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Gunfighter Moment – Ken Hackathorn

February 6th, 2016

A common thread I hear concerning skill at arms is that in the event of a life threatening event, our hero will claim “I would rather be lucky than good.”

Really.

The next time you hear some moron make this statement, take a quarter out of your pocket, flip it and catch it, then cover it on your hand. Ask this ‘gambler’ to call it. What are his odds? 50/50.

Do you want to stake your life or that of your family on those odds. Personally, I’ll take skill over luck any day. Through training, being aware, avoiding danger areas, and being prepared is the best way to insure your own ‘good luck’.

– 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.

Tags: Alias Training & Security Services, Ken Hackathorn
Posted in Gunfighter Moment | 11 Comments »

JIDA Moves Under DTRA, Becomes JIDO

February 6th, 2016

In 2006, DoD created the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) to do exactly what its title suggested. As the war dwindled down to its current level, JIEDDO was transformed to the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Agency (JIDA). Both budget and size shrank, but the focus was expanded to include other types of unconvetional terrorist threats.

This year, JIDA will find a new home as part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) which traditionally focuses on CBRNE threats. JIDA will also receive a new name, Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization (JIDO). Somce the organization’s focus is a bit more broad than when it was when founded in 2006, DTRA seems like a good fit.

However, the reason for the move is politically driven. The 2016 National Defense Authorization Act forbid JIDA from becoming a stand alone agency under DoD and directed it be moved to a military department or agency.

Tags: DTRA, JIDA, JIDO, JIEDDO
Posted in CIED | 9 Comments »

Propper Grows Industry-Leading Polo Line

February 5th, 2016

St. Charles, MO – Propper is recognized as the industry leader in performance polos. Now they are introducing new colors in their best seller and launching a value polo to insure an option for every customer.
PROPPER I.C.E.® PERFORMANCE POLO

The I.C.E. (Integrated Cooling Effect) Performance Polo is designed to keep wearers cool, dry and comfortable on the job. Innovative wicking technology is built directly into the fabric, helping it dry 125% faster than cotton and 30% faster than polyester. Breathable mesh underarms help maintain a professional appearance in warmer weather. It’s now available in six new men’s and three new women’s colors along with a new long sleeve version for women.

UNIFORM POLO

New for spring 2016 is the Propper Uniform Polo. At $19.99 retail this amazing value can’t be beat. Its high-quality performance polyester pique fabric dries quickly and is fade-, shrink-, and wrinkle-resistant. Plus, it keeps all of the tactical features (mic loop and pen pockets) professionals demand.

In addition to these great new polos, Propper is launching new boots, pants, armor, and more in 2016. Visit Propper.com or one of their authorized dealers to learn more.

Tags: Propper
Posted in Clothing, Press Release | Comments Off on Propper Grows Industry-Leading Polo Line

SOTech Gives Us A Blast From The Past

February 5th, 2016

The Assault Vest was a symbol for SOTech. It was one of the first projects Founder Jim Cragg made for each of the members of his Army Special Operations team. It also symbolized the “overbuilt” ethos of the company – it was made of double layers of 1000 Denier Cordura, heavy webbing and 138 wt. thread. It even included an extraction harness built in. One of the first uses of AustriAlpin’s metal “click buckle” (their predecessor to the Cobra buckle) was on this vest in 1999.

Tags: S.O. Tech
Posted in History | 10 Comments »

RRT THiEF System

February 5th, 2016

While visiting with Regulus Global during SHOT Show, something caught my eye. It was Tactical Handheld Emitter Finder System from Radio Reconnaissance Technologies. THiEF provides intercept and Radio Direction Finding Line of Bearing against VHF and UHF, analog, single-channel, push-to-talk transmitters.

I’ve used a variety of radio direction finding systems when I was in the service. But, they were much larger, and heavier. Take a look at the THiEF’s antenna head. It’s so compact, it could be integrated into a helmet or other equipment as a body worn system.

The Controller/Display weighs just 15 oz and the Receiver/Antenna comes in at 16.5 oz.

THiEF uses a custom controller to provide the operator with an intuitive, easy-to-learn User Interface with full audio recoring and playback along with a map display.

RRT’s THiEF is available for qualified international customers through Regulus Global.

Tags: Regulus Global, RRT
Posted in ISR, SHOT Show | 19 Comments »

Tactical Pro Shop Is Aready Planning For SHOT Show 2017

February 5th, 2016

www.tacticalproshop.com

Tags: Tactical Pro Shop
Posted in SHOT Show | 5 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus – VAS Soft Harness

February 5th, 2016

The VAS (Vision Augmentation System) Soft Harness is an adjustable harness which allows the wearer to comfortably mount a single or multi-tube NVD or other device when a helmet is not feasible or necessary. The VAS features an adjustable chin strap with positive lock hardware, which is coupled with a TW Cam-Fit system with Boa dial. Also included with the VAS are key spots for cable management, as well as attachment fields for IFF and the FS Helmet Cover Battery Pack.

The VAS Soft Harness is available in Black, Coyote, and MultiCam, sizes Small/Medium and Large/Extra Large.

www.first-spear.com – VAS Soft Harness

Tags: FirstSpear
Posted in Load Carrying, Optics | 2 Comments »

The News

February 5th, 2016

Despite assertions to the contrary, I do not sit around plotting to ruin people’s lives with SSD. Actually, people seem to do a pretty good job of doing that on their own. This isn’t a gossip site, so the bar for what gets posted is pretty high. Generally, the personalities you read about on SSD make a living by showing off their mug at every opportunity, They’re always so pleased to see their latest accomplishment posted on the site, but they get upset when their buffoonery makes it as well. It’s not like we publish every little rumor. They’ve got to really work for the recognition.

It’s not just individuals. We write about companies as well, and sometimes those companies, including our advertisers, get themselves in a bind. I know many of these folks and it can be tough. There can be pressure, internal as well as external, to ignore something, or to say something. Sometimes, I hold off because I’m not comfortable with the facts. Other times, the facts are laid bare, for all to see, and are so obvious that my integrity would be questioned if I didn’t post an article.

Regardless if the subject is an individual or a brand, rarely am I judgemental with those in industry, even when I probably should be. I do have a habit of holding government and its officials to a higher standard though. After all, they serve the public trust and use our tax dollars.

I hear the complaints all the time about how unfair a story was, but generally, what they’re really mad about are the comments. Those are an interesting barometer of how much someone messed up and they can strike a nerve. Comments are both the strength and the weakness of social media. I do monitor them and some are deleted due to their sheer spite. Although, many are left in place, perhaps to fester. Comments is where people lose focus. They confuse comments made by semi-anonymous posters, with SSD’s position on the matter. Often, we don’t have one, or we keep it to ourselves.

Over the past month, we have published two posts in particular, which raised controversy. In neither case was there any external pressure before we published. The decision was completely mine. However, in both cases, once the stories were live, there was a great deal of pressure to alter them or delete them altogether. In both instances, we were accused of trying to ruin someone or their business. The thing is, we were just sharing the facts. People were mad at SSD, for sharing the facts.

The bottom line: If you get yourself in the headlines, you’re now the news, and SSD runs the news.

-Eric Graves

Posted in Admin | 48 Comments »