FirstSpear TV

Sneak Peek – True Velocity Ammunition Consumer Sales

April 3rd, 2021

True Velocity is teasing commercial sales of their revolutionary composite cased ammunition, currently under evaluation by the US Army as part of General Dynamics’ Next Generation Squad Weapons candidate systems.

Their powder loads are measured to the hundredth of a grain, resulting in SINGLE-DIGIT standard deviation.

US Army Authorizes Optional Wear of Insignia and Accoutrements on the Class B Army Green Service Uniform and Tropical Dress Variations

April 3rd, 2021

This week, the Army released ALARACT 029/2021, allowing the optional wear of insignia and accoutrements on the Class B Army Green Service Uniform.

The Tropical Dress Variation is primarily intended for Soldiers in hot climates and serves as the alternative for the Class A uniform. Local commanders will determine when their Soldiers wear this uniform variant.

Refer to ALARACT 029/2021for specific guidance and utilize DA PAM 670-1 (26 JAN 2021) for specifics on authorized items and composition of the uniform.

Read the slides here.

Queen Of The Mile

April 3rd, 2021

“Queen of the Mile” is a new documentary-style series created by firearms journalist Sean Utley.

The premise is that five amateur female shooters get the opportunity to participate in three days of training from a former Marine Scout Sniper before taking a shot at a target a mile out. Along the way, the competitors are faced with challenges which offer additional attempts at the target. The hitch is that they only have those three days to complete everything.

The series is presented on the Precision 4 Life channel.

New Bundeswehr Air Defense System: Rheinmetall, Diehl and Hensoldt are Lining Up Together

April 3rd, 2021

Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH of Bremen, Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG of Überlingen and Hensoldt Sensors GmbH of Taufkirchen have signed a joint agreement to cooperate in a special partnership known as an “Arbeitsgemeinschaft”, or ARGE. Under the framework of ARGE NNbS, the three companies will submit a tender for the future German short-range and very short- range air defence system, the LVS NNbS.

The NNbS project bridges a current capability gap when it comes to protecting ground troops during deployed operations as well as securing tactical operation centres and other assets against short- and very short-range aerial threats.

The three companies aim to provide a national, low-risk solution that will be quickly available thanks to the use of commercially available systems and system components. The conceptual system design of ARGE NNbS relies primarily on proven systems and subsystems, including integration of components already in use by the Bundeswehr.

A further advantage of ARGE NNbS is comprehensive logistical support in Germany for the short-range and very short-range air defence system.

Thanks to the complementary core competences of the three national bidders, the ARGE possesses the prerequisites, qualifications and expertise to meet all of the customer’s needs.

Rheinmetall’s Electronic Solutions and Vehicle Systems divisions bring expert technological knowledge and years of experience in developing and supplying defence systems, especially in the fields of vehicles, communication and integration.

Diehl Defence specializes in the development and manufacture of guided missiles. It has established itself in the international marketplace with modern system solutions for ground-based air defence.

As a supplier of key national technologies, Hensoldt will be contributing its expertise as well as battle-tested products such as radars. The company is noted for its comprehensive product commonalities, including product family concepts, especially in the spheres of airspace surveillance and target classification and identification.

The Eclipse Belt: AXL Advanced’s Next Generation Micro Battle Belt

April 2nd, 2021

The Eclipse Belt is an ultra-lightweight, rigid micro battle belt that offers modular buckle type and location. Due to it’s advanced construction techniques and materials, it is under 5 ounces (Medium, G-Hook) unloaded?

The Eclipse Belt comes standard with a G-Hook attachment, with Austrialpin 1″ Cobra and 1″ Raptor Buckles available as an option.

The position of the running end of the buckle is changeable along the belt, allowing 1.5″ gross sizing adjustments. This allows the user to size their belt down significantly for seasonal clothing changes.

The inherent negative space of the Eclipse allows new and advanced attachment hardware designs, while maintaining compatibility with traditional MOLLE pouches.

www.axladvanced.com/Eclipse

Buck Knives Expands Sales and Marketing Team

April 2nd, 2021

New Positons Set to Strengthen Aggressive Plans
In creation of newly formed Regional Sales Management roles, Buck Knives is pleased to announce Connor Slepikas and Anthony (Tony) Tekansik have joined the company to further strengthen aggressive growth plans. Under Vice President of Sales, Mike Silverberg, Slepikas and Tekansik will remotely oversee sales activities for the Western and Eastern United States and Canada.

“The addition of these talented individuals is both strategic and necessary. As Buck Knives evolves in its effort to service an expansive dealer base and exceptionally broad product line, our field based Regional Managers will provide enhanced communications and value to our retail partners.  Our new structure is a direct response to our customers’ needs for responsive data based support at the local level,” said Silverberg. “Connor and Tony exemplify Buck’s mission, values, and authentic hands-on approach to achieving excellence in customer satisfaction.”

Slepikas, most recently with Leatherman Tool Group, brings six years of practical field based experience managing retail sales channels, conducting clinical training sessions, and executing promotional and merchandising programs. An avid outdoorsman with a respect for high quality gear, the Buck Knives lifestyle fits closely with his passions for hunting turkey and following his bird dog in the upland prairies. Slepikas will be responsible for territories in the Eastern USA and will work closely with Buck’s sales agents, marketing and product teams, driving awareness for the Buck brand and value proposition. Slepikas holds a BS in Recreation and Sport Management from the University of Arkansas.

With over 10 years of direct sales experience, primarily in sport optics with Pentax and Leica, Tekansik will be responsible for the Western USA territories. Growing up in Colorado, he used Buck products in his backyard of the Rocky Mountains and is excited to clinic the attributes of Buck Knives with retail partners. He will support established representatives in the West, executing strategic plans designed to maximize the sales of new and core products. Tekansik holds a BA from Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado.

In addition to these key roles, Buck Knives has also grown their Sales and Marketing support team by welcoming Katie Swanson as Graphic Design Coordinator, Debbie Bobshosky as Sales Coordinator, and Whitney Wienholz as Marketing/Ecommerce Administrator.

Swanson joins the Buck team as an accomplished Graphic Designer. She has over three years of marketing, digital marketing, social media, and media/design experience. She will be working with Buck’s Marketing team to design promotional materials, print and digital content. Swanson holds a BA in Graphic Design from Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho.

With over 11 years of experience working for Buck’s west coast representative group, J. Harding & Associates, Bobshosky serves as Buck’s Sales Coordinator. She will support inside/outside sales in a direct and indirect capacity, working across several departments, communicating with customers, and facilitating the needs of sales reps and management to keep projects and initiatives on track.

Wienholz, a recent college graduate, is the new Marketing/Ecommerce Administrator. Wienholz will be responsible for directing and applying available resources to support the Director of Marketing, Marketing Manager, and the expanding Ecommerce division. She also will collaborate cross departmentally to assist in the implementation and production of marketing collateral and public relations projects. Wienholz holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from Whitworth University in Washington.

“As we continue to align with today’s market and customer needs, these new members are essential to help facilitate our day to day operations and ensure we maximize customer experience across all areas of our business.  We look forward to what this robust group of talented individuals will bring to Buck Knives,” said Silverberg.

FROG.PRO – Modular Reconnaissance Task Bag

April 2nd, 2021

MRTB |  YOUR ROLE. YOUR EQUIPMENT. ORGANIZED.

Taneto – March 31, 2021 – FROG.PRO places another milestone on the path of modularity undertaken for years within the Tactical and Rescue market and is pleased to present its MRTB, Modular Reconnaissance Task Bag.

This accessory, fully compatible with all FROG.PRO platforms, gives the user “carte blanche” in configuring his setup.

The MRTB comes with two MPO (Multi Purpose Organizer) panels which, thanks to their versatility and easiness of use, are configurable using the elastic cords and the One-Wrap Velcro strips included in the MPO kit, to store the items and accessories necessary to achieve the goal that has been set or for which there is a call to act; be it reaching the top of a mountain, tactical use in the field or the rescue of a patient in a SAR mission, the Modular Reconnaissance Task Bag will guarantee an orderly and practical organization of the instrumentation.

Equipped with YKK® Aquaguard water-repellent zippers and manufactured with DWR (Durable Water Repellent) fabrics, the MRTB will allow you to safely transport its contents, stored in both the main pocket and in the two accessory pockets positioned respectively on the front and back.

The inner part equipped with Ultra-Mate® Velcro hook fastener will allow a firm application to the plate carrier, as already seen while presenting the Defender Low Visibility Plate Carrier, but can be easily covered by the matched Task Bag Pad Air if it is necessary to use it combined with shoulder harnesses such as, for example, the Light Reconnaissance Harness.

The combination with the aforementioned platforms finds maximum expression in the three configurations Defender Medic Kit, MRTB Light Patrol Kit and R + MRTB SAR Kit, designed based on the specific needs of experts in the sector and operators belonging to departments of excellence.

The modularity of the Multi Purpose Organizer TB panels, already supplied in one pair but also present in the catalog and available individually both in the “Horizontal” and “Vertical” versions, allow the operator to bring along several configurations and switch from one to the other with maximum ease and in the shortest possible time, making it complete and fully equipped.

The molle system, made of LAHYCO fabric by FROG.PRO, placed on the front of the pocket, allows for expansion if necessary via applying external pouches and / or additional accessories.

Finally, in the R + version intended for the Rescue market, you can see the use of Reflex fabric with the purpose of enhancing the operator’s visibility (already guaranteed by the High Visibility colors) even in low light situations, when hit by a beam of light.

FROG.PRO Modular Reconnaissance Task Bag

FROG.PRO R+ Modular Reconnaissance Task Bag

TacJobs – Marketing/Communications Manager at Massif

April 2nd, 2021

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Massif is seeking an experienced Marketing/Communications Manager to build the value of
the Company’s brand by developing and implementing marketing plans and ensuring that all
Company marketing and other communications support the Company’s brand message, all
in support of the Company’s vision, strategies, and goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Works with executive management team to develop strategies and goals for the Company’s marketing efforts
o Assists in developing the Company’s brand message, defining what makes the Company’s products meaningfully different from competitive products and valued by potential customers
o Develops annual marketing plan
o Maintains Company style guide and works with internal teams to ensure consistency of brand message across all marketing efforts and communications
• Creates Company communications using the Company’s brand message to deliver the distinctive value of the Company’s products in a compelling way
o Develops marketing and other materials for Sales, Customer Service, and other internal teams as needed, including point-of-sale materials, in-store signage, promotional brochures, fact sheets, business cards, package inserts, hangtags and labels
o Maintains brand image and accuracy of information on Company website
o Develops presentations for key Sales meetings
o Assists in handling press inquiries and public relations issues in consultation with executive management
o Coordinates graphic design and printing of marketing materials with outside vendors as needed
o Maintains an active Company presence on various social media platforms
o Develops and implements advertising and promotional programs as needed
o Ensures clarity, consistency and quality in all written communications
o Tracks and analyzes the effectiveness of Company marketing and promotional activities, and provides feedback to executive management
o Manages supplier/dealer co-op advertising programs
o Maintains Company database of photos, customer testimonials and marketing materials
• Writes and/or edits Company responses to government solicitations
o Analyzes solicitations and identifies key requirements to internal teams
o Ensures proper use and consistency of technical terminology, accurate content and readability, and proper formatting
o Ensures consistency of Company brand message in all responses
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Infrequent domestic travel

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
• Ability to think creatively outside the framework of traditional marketing strategies and tactics
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including persuasive, creative, and technical writing skills
• Team-player orientation
• Ability to manage a project
• Ability to organize and effectively prioritize multiple tasks to meet deadlines
• Self-initiating, with ability to work independently
• Ability to influence without formal authority
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Google Apps, Adobe Creative Suite)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing or Communications, or equivalent education or experience
• At least five (5) years’ marketing experience
• Demonstrated proficiency in writing for a range of audiences

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described are those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To apply visit our website at www.massif.com/info/careers.

Massif is an industry leader in making advanced fabrics and protective clothing for professionals who work in extreme environments, from the U.S. military to wildland firefighters and law enforcement professionals. Our mission is to provide comfort and flame protection for people in the world’s most dangerous jobs. We accomplish this mission with integrity and a commitment to superior customer service.

The Massif team is hardworking and energetic, focused on doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Our employees appreciate the outdoors and pride themselves on understanding the needs of our customers. Massif is dedicated to supporting its team members’ whole-hearted engagement in accomplishing Massif’s mission by recognizing the need for work/life balance. Our team works hard and plays hard. We aspire to be contributing members of our local community and the communities of our customers such as the U.S. military.

Located in the beautiful resort town of Ashland in Southern Oregon, Massif offers a casual, open work environment with plenty of opportunities for personal and professional growth.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans