This time, the KCRF patch found itself at the Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at the White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico.
“26.2 miles of dirt, sand, mountains, and dry desert air.”
Thanks to Matt for the pic.
Keep ’em coming!
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up
March 28th, 2016Corps Strength – The Fitness Balancing Act
March 27th, 2016
One of the most common mistakes people make when putting together a PT routine is a lack of balance. I have a good buddy I work with, who is our SET (Specialized English Training) instructor here at the international school house. A couple years back he pulled a tour in Afghanistan training Afghan officers english. While he was there, he decided to lose some weight and get himself in better condition. Now as a DOD civilian and never having been in the military, his go to PT was mostly playing sports like basketball and softball. Despite that he started walking and running around the airfield and he put himself on a strict diet. Slowly he got in better shape and lost weight, the fact is he lost a lot of weight. He went from over 260 lbs (at 6’3”) to 190lbs during his year deployed. When he came back home, his family didn’t recognize him. It was a great accomplishment and he was determined not to regain the weight.
So then he comes back to the states and even though he continues running, his reintroduction to a normal life and 24/7 access to food (and beer), had him gaining weight again, (another common occurrence). His response was to increase his running mileage. But despite running around up to 50 miles a week he couldn’t keep his weight down and he was becoming completely burnt out on running. Things then went from bad to worse when his back started acting up. Obviously too much running was causing it. I had tried to get him to vary his workouts, as I knew that just running everyday would lead to this, but as he had such good success before with running he resisted my advice and just tried to gut through it.
However with his injury and burnt out attitude he eventually relented and we got him started on some weightlifting, calisthenics and a lot of stretching (something he hadn’t been doing much of), every other day. As you could guess his upper body was weak and he was very stiff, but we started slowly and he cut his running down in the process. With that he got his diet back on track, as when he was running a lot he felt he could eat anything and as much as he wanted, but he found out the hard way that you can’t out run a bad diet.
After about a month he had pretty much healed up and his weight was back down to 190. More importantly his attitude was reset. I wasn’t surprised, as I’ve seen the same thing in people that just run, lift weights, or just do any single activity for their PT program. You have to give your body and mind some variety if you want to maintain a successful long term workout routine and eating plan. We all like to do what we’re good at, however its been my long experience that people do better at their favorite activity if they throw in some different stuff on a regular basis. They often find out that they really enjoy something new once they give it a try. Like most things in life, keeping it in balance is the key to long term success. I’m off to Antigua for a few weeks to train some of their Coast Guard and Law Enforcement people and I’m sure I’ll see something there to talk about when I get back next month. Till then; “Be safe Always, Good when you can.”
Semper Fi
MGunz
Happy Easter
March 27th, 2016 
Before There Was SureFire
March 27th, 2016 
Gunfighters Inc – Spectre Shoulder Holster
March 27th, 2016
Gunfighters Inc has decided to reimagine the shoulder holster with the Spectre. The Spectre is a hybrid of nylon and kydex, fully modular with multiple swappable components: single and double magazine pouches, pistol holsters for several popular handgun models, and a suppressor carrier. Future components will include, but are not limited to, handcuff carriers and rifle magazine carriers. The components attach via buckles, so they’re easy to swap; click a button and you’re done. On top of that, the buckles have 135° of pivot for comfort and are designed to be low-profile.
The Spectre is designed to conceal under a light jacket, and the cant angle is adjustable. Additionally, the harness itself is 4-way adjustable, and is made in-house at Gunfighters Inc, out of US sourced components. Those of you looking for an alternative to typical belt carry systems may want to give the Spectre a look.
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up
March 27th, 2016This is the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum.
Thanks Pilum57!
Are You Tough Enough For JTF 2?
March 26th, 2016Although Canada’s Department of National Defence won’t say much about the secretive JTF 2, they do admit that it exists. I mean, they do have to recruit after all.
Created on April 1, 1993, when the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) accepted responsibility for federal counter-terrorism operations from the RCMP, JTF 2 is admittedly at “highest readiness and most precise combat unit in the country.” Consequently, they are looking for fit candidates to undertake their selection course. They provide this handy guide to potential applicants so that they know the minimum level of fitness they are looking for. Are you tough enough?
JTF2 Pre-Selection Physical Fitness Evaluation
Gunfighter Moment – Ken Hackathorn 
March 26th, 2016
I note that the latest vibe from the FBI is that they are looking to go back to a 9x19mm pistol. Modern 9x19mm self defense ammo is certainly much better than just a decade ago. An educated guess as to the pistol they are looking at is the Sig Sauer P320. This is a very modern striker fired pistol that has many fans. I have fired them, but have no dedicated trigger time on one to make any kind of judgement. I can not but reflect that a few decades ago, my carrying a cocked-and-locked 1911 pistol was the cause for alarm by many as being dangerous. More than once I heard “Deputy, do you know your pistol is cocked?” Life is about change, and now the FBI is looking to adopt a pistol without any form of external safety; not even the trigger activated safety button made famous by Glock and copied by so many makers. Who would have thought…
The US Military is looking at a new service pistol (XM17) program. Apparently, it too will be a striker fired design. I still carry and prefer the 1911 pistol, as it meets my needs just fine. I teach with and try to use whatever pistol platform that most of the students in my class use. If a military class that may be a Beretta M92, often a Glock 17 or 19 is the choice. LE classes may require a Glock 22 or S&W M&P.
I am a fan of the H&K VP9, and currently use a Sig P226 for my overseas requirements. They all are fine sidearms. All serve their purposes well. Many people love to debate the which pistol is best. I have been around this business long enough to realize the weapon is not really all that important, it is the guy behind the trigger that matters. Yes, I have favorites, but whether it is one of my pet 1911s or Glock 17/19 issued to me for a training program, it is MY job to make it work. What I have learned after 35 years in this business is that it is my job to learn to use them effectively, and not to get married to one gun or design. Remember, in the real world we don’t always get to use the gun we want, sometimes we have to use what is available.
– Ken Hackathorn
Ken Hackathorn has served as a US Army Special Forces Small Arms Instructor, Gunsite Instructor, and NRA Police Firearms Instructor. He is currently an FBI Certified Firearms Instructor, Certified Deputy Sheriff with Washington County SO, Ohio, and a SRT member and Special Response Team trainer. Ken has trained US Military Special Operations forces, Marine FAST and SOTG units and is a contract small arms trainer to FBI SWAT and HRT.
Ken has provided training to Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and been active in small arms training for the past 25 years. He has written firearms related material for Guns & Ammo, Combat Handguns, Soldier Of Fortune, and currently American Handgunner and contributed to at least six other gun/shooting journals. Ken was also a founding member of IPSC and IDPA.
To see Ken’s Training Class Schedule visit aliastraining.com.
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 SSD readers hard earned words of wisdom.
