Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

OCP is OCP – Confused Yet?

October 3rd, 2014

Almost two months ago we posted this story under the title of “As far as the Army Is Concerned – It’s OCP.” Earlier today OCP had its coming out party as a garrison uniform when the Army authorized the 75th Ranger Regiment to don their RFI issued OCP FR ACUs during a ceremony to commemorate the unit’s 30th anniversary. This has confused many because up until just a few months ago there was only one flavor of OCP and that is Crye Precision’s MultiCam pattern. Everything that has been issued thus far is MultiCam OCP including the FAr ACUs worn by the Rangers. In the future this will change to Scorpion W2. Clothing bag items will be widely available by next Summer and TA-50 will be transitioned over the next eight years or so.

What is difficult for many to understand is that right now, it doesn’t matter which version you have. OCP is OCP. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. The Army announced adoption of OCP and convinced Congress that MultiCam and Scorpion W2 are the same thing. The contracts, labels and descriptions will all say “OCP” regardless of whether the fabric is printed with MultiCam or Scorpion W2 meaning no changes to contracts or NSNs.

Considering the Army created the situation, at the Soldier level run with it.

Those MultiCam FR ACUs you were issued by RFI? OCP
That Level 9 MultiCam uniform you were issued in Group? OCP
That MultiCam day pack your unit issued you? OCP

See how this works?

Expect an announcement from the CSA during AUSA later this month regarding OCP.

It’s as simple as OCP

If you notice in the Army’s announcement last Thursday that they plan a transition in Summer 2015 to the Operational Camouflage Pattern, they never referred to that pattern’s developmental name; Scorpion W2. Some found the announcement cryptic. But the reason is simple. As far as the Army is concerned, it’s OCP. And, OCP is OCP, which may blow the minds of some CSMs as this rolls out, considering OCP has been synonymous with MultiCam for several years. There are going to be instances in the future where your OCPs aren’t an exact match.

There are several advantages for the Army in transitioning to OCP. For one thing, they don’t have to make any drastic changes to existing contracts for OCIE. For another, it’s easier to continue to use the equipment previously purchased in OCP. In my opinion, the Army is looking at this as a supply chain solution.

Who’s Down With OCP? Yeah, you know me!

For Soldiers, this decision is a major boon. If you look at what’s available on the open market in OCP, there are currently a lot of options out there for equipment. In fact, chances are good, you’ve already got a whole bunch of kit in OCP. By the Army’s own admission, it will take years to fully field the new OCP. During the transition period, things will be very fluid. Use that to your advantage.

So, OCP, it is. Embrace it.

Posted in OCP | 34 Comments »

Revisiting The Magpul Ronin

October 3rd, 2014

At SHOT Show 2010, Magpul unveiled the Ronin, a concept motorcycle built around the Buell 1125R. The name comes from the title for a samurai who lost his master, an appropriate name for the bike given the discontinuation of the Buell line by Harley Davidson. The unique design of the Ronin included a custom monoshock linkage suspension system, front-mounted radiator, unitized handlebar assembly, new ram air intake, cast aluminum tail section, and high-flow exhaust system, features which enhanced the bike’s ride and decreased the total weight by 54lbs from stock. This concept gained enough interest that Magpul decided to expand production to 47 bikes, paying tribute to ‘The 47 Ronin’ of Japanese folklore.

Since the initial concept bike, the Ronin has understandably received some changes. The production Ronin is sharper and more distinct in appearance when compared to the concept bike. Additionally, on the production bike, many of the items have been unitized into a single part, such as the battery box and foot pegs having been integrated into a single cast unit. Perhaps most uniquely, the standard key ignition has been replaced with a hidden RFID chip, and the production model also features custom gauge and ECU.

The Ronin will be released in sets, each release different from the last. The first 12 bikes are currently available (with 5 of them sold at the time of writing) and come in the Black & Silver color of the original Ronin concept bike, priced below production cost.

This will be followed by 10 All-Black bikes at an increased price, further followed by a release of 8; these releases, the second and third, will be available in the coming next few months.

Further releases will come in a set of 6, then 4, and then 2, all with different color schemes and features. The remaining 5 bikes will be one-off designs from the factory, each unique. Each bike will come with a bamboo toolbox.

We’ve been following the Ronin project since its debut in 2010. To finally see its release 4 years later is a welcome event.

For more information on the Ronin, including how to purchase the bike, visit www.the47.com.

Tags: Magpul, Ronin Motorworks
Posted in Off-Duty | 10 Comments »

Sehoy Tactical

October 3rd, 2014

Features
25,000 Acres of Unrestricted Land
440 Acre Deep Water Lake
1 Mile Airstrip with 2 Aircraft Hangars
Certified Drop and Landing Zones
2 Private and Accessible Cell Towers
Small Arms & Sniper Ranges
ATF Approved Storage
Explosives Courses (HME, Advanced EDD, etc.)
Demolitions Training Sites

We learned about Sehoy Tactical from tripwireops.org/explosives/sehoy-tactical.

Tags: Sehoy Tactical
Posted in Training | 1 Comment »

AUSA EOD Warrior 5K

October 3rd, 2014

Click to view .pdf

The AUSA EOD Warrior 5K is an event established to raise awareness and funds for the EOD Warrior Foundation. The event is taking place at Capitol Lake/Heritage Park in Olympia, Washington, with a course route consisting of two laps around Capitol Lake. The AUSA EOD Warrior 5K will be held on October 25th, 2014.

For more information, and to register, visit www.eodwarriorfoundation.org/events/events/view/74

Tags: AUSA, EOD Warrior Foundation
Posted in Charity | Comments Off on AUSA EOD Warrior 5K

FirstSpear Friday Focus – R37 Rifle Wrap

October 3rd, 2014

Each week we focus on a different FirstSpear product and I’ve been wanting to share the R37 Rifle Wrap but we needed the right combination of photos and video to really show you what was up with it. Looks like the AV club at FS really came through this time.

It does so much; shooting mat, weapons case, drag bag.

Its exterior incorporates attachment points for 3D camouflage to aid in signature disruption and a reinforced webbing attachment point for drag and haul straps located at the forward taper of the wraps exterior.

The R37 can be transported by the FS 2” Standard Break-Away Sling, ECP Shoulder Straps or our Padded Speed Bag Shoulder Straps.

The Rifle Wrap can transport long-guns or carbines with a simple folding procedure.

When laid out flat the R37 is a comfortable pad to shoot from and two 6/12 pocket attachment fields provide area for optional pockets to store Binos, Wind Gauges and other essential items of target engagement.

The FirstSpear Exigent Circumstance Pack can be attached to the outside of the Rifle Wrap to give you some sustainment capability.

There are a lot of cool features in this design but the Tubes on the handles make it very adaptable for different weapons because you can alter the balance point. In addition to the different length configurations, you need to know that it is sized to fit into a variety of hard sided weapons storage cases. The ECP can also be attached to the exterior of the R37 during transport (ideally when your wearing the R37 as a backpack.)

Offered in Black, Coyote, ranger Green and MultiCam.

Now for the special offer. When you buy the R37 Rifle Wrap this weekend FS will ship it with a free Blast Mat (Black or Coyote) which attaches directly to the wide end of the R37 Rifle Wrap and is designed to take the brunt of muzzle blast and keep dust and debris from flying up. The corners can be weighted down to keep it in place. No code necessary.

Tags: FirstSpear
Posted in Load Carrying, weapons | 5 Comments »

Remember The Battle of Mogadishu

October 3rd, 2014

Today marks the 30th Anniversary of the creation of the 75th Ranger Regiment but it’s also the date to remember 1993’s Battle of Mogadishu during which elements of TF Ranger, deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia conducted an operation on that city’s Olympic Hotel in order to capture key leaders of the Aidid Militia.

Unfortunately, during the exfil portion of the raid a battle ensued that claimed the lives of 18 Americans and wounded another 73. Additionally, CW3 Michael Durant was captured by the militia. Fortunately, Durant was later repatriated and went on to retire from the 160th.

For those of you unfamiliar, one of the best accounts of the battle is contained in the book, “Blackhawk Down” by author Mark Bowden. Much of the information was serialized prior to the book’s publication in the Philadelphia Enquirer. Later this was made into a movie bearing the same name.

If you want to here more from a man that was there in the thick of it, pick up a copy of Panteao Productions‘ “Battle of the Black Sea” featuring MSG Paul Howe (USA, Ret).

Please take a moment to remember these men and their sacrifice.

Posted in History | 27 Comments »

LVOA Perfomance

October 2nd, 2014

These photos from Richard King Photography show what appears to be War Sport Industries‘ latest venture; performance automobiles. They aren’t the only ones. It seems that guns and cars definitely go together. Numerous companies have undertaken vehicle projects.

Layin’ down tracks…

Tags: Richard King Photography, War Sport Industries
Posted in Industry | 2 Comments »

RE Factor Tactical – Collapsible Water Bowl

October 2nd, 2014

RE Factor Tactical’s Collapsible Water Bowl allows for the user to conveniently provide water for their K9 in any environment. Made of nylon, the bowl can hold up to 1400ml, and easily collapses on itself for storage. An integrated retention strap allows the bowl to be worn on a belt, and the paracord loop adds additional portability.