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GBRS Group to Host 2026 SHOT Show Kickoff Party Presented by Aimpoint Benefiting the Special Operations Care Fund (SOC-F)

Tuesday, January 13th, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada, January 12, 2026

GBRS Group is proud to announce the 2026 GBRS SHOT Show Kickoff Party, presented by Aimpoint, taking place during SHOT Show week in Las Vegas. GBRS Group returns as host for what has become a must attend night for the industry, the community, and a cause that matters.

The event kicks off at 7:00 p.m. local time with a simple rule: Come As You Are. No dress code. No pretense. Just good people showing up for the right reasons. Advance tickets are available online at: qtego.us/l/shotshow/tickets/event-tickets Tickets will also be available at the door cash only please. Every dollar raised goes directly to charity.

In addition the presenting sponsor, Aimpoint, this year’s party is supported by an outstanding group of partners, including SIG Sauer, See the Night, S&S Precision, Brond Health, SWISS CNC, ROKA, OP Tactical, Otte Gear, Voight Industries, and many more across the firearms, defense, and outdoor industries.

All proceeds from the evening benefit the Special Operations Care Fund. SOC-F provides immediate and ongoing support to Special Operations Forces and their families, with a focus on preserving dignity, easing burdens, and honoring service through direct action. All monies raised are handled directly by the charity, ensuring maximum impact and full transparency.

Guests are encouraged to participate both in person and online through a high value raffle featuring donated items from a wide range of sponsors. Raffle entries are available online, winners will be selected at random, and all items will ship directly to winners after the party, so there is no need to carry anything on the show floor.

Access the raffle here: https://qtego.us/l/shotshow/items/buy

Last year set the bar. This year the goal is simple. Surpass it. More people. More impact. More support for those who have given everything.

If you are in Las Vegas for SHOT Show, this is your Monday night plan.

What: 2026 GBRS SHOT Show Kickoff Party
When: 7:00 p.m., Monday night during SHOT Show week
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
Dress: Come As You Are
Tickets: Available online and at the door
Benefiting: Special Operations Care Fund (SOC F)

GBRS Group looks forward to welcoming the industry once again for a night that is relaxed, meaningful, and purpose driven.

If your company would like to donate items to the raffle please contact william@gbrsgroup.com.

Posted in Fundraising, Nonprofit, SHOT Show, Veterans | 1 Comment »

VTEC Fort Gillem National Training Center: A HighROI Solution for Federal and State Government Agencies

Tuesday, January 6th, 2026

A National Model for Efficient Workforce Development, Reduced Government Burden, and Stronger Economic Outcomes

ATLANTA, Jan. 5, 2026 — The Veterans Training Empowerment Center (VTEC) , a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to military workforce development and an approved U.S. Army Career Skills Program (CSP) provider delivering on-base training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and recognized with Guidestar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency, today announced the expansion of the VTEC Fort Gillem National Training Center. This centralized, military-focused workforce hub is designed to support soldiers, veterans, military families, and civilian learners while providing direct, measurable benefits to federal and state agencies.

The Fort Gillem center will provide a unified system for training, credentialing, and placing transitioning service members into high-demand civilian careers. While the existing Fort Benning Command Training Center has successfully supported soldiers, increasing demand from both participants and hiring partners requires expansion. The new Fort Gillem National Training Center will scale training capacity, centralize employer access, reduce government costs, and strengthen national workforce participation, supporting economic and readiness objectives across multiple agencies.

Government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels are invited to visit www.100partnersportal.org to learn how they can partner with VTEC, support military workforce development, and access trained, job-ready personnel for their programs and operations.

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Posted in Press Release, Training, Veterans | No Comments »

2026 Retired Soldier Handbook

Saturday, December 20th, 2025

Knowing all the benefits and entitlements you’ve earned as a Retired Soldier is important not only for you, but for your family. The Retired Soldier Handbook is your guide to keeping updated on new or changing laws, regulations, and more from many government agencies specifically impacting Retired Soldiers, their families, and surviving spouses.

Get your copy of the 2026 Retired Soldier Handbook online at soldierforlife.army.mil/Army-Retirement/Post-Retirement.

Posted in Army, Veterans | No Comments »

GW Clobberflage: 60 Years in the Making

Thursday, December 18th, 2025

18 DEC 25 – For Immediate Release – Breach-Bang-Clear and Soldier Systems Daily are excited to announce the impending availability of Clobberflage pattern for use on assorted stuff and things – just in time for the 60th birthday of the man who inspired it: GW Ayers.

GW Ayers is a foundational icon of the American tactical industry and a longtime friend of both SSD and B-B-C. A retired US Army Cavalry SNCO and combat veteran, GW is not just an institution in our battlespace; he’s one of the finest humans on the planet.

And today is his 60th birthday!

Why clobberflage, you ask? Glad you asked. The answer is twofold: first, to get your attention, and, second, because Benjamin Grimm, aka The Thing, is (fittingly) GW’s favorite superhero. And if you know anything about the cigar-chomping, ever-lovin’, blue-eyed Thing, then you’re familiar with the phrase, “It’s clobberin’ time!”

Ayers hails originally from Virginia. Since then, he has lived in Texas, California, Washington, Kansas, Georgia, Germany, and Iraq, but his heart has always been on Yancy Street. He served for 22 years in the U.S. Army, from the Cold War through the GWOT (e.g., Bradleys through Strykers). He held every leadership role that an enlisted leader can have in his field, including a long stretch as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the 500 indigenous soldiers of an Iraqi Light Infantry Battalion.

Ayers graduated at the top of his class at every leadership school he attended, was awarded the Soldiers’ Medal for actions for the rescue of downed aviators, is the recipient of a Bronze Star, and is a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC), which encompasses only the top 3% of the Army’s Non-Commissioned Officers.

Since his retirement, GW has successfully helped launch two new companies, achieving immediate 7-figure results. He has held the positions of COO, CSO, VP of Sales and Marketing, and more, across businesses operating in the manufacturing and global distribution industries. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Resilient Warrior 501 (c) (3) charity, which houses homeless veterans and helps them transition back into society.

We are very happy to wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Now, a note on the Clobberflage pattern: it isn’t actually a Thing yet (see what we did there?). That said, if there is actual interest in it, it could be. And if it did happen, it would be found on the Bad Moon Armory website, and all profits would go to support Resilient Warrior.

Please join us in congratulating this outstanding individual for successfully completing his 60th decade on the planet. We’re looking forward to working with him for several more. You can connect with GW on Instagram, @gwayers3.

Posted in Camo, Veterans | 3 Comments »

Fox Factory Vehicles Offers Limited Edition Jeep Wrangler Commando – Only Available For Active Military and Veterans

Saturday, November 15th, 2025

Fox Factory Vehicles has announced a Commando variant of the Jeep Wrangler limited to just 250 examples and only available for purchase by active military and veterans.

Features:

??392 HEMl V8 Engine
??Available 705HP Whipple Supercharger
??3.5″ Lift Suspension System
??FOX 3.0 External Reservoir Shocks
??Nitto 37″ Mud Terrain Tires
??17″ Beadlock Capable Ivory White Wheels
??Tube Doors and Bimini Top
??Color Matching ’41 Paint Exterior

Get in line here.

Posted in Mobility, Veterans | 1 Comment »

Veteran Entrepreneur Austin Holmes Leads Signal Raptor in Advancing Digital Trust and Innovation

Tuesday, November 11th, 2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn., (November, 2025) — As the country celebrates Veterans Day and National Entrepreneurship Month, U.S. Army veteran and entrepreneur Austin Holmes, founder of Signal Raptor, shines a light on how veterans are shaping the future of technology through mission-driven innovation. This is a purpose-driven tech company in the business of digital trust and secure communication, reflecting Holmes’s journey from combat to the C-suite, where integrity, accountability, and dependability remain the mission.

After years serving in the military, Holmes drew parallels between mission-critical communication in the field and the growing need for clarity and security in the digital environment. Signal Raptor was built on that foundation to ensure that people, businesses, and organizations can operate with confidence and transparency in the digital space.

“Veterans understand that trust is at the heart of every mission,” said Holmes. “That very same principle drives our work at Signal Raptor: building technology that’s dependable, disciplined, and focused on protecting what matters most.”

Signal Raptor is part of a growing wave of veteran-owned technology companies redefining the meaning of entrepreneurship. Holmes brings business and technology development through leadership qualities instilled in his military background: precision, adaptability, and service.

This veteran, father, and founder supports his fellow service members in transitioning from active duty back into civilian life and eventually into becoming entrepreneurs. This season, the outreach efforts of Signal Raptor are in line with that mission, including partnerships with veteran business networks in support of veteran innovation and digital literacy.

The following are highlights of the continued Signal Raptor mission:

Veteran-Led Innovation: Applying the lessons of strategy, teamwork, and resilience learned in military service to drive technological solutions.

Digital Trust Commitment: Building trust, reliability, safety, and privacy into all products surrounding communication.

Community Involvement: Partnerships with organizations that serve veterans to extend technology entrepreneurship resources even further.

This Veterans Day and throughout National Entrepreneurship Month, Holmes and Signal Raptor want to highlight the value that veterans bring to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Indeed, because of their discipline and problem-solving approach, veteran founders are leading the charge in innovation, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.

To Holmes, the vision for Signal Raptor goes beyond just building software; it is about building trust in an increasingly complex digital world. His story shows just how much the lessons learned in service can power meaningful innovation in civilian life. “Service doesn’t end when you leave the military-it evolves,” Holmes says. “To us, that means creating technology that serves people, protects them, and helps them connect more securely.”

Learn more at signalraptor.com.

Posted in AI / ML, Industry, Veterans | Comments Off on Veteran Entrepreneur Austin Holmes Leads Signal Raptor in Advancing Digital Trust and Innovation

Happy Veterans Day

Tuesday, November 11th, 2025

I’d like to offer a heartfelt thank you to my fellow Veterans on this annual celebration of our service to this great nation! We have protected this land longer than it has been an independent country.

The American Legion has collated a list of companies honoring our Veterans. Enjoy your day!

www.legion.org/information-center/news/veterans-day/2025/november/2025-veterans-day-deals-and-discounts

Posted in Veterans | Comments Off on Happy Veterans Day

Vortex Celebrates Service with Veterans Day Gathering

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

Vortex® invites veterans to a morning of appreciation at its Barneveld headquarters.

BARNEVELD, Wis. – This Veterans Day, we’re opening our doors at Vortex® to say thank you. From 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. on November 11th, veterans and active-duty service members are invited to stop by our headquarters showroom for coffee and conversation, as a show of our appreciation.

Here’s what we’ve got planned:

Coffee on us – Show your military ID and grab a cup from the Boss Cow truck.

Challenge coin – Pick up a Spirit of Service coin in the showroom.

Meet the team – Members of Vortex®, including CEO Joe Hamilton, will be around to say thanks.

Showroom photo booth – Snap a keepsake before you go.

It’s a simple way for us to recognize the people in our community who have served. If you’re a veteran, we hope you’ll join us. If you know a veteran, help us spread the word.

Posted in Industry, Press Release, Veterans | Comments Off on Vortex Celebrates Service with Veterans Day Gathering