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Air Force Releases Updated Fitness Test Score Breakdown

Friday, May 28th, 2021

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —

The Air Force will resume physical fitness testing July 1 with only three components: push-ups, sit-ups and the 1.5-mile run.

Without the waist measurement as a scored component, push-ups and sit-ups will increase from 10 to 20 points each, while the 1.5-mile run will remain at 60 points. Scoring will fall into five-year age groups, as opposed to the previous 10. Updated charts can be found here.

The waist measurement will no longer be required as part of the physical fitness test but a separate assessment of body composition, as required by DoD Instruction 1308.3, will continue starting in October. Testing for body composition may continue to use some form of waist measurement and may be administered during PT testing to reduce scheduling and administrative burdens, but body composition will not be a component of the PT test itself. Further details on the body composition program will be released at a later date.

The Air Force has also worked on alternative strength and cardiovascular testing exercise options with plans to announce them in the coming weeks. Once announced, members and fitness monitors will have approximately six months to familiarize themselves with use and execution of the alternative testing options prior to having them available in January 2022. Members will have a choice of which testing options they choose for their physical fitness assessment components. The six-month timeline will help ensure fitness assessment cells are prepared to train physical training leaders to administer tests using the new options.

“We are moving away from a one-size-fits-all model,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. “More testing options will put flexibility in the hands of our Airmen – where it belongs. We know not all Airmen maintain their fitness the same way and may excel in different areas. Alternate components provide choices while still providing a mechanism to determine overall fitness.”

These changes align under the Air Force’s Action Order Airmen, people-first approach.

“Physical fitness is an important part of our everyday lives, it’s more than just a test – it’s a way of life, our readiness and ultimately our future success,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “July 1st is a chance to refocus on building a lifestyle of fitness and health, and I know our Airmen will be ready.”

For additional information, Airmen can visit myPers or the Air Force’s Personnel Center’s fitness program page.

The Space Force will follow these policies until service-specific fitness policies are developed and fielded.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, Training | 5 Comments »

SENTRY Products Group Expands Special Operations Division

Wednesday, May 26th, 2021

Will Dewilde, retired Command Master Chief U.S. Navy SEAL joins SENTRY Products to lead expanding the Special Operations Division focused on military and law enforcement customers.

Virginia Beach, Va. (May 2021) – SENTRY Products Group™, a leading manufacturer and distributor of products focused on protection, storage, and transportation of outdoor, military, and law enforcement equipment, is proud to announce the expansion of its Special Operations Division and the hiring of retired Navy SEAL Command Master Chief, Will Dewilde.

The Special Operations Divisions (SOD) focuses on building relationships and supporting the development and distribution of SENTRY products across the military and law enforcement channels. “I had worked directly with Will both as a US Navy SEAL and after he had joined the private sector, it was clear that his exceptional leadership skills along with his ability to forge relationships throughout the SOF community made him a logical choice to lead the expanding SOD team” Mike Noell, Founder and CEO of SENTRY Products Group, explained. “We are excited to have him on board as this role is critical to translating the needs of the end user to our product development and production teams. Our endpoint vision is to simple; to create and supply the best, to the best.”

Command Master Chief Dewilde retired from the United States Navy in 2017 after serving more than 30 years in various operational and strategic leadership roles across USSOCOM. He has completed 17 overseas deployments and has planned and led numerous sensitive national combat and crisis response missions worldwide. His operational assignments and executive level leadership tours include the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGROUP), SEAL Team Two, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Naval Special Warfare Center and Naval Special Warfare Group Two. He has been awarded the Silver Star and four Bronze Stars for Valor along with many other medals and various unit and campaign awards. Prior to joining SENTRY, he served as Vice President of Operations for The Honor Foundation (THF), a nationwide educational institution assisting U.S. Special Operations service members in their career transitions.

Dewilde added, “It’s a privilege to be able to continue to serve the military and law enforcement communities as part of a team that is dedicated to designing, manufacturing, and distributing the very best and most innovative products in the industry. I really embrace SENTRY’s vision of ‘Live to Protect’ it represents the passion of our people, the products we create and sums up what we bring to the customer through the SOD Division.”

Over the next 18 months SENTRY will scale the SOD division with representatives in locations across the US and International. If you are interested in acquiring SENTRY products, or becoming a dealer we can be reached at info@sentryltp.com.

Posted in Advertiser, Press Release, Training | Comments Off on SENTRY Products Group Expands Special Operations Division

5.11 Announces New Physical Training-Ready (PT-R) Line

Thursday, May 20th, 2021

New products offer on-the-go fitness and training solutionsIRVINE, Calif. (May 20, 2021) – 5.11, Inc., the global innovator of purpose-built apparel, footwear, and gear today announced the launch of its new Physical Training-Ready (PT-R) product line, created to offer versatile solutions for fitness training. The new PT-R lineup includes weight kits and technical apparel that are all designed to give users the freedom to train anywhere and anytime, even when a gym is not available.

“Now, more than ever, people want the freedom to train when and where it works best for them, and they need dependable gear that will allow them to achieve that,” said Matt Page, Vice President of Global Product for 5.11. “We worked with some of our most demanding end users to develop our PT-R line to meet the evolving needs of fitness and training enthusiasts.”

“5.11’s mantra, Always Be Ready, expands beyond apparel, gear and mentality – it also pertains in large part to your training,” said 5.11’s Chief Marketing Officer, Debra Radcliff. “Our new PT-R line provides our customers with the freedom to meet their training needs anytime, anywhere.”

Included in the new product offering is the PT-R Weight Kit 50 and PT-R Weight Kit 100. Designed to deliver a portable solution for training when a gym is not available, each kit includes two heavy-duty PT-R liner bags that can be filled with sand or other weighted material. The liners can then be used separately or placed together in larger PT-R bags for weighted training.

The PT-R Weight 50 Kit (MSRP: $149.99) holds approximately 25 pounds of sand or material in each liner bag and up 50 pounds total when placed together in the larger bag. The PT-R Weight 100 Kit (MSRP: $169.99) holds 50 pounds in each liner bag and 100 pounds total. When empty, the bags are lightweight and travel-friendly.

5.11 PT-R Weight Kits and Apparel in Use5.11 offers a complete fitness solution with its debut of new technical PT-R apparel. Many of the items feature moisture-wicking and anti-microbial technology, athletic fits and other design features to meet the needs of fitness enthusiasts. Some key styles for Spring 2021 include the Charge Short Sleeve and Charge Long Sleeve Shirt ($34.99, $44.99), No Mercy Short Sleeve Shirt ($24.99), Zone Full Zip Hoodie ($49.99), Motion PT-R Short in 5.5” and 7.5” ($44.99, $49.99), Epos Short ($39.99) and Goal PT-R Jogger ($59.99).

The PT-R Weight Kits and apparel items are available now with additional new PT-R collection products arriving this summer. To learn more or to shop the PT-R lineup visit www.511tactical.com/pt-r.

Posted in Clothing, Press Release, Training | Comments Off on 5.11 Announces New Physical Training-Ready (PT-R) Line

Atlas Devices – Enemy of Vertical: TERRAIN

Sunday, May 16th, 2021

Atlas Devices has launched a blog series. Their first entry is “Enemy of Vertical: TERRAIN” which takes look at the types of challenges facing electrical linemen.

Posted in Mountaineering, Training | Comments Off on Atlas Devices – Enemy of Vertical: TERRAIN

SIG SAUER Academy to Host Introduction to Pistol and PCC for Women with Team SIG’s Lena Miculek

Wednesday, May 12th, 2021

NEWINGTON, N.H., (May 12, 2021) – SIG SAUER Academy, the leading provider of the highest quality firearms instruction and tactical training in the world, is pleased to announce the addition of Introduction to Pistol and PCC for Females with Lena Miculek to the upcoming course schedule.

This course is a one-day women’s specific introductory course to pistol and pistol caliber carbine (PCC) taught by the top 3-Gun competitor, Team SIG’s Lena Miculek. In this course, Lena will boil down the most crucial things she has learned as a female competitive shooter including experience, technique, and mindset. The course will focus on building a solid foundation of pistol and PCC fundamentals and students will learn personalized shooting techniques to fit your body and play to your strengths, effective training and practice techniques at home and on the range, and proper gear setup.

Lena Miculek is a third-generation professional competitive shooter and regarded as the top female 3-Gun competitor and PCC specialist in the world. At the age of 17 Lena won her first World Champion Title and has since earned more than 80 major wins and 8 world titles in 5 shooting disciplines. Lena is now focused on training primarily in PCC, teaches, and is actively working to introduce and increase female participation in the professional shooting sports. She was recently named a “40 under 40” by SHOT Business magazine, earned the prestigious Gundies “Most Influential Female” award, and is the co-creator of the Miculek YouTube channel with over 1.2 million subscribers.

Introduction to Pistol and PCC for Women with Lena Miculek is being offered on Friday, June 28, 2021. To register and review the course outline, or review the comprehensive course offering for SIG SAUER Academy visit sigsaueracademy.com.

Posted in Advertiser, For the Ladies, Press Release, Training | Comments Off on SIG SAUER Academy to Host Introduction to Pistol and PCC for Women with Team SIG’s Lena Miculek

Construction of SIG SAUER Experience Center Begins in Epping, New Hampshire

Friday, May 7th, 2021

NEWINGTON, N.H., (May 7, 2021) – SIG SAUER, Inc., is pleased to announce the official commencement of the construction of the SIG SAUER Experience Center on the grounds of the SIG SAUER Academy in Epping, New Hampshire.

Today, Ron Cohen, President of SIG SAUER, Inc. was joined by Governor Chris Sununu and other local and state dignitaries, for the official groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of the SIG SAUER Experience Center, a state-of-the-art 40,500 square foot facility on the grounds of the SIG SAUER Academy in Epping, New Hampshire.

“SIG SAUER is growing, and we are excited to officially break ground for the SIG SAUER Experience to mark the beginning of another phase of our evolution,” began Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc. “This facility will attract visitors to the New England region from all over the world and create new jobs, and we view this endeavor as a true partnership with our state and local leaders that have worked hard to foster an environment where SIG can grow and thrive and are one of the secrets to our continued success and growth here in New Hampshire.”

The SIG SAUER Experience Center will feature the SIG SAUER flagship retail showroom, state-of-the-art indoor shooting ranges, and a high-tech, interactive SIG SAUER museum depicting the history of SIG SAUER, and a one-of-a-kind educational experience for SIG SAUER products, a multi-purpose meeting space and conference rooms.

“The continued expansion of SIG SAUER’s New Hampshire operations with this new construction in Epping is another welcome addition by SIG SAUER to our growing economy,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “SIG SAUER is one of New Hampshire’s largest employers providing a diverse mix of high-tech manufacturing jobs to our workforce, and I am glad to partner with them as they continue to firmly plant their roots right here in the Granite State.”

Design-Build services are being provided by North Branch Construction and architectural design by Cowan Goudreau Architects both of Concord, NH. Civil engineering services are being provided by T.F. Moran, Inc. of Bedford, NH.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, Press Release, Training | 2 Comments »

‘Service. Strength. Sacrifice’: Special Tactics Training Complex Dedicated to Fallen STO

Friday, May 7th, 2021

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla.— In a split second while on a mission in 2015, U.S. Air Force Capt. Matthew Roland made the last leadership decision he would he would ever make. Without hesitation, he chose to protect his team and give them the best shot at overcoming an insider attack in Afghanistan, sacrificing his life in the process.

To honor the fallen Special Tactics Officer’s actions and courageous leadership, the 24th Special Operations Wing along with friends and family hosted a dedication ceremony in Roland’s honor May 6, 2021 at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

“Today I have the privilege of dedicating the Roland Field Leadership Training Complex,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Allen, commander of the 24th SOW. “It’s particularly meaningful to dedicate this training site to Matt as he spent years of his life honing his leadership expertise.”

The wing chose to dedicate one of the Special Tactics Training Squadron facilities used for training and assessing Special Tactics Officers just like Roland.

“It means everything to be a part of his legacy,” said one of the young STOs attending the ceremony and finishing the training pipeline. “I think he embodies a lot of what a lot of people in our position are trying to do and why we joined. Guys like him paved the way for us and have shown us an example of who we should strive to be like. We’re honored to be walking in his footsteps and everyone who came before us.”

In the audience were also several distinguished guests, friends and family members of Matthew Roland including his sister, nieces, fiancé, mother and his father, U.S. Air Force, retired, Col. Mark Roland.

“Matthew was a patriot, he believed in his nation and was dedicated to service,” said Mark. “He loved serving as a STO and leading his team. This complex is a testament that he was good at what he did and respected for how he did it.”

Matthew Roland graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2010 and then entered the rigorous Special Tactics Officer training pipeline to earn the coveted red beret. His last assignment was at the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Members of the fallen Airman’s former squadron watched as the Roland family unveiled the new sign to the Roland Field Leadership Training Complex followed by the Special Tactics tradition of memorial pushups.

“He never quit, he never gave up. Be strong in the face of adversity,” said Mark. “To us, this complex dedicated to selecting and training Special Tactics Officers represents three things that Matthew valued…service, strength and sacrifice.”

As a Special Tactics Officer, Roland was a qualified battlefield commander prepared to lead reconnaissance, strike and recovery missions, as well as a military static-line and free fall jumper, an Air Force combat scuba diver, and a joint terminal attack controller. For his actions during his deployment, Roland was posthumously awarded the nation’s third highest honor for valor, the Silver Star medal, in June of 2016.

“At his core, [Matthew] was concerned with loving and protecting his family, being a leader in our Air Force and living out his warrior ethos,” said Allen. “If there was a hardship, he’d endure it. If there was a burden, he’d help lift it. If there was a challenge…he’d meet it.”

For future Special Tactics leaders, the complex will forever stand as inspiration to the selfless leadership and determination Roland displayed throughout his time in service.

Special Tactics is the Air Force’s most highly decorated community since the Vietnam War specializing in global access, precision strike, personnel recovery and battlefield surgery. Since 9/11, Special Tactics Airmen have received one Medal of Honor, 12 Air Force Crosses and 50 Silver Star Medals.

Photos by SrA Miranda Mahoney and A1C Amanda Flower-Raschella, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Guest Post, SOF, Training | Comments Off on ‘Service. Strength. Sacrifice’: Special Tactics Training Complex Dedicated to Fallen STO

Mike Pannone Discusses the Benefits of a Pistol Caliber Short Rifle (PCSR)

Thursday, May 6th, 2021

Mike Pannone, Director of Training, B&T USA examines the features and advantages of a Pistol Caliber Short Rifle (PCSR), or submachine gun based system, such as B&T’s APC9 PRO, for law enforcement and military applications occurring within confined spaces, or within spaces where size savings are important.

About Mike Pannone/CTT Solutions

Mike is a former operational member of U.S. Marine Reconnaissance, Army Special Forces (Green Beret), 1st SFOD-D (Delta) and the Asymmetric Warfare Group. He is an active USPSA pistol shooter holding a Master class ranking in Limited, Limited-10 and Production divisions. Mike has participated in stabilization, combat and high-risk protection operations in support of U.S. policies throughout the world as both an active duty military member, and a civilian contractor. Mike also worked as the primary firearms instructor for the Federal Air Marshal program in Atlantic City, as well as the head in-service instructor for the Seattle field office. He has spent countless hours on the range and in the classroom with military units, LEO and operational personnel sharing his vast combat and practical experience to increase proficiency and organizational success.

Posted in Guest Post, Training, weapons | 5 Comments »