When I joined the Army in 1985 this chevron sole design was the issue combat boot for the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. Just a year later they started issuing a slightly upgraded model but this one was worn by soldiers throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. Did you ever wear them?
A lot of people think of survival, they think of activities associated with warm weather – camping, fishing, hiking and such.
Truth be told most of us are comfortable in warmer weather so it’s not surprising that we tend to practice and hone our survival skills during the summer months. This can be a dangerous and even ready mistake.
When you are faced with an emergency situation in the winter and find you haven’t adequately prepared.
Nick’s Cold Weather BUG-OUT-BAG will help you be prepared.
Read about it here:
www.nickkoumalatsos.com/the-guide/2016/4/5/cold-weather-bug-out-bag
ReadyMan Wilderness Survival Card
Freedom, Oklahoma (04 April 16) – Breach-Bang-Clear is a proud to announce the promotion of contributor David Merrill to the position of Managing Editor.
Breach-Bang-Clear began as a desultory military blog nearly a decade ago. It has grown into one of the most respected news, op-ed and humor sites for the tactical and firearm communities on the web, with an improbably large and loyal readership. Merrill first began writing for Breach-Bang-Clear a little over 3 years ago. Since then he has become an integral member of that Island of Misfit Toys.
That is why he will now be the HMFIC (or Dictator of Dick Pics, Exalted High Autarch or whatever you want to call the position), coordinating the efforts of contributors, directing joint efforts and essentially running all day to day operations. Don’t worry (or celebrate) – he’ll still have time for his own scribbling.
Describing the reason for his decision, B-B-C Founder and Chief Editor David Reeder says,
“Dave Merrill is quite simply the hardest working guy I know. He’s as smart as he is talented, and he’s utterly reliable. The site could not possibly be in better hands. Plus I’ve convinced him all his paychecks are being donated to charity in lieu of pay.”
Merrill, an Eagle Scout, is a former Marine and instructor at the Urban Warfare Training Center. Like many B-B-C readers he spent lots of quality time in such wonderful and relaxing tourist destinations as Mosul, Fallujah and Monrovia. He is an avid outdoorsman who for inexplicable reasons somehow enjoys carrying heavy packs over long distances for recreation.
He is an appalling gun nerd.
After the Marine Corps Merrill earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Strategic Communications at the Ohio State University. A sometime firearms instructor and competitive shooter, Merrill spent much of his college tenure performing internal T&E and product development for several gun and gear companies. This evolved into written work and photography not just for Breach-Bang-Clear but also for Military.com, RECOIL, OFFGRID and Frag Out all while continuing to contribute to other media channels.
In the end, the motto on his Breach-Bang-Clear business cards probably sums it up best: “Terrible Writer. Awful Photographer. Kind of a Dick. Loves Tacos.
You can contact Breach-Bang-Clear Managing Editor Dave Merrill by e-mail at Merrill@breachbangclear.com.
Carbondale, PA, April 05, 2016. Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense, emergency response and industrial personnel will introduce its Argonaut double hearing protection (DHP) communications headset to the European market at this year’s SAFE Europe Symposium. Based on the design of the ground crew headset Gentex developed for the U.S. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, the Argonaut DHP headset is designed for use in other harsh military and industrial noise fields.
The Argonaut DHP communication headset is a product of Gentex’s recent acquisition, Aegisound, an established provider of products that significantly improve hearing protection, safety and communications in high-noise environments. In addition to the expansion of their aircrew product line, the acquisition also increased Gentex’s contribution to the JSF program. Gentex now provides protective hearing and communication products to JSF ground crew, in addition to the JSF aircrew helmet system platform and respiratory protection system, on which there will be a technical presentation during the symposium.
“The introduction of the Argonaut DHP communication headset to the European market demonstrates how the addition of Aegisound has strengthened our hearing and communications offering and allowed us to further expand in this category internationally,” said Robert McCay, vice president, Aircrew Systems, Gentex Corporation. “We’re excited to demonstrate the Argonaut headset at SAFE, and honored to have been chosen to provide our expertise during the symposium on the latest in aircrew helmet system technology, as demonstrated through our work on the JSF program.” Product experts from Gentex Corporation will lead the presentation “Protecting the F-35’s Most Valuable Asset,” scheduled on Wednesday, April 13th at 1:30 pm.
The Argonaut DHP headset is appropriate for noise fields up to 130 decibels and features a digital noise cancelling microphone, and high-performance earcups with integrated communication earplugs that yield a 32 noise reduction rating (NRR).
Gentex is the leading supplier of high-performance flight equipment for military, law enforcement, and rescue aircrew worldwide. Their comprehensive line of durable and innovative products for fixed and rotary wing aircrew includes: modular, integrated helmet systems; protective visors and spectacles; high-altitude oxygen breathing equipment; communication and hearing protection systems; chemical/biological defense respirators for fixed-wing aircraft; aircrew flight equipment test sets; and a full suite of accessories. Gentex also offers aircrew flight equipment servicing, fitting, and operations/maintenance training. A global network, with expanding services in the U.K., supports the company’s aircrew customers.
SAFE Europe takes place April 11th through the 13th in Old Windsor, U.K. Gentex Corporation is located at stand number 4. Product experts and executives from Gentex will be on hand to meet with customers and media throughout the show. To attend the Gentex presentation on JSF helmet and respiratory protection system technology, please visit the SAFE Europe Symposium website. For more information on the Gentex Aircrew portfolio, visit www.gentexcorp.com/aircrew.
In conjunction with the Australian based military and tactical distributor Southern Cross Equipment PTY LTD, Velocity Systems has developed a modified version of the Operators Utility Belt for the Australian Defence Forces that enables the belt to be worn with suspenders.
The Operators Utility Belt (OUB) was designed with a “less is more” approach. The OUB is narrower than other belts allowing for greater operator mobility while maintaining ample real estate to mount additional pouches and equipment. Its skeletonized insert ensures passive cooling and allows the belt to be at least 25% lighter than other comparable belts. The OUB can be worn with your existing riggers belt or the Velocity Systems “Enhance Variable Riggers Belt”.
Velocity Systems is excited to announce that the modified Operators Utility Belt has been given an official National Stock Number (NSN). The 13-digit NSN code is used to standardize and monitor a product allowing the United States Government, federal and civil agencies, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and many governments around the world to purchase the product directly from the company. NSNs allow the above mentioned groups to expedite the purchase of needed items and insure a standard for reordered items.
Southern Cross is the exclusive distributor of Velocity Systems Products in Australia, to contact them directly email, info@southerncross.net.au. Additional information can be found at, www.southerncross.net.au. To learn more about Velocity Systems and their products please visit www.velsyst.com. To contact us directly please email info@velsyst.com. All Velocity Systems Products are made in the USA and are Berry Amendment Compliant.
Summary:
The SOCOM/LE Sales Manager is an integral part to the future success of the Tactical Tailor Sales Team. This position requires an in depth knowledge of all US Law Enforcement and US special warfare groups, their needs, and the ability to develop concrete relationships with members from every echelon. This sales manager position is responsible for prospecting, developing, maintaining and proactively problem solving for these groups, including working in house with production and design to ensure customer needs are met. This requires traveling to several trade shows throughout the year, on top of a multitude of customer visits, in order to stay in the forefront of the customers mind and to ensure quick and efficient solutions to the ever changing customer needs. The SOCOM/LE Sales Manager will report directly to the Vice President.
Typical Responsibilities:
Primary Responsibilities
• Prospect in ALL SOCOM units
• Develop relationships in all major SOCOM command subordinate units at a multi-echelon level
• Develop and maintain relationships with the program offices that support SOCOM
• Plan and resource trade show travel, venue space and maintain the budget
• Develop and maintain customers in the FED Law Enforcement category.
• Develop the local LE market for sales to local departments
• Assist in the development of marketing materials as they pertain to their specific customer or products. These Materials must be approved by the CEO and the VP of Sales and Marketing before dissemination
Qualifications:
• 2+ years in a sales focused job pointed in the Military or Law Enforcement market
• In depth knowledge of operations for all SOCOM units, as well as Local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies
• Proficient in Microsoft suite and high aptitude for learning new software programs
• Solid understanding of social media exploitation for marketing purposes and promotions
Key Skills:
• Exceptional customer service with resale accounts
• High attention to detail
• Maintains professional, yet relatable, manner and appearance in all settings, with all clients
• Works well in stressful situations
• Must be flexible and a self-starter. Able to deal with changing due dates and priorities
• Strong organization abilities
• Proactive and resourceful relevant to performing job tasks, forward focused, not reactive
• Results Driven and able to function independently
Send resumes and cover letters to gw@tacticaltailor.com
K3 Tether
Sometimes the simple products are more complex than you think. Retention lanyards are an example. CTOMS performed testing on a typical helicopter retention lanyard (brand name withheld though many brands have very similar design and construction) – the type made of 1” tubular nylon with shock cord inserted into the core. The intent of the shock cord is to slightly shorten the tether to manage its length but provide stretch to a longer length for functional range.
100kg (225 lb.) test mass
Fall Factor 1.0: 10.2kN (2293 lbf)
Fall Factor 2.0: 13.2kN (2967.5 lbf) Failed
Traditional Tether from Chris Kopp on Vimeo.
At the same time CTOMS tested their K2-Sling adjustable retention lanyard. It is a basic design of 8mm accessory cord with sewn terminations, a connector at each end, and a 6mm sewn loop attached to the 8mm with a 4 wrap Prusik. That loop is then Cat’s Paw’d onto a quick release marine shackle. The design allows for tether length adjustment and also release from the system under load in a two part disconnect that prevent inadvertent release of a sole marine shackle attachment.
100kg (225 lb.) test mass
FF2.0: 13.5kN (3035 lbf) caught load
K2 Tether from Chris Kopp on Vimeo.
A high peak force, but at least still retained.
The next generation retention lanyard incorporates TRACE Systems force limiting technology. The new K3 Tether is made of 6mm TRACE Systems Rope and incorporates a Quickie Ascender (QA) for length adjustment. The long leg is 2 meters long, which means at maximum reach for most people, there will still be adequate slack to allow slippage through the device to arrest a fall. The K3 has been designed for both helicopter retention and mountaineering retention. It can be configured so that the adjustment (QA) is at the harness (usually helicopter) or at the anchor end (usually mountaineering).
The lanyard has a long leg and a short leg. The long leg is for personal retention and connection to an anchor, and when mountaineering, the short leg is to connect the rappel device to. The large loop would normally be girth hitched to the harness. When climbing with TRACE Systems, the short leg also is where the belay device would be connected providing a slight extension, which is ideal in that unique circumstance. A set of ettriers can also be hung on the tether carabiner and either as a single or a pair, is an excellent adjustable daisy chain for aid climbing.
In helicopter retention mode, the K3 would normally be flipped, connecting the adjustment end (QA) to your harness, and the “Y” end loop and short leg to a connector then to the aircraft. This ensures adjustment is always in reach.
The best part of the K3 is the soft catch of a major fall and slippage of rope through the device of under 1 meter. While the test videos are not in actual tether configuration, the adaptation is practically seamless.
100kg (225 lb.) test mass
FF2.0: 3.7kN caught load
QA Fall Factor 2 from Chris Kopp on Vimeo.
Drop tests on actual tethers are planned soon and once all is good and verified, the K3 will become commercially available.
High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM, CTOMS, and Atlas Devices.
FireClean LLC has recently filed a lawsuit against Andrew Tuohy and Everett Baker, asserting defamation and Virginia Business Conspiracy Act claims against these defendants, who with the specific purpose of harming FireClean, initiated a protracted and intentional smear campaign against the company.
FIREClean’s patent application was publicly accessible online two years before Tuohy wrote about FIREClean®. The patent application, on the very first page, describes a product that is composed of at least three substances, which may be plant or vegetable-based oils, and which make up between 25 and 100 percent of the formulation. Tuohy never undertook to test this statement. He chose a test that would give him the result he wanted so that he could publish sensational headlines. An infrared spectroscopy analysis was not sufficient to distinguish FIREClean® from Crisco vegetable or canola oil, and Tuohy knew this. Moreover, even after publishing his articles, Tuohy was alerted to this fact by other readers of his blog, and he never undertook to correct his analysis or conclusions.
When Tuohy told us that he intended to publish his first article- the night before he published it- and told us what his conclusions would be, we asked him for a chance to read it first, so we could provide a proper response. He refused. In his blog post he stated, “That is not how this blog works.”
Clearly, Tuohy wanted to turn a blind eye to anything that might tamper down his eye-grabbing headlines. He wanted readership, not the truth.
Some recent public social media comments have compared our suit against Tuohy to a David-versus-Goliath First Amendment case. It is anything but that. In fact, Tuohy has as many aircraft registered in his name as FireClean has employees (two). FireClean is a small business that has been subject to an unprovoked and unfair attack.
FIREClean® is not Crisco Vegetable nor Canola oil – nor otherwise common vegetable oil. FIREClean® is a proprietary, high-efficiency formulation that yielded unprecedented results in Tuohy’s own live-fire use. Tuohy’s separate statements that are the subject of our lawsuit were false, continuous, persistent, and maliciously made. FireClean has no choice but self defense. Anyone who thinks the company is wrong for doing so has clearly never had their livelihood attacked by someone engaged in a protracted smear campaign.
The Citizens of the United States of America certainly enjoy the freedom of speech provided in the First Amendment. But just as it is illegal to run into a crowded theater and yell “fire” when there is no fire, there are limits on—and repercussions to—speech that is intentionally or negligently false, that causes harm to another. These are the rights that we seek to vindicate.
We encourage you to read the suit in its entirety here:
