CMSgt Alcide “Bull” Benini portrait, reproduced from Gathering of Eagles drawing (with permission).
This graphic hangs in the Combat Control School Heritage Foundation Museum at Pope Field, NC. Benini was designated the first Combat Controlled in 1953 and the Museum is named in his honor.
Gathering of Eagles Foundation
I own quite a library of reference books and some of my favorites are from Osprey Publishing. Last week they released Osprey Elite 216, “Vietnam War US & Allied Combat Equipments” by Gordon L Rottman and illustrated by Adam Hook. In my collection, I’ve got books going back to the 80s by Rottman and it’s great to see him still in the game.
Right off the bat, I’ll acknowledge that this selection isn’t the definitive work on the subject. This is mainly due to the format of the Elite Series. However, while there are several other in-depth works on Vietnam-era load Carriage out there, “Vietnam War US & Allied Combat Equipments” is a welcome addition to my library.
For one thing, it covers both US and Allied gear in one volume. In fact, they’ve packed a whole lot of information in these 64 pages. If you need a quick reference for mid-century load carrying gear (including specialist items), this is the one to get. They are all there; M1956, early-war M-1961 USMC Load Carriage, M-1967 (Army and USMC variants), LINCLOE, SF-specific items, and ANZAC Systems (’37 and ’44 pattern webbing) as well as indigenous systems used by RVN forces. What’s more, packs, shelters and sleep systems are also accounted for.
Additionally, the author and illustrator do a great job of offering multiple views of the equipment. Not only do they offer period photos of the items in use, but they supplement this with studio shots of artifacts for comparison. The icing on the cake is the series of excellent illustrations which bring the gear to life.
One thing I wish Osprey would do is offer up the artwork from their books as order on demand prints. They’d make great artwork for mancaves as well as going away gifts for military units.
You can order your copy from www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Allied-Combat-Equipments-Elite.
Position: Deputy Program Manager
Quantico Tactical is seeking for candidates with drive and enthusiasm to join our Government Operations Team as a Deputy Program Manager. The ideal candidate is intelligent, creative, possesses strong leadership skills and has an entrepreneurial spirit. The position serves as the direct assistant to the Program Manager and second in charge for communication between Quantico Tactical and Defense Logistics Agency, Philadelphia (DLA) for the management of our Tailored Logistics Support contract for Special Operational Equipment (TLS/SOE). The Deputy Program Manager also assists in the management of a growing team of Contract Specialists and Customer Service personnel in support of the contract. Logistics backgrounds are applicable to this position.
Why Quantico Tactical?
Quantico Tactical is the premier source for tactical apparel, gear and weapons for the military, federal agencies, the law enforcement/first responder community and the serious tactical enthusiast.
A high percentage of our employees are law enforcement and military veterans with experience in an expansive array of operational specialties. This also deeply affects our corporate culture in that we are an intensely mission-focused team of professionals that embrace the values of integrity, teamwork, accountability and unyielding dedication.
We are a market leader with the best team, unparalleled products, and procurement solutions for our industry. We offer a great opportunity to play a vital role in supporting the noble cause of our defense, federal, and law enforcement customers worldwide in a dynamically growing organization.
This position is located from our corporate HQ in Aberdeen, NC and cannot be done remotely. Successful candidates will have no shortage of advancement opportunities.
Duties:
* Provides daily supervision of tasks as well as direction and leadership to the team
* Receives, reviews, assigns and manages customer requests through the contract
* Establishes a working relationship with new vendors and customers to enhance the contract
* Assists in managing pre-award and post award phases of the acquisition process
* Reviews EDI transactions for accuracy based on award notices
* Provides oversight and guidance for customer orders and deliveries
* Analyzes quotes and other data to determine fair and reasonable costs
* Ensure compliance of the contract and overall success of the program
Skills / Knowledge:
* Must possess logistical knowledge with respect to the US Military
* Must demonstrate strong interpersonal, speaking and writing skills
* Must be able to effectively communicate information to all levels of the organization
* Strong negotiating skills
* Must be very process driven
* Possesses strong math skills
* Must be highly organized and detail oriented
* Must be able to calmly work in a fast paced and deadline oriented environment
* Successful track record in the Government Contracting field
* Superior organizational, problem-solving, and multi-tasking abilities
* Prior military experience is an asset, but not required
Qualifications:
* 5+ Years experience in Microsoft Office environment with emphasis on Excel
* 3+ Years experience in Government Contracts
* 3+ Years in management positions
* 2+ Years of customer service
How to Apply: Please submit a meaningful cover letter with your resume to Opportunities@QuanticoTactical.com
Only those candidates offered interviews will be contacted.
Essex Junction, Vermont (February 2, 2017) – Since the Revision-aided sting operation at last year’s SIA Snow Show in Denver, Colorado, Revision has elevated company efforts to eradicate counterfeit Revision products from the market. Revision is a world leader in integrated, purpose-built soldier solutions; all of the Company’s protective eyewear has consistently and unequivocally exceeded global military-grade testing requirements and has been proven in action around the world. Accordingly, Revision views counterfeit products as a direct threat to the integrity of the Company and, more importantly, to Revision customers, who depend on the high standards and protection of authentic Revision gear. Revision maintains all intellectual property rights on all Revision products—rights that are total and international.
“Revision will take aggressive, unflinching action to eliminate any and all counterfeit operations,” said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO of Revision. “It should be perfectly clear that Revision will not tolerate any counterfeit products that essentially duplicate Revision’s designs but not quality on the market—period. We created these products and it is simply unacceptable to have low-level con artists steal our property and profit from it, especially at the expense of our end-users—the soldiers and police who protect us each and every day.
“Revision will take any and all actions within our power to put a forceful and immediate stop to illegal counterfeit businesses and illicit knockoff products, using every legal means at our disposal to prosecute offenders with extreme prejudice. Revision has invested tens of millions of dollars in designing, manufacturing, testing and certifying our industry leading products, and we will not tolerate the outright theft of our intellectual property. Revision’s mission is to provide the very best protection to soldiers and we will stamp out anyone who attempts to undermine that promise to global warfighters. Revision will relentlessly pursue offenders and will not stop until all involved are brought to justice and put behind bars.”
This week, Revision again aided law enforcement in two successful sting operations against alleged counterfeit eyewear distributors. This is the second consecutive year that Revision has aided in a significant sting operation. This year, Revision, working in conjunction with the Dearborn and Ohio County Prosecutor’s Office in Indiana, aided in the execution of sting operations at two separate trade show events—on January 18th at SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada and January 26th at the SnowSports Industries America (SIA) Snow Show in Denver, Colorado—resulting in multiple arrests.
Warrants were issued for owners of two companies: Airsoft Wholesaler, Inc. (a California-based company trading as “Lancer Tactical”) and Guangzhou Yijia Optical Technique Co. Ltd. (a company based in Guangzhou, China trading as “PTide”). Both companies are accused of selling unauthorized counterfeit versions of Revision Military’s Desert Locust® goggles, and “Lancer Tactical” is also accused of selling imitation versions of Revision Military’s Bullet Ant® goggles. Revision has tested samples of products distributed by these companies and has verified that the counterfeit goggles from both manufacturers fail ANSI testing, EN166 anti-fog testing, MIL-PRF-32432 abrasion testing, and have V50 ballistic values well below Revision product standards.
Changqing Chen (aka Chang Chen), co-owner of “Lancer Tactical” was arrested on the tradeshow floor at SHOT Show in Las Vegas; the other co-owner, Changying Chen (aka Lily Chen), is still at large. The representatives of “PTide”—owner Chen Jiajun (aka Jiajun Chen) and sales manager Zhang Ping (aka Ping Zhang)—were both arrested on the SIA tradeshow floor in Denver. All four individuals face six felony charges: corrupt business influence, conspiracy to commit corrupt business influence, theft, conspiracy to commit theft, counterfeiting, and conspiracy to commit counterfeiting.
Last April, Revision’s Senior Director of Legal and Governmental Affairs, Greg Maguire, testified before a Senate Judiciary Committee investigating the impact of foreign counterfeiters, making numerous appeals and proposing concrete steps to representatives to curtail widespread illegal counterfeit operations. Additionally, Revision employs a full-time member of the Legal department staff dedicated to researching and tracking counterfeit manufacturers, distributers, and exhibitors.
Revision strongly recommends only purchasing from approved distributors and retailers. Visit Revision’s website for a full list of Revision vendors. To ensure customer safety, if there is any doubt about the authenticity of a product that is marked with Revision’s logo, or resembles a Revision product, please contact Revision directly to verify. For additional information, please contact Greg Maguire, gmaguire@revisionmilitary.com, or, Dearborn and Ohio County Prosecutor, Lynn Deddens, ldeddens@dearbornohioprosecutor.com. The fact that the defendants have been charged with crimes are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Marina Trans Jungle formally known as US4CES resurfaces during Shot Show via Naval Infantry of Mexico with a few images of the pattern in various environments. The pattern was on display in the ADSinc booth with a few other patterns from developer Guy Cramer of Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp.
The pattern was spotted at the LBTINC booth as well, full combat uniform with matching kit and accessories.
Word is that end users are quite happy with the move to Marina Trans Jungle as it has outperformed their old camouflage pattern in their operational environment.
If you want an idea of how busy the past few months have been, in late October we hit the 18,000 post mark. Yesterday, I realized we had just slipped past 19,000.
Today is the debut of the first DRB apparel for 2017. These guys continue to amaze me with their modern takes on clasic designs. The new Woodsman adds updated features to a classic workwear inspired camp shirt.
-3 Season Outdoor Shirt
-Updated classic styling
-Chest Pockets sized to fit most smartphones
-Pen Slot in one chest pocket
-Triple needle industrial grade construction
-Double reinforced elbows
-Single arm-side panel for unrestricted movement
-No-loss PDW Para-smock style buttons
-No melt-no drip wool Melton blend for all seasons
-Square tail bottom hem to wear untucked
-Crafted in California
The Design and R&D Team at PDW states:
“Designs made under our Danger Ranger Bear label features styles that are inspired by great American outdoor classics. This is like your grandfather’s favorite outdoor shirt he wore to the cabin, or what your father threw on after an early morning session at his favorite break, but better. A modern regular fit for comfort and freedom of movement. Layer over your favorite waffle thermal, use as a light jacket around the campsite when things chill down in the evenings. The wool Melton used in the making of this modern classic is tried and true. No melt-no drip, insulates when wet, quiet and wears year after year. The chest pockets are sized to fit most non-plus sized smart phones and has one pen-pencil slot for when you use this shirt in the workshop. Double reinforced elbows keeps the typical wear points more durable, a touch borrowed from vintage US Navy type work shirts of a different era, and single arm-side panel construction allow for freedom of arm movement unlike other button up shirts being made today. The DRB Woodsman Shirt is equally at home in the wilderness, at the workshop, or inside the cabin of your favorite overlanding rig. This is a modern classic we think Teddy Roosevelt would have approved of….”
Available in Navy Blue, Owl Gray and a Special Edition Red and Black plaid made by one of the oldest continually running woolen mills in the USA.
SAVANNAH, GA (January 16, 2017) – Following extensive research at the pioneering PolyCase® Ammunition development lab, PolyCase announces Inceptor® Sport Utility AmmoTM for training and target practice. Precision engineered to match the ballistic performance of the award- winning Inceptor® Preferred DefenseTM and Ruger® ARX® Self-Defense lines of ammunition while offering unmatched frangibility, Inceptor Sport Utility Ammo is the ideal practice cartridge for protective and recreational handgun shooting. Announced at today’s Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, the addition of .300 AAC Blackout introduces a new category of Short Range RifleTM (SR/R) ammunition to the Sport Utility Ammo portfolio.
Featuring SteelSafeTM range-friendly lead free copper-polymer blended construction, Sport Utility Ammo is designed for use on hardened steel with safe range distances measured in feet, not yards, for the safest and most realistic training experience. Inceptor Sport Utility Ammo is available in .380 Auto, 9mm Luger, .38 Special, .40 S&W, .45 Auto and .300 AAC Blackout. High velocity Sport Utility Ammo cartridges are specially designed and thoroughly tested for reliable performance, unmatched frangibility and consistent accuracy.
For more information, visit: www.polycaseammo.com/project/inceptor-rnp
