This Is Why Little Birds Rock
November 29th, 2015Gidget – The Parachuting Dog
November 28th, 2015Gidget, the 15 month old mongrel-mascot of 7th Aerial Port Squadron’s Combat Control Team, doesn’t lead a dog’s life. “She lives the life of a paratrooper. “Gidget, complete with serial number and a forthcoming rank, makes parachute jumps right along side Combat Controllers. “Wearing a miniature T-10 parachute with a 12 foot in diameter canopy made especially for her, the female pooch has a record of 12 jumps from a C-130 Hercules aircraft.
Back row: Paul Bisnett, Bobby Boone, Marty Ragland, Kenny Young, Moe Lattimore, and George McLean Front row: Gordin (George) Hamblin, James E. Proctor, Richmond D. “Smokey” Murray, Authur P. “Skip” Arnold , and Capt Noel L. Moore with Gidget
Source: www.sgtmacsbar.com/CCTPhotos/Gallery07/Japan/Japan
Gunfighter Moment – Pat McNamara 
November 28th, 2015
Because I’ve heard it said that ‘Holstering’ a pistol is an ‘Administrative’ move, I would argue that there is true merit in holstering a pistol the same way we draw a pistol on two different fronts.
One is that in the tactical world, we must sometimes have to deescalate and go ‘Hands On’. We must do this without taking our eyes off of the threat.
Two, when practicing a draw stroke, the best draw stroke is nothing more than holstering in reverse. This was said to me by Rob Leatham some decades ago. So, when practicing a draw stroke, why not double the amount of meaningful repetitions by holstering the same way we drew?
…Only one is in reverse.
Patrick McNamara
SGM, US Army (Ret)
Patrick McNamara spent twenty-two years in the United States Army in a myriad of special operations units. When he worked in the premier Special Missions Unit, he became an impeccable marksman, shooting with accurate, lethal results and tactical effectiveness. McNamara has trained tactical applications of shooting to people of all levels of marksmanship, from varsity level soldiers, and police officers who work the streets to civilians with little to no time behind the trigger.
His military experience quickly taught him that there is more to tactical marksmanship than merely squeezing the trigger. Utilizing his years of experience, McNamara developed a training methodology that is safe, effective and combat relevant and encourages a continuous thought process. This methodology teaches how to maintain safety at all times and choose targets that force accountability, as well as provides courses covering several categories, including individual, collective, on line and standards.
While serving as his Unit’s Marksmanship NCO, he developed his own marksmanship club with NRA, CMP, and USPSA affiliations. Mac ran monthly IPSC matches and ran semi annual military marksmanship championships to encourage marksmanship fundamentals and competitiveness throughout the Army.He retired from the Army’s premier hostage rescue unit as a Sergeant Major and is the author of T.A.P.S. (Tactical Application of Practical Shooting). He also served as the Principle of TMACS Inc.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.
FirstEdge Knives – 5050 Fixed Blade Survival Knife
November 28th, 2015
FirstEdge is a newcomer in the knife industry, started by CEO Brett Seber, who has spent 30 years as a senior executive in the knife and tool industry as well as personally having several knife and tool patents. The above knife is the 5050 Fixed Blade Survival Knife. The 5050 Survival Knife was designed and built in partnership with US Special Forces. It features a full tang fixed blade with a length of 5.125″ and a 60-61 HRC, made of ELMAX stainless steel. ELMAX is an extremely durable and wear-resistant steel produced by Bohler-Uddenholm of Sweden. According to once source, a Gunner at NSW was able to cut down a tree using the 5050 Survival Knife without losing any blade sharpness.
Additionally, the 5050 Survival Knife has coarse textured black G-10 handles, a striking pommel, and a lanyard hole. The 5050 Survival Knife also comes with a tri-composite sheath, which is composed of KYDEX with hardened stainless steel liners. These sheaths are designed to be disassembled, be cleaned, and reassembled within minutes, and are designed to withstand harsh conditions, including Arctic conditions.
Final Wild Things Winner Announced
November 27th, 2015Today, in a dramatic drawing attended by a raucous crowd in New Orleans, a final winner was chosen in the Wild Things week-long Win Free Stuff sale event. Wild Things order WT1259 from the great state of Texas will get their stuff for free. Thanks for all the support and the many orders driven by the readers of Soldier Systems.
Grimfrost – Drinking Horns
November 27th, 2015 
Sweden’s Grimfrost offers another great Christmas gift idea. They’ve got drinking horns in a variety of sizes and styles, including stands and belt hangers, all perfect for your next viking fest.
grimfrost.com/en/drinking-horns
The L-3 Communications Settlement With The US Government Over Fraud Charges Stemming From EOTech Holographic Weapon Sights
November 27th, 2015For those interested in details of L3’s settlement with the US Government.
