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Archive for the ‘Veterans’ Category

Combat Flip Flops Makes Deal with Three Sharks on ABC’s Shark Tank

Saturday, February 6th, 2016

Issaquah, WA – After four years of failing and succeeding, creating new roadmaps for manufacturing in war zones, employing former drug runners, educating women, clearing land mines, and supporting veterans, Combat Flip Flops has succeeded in winning the hearts and minds of three of today’s most prominent investors and Shark Tank’s self-made millionaires. Mark Cuban, Daymond John and Lori Greiner made a deal of $300,000 for 30% equity in Combat Flip Flops, spread equally between the three investors.

“Having our mission of ‘Business, Not Bullets’ validated by the Sharks is powerful,’ said Matthew ‘Griff’ Griffin. “It’s not just a good idea, it’s a legitimate course of action now backed by dominant players in the fashion, retail, and tech sectors.”

The $300,000 investment from the Sharks will be used for inventory and to build up Combat Flip Flops’ staff. The three co-founders have, for the majority of their time in business, been working side jobs. Investment will allow them to focus 100% on the business and add staff when needed.

“Combat Flip Flops will be able to book solid, consistent orders with our manufacturers. This will enable those manufacturers to hire more staff and have a larger impact in their communities. For the charities, we will be able to provide steady, substantial support. More Afghan girls in school, swaths of land cleared of mines, and supporting positive transitions for SOF veterans,” said Griff.

When asked what, besides the deal, was the most exciting part of being on Shark Tank, Donald Lee joked, “We’ve heard Kevin talk about his money being soldiers, going to war, and other military analogies. When he dropped out, handing him the red chem light was the only logical thing to do.”

In 2015, Combat Flip Flops’ sales increased 150% over 2014 while the company donated over 60 years of school to Afghan girls and cleared 1533 square meters of land mines in Laos, keeping kids and villagers safe. Through its Unarmed Forces, the brand has spread stoke and empowered mindful consumers to make a difference.

To keep up with Combat Flip Flops and learn more, please visit www.combatflipflops.com. For sales inquiries, please contact Matthew Griffin, griff@combatflipflops.com.

Serious Question – Infantrist?

Sunday, December 13th, 2015

In light of DoD’s decision to open every career field to women, how will we transform former male-only jobs like Infantryman into gender neutral titles? Canada has had female Combat Arms personnel for years.  They refer to theirs as Infantry Soldiers.  On the other hand, the Australian Army still refers to their Infantry as Riflemen despite the integration of a handful of females.  In both cases, females have preferred Armor, Artillery and Engineer fields over the Infantry.  

  

Captain Anne Pham is an Artillery Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces (Photo: DND)

Talk amongst yourselves.

The Safariland Group Supports Retired Sergeant Major Jeff Benrud at the Baja 1000 Race

Thursday, November 12th, 2015

 

Benrud Attempts to Complete Race in 24 Hours

  
ONTARIO, California – The Safariland Group is proud to support retired Sergeant Major Jeff Benrud in the SCORE Baja 1000 this year starting on November 20. The Baja 1000 takes place on Mexico’s Baja California Pennisula and is a part of the SCORE Championship Desert Racing Series that includes the Baja 500, San Felipe 250 and the new San Felipe Challenge of Champions. Benrud has participated in two Baja 1000 races placing 4th in his motorcycle classes for 2013 and 2014. This year, Benrud will be foregoing the relay style race and completing the entire Ironman category by himself, aiming to finish 1000 miles within a 24 hour period.

Benrud is a retired Sergeant Major with the Army’s Special Operations unit with extensive combat experience. He has been awarded three Bronze Stars for valor along with numerous other awards including the Purple Heart. Benrud will lean on this experience as he races 1,000 miles solo on his Multicam Honda CRF 450x.

Benrud, along with Ricky Johnson (RJ) – Team Manager and Co-Founder of American Off-Road Driving School, teach law enforcement and military officers how to ride and maneuver motorcycles in various settings. Both Benrud and Johnson work with teams at The Safariland Group in developing and testing innovative products, including Safariland® holster gear, Hatch® gloves, BreakFree® lubricants and Tactical Command Industries (TCI™) communications equipment.

“I often accompany Jeff and RJ on rides, where we test our gear in real applications. They have an amazing talent on the bike and provide insightful instruction along with quality feedback. We wish Jeff and his team the best of luck this year as he races through Baja.” Scott Carnahan, VP Safariland Equipment Category.

A Salute To My Fellow Veterans

Wednesday, November 11th, 2015

  
Thank for your service!

AAF Makes The DD-214 Blanket A Reality

Saturday, October 24th, 2015

We’ve all seen this meme posted on social media every time some new form of military buffoonery is announced.

Thanks to the folks at AAF, you can now make it a reality. It’s available as a blank version or you can even customize it with your own DD-214.

  

www.aafnation.com/products/dd-214-blanket

AUSA Partners With American Freedom Foundation For Hiring Event For Veterans

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015

A unique hiring event for soldiers, veteran military spouses will be part of the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in partnership with the American Freedom Foundation. The event will be held Oct. 12 to 14 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.

The “Warriors To The Workforce” hiring and training workshops event, presented by IVET and GES, is part of the American Freedom Foundation’s nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning military service members and military spouses find meaningful employment.

The event will include workshops featuring some of the top speakers in the country providing resources and information for veterans, transitioning military and military spouses. Presentations will include topics such as mental readiness, confidence building, networking and presentation skills, resume writing, interviewing techniques, job searching, career planning through goal setting, translating military skills and training into civilian life and corporate experience, among others.

New this year, Resume Review, presented by Veterans Staffing Network Easter Seals’ Veterans Staffing Network, is coordinating HR professionals to be on site to advise attendees on their resumes.

Attendees will also be able to see four-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Vietnam veteran, Rocky Bleier, on Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., and two-time Super Bowl champion with the Washington Redskins, Dexter Manley, on Wednesday Oct. 14 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Military Benefit Association exhibit area.

For more information and signup details, please visit: www.warriorstotheworkforcedc.net

Chest Rig Neck Tie Available Now from Combat Flip Flops

Friday, August 28th, 2015

  
Crafted from recycled plastic bottles and hemp by Veterans in the Seattle area, the Chest Rig is available in Agency Black, Scorched Earth, Claymore Green and Grey Man.

In production now. Delivers Late September.

www.combatflipflops.com/products/chest-rig-neck-tie

Please Support the Veteran Entrepreneurial Transition Act

Monday, August 10th, 2015

Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas and Representative Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska will soon be introducing the Veteran Entrepreneurial Transition Act (VET) to the Senate. The VET Act will create a 3-year pilot program that will enable 250 veterans to use their GI Bill benefit as collateral to start a small business or purchase an existing business. Please take the time to write your Representatives  in support of the Veteran Entrepreneurial Transition Act which would allow Veterans to use their GI Bill benefits to start a business.


Below is a draft language sample letter.

Dear (Senator/Representative),

I am contacting you to express my strong support for the proposed Veteran Entrepreneurial Transition Act.

This act will greatly assist the Department of Defense in making the entrepreneurial transition pathway a reality for our deserving veterans.

Our Nation benefits when we have a thriving and self-sustainable veteran community. Research shows that veteran-owned businesses perform better and stay in business longer, and they have a positive impact on communities across the country. Also, many young Americans join the military based on the positive recommendations of our veterans.

Nearly half of our Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans are not currently using their GI Bill, and the unemployment rate for this cohort of veterans has exceeded the national average for years – especially for our female veterans.

In FY2013, the Department of Defense spent $1.359B on unemployment for former military personnel.

It’s time to turn this trend around and ensure greater transition opportunities for our veterans. I believe that this can be done by enabling more of them to start small businesses.

The fact is that many of our veterans, especially those that have done the “heavy lifting” in combat on multiple tours since 9-11, simply are not inclined to return to a college classroom filled with 18-year-olds, but their military experience and accomplishments have “hardwired” them for success in small business.

Our veterans are proven, disciplined leaders who are capable of making sound decisions in complex and confusing environments. They are mission-focused and capable team-builders and small-unit leaders. While they are rich in experience and drive, almost all of them are under-capitalized when it comes to starting a business. I believe that the VET Act will provide them the collateral needed to start a business outright or provide the leverage needed to collateralize a subordinated business loan.

As a pilot program, the VET Act represents a real opportunity for 250 of our veterans. I strongly encourage all members of Congress to support this important initiative.

Thanks for your continued support of our military community,

/S/