FirstSpear

Sportsman Channel Highlights Americans Surviving And Thriving Off The Grid In “America Unplugged,” Premiering June 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

May 29th, 2014

Former U.S. Navy SEAL Cade Courtley to Host “America Unplugged”

NEW BERLIN, WI (May 28, 2014) – Imagine a world where Americans no longer rely on local government for electricity, water, sanitation, heating, and cooling. The lifestyle of living “off the grid” is how more than 400,000 Americans choose to live every day. Sportsman Channel, the leader in outdoor television for American sportsmen and women, will chronicle the men and women who live a self-sustaining life in a new series called America Unplugged, airing exclusively on Sportsman Channel beginning on Thursday, June 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

You can watch a sneak peek of America Unplugged here: http://bit.ly/1tQKUeh

In addition to the estimated 400,000 Americans living off the grid, there are millions more taking proactive steps towards a lifestyle of self-reliance by stocking pantries, installing generators, and completely adjusting their lives. America Unplugged will reveal individuals, families and other groups across America who choose to live a self-sustaining lifestyle and remove themselves from some of the creature comforts of modern day.

“America Unplugged will reflect the spirit of Sportsman Channel’s ‘Red, Wild & Blue’ lifestyle,” said Marc Fein, executive vice president of programming and production for Sportsman Channel. “Viewers will get a true understanding, through very unique and refreshing stories, of Americans who have chosen to live off the grid and lead an independent lifestyle. Cade Courtley is the perfect host to help us tell those stories.”

Former U.S. Navy SEAL/Sniper Cade Courtley will highlight unique and fascinating stories about eight Americans – some with families – who have ‘pulled the plug.’ The series will chronicle the painstaking effort required to live exclusively off the land and the daily struggle to provide food and shelter.

Courtley’s goal is to become the “American face of survival.” He will use his credentials and ambition to host America Unplugged and speak about the topics of living a non-dependent lifestyle. Courtley will introduce viewers to civilians who are taking significant steps to control their own safety, survival, and self-reliance in the wake of natural disasters and civil disturbances. The former U.S. Navy SEAL/Sniper and Security Contractor has spent more than 15 years in some of the most hostile places on the planet and has produced/written/acted/hosted/consulted for successful Hollywood films and television shows, as well as authored the 2012 book: “A Navy SEAL’s Secrets to Surviving Any Disaster.”

The host will share his unique experiences and add perspective as to why millions of Americans are living off the grid. Sportsman Channel is partnering with A. Smith & Co. Productions’ executive producers Arthur Smith, Kent Weed, Frank Sinton and Michael Braverman on a project that will deliver real stories from real people. A. Smith & Co. Productions has produced several hit programs including: Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares and American Ninja Warrior.

America Unplugged airs exclusively on Sportsman Channel, Thursday, June 5 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

www.thesportsmanchannel.com

Garmin – Vivofit Fitness Band

May 29th, 2014

Vivofit

Garmin’s Vitofit is a fitness band that records steps taken, distance traveled, and calories burned combined with a watch into a single device. It learns the user’s current activity level, assigns an attainable daily goal, and wirelessly syncs with Garmin Connect to record progress. Also pairs with a heart rate monitor for fitness activities. The Vitofit is capable of continuous use for an entire year without a single battery change and is water resistant up to 50 meters.

buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod143405

ADS Federal Range Day 2014 Video

May 29th, 2014

Annual Federal Range Day 2014 from ADS INC on Vimeo.

Check out this video of the ADS Federal Range Day that was held on May 16th, 2014 at the Trijicon range near Fredericksburg, Virgina. If you look closely, you can catch SSD and Tactical Fanboy in a couple of the shots.

adsinc.com

Announcing the No Brakes Throwdown Charity Fundraiser

May 29th, 2014

Tactical Distributors and Uber Group are co-presenting the first annual No Brakes Throwdown. Sponsored by Arc’teryx, S&S Precision, Daniel Defense, SSD, Smith Optics, and more, the No Brakes Throwdown is a charity fundraiser consisting of barbecue, beverages, and go kart racing! Don’t miss it!

No Brakes Thwo Down

Racing is open to all, but limited to just 130 available slots. Naturally, those not wishing to race can also attend as spectators! The top four racers will receive prizes from the sponsor companies, and the first place winner will choose the charity the funds are donated to.

The event is being held at American Indoor Karting in Virginia Beach, Virginia on July 9th, 2014 from 1730-2200 Eastern. That’s the night before ADS Warrior East.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.tacticaldistributors.com/blog/no-brakes-throwdown

Hang In There Travis

May 29th, 2014

Travis E,

Keep up the fight, nobody deserves a transplant quicker than you do. It will all be better soon.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

-The SSD Family

TacJobs – Vertx Subject Matter Experts

May 29th, 2014

Vertx is hiring Subject Matter Experts on a contract basis for the Summer to travel with their commercial reps. Here are the details of the position.

Summer SME Contractors (June-August 2014)

– Work in conjunction with commercial business development reps to drive Vertx-specific brand awareness and set up new accounts

– Work within established and measured budgets and parameters to meet territory or account-specific ROI

– Act as tactical subject matter expert (SME) specific to Vertx brand for the commercial business development representatives within assigned territory and account base

– Prospect for new and incremental commercial retail partners appropriate for Vertx brand

– Keep commercial retail partners informed of current company promotions, train customer staff, and monitor inventory

– Former military, LE, shooting sports experience desired

– Must be able to travel three to four days a week

If interested send resume to dmorrow@vertx.com.

www.wearvertx.com

MIT Researchers Develop Improved Algorithm For Print On Demand Camouflage

May 29th, 2014

Credit - Courtesy The ResearchersPhoto Credit – Courtesy The Researchers

Researchers at MIT have developed a new algorithm that analyzes photos of a scene taken from multiple perspectives and produces a camouflage covering for an object placed within that environment.

Objects hidden by the best performing algorithm took more than 3 seconds to find, which is significantly longer than the casual glance the camouflage is intended to fool.

Although camouflage systems like this aren’t new, this latest effort from the MIT research team is seemingly the most advanced variant to date. Technology like this could easily be adapted to cover up sensor placements, machine gun placements, or other pre-established structures and equipment in the field. However, I don’t see an application for its use with clothing, individual equipment or vehicles as it’s too specific.

Hat tip: newsoffice.mit.edu/2014/algorithms-produce-patterns-that-could-hide-public-eyesores-

The Valhalla Project – UTV Fundraiser

May 29th, 2014

The Valhalla Project is a Veteran reintegration and homesteading education project founded by retired Special Forces LTC Gordon Cucullu and his wife Chris Fontana. Based in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, the long term goal of the Valhalla Project is to become a completely self sufficient, permaculture based farm. It serves as a place for combat veterans and civilian wartime contractors to learn life skills, decompress, and transition back to a peacetime lifestyle.

Currently, Valhalla requires a Utility Vehicle for use as a workhorse and to transport Veterans with limited mobility around the 200 acre property, which operates year-round and sits on rough terrain.

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A fundraiser set up on GoFundMe is working towards purchasing a $12,000 Yamaha Viking UTV. Donate to support this worthy cause, and take advantage of some best donation rewards we’ve ever seen in a crowd funding campaign, including signed novels, certificates for training courses, a 762Tactical Operator Chest Rig, and even having your name immortalized in the latest Dalton Fury Delta Force book. The donation period is limited, so please, help out if you can.

www.gofundme.com/8g33gc