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Belgium Adopts New Operational Clothing System

April 4th, 2022

Starting this November Belgian troops will begin to receive new clothing in the MultiCam camouflage pattern. Uniforms will be in the Crye Precision G4 cut in both men’s and women’s sizing.

Photo from Belgium Directorate of Military Resources

The initial package going out includes the following items from the Crye catalog:

The “Belgian Defence Clothing System” includes everything from the skin out including wool underwear, insulating and shell layers as well as eventually new helmets, armor, and load carriage. There is also a CBRN (Chemical, Bacteriological, Radioactive, Nuclear) equipment element of the program.

In order to address sustainability, any chemical finishes and membranes are avoided where possible. There is also an agreement to collect the currently issued uniforms and process them in an ecological way in order to “give them a second life.”

In addition Crye Precision, two Belgian companies, Sioen Apparel and SEYNTEX make up the SSC Consortium and will supply the program for the next 15 years which currently has a total budget of 410 million euros.

Posted in Advertiser, Clothing, Contracts, International, Multicam | 2 Comments »

Stuff I Like – Wildfire GORE-TEX Men’s Shoes

April 4th, 2022

I got a pair of these when Salewa first introduced the Black color. I’ve just bought my third pair on a whim when I saw them in stock at Tidewater Tactical because I was worried they’d stop making them. Much to my relief, I see that Salewa continues to offer this model and color scheme.

You’ll often see me wearing them at trade shows, particulary if it’s wet outside. That’s a pretty good testament to their comfort if I’m willing to walk around all day on concrete in them.

The Wildfire features a GORE-TEX Extended Comfort lining and POMOCA Speed MTN sole which is pretty grippy. Additionally, there is an edging zone at the toe along with lacing down to the toe so you can get by pretty well in a simple climb.

www.salewa.com

Posted in Boots, Stuff I Like | 3 Comments »

AFSOC Civilian Development Program Revamp

April 4th, 2022

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

In alignment with Air Force Special Operations Command Strategic Guidance, the AFSOC Civilian Development (CivDev) Program was launched to deliberately develop our civilian workforce in order to meet the ever-increasing challenges and develop the Airmen we need.

The AFSOC Civilian Development Program, includes a foundational plan, a variety of civilian development opportunities, career broadening initiatives, and annual civilian developmental education programs.

“As our organization evolves, so must our civilian workforce,” said Jodie James, deputy strategic advisor of civilian development for AFSOC. “It is our intent to develop our civilians through world-class programs that help our civilians reach their full potential. In order to do this, we must first start with a developmental foundation.”

On Apr. 1, 2021, the AFSOC Civilian Human Capital Foundational Plan was signed identifying three elements for implementation. The first is to create and maintain an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for all AFSOC civilians within 45 days of arrival and to be reviewed annually. The second is to complete the MyVector Air Force Competencies Assessment within 30 days of arrival and every year thereafter. Lastly, all civilians need to be assigned a mentor they can go to for advice and guidance.

This policy identifies the cardinal plan to provide the strong foundation we need to build on for future deliberate development initiatives.

“We’re not going to get to the ‘AFSOC We Need’ without developing our civilians who provide AFSOC with an adaptive and expert workforce,” said Donald Plater, executive director of AFSOC. “They are vital to our culture and must have the same attention our enlisted and officer Air Commandos get.”

In addition to the AFSOC Civilian Development foundational plan, AFSOC has invested in a variety of development opportunities for civilians looking to enhance their careers, hone their leadership skills, or just continue the journey of life-long learning.

For the most up-to-date information regarding civilian development opportunities, please visit the CAC-enabled AFSOC CivDev Sharepoint at usaf.dps.mil/sites/AFSOC-A1/A1D/CivilianDevelopment/SitePages/Home.

By Capt Savannah Stephens, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, SOF | Comments Off on AFSOC Civilian Development Program Revamp

Kit Badger Covers The 8th Annual SOC-F Fundraiser

April 3rd, 2022

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to attend a SOC-F fundraiser, Kit Badger takes you beyond the velvet rope.

Posted in Charity, Fundraising, Guest Post, Veterans | Comments Off on Kit Badger Covers The 8th Annual SOC-F Fundraiser

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA)

April 3rd, 2022

I had the privilege of visiting and getting a tour of The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam. Talk about a very moving experience. The work that they do is second to known in the world. The United States is the only country that actively searches for its unaccounted for. The mission of DPAA is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel from past conflicts to their families and the nation. Within this mission, they search for missing personnel from World War II (WWII), the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf Wars, and other recent conflicts. Their research and operational missions include coordination with hundreds of countries and municipalities worldwide.

At present, more than 81,600 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts. Out of the more than 81,600 missing, 75% of the losses are in the Indo-Pacific, and over 41,000 of the missing are presumed lost at sea (i.e., ship losses, known aircraft water losses, etc.).

One thing everyone can do to help is if you have any family members that are missing from WWII or newer conflicts, is to give a DNA test. This will help them to identify the remains they find. They are only allowed to get DNA samples from families. Contact you casualty assistance office.

ACTIVE-DUTY SHORT-TERM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Deployable active-duty military are needed to serve as qualified volunteers to fill critical functions across the globe. Volunteering to support humanitarian field activities as a short-term individual augmentee gives you an extraordinary opportunity to exercise your skills and expertise while directly supporting our nation’s promise to leave no one behind from past conflicts. Individuals interested in applying their skills and experience in a unique environment can volunteer for open positions supporting the US Military in foreign theaters.

-ECRAZZ

Posted in Advertiser, Forces Focus, Guest Post, History | 2 Comments »

NDIA Names Former Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist its New President and CEO

April 3rd, 2022

The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) announced today that David Norquist, a former Deputy Secretary of Defense with 30 years of experience in national security and federal financial management, will be the association’s next president and CEO, effective May 1, 2022.

“David’s exemplary experience and stellar reputation make him the ideal leader for NDIA, and the Board and I could not be more pleased to have him join and lead the executive management team,” said NDIA Chairman Maj. Gen. Arnold Punaro. “We’ve selected a strong leader at a time of great challenge in the defense marketplace, With his proven experience and

accomplishments in our industry, the legislative branch, and two of the largest, most complex federal government organizations, David is capable from day one to continue enhancing the industry-government relationship that is essential to supporting the warfighter and the taxpayer. He will also continue NDIA’s strong tradition of nonpartisan leadership.”

As Deputy Secretary of Defense from 2019 to 2021, Mr. Norquist was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Defense Department, including managing the Pentagon’s budget and personnel. He also oversaw efforts to reform the military’s acquisition and accounting practices. Prior to this, he served as Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer, making significant progress towards passing a defense-wide clean audit. During the early days of President Joe Biden’s administration, while the Senate considered the nomination of current Secretary Lloyd Austin, Mr. Norquist served as Acting Secretary of Defense and remained as Deputy Secretary of Defense until Dr. Kathleen Hicks was confirmed.

Mr. Norquist began his career as a Presidential Management Fellow and a Program Budget Analyst for the Department of the Army before joining the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense as a professional staff member. From 2002 to 2006, he served as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense in the Office of the Comptroller. In 2006, former President George W. Bush selected him to be the first Senate-confirmed Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Homeland Security. Between his stints in government service, Mr. Norquist was a Partner with Kearney and Company, a certified public accounting firm focused exclusively on the federal government.

“It is an honor to be selected to serve as President and CEO of NDIA,” said Mr. Norquist. “As a nation, one of our core strategic advantages is the innovative character of our defense industrial base. Our long-term national security depends on government effectively capitalizing on that strength and I look forward to assisting in that effort.”

Norquist’s selection came following a thorough and thoughtful search with the support of the executive search firm Russell Reynolds. “We sought a leader with extensive, tested, and proven experience in industry, in the legislative branch and in the executive branch in positions of ever-increasing responsibility and accomplishment,” Punaro said of the search process. “Most importantly, potential CEO candidates had to be committed to NDIA’s high standards of performance and ethical behavior, and have the strategic vision to help our members address current and future challenges in the defense marketplace.”

Executive Vice President James Boozer will serve as acting CEO and President until Mr. Norquist takes over in May.

Posted in Industry, Press Release | 1 Comment »

CSAF Leadership Library: March 2022

April 3rd, 2022

“It’s hard to understand inclusion until you have been excluded.” – Billie Jean King

Airmen,

One year ago, I launched the CSAF Leadership Library to encourage us to think critically about leadership and world events. I hope you have found these thought-provoking titles relevant to your professional and personal development and have engaged your fellow Airmen with your views and ideas.

This March, we celebrate Women’s History Month to recognize the significant impacts women have on Air Force history as airpower leaders and innovators. Decades before the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act was signed in 1948, American women were already making significant impacts in aviation. The Legend: The Bessie Coleman Story features Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman, the first African-American woman and woman of Native-American descent to earn her pilot’s license. “Queen Bess” refused to take “no” for an answer. Excluded from American flying schools because of her gender and race, she became nationally recognized for her daredevil flying stunts. Her achievements and contributions remain an inspiration and a symbol for our generation.

If you tuned in early to the Super Bowl for the flawless flyover to commemorate our Air Force’s 75th anniversary, you might have also caught the pregame montage featuring tennis great Billie Jean King. Her message was simple yet powerful: “It’s hard to understand inclusion until you have been excluded. Inclusify: The Power of Uniqueness and Belonging challenges us to think uncomfortably and with curiosity about the intersection of leadership, diversity, and inclusion in our Air Force. Simply being a diverse organization is not enough. We need inclusive leaders to foster a culture where all our Airmen feel welcome, heard, and understood

Diversity and inclusion are competitive advantages for our Air Force. An inclusive, competitive mindset enables us to better understand our investments, solve our problems, impose dilemmas on potential adversaries, and manage risk. Consider this mindset as you listen to Michael Morell’s Intelligence Matters podcast: China’s Ambitions in the World and What They Mean to U.S. as an expert panel dissects China’s ambitions and strategy.

Providing feedback and receiving feedback by shifting the way we measure, incentivize, and reward the Airmen for the future will be important. Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well deep-dives into the phenomenon of feedback from the point of the view of the recipient and offers practical steps to ask for the right kind of feedback, identify triggers that prevent absorbing feedback, and even suggests ways to reject feedback.

I encourage you to use this month’s additions to the Leadership Library to sharpen your leadership skills and those of your fellow Airmen.

Sincerely,
CHARLES Q. BROWN, JR.
General, U.S. Air Force
Chief of Staff

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs note: The CSAF Leadership Library is a fluid set of media selected by Gen. Brown that evolves as novel ideas are published, recorded and debated. New entries will be added periodically throughout the year.

Recommendations:

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | 7 Comments »

Premier Body Armor Responds to Call for Support from Save Our Allies, Donates Body Armor

April 2nd, 2022

GASTONIA, N.C. – March 29, 2022 – Premier Body Armor saw and heard the request for Body Armor from Save Our Allies and responded immediately. Founder Frank Stewart reached out with an offer that resulted in Save Our Allies personally picking up all armor for their volunteers earlier this month at the Gastonia, North Carolina headquarters of Premier Body Armor.

Premier Body Armor provides Made in the USA complete body armor systems to defend against threats in a violent world. The company is proud to offer everyday solutions to law-abiding citizens, but their ties to the military and directly to efforts like those being seen from Save Our Allies go much deeper.

Before starting Premier Body Armor in 2013, the company spent 20 years engineering and manufacturing armor for tactical vehicles, becoming an industry leader in innovation with the highest benchmark of quality. Customers have included the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), the United States Marine Corps (USMC), North American and International OEM’s, private security industry, government agencies and the Department of Defense.

“Save Our Allies has found a select group of American volunteers to provide support and aid to civilians affected by the war in Ukraine,” said Premier Body Armor President Alex Stewart. “These volunteers will each be given a personal kit of our flagship Core Plate Carrier with rifle rated plates. Our mission is and has always been keeping Americans safe and we can’t think of a better opportunity to live that out than with Save Our Allies.”

“Save Our Allies is thankful to Premier Body Armor for embodying the ‘Send Me’ spirit of our team – and people around the world,” said Save Our Allies Co-Founder Sarah Verardo. “Thanks to our friends at Premier Body Armor we are able to distribute items to frontline medical personnel working to overcome terror and tyranny.”

More information on how to help Save Our Allies with their efforts in Ukraine can be found at their website.

Posted in Armor, Press Release | Comments Off on Premier Body Armor Responds to Call for Support from Save Our Allies, Donates Body Armor