Terminal Lance is a very popular cartoon strip created by Marine Veteran Maximillian Uriarte. Originally, “The White Donkey” was published via Kickstarter but it’s now available at book stores, for those who missed it.
“Terminal Lance: The White Donkey” is the story of a Marine and his journey to Iraq. It’s definitely a labor of love. Uriarte worked on the 150-page graphic novel for three years. Pick up a copy and have a few laughs.
Mark Baker is an Army Retiree. We served together in the MI Det at 2nd Bn, 3rd SFG(A) when he started working on the Private Murphy strip which you may remember from the Army Times. This is one of my favorite cartoons.
Mark, wherever you are, I salute you.
-Eric
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.
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.
Talk amongst yourselves.
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.
Thank for your service!
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
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
