About two weeks ago we published a story on Beyond’s new A9 Shorty Mission Shirt. Beyond read your comments and modified the shirt with slightly longer sleeves, bringing them to the elbow.
Warrior East – Beyond A9 Shorty Update
July 10th, 2014Warrior East – RADM Scott Moore – Key Note Speech
July 10th, 2014This seventh annual Warrior Expo – East kicked off today with a keynote speech by United States Navy SEAL Rear Admiral (ret) and Deputy Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, Scott P Moore. His service in NSW spans a wide variety of assignments including time as the commander of NSW Development Group.
The main thrust of his address was maintaining readiness in the current budgetary environment. But, as he pointed out, things aren’t slowing down. Instability abounds, in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and even the Americas. He sees a future of Brush Fire Wars and a move back to training surrogates and allied partners. Conversely, he understands the requirement of a constant forward presence of our maritime forces, particularly off the coasts of North Africa and the Horn of Africa.
He is also concerned about the increasing threats to US citizens and interests, particularly the number of hostage situations. RADM Moore related that he has tracked or been party to a hostage rescue mission every six months for the past six years. In the 20 years prior to that, he said that he dreamed of being allowed to participate in a rescue. The world has changed and he feels the world is in a less stable place than it was before 9/11. This is the new normal. It’s constant conflict and sustained training is critical. It might be boring to some but you never know when or where you’ll be called upon to act. Adaptability will be key due to the short notice of deployments. This means training will be key.
Consequently, RADM Moore discussed selection and training, particularly in regard to the SEAL community. He discussed identifying men who have a “healthy distrust for authority” because the drive the leadership to step up and excel. He also discussed finding the men with the will to go on individually and yet serve as a member of a team. That is the point of BUDS and the ongoing training process in NSW.
The point is put together a great team. RADM Moore points to three factors that are critical to making this happen:
1. Leadership – Institutional leadership doesn’t have to be great, it just has to be good enough. Natural leaders will rise to the top and experience creates leadership. Ultimately, leadership is a commitment to the role. Also, a successful leader is respected but not necessarily liked.
2. Cohesiveness – You’re either on the team bus or you’re not. You must spend time together to develop trust. Additionally, honest After Action Reviews are critical. They also develop trust and that trust increases speed.
3. Empowerment – The most critical factor to creating great teams is allowing your subordinates to thrive. Develop younger leaders and prepare them to take your job when it’s time. When you empower your subordinates and let them take responsibility in your team, as the overall leader you can concentrate on strategic level issues.
As for the budget, RADM Moore suggests we “DWI” or “deal with it.” But, he challenges industry to help us maintain our technological advantage over adversaries who are increasingly using advanced capabilities. We have to stack the deck in favor our troops every time and he urges companies to raise the bar. To do this, he pointed back to those three factors to developing great teams.
Additionally, ADS founder Luke Hillier presented the Warrior for Warrior awards from his organization Hillier Ignite.
This year there were two. First up, was Wounded Wea. Also honored was the Boulder Crest Retreat Foundation. Both organizations do amazing things for wounded Veterans. In addition to the recognition, the Warrior for Warriors award includes $25,000.
LBT Partners with HSGI to Offer Mission Adaptive Panel with TACO
July 10th, 2014Back in May, during Warrior West, we showed you the first images of the Mission Assault Panel System developed by LBT Inc along with Chris Costa. Right away guys started asking if LBT could incorporate HSGI‘s popular TACO ammunition carrier into the design. The two companies started talking and the impossible happened. During Warrior East, LBT will unveil this new collaboration with HSGI.
LBT sent us this statement:
London Bridge Trading is proud to announce that we are partnering with High Speed Gear to offer a Made in the USA Assaulter’s panel with Double Decker TACO’s® that is compatible with the new MAP (Mission Adaptive Panel) System designed with Chris Costa. A modular version is currently in the works as well to retrofit your existing LBT-6094. We at LBT feel that ultimately, by working with HSGI on this project, that we’ll be able to insure that the end-user will receive the highest quality product from the collaborative efforts of two companies deciding to work with one another manufacturing gear in both our Virginia and North Carolina communities.
Get Your SSD Reflective Patch and Sticker Pack at Warrior East
July 10th, 2014
If you are attending Warrior East today or tomorrow be sure to stop by the CeJay Engineering booth to pick up your SSD logo reflective patch and sticker pack. These reflective items are made by Warrior GloTape and are not ITAR controlled. They are available on a first come, first served basis and once they are gone, that’s it.
EOD Foundation Presents Service Dog to Wounded Warrior at Warrior East
July 10th, 2014Earlier today, during the Warrior Expo setup day, Chief Steve Bronson and Axl Rose, his Dutch Shepard Pitbull presented Wounded Warrior Brad Lang with his new service animal, Diego, on behalf of the EOD Warrior Foundation.
A Wounded Warrior, Brad Lang retired from the Marine Corps as an EOD SSgt after receiving graves wounds on July 24th, 2011 in the Sangin River Valley in Helmland Province. He recovered and nowadays, Brad keeps his head in the game by running Stumpy’s Custom Guns, Inc. in Swansboro, NC along with Johnny Morris who also lost a leg as a Marine EOD NCO. They named the shop “Stumpies” because they’ve got one good leg between the two of them. They also employ other Wounded Warriors.
Diego is a two year old Belgian Malanois. He’s undergone seven months of training for his new assignment as Brad’s service dog. Steve Bronson has really brought Diego a long way over that time.
This is a reunion for Brad and Diego. They last saw each other during SHOT Show in January. Brad had Diego initially for about four months and then he turned him over to BMC Bronson (USN, Ret) to train him as a service dog. Diego has been learning how to recover Brad’s chair, assist with handicapped doors and crosswalks as well as regular doors. Most of all, Diego will be someone to, in Brad’s own words, “watch my Six.”
EOD Warrior Foundation has paid for the entire training process. Everything from food to vet bills to training. They even purchased a Jog-a-Dog treadmill for Diego so that he can work off his excess energy. I spoke with EOD Warrior Foundation Founder and Chairman of the Board BMCM Ken Falke (EOD) (USN, Ret). He said, “We’re honored to be able to sponsor Diego’s training in order to make a difference in Brad’s life. We’re also grateful to Chief Bronson for his time and patience training Diego.”
Diego and Brad have one more challenge to surmount. Diego will be taking a public access test to assess his abilities to work with Brad in a public setting. Based on what I saw today, they’ll do just fine.
Starbrite Car Bomb – CLO2 Odor Control System
July 9th, 2014Finally, a Car Bomb that you’ll be happy to see. We’re passing this along after hearing from a reader who gave us one of the best lines we’ve ever heard.
My Honda no longer smells like CIF and Dog Puke.
-BS
Army NCO, Dad, Dog Owner and longtime SSD reader
He went on to say, “This thing removed the sweaty ass scent of professional soldiering and parenthood that infests almost any dude’s car/truck/minivan.” After reading that, we decided to share the info on this wonder product with our readers.
The CLO2 Chlorine Dioxide generator pouch treats an area up to 1,000 cubic feet to eliminate the odors caused by mold, mildew, pets, food, smoke and more. Even better, it doesn’t try to mask odors, leaving you with a perfume smell. In fact, the manufacturer recommends its use to rid yourself of those odors.
While you shouldn’t use it while people or pets are in the car, it is people and pet safe and frequently used in public water systems, hospitals and food processing facilities to disinfect and sanitize. Sorry guys, not available in Canada or Europe.
www.starbrite.com/item/car-bomb-clo2-chlorine-dioxide-odor-eliminator
TacJobs – Unit Dog Apparel Seeks Veterans
July 9th, 2014We got this note from Unit Dog Apparel looking for Veterans to join their team.
We are a new veteran owned apparel company currently hiring veterans from all four branches of service (Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines). This position is an online sales/marketing opportunity that focuses on various active duty units, National Guard, Reserves and veteran organizations. Everything we do is 100% made in America (inks, t shirts and of course the employees). We offer the most unique and diverse type of shirt on the market today (reflective inks, night vision inks etc.) that can be used for tactical or practical applications. All shirts are designed in house with absolutely zero outsourcing, therefore allowing our design team to produce and correct artwork on the spot. We are relentless in our pursuit of perfection of colors, cottons and the overall feel of our shirts. If our company sounds like something you want to be a part of please email us at: info@unitdogappparel.com and we will get back to ASAP.
