From Kel:
Paying my respects today to JFK, the man who created the Special Forces, on the anniversary of his unfortunate end. RIP. #TexasIsTheReason November 22, 1963 #GreenBerets (and a little shoutout to Eric and Roland, because I happened to have patches in my pack.)
Violent Little Machine Shop took Thin Blue Line morale patches to the next level, and created a Thin Blue Line patch for every one of the 50 states that make up the USA. Vermont? Check. Delaware? Absolutely. Hawaii? You bettcha! All US states, Alabama through Wyoming, are fully represented in this patch set in glorious PVC, Velcro-backed, either 3″ tall or 3″ wide. The initial order consisted of 7800 individual patches, so there’s plenty to go around.
To drive the point home, here’s SSD’s current state of headquarters: Virginia. You can get your state of residence direct from VLMS, or if you’re feeling particularly supportive you can buy a set consisting of all 50 patches. $50 of each set sold will be donated to The Fraternal Order of Police – Treasure Valley to help support the recovery of two local officers, one in critical condition, and a K9 that were shot in VLMS’ home state of Idaho on November 11th.
www.violentlittle.com/products/every-state-in-thin-blue-line-tactical-patch-series
Just as the holiday shopping season kicks off, Magpul launches Women’s T-shirts.
They use the same comfortable materials as their popular Men’s line, but these tees are tailored specifically for women and feature a slightly longer length for coverage and concealed carry capabilities.
Offered in a variety of colors and styles, order yours at www.magpul.com/products/apparel/womens.
It was only a matter of time before Magpul released a DAKA pouch large enough for a laptop. For those of you unfamiliar with the DAKA line, they are made from polymer-infused textiles which are welded on all seams and incorporate a genuine YKK™ water resistant zipper. I woudn’t use it as an immersion bag, but it will keep your kit dry through most wet weather comditions. Most people use them for applications like tool storage or bulk storage of reloaded ammunition as well as lighter duties like organizing your personal electronic accessories.
Features:
-Extra Large Pouch size 9.8″x16.2″
-Reinforced polymer fabric with anti-slip texture
-Welded construction creates permanent impenetrable seals
-YKK AquaGuard® water repellant zipper
-550 paracord with heat shrink tubing for enhanced grip, even with gloves
-Paint pen dot matrix debossed into body for identification marking
-Carabiner attachment points
VANCOUVER, B.C. – November 22, 2016 – Mission Ready Services Inc. (“Mission Ready” or the “Company”) (TSX-V : MRS) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Marines Next Generation Body Armor development project (the “Project”) for the United States Marine Corps (“USMC”). Following a contract award by the Marine Corps Systems Command (“MARSYSCOM”), the Project was completed on schedule and under budget.
Managed by Francisco Martinez, Chief Technical Officer of Protect The Force (“PTF”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, the two year Project was funded through the Department of the Navy (“DoN”) Office of Naval Research (“ONR”) Rapid Innovation Fund (“RIF”), the revolutionary combat shirt, the Ballistic Base Layer (“BBL”), is now being readied for field deployment in keeping with the RIF objective to accelerate fielding of innovative technologies into military systems.
Mr. Martinez states, “The Marines Next Generation Body Armor is a Marine-unique development that integrates a number of life saving features. The BBL is a First-of-a-Kind protective combat shirt, specifically tailored to the Marine Corps equipment requirements, that addresses deficiencies identified by injuries recorded through Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. PTF is honored to have been selected by ONR and MARCORSYSCOM to develop the Ballistic Base Layer.”
The BBL is a revolutionary armored shirt worn under the Marines Body Armor Vest that integrates modular deltoid, yoke and collar protection into an athletic flame resistant combat shirt. Newly developed breathable fragment protective knits were integrated into the sleeves and lower torso for additional protection against fragments resulting from Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonations.
The Marines Product Manager Clothing Infantry Equipment (“PdM ICE”) was the recipient of 100+ prototypes of the BBL and 6 additional prototypes with integrated micro climate cooling tubes.
Mr. Martinez further states, “The PM-ICE technical staff and all the contracting groups supporting the effort were a delight to work with and we are honored to have received their input and support. We look forward to working with the Marines PdM ICE as the requirements for the BBL are finalized and the item is fielded. Additionally, we wish to thank all of our employees, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers for their support in successfully developing the Marines Next Generation Ballistic Base Layer and look forward to continue working with them.”
Many SSD readers may be fans of country singer Granger Smith. He’s a very patriotic young man who documents his life on tour through episodes of ‘Yee Yee TV‘, posted to his website. Granger also raises money and awareness for military charities but this episode, dated as it is, shows him spending some time with a homeless Veteran he met on the road.
I really like how they played together and then Granger gave back with the gift of the boots. You can tell he’s having a good time and making a difference while doing it. Original Footwear sponsors Granger’s Boot Walk, an annual 100 mile walk from Austin to Fort Hood, Texas.
The TNVC Mohawk Mk1 is a full spectrum counterweight / storage system for the modern combat helmet. Incorporating operator feedback as well as their staff’s own battlefield experience, TNVC designed the Mohawk Mk1 to be a highly functional, modular accessory for all modern warriors. It provides useful storage and retention of mission-essential gear and will attach to any currently-fielded ballistic or bump helmet with Velcro.
The Mohawk Mk1 is packed full of useful features for Armed Professionals and Civilian Hunters alike. No other helmet accessory system offers this level of versatility. Designed by TNVC staff, they tapped their good friends at Explosive Ops Gear (EOG) to produce it for them right here in the U.S.A.
Features:
Signal Strobe Attachment & Retention A vertically-oriented Mohawk strip is the centerpiece of the design. It features a Velcro pile surface that accepts attachment of all currently issued / fielded signal strobe devices. The continuous pile strip allows for precise placement of the device on the rear or top of the helmet. It also provides enough room for attaching a blast sensor device. An adjustable shock cord net provides secondary retention for the devices while not limiting access to their controls. This is important when performing high stress activities such as airborne operations and high angle work. Don’t wear a strobe light? No problem. The shock cord net provides excellent storage for a tourniquet – Easily accessible and always handy.
Versatile Storage Compartment (Mk1) An ambidextrous access, low profile storage compartment helps solve the classic counterweight argument. Some argue that any added weight should be comprised of useful mission essential gear. Others argue that once operators begin using said mission essential gear, they end up losing the counterweight and defeating the purpose. Counterweights have historically been designed for one side or the other. But, why can’t the operator have both? Now they can. The main storage compartment features two elastic pockets that hold removable, flexible lead weight strips (4 strips are included) for 1 pound of counterweight. The rest of the compartment is occupied by a removable battery organizer tray that holds up to 6 cells. Operators can choose to run just the weights, just the batteries, or both. But that’s not all! when the weights and battery tray are removed, the Mohawk storage compartment will perfectly fit the low profile “summer” battery box for the GPNVG-18.
Battery Box Storage Compartment (Mk2) This is the main difference between the Mohawk Mk1 and Mk2. The Mk2 features a purpose-built pouch for holding remote battery boxes for NVG’s. The pouch is perfectly sized to hold the standard issue ANVIS Box, Adams Industries Ground Warrior Battery Pack, or the AN/PVS-31 BNVD “winter” Battery Box (also used for the GPNVG-18 and AN/PSQ-36). Dual top straps secure over the battery box lids, providing added security and protection, while leaving the center open for easy access to the power switch. What if you don’t use a remote battery pack? Well, the compartment can be used to hold all sorts of things such as an extra MBITR Battery or a can of dip.
Ready Access Batteries Two elastic loops sit atop the main compartment, providing immediate access battery storage. These loops allow operators to grab two batteries without ripping Velcro. They also provide secondary functionality by holding a chemlight for nighttime airborne operations or field ID while hunting.
Headset Cable Management The Mohawk Mk1 has two bottom-located Velcro strips for bundling and storing communication headset cable. This extremely useful feature solves one of the most annoying issues facing operators. The headset cable that plugs into your body-mounted PTT is often left dangling to snag on everything during training or storage of the helmet. Or if you have dual comms (one for team radio and one to plug into the vehicle radio), one of the cables will be left to dangle when you dismount the vehicle. The Mohawk Mk1 cable storage straps will stow those pesky cables, protecting them and giving you freedom of head movement.
Secondary Retention The Mohawk Mk1 features two loops for routing 550 or shock cord on either side. This is for secondary retention of the entire system during high intensity activities. Velcro does not provide 100% retention on a helmet. The Mohawk Mk1 provides the opportunity for the operator to run cord from the system to the rear helmet bolts or rail. Doing so will keep your Mohawk Mk1 securely in place regardless of battlefield conditions.
The TNVC Mohawk Mk1 is the most feature-rich helmet accessory system available. But, if you run an NVG with a traditional remote battery box, we got you covered. Check out the Mohawk Mk2.
Offered in a variety of colors and patterns. Visit www.TNVC.com for availability.
Sunnyvale, CA — First introduced in January 2016, the CellVault™ by Thyrm protects batteries and other important gear while keeping them accessible and organized. The product received critical acclaim and instant popularity with consumers. Yet Thyrm wanted to offer the option for users to identify the CellVault’s contents without opening it. With that, Thyrm introduces the CellVault Clear.
“We thought that making a clear version just made sense, especially for internal gear organization or where their visual signature is less critical,” stated Thyrm CEO Andrew Frazier. “Being able to see what was in them was something we wanted to offer for all sorts of applications. The CellVault is still available in black, urban gray, olive drab, flat dark earth, and rescue orange to match the user’s gear or intended environment.”
The IPX8 waterproof CellVault easily attaches to M.O.L.L.E. webbing and straps and features lanyard loops at both ends for more attachment options. The slim vertical profile utilizes less than one M.O.L.L.E. webbing column, giving you more room for other gear including first aid kits, ammo, and tools.
Storage possibilities include:
-Three CR123 batteries
-Four AAA batteries
-Two AA batteries
-Small survival gear such as matches, hooks and line, a light stick, iodine tablets, a compass, and lip balm
-First aid gear including hemostatic clotting agents, tweezers, and bandages
-Consumables such as medication, instant coffee packets, electrolyte powder, candy
-Emergency money and a Flash Drive
-Cigar/Cigarettes/chewing tobacco
The CellVault is currently available at Thyrm dealers and at thyrm.com. Dealer inquiries welcomed.
