You may have noticed some issues with SSD over the past days. Unfortunately, during a configuration update some conflicts have arisen between wordpress which powers SSD and a new database system installed, named Maria. Technicians are working through the issue. Hopefully, everything will be back to normal soon.
If you’re looking for an interesting Christmas gift idea, you might want to consider the SOFREP Crate Club. I joined a few months ago to check it out. I’ve subscribed to a couple of other Crate services to learn about how they work. In some cases, they were boxes full of trinkets, junk really. In other cases, I received items I already owned or had zero use for but every once in awhile, there was a gem. I’ve known Brandon Webb of SOFREP for many years and I thought I’d give the SOFREP Crate Club a whirl, since it’s billed as the only gear delivery subscription where the gear is picked and tested by Special Operations veterans.
At the time there were only two membership levels, Standard and Premium. Because I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into, and due to the cost disparity between the two levels, I chose Standard membership. The first month, I received a Gerber seat belt cutter. While I already had one around here somewhere, it’s one of those things that is pretty useful, so I put it in my pickup and didn’t write it off as a loss.
My next shipment contained something I didn’t have. The package contained “100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition” by Retired Navy SEAL Clint Emerson. It’s a fun book with some great diagrams which amplify the one-page overview on any given survival topic. The book was accompanied by trial packets of TUFMED Tufhands and Tufbruise creams. I haven’t tried them yet, but I did read the book. I’m a reader, so I really enjoyed that Crate.
If you’re interested in seeing some items that are offered in the Standard Crate, check out this video.
I’ve since changed my subscription to the Premium Crate and am awaiting my first delivery. I did it because I wanted to get a more thorough experience. This video with Chris Paronto, shows the trauma bag they shipped in September.
If you want a sneak peek of what’s coming next, hit this link.
They’ve recently expanded the membership levels to three. In addition to the Standard and Premium packages, they’ve added a Pro level in between the two. The difference is the amount of gear, as well as the value. The Pro Crate is an upgrade to the Standard Crate, and it includes everything that’s in the Standard Crate as well as a couple of additional items that are unique to the Pro Crate. The Premium Crate is usually a unique set of gear of high value.
SOFREP offers gift options at check out and they are holding a Black Friday Sale from now until Black Friday. You can get 10% Off with promo code HOLIDAYNOW.
To learn more, visit join.sofrep.com/sofrep-crate-club.
You’ve probably read that the Marine Corps is looking at replacing the M4 with the M27 IAR, which is a variant of H&K’s 416. You may have also read that the Marines are going to issue suppressors to the GCE. We’ve known about both of those small unit experiments for awhile now. Thing is, there’s no requirement, and what’s worse, no money, for either. Consequently, we didn’t post a story telling you that the Marines are evaluating a new rifle or suppressors.
Our advice? Don’t hold your breath. If one or both of those happen, it won’t be anytime soon.
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.”
