In this latest iteration of the PlateFrame, S&S Precision increases comfort and modularity. Other than the S&S PF-M, it is the only armor carrier system with the patented (US 10605574) adjustable Auto-Fit Cummerbund and thoracic load-bearing technology. By using a single layer of semi-rigid composite material with laser-cut MOLLE/PALS slots, they were able to keep the overall weight to just over one pound to further increase performance.
The PF-R’s Auto-Fit Cummerbund comes in four different sizes and when properly fitted helps to distribute the weight of the operator’s loadout across their entire torso while still allowing for expansion of the chest and lungs.
Once removed from the box it is simple to configure. Additionally, the PF-R is compatible with the Operator System Suite (OSS) Redux which is a series of minimalistic and practical set of pouches which can be used with any of S&S Precision’s carriers or standard MOLLE/ PALS webbing systems. This series is constructed of light-weight, hydrophobic material that is durable, long-lasting and will shed water to reduce weight in wet environments.
Available in MultiCam, Black, Tan and Toadvine, the PF-R is available to accommodate a wide variety of plates. Check the site for current offerings.
ANOKA, Minnesota – June 16, 2021 – As the 2021 Olympic Games approach, USA Shooting team members Kayle Browning, Brian Burrows, Vincent Hancock, Austen Smith, and Derrick Mein are intently focused on preparing to finally compete on the world stage after a year-long delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The postponement was a shock for all Olympic athletes, but from difficulty comes opportunity, and the team has made the most of the extra time by putting a whole lot of rounds through their shotguns during the past year’s delay.
“These athletes compete at the highest level, they are extremely accomplished and worked hard to compete for their country in front of the entire world,” stated Jason Vanderbrink, President of Federal Ammunition. “As a company that sponsors the USA Shooting team, we can’t wait to watch them compete, and for Federal Ammunition to be part of them accomplishing their goals of bringing home Olympic medals.”
“Preparing for Tokyo has been difficult to say, at the very least,” said Vincent Hancock, a skeet shooter who took gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 games. “After the delay and some time off, I’ve maintained my training at a high level for the past four to five months now, working diligently to make sure I reach my peak at just the right time and that I’m ready for the tests of competition.”
“I have been firing a lot of Federal Gold Medals to get ready for the Olympics. I fully expect to put forth my best effort at this year’s Olympic Games, and for me, that means eliminating mistakes,” said Derrick Mein, who took full advantage of the extra time he’s had to prepare and recently won the Super Sporting event at the NSCA’s U.S. Open last weekend while competing at Claythorne Lodge in Kansas. “The extra year has given me a great opportunity to fine tune my game.”
“It has been a very unique situation. At first, I was really bummed out, like a lot of other athletes,” Kayle Browning said. “But once the shock of the games getting postponed wore off, I quickly realized I’d been given a great training opportunity. I began taking full advantage of the training facility that’s literally in my back yard.”
“I’m ecstatic for the Olympic Games this July! This will be the first games I will compete in, and it will be the completion of four years of intense training and sacrifices,” said Austen Smith. “The delay was heartbreaking at first, but I found a way to convert that heartbreak into determination. Throughout the lockdowns and competition cancellations I dedicated myself to training in any way possible.”
Brian Burrows said the delay definitely changed how he expected to prepare for the games.
“Typically, we would have shot three or four World Cups plus a test event on the Olympic range, but this time we had one world cup and no test event. So, I have had to adapt and adjust how I prepare for the Olympics, but I am confident in my training, and it has paid off,” Burrows said. “In the one world cup we shot, I entered the final in second place with a very strong qualification score. So, even though I had to adapt my training to the delay, I feel very confident.”
Federal is the official shotshell ammunition sponsor and supplier of USA Shooting, a non-profit organization that promotes the shooting sports and prepares American athletes to bring home Olympic gold. Learn more at: www.usashooting.org.
Federal Ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide or purchased online direct from Federal. For more information on all products from Federal or to shop online, visit www.federalpremium.com.
July 4 Virtual 5K supports American Humane’s lifesaving Pups4Patriots™ program
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This Fourth of July, Americans have a new way to celebrate our nation’s freedom. In addition to the usual frankfurters, fireworks and fun that make up so much Independence Day fanfare, one organization is asking people to lace up their sneakers and run, walk or even march to support those who have served our country and sacrificed so much to keep it free.
American Humane’s national Pups4Patriots 5K is a virtual weekend-long event, raising funds to train lifesaving service dogs for veterans coping with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Patriotic participants can show their solidarity with America’s veterans by walking, jogging or running at their leisure over the Fourth of July weekend. Participants can register online at www.AmericanHumane.org/P4P5K.
Research shows that specially trained PTS service dogs can reduce stress and anxiety levels, mitigate depression, ease social reintegration, provide comfort and restore confidence to affected veterans. There are many obstacles standing in the way of veterans in need of service dogs, however, including long waiting lists and exorbitant costs, often upwards of $30,000 per service dog. American Humane’s Pups4Patriots™ program pairs dogs in search of forever homes with veterans in need. The two are trained together at no cost to the veteran.
American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization and a top-rated charity that has been supporting the U.S. military, military families and military animals for more than 100 years. In addition to the nearly one billion animals it saves, shelters, feeds and protects around the world each year, American Humane brings home retired war dogs and reunites them with their handlers, trains lifesaving service dogs for veterans with PTS and TBI and helps provide critical healthcare to our K-9 warriors.
“American Humane is committed to putting healing leashes into the hands of more veterans in need,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO and president of American Humane. “This virtual event will serve as a rallying point to bring us together to provide veterans in need with the healing power of our four-legged friends.”
Audie Murphy is one of America’s greatest sons. I don’t really know how else to say it; it seems no matter what you say, it won’t to do him the justice he deserves. Audie was born on 20 June 1925; he came from a large family and his father abandoned them and his mother died when he was a teenager. He left school to pick cotton and hunt rabbits to help support his brothers and sisters. When the U.S. was attacked by the Japanese on 7 December 1941, he tried to enter the Army, Navy, and then the Marine Corp (with the help of his sister who forged his paperwork) and was turned away by them all for being too small. He was eventually allowed to join the Army. Murphy would be awarded every medal for valor the U.S. has in addition to awards and honors from France and Belgium.
Like a lot of people after any war, Audie suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, (even thought that wasn’t a thing back then) at one point it got so bad that he slept with a gun under his pillow, and he also had night terrors so bad he started sleeping in the room above his garage. Most of his nightmares had to do with losing so many of his friends during the war. His passion to save his friends gave him the courage to accomplish all the heroic acts that earned him the decorations he received. His awards include the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star X 2, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star X 2, and Purple Heart X 2, just to name the top few.
In his second career, in Hollywood, he would make over 40 films, including starring as himself in the movie ‘To Hell and Back’. But, like all movies, the book is much better.
I knew I couldn’t do his story justice in the couple of pages I write, so I encourage you to read his book. He was driven more by his love of family and friends than anything else in his life.
Man’s Best Friend’ Comes to FirstNet: AT&T Launches Animal Assisted Therapy Initiative to Further Health & Wellness for America’s First Responders
30+ “ROG the Dog” Therapy Animals Stationed Nationwide to Deploy Following Emergencies like Hurricanes, Wildfires and Man-Made Disasters
What’s the news? In advance of the 2021 storm season, FirstNet®, Built with AT&T* – the nation’s only network built by public safety, for public safety – is introducing “ROG the Dog” animal assisted therapy to support public safety on the front lines. This new initiative builds off of the launch of the FirstNet Health & Wellness Coalition and reinforces our commitment to Be There for America’s first responders by further supporting the health and well-being of those who serve their communities each and every day.
Why is this important? Compared to the general population, first responders experience higher rates of depression, PTSD, burnout, anxiety and other mental health issues.1 In law enforcement, one study found a more than 20 year difference in life expectancy compared to the average American male.2 uIn addition, it’s estimated 20-25% of all first responders experience post-traumatic stress.3 Therapy dogs are proven to have a positive impact on mental and physical health. Studies have shown that interacting with animals can improve coping and recovery, enhance morale, decrease stress, and reduce the effects of PTSD and emotional distress.4 And as public safety’s partner, we have a responsibility unlike any other wireless carrier to deliver for the first responder community. That’s why we’ve gone beyond our commitment to build and operate FirstNet and are providing this unique type of support to keep them mission ready.
What is ROG the Dog? Affectionately named after the FirstNet Response Operations Group (ROG) – the team led by former first responders that guides the deployment of the FirstNet fleet of dedicated deployable network assets – ROG the Dog is actually a fleet of trained Labradoodles who specialize in animal assisted therapy for first responders. We’re collaborating with Global Medical Response (GMR) to provide the therapy dog services, which are especially meant for times of crises following natural or man-made disasters. GMR chose Labradoodles as their therapy dog breed because of their temperament, they are hypoallergenic, and well suited to providing calm and care in the middle of chaos. The ROG the Dog initiative is currently comprised of over 30 animals located across the U.S.
What is the FirstNet Response Operations Program? To strengthen public safety’s command and control of their network, we launched the FirstNet Response Operations Program in 2018. This program aligns with Homeland Security’s National Incident Management System with a focus on life safety, incident stabilization and property conservation. With FirstNet, public safety agencies have access to a dedicated, nationwide fleet of 80+ land-based and airborne portable cell sites, like FirstNet One – all at no additional charge. The deployable network assets are designed to keep FirstNet subscribers connected to the information they need, no matter where their mission takes them. This allows first responders to make rescues, communicate and coordinate their emergency response, or aid in recovery, even in the hardest hit areas or most remote parts of the country.
When public safety calls upon the FirstNet fleet for additional support, the FirstNet Response Operations Group works with the agency to assess the situation and either deploy an asset, or identify and provide alternate solutions that could better serve public safety – such as expediting network restoration, quickly turning-up indoor coverage, and now, providing therapy dog services following a crisis. So far this year, public safety has requested support more than 125 times for planned and emergency events covering everything from COVID-19 vaccination centers to winter storms.
How can public safety request ROG the Dog? Agencies on FirstNet can request ROG the Dog in the same way they request an asset from the FirstNet fleet. And just like the fleet, ROG the Dog is available at no additional charge. Simply, call 1-800-574-7000 or contact their FirstNet Solutions Consultant and the Response Operations Group team will work with you to determine if your request meets the requirements for therapy dog services.
What is FirstNet? FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose-built for America’s first responders and the extended public safety community. Shaped by the vision of Congress and the first responder community following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, FirstNet stands above commercial offerings. It is built with AT&T in public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) – an independent agency within the federal government. With more than 16,000 public safety agencies and organizations subscribed – accounting for more than 2.2 million connections nationwide5 – the FirstNet network is providing first responders with truly dedicated coverage and capacity when they need it, unique benefits like always-on priority and preemption, and high-quality Band 14 spectrum. These advanced capabilities help fire, EMS, law enforcement and more save lives and protect their communities.
Where can I find more information? For more about the value FirstNet is bringing to public safety, check out FirstNet.com. And go here for more FirstNet news.
1 Purvis, M., Fullencamp, L. & Docherty, M. (2020). Animal Assisted Therapy on Law Enforcement Mental Health: A Therapy Dog Implementation Guide. Bowling Green University.
Truth be told, Arc’teryx doesn’t have a corporate policy on guns. Why would they? They are a Canadian clothing company. Granted, they have a division dedicated to Law Enforcement and Armed Forces customers, but they remain an outdoor brand.
But that didn’t stop a viral narrative from forming today after an employee of Arc’teryx’s corporate sales team sent this email to a member of the US firearms industry who has done business with Arc’teryx in the past, purchasing clothing embroidered with their corporate logo.
This image went viral. It’s an email from an actual Arc’teryx employee, but it doesn’t reflect policy.
Several people reached out to me to see if it was true. I told them I’d find out, and I did.
The email looked legitimate, but I was skeptical of the story since I had just received an Arc’teryx fleece along with others from SIG Sauer during a Defense Media event a few weeks back. What’s more, SIG Academy’s pro shop is well stocked with LEAF product embroidered with the SIG logo.
Instead of what is asserted in the email, interaction with the tactical industry (to include firearms related businesses) has transitioned to the LEAF team from corporate sales since those businesses have more in common with LEAF.
What I gather happened was that the Service Coordinator misunderstood the situation and thought that since the Professional & Corporate Sales Team would no longer handle those clients, Arc’teryx writ large was no longer doing business with them. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Internally, this has been addressed.
I reached out to the receiver of the email who wishes to remain anonymous, but they didn’t answer my query which was very short suspense. Unfortunately, they went to others in the firearms industry to verify the purported policy shift rather than taking the issue up the chain at Arc’teryx.
Within 10 minutes of contacting Arc’teryx I was able to verify that the information in the email was incorrect and did not reflect corporate policy.
Arc’teryx provided me with this statement:
“The email screenshot expressing a restrictive policy on corporate sales to tactical industry business was sent out in error. It does not reflect our current policy. The customer has been notified, apologized to, and been put in touch with a representative from the Arc’teryx LEAF business unit”.
In the end, this is a horrible misunderstanding gone viral. Unfortunately, many are embracing the narrative to validate their own feelings rather than looking at the facts and understanding that this is a very big misunderstanding. Still others have used this incident for gain.
If you’ve ever been frustrated by so-called cancel culture, this is a classic example where narrative got out in front of fact. And the fact is, Arc’teryx LEAF remains committed to continue to conduct business with its industry partners, just like it has for over a decade.
