but for their latest project they’ve switched their focus to hunting.

The blanket features a Beretta Over Under, a variety of waterfowl, the best boiis (Labradors and Chessies of course), and a splash of flora to justify it having a place on your couch with the wives and girlfriends.

If interested in learning more, visit www.kitfoxdesigngroup.com/blogs/news/the-waterfowl-blanket.

Posted in Off-Duty | Comments Off on Sneak Peek – Waterfowl Blanket from Kitfox Design Group