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Right! Sergeant Major, Marchin’ Up and Down the Square

June 20th, 2013

Since we’ve got someone in the UK this week, we said, “Ah, what the heck.”

SERGEANT MAJOR: Don’t stand there gawping like you’ve never seen the Hand of God before! Now, today, we’re going to do marching up and down the square! That is, unless any of you got anything better to do. Well?! Anyone got anything they’d rather be doing than marching up and down the square?! Yes?! Atkinson. What would you… rather be doing, Atkinson?

ATKINSON: Well, to be quite honest, Sarge, I’d… rather be at home with the wife and kids.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Would you, now?!

ATKINSON: Yes, Sarge.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Right! Off you go! Now, everybody else happy with my little plan… of marching up and down the square a bit?

COLES: Sarge!

SERGEANT MAJOR: Yes?!

COLES: I’ve got a book I’d quite like to read.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Right! You go read your book, then! Now! Everybody else… quite content to join in… with my little scheme of marching up and down the square?!

WYCLIF: Sarge?

SERGEANT MAJOR: Yes, Wyclif?! What is it?!

WYCLIF: Well, I’m, uh, learning the piano.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Learning the piano?!

WYCLIF: Yes, Sarge.

SERGEANT MAJOR: And I suppose you want to go and practice, eh? Marching up and down the square not good enough for you, eh?!

WYCLIF: Well,–

SERGEANT MAJOR: Right! Off you go!

WYCLIF: Oh.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Now! What about the rest of you? Rather be at the pictures, I suppose.

SQUAD: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Ooh, yeah. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Right.

SERGEANT MAJOR: All right! Off you go!

SQUAD: Oh. Ooh. Great. That’s great. What a day. I want to see the Merle Oberon picture. Eh hehheh.

SERGEANT MAJOR: Bloody army! I don’t know what it’s coming to. Right! Sergeant Major, marching up and down the square. Left, right, left. Left…

NARRATOR #1: Democracy and humanitarianism have always been trademarks of the British Army…

SERGEANT MAJOR: Rubbish!

NARRATOR #1: Shh! …And have stamped its triumph throughout history, in the furthest-flung corners of the Empire,…
[mayhem]
…but, no matter where or when there was fighting to be done,…
[patriotic music]
…it has always been the calm leadership of the Officer class that has made the British Army what it is.

Tags: Monty Python, The Meaning of Life
Posted in Morale | 10 Comments »

Some PMAG 40 AR/M4 GEN M3 Set Aside For Colorado

June 19th, 2013

In order to beat the July 1st deadline for ownership in Colorado, a small portion of the first batch of recently released PMAG 40s will be available from the Boulder Airlift Program for direct sale to CO residents, regardless of previous orders. Limit 2 per customer for direct sales.

CO Residents order Here: store.magpul.com/product/MAG233-BLK

CO Residents not already registered can sign up for the Airlift here: www.magpul.com/colorado

Tags: Magpul
Posted in 2A, Black Rifle | 9 Comments »

The Gun Camera

June 19th, 2013

Custom built for Hot Shots 2014 by Crye Precision and designed to accommodate a Go Pro. Currently wielded by model Rosie Jones for some behind-the-scenes shenanigans.

Crye is one of the sponsors of the Hot Shots Calendar, the proceeds of which support US and UK charities such as Special Operations Warrior Foundation and Help For Heroes.

Posted in Fundraising | Comments Off on The Gun Camera

Claymore Bag Now Available From Combat Flip Flops

June 19th, 2013

The CFF Claymore Bag is now available in a limited run of ~~100~~ 99 in Ranger Green (I just bought one).

When I was in the Army, if you were anybody, you had a Claymore Bag. It might be used for a shaving kit or for use as a range bag but it was a highly prized item. The one that comes with the actual mine is made from cotton duck and while it’s durable, it was designed to be disposable, so it is far from indestructible.

Enter Combat Flip Flops. They’ve sourced a USA Made version of the iconic Claymore Bag that incorporates multiple new features. First and foremost is construction. They’ve switched to modern, durable materials. Second, and the gussetted exterior pockets that are large enough to accept an iPad Mini. Additionally, the bag’s two exterior pockets each accept Velcro inserts and the main pocket’s interior is daisy chained with 1″ nylon webbing to accept shock cord. CFF has also introduced redundant closures including button, hook and loop, and Figher Design covert magnetic closures. Finally, a 5.56 mag/cell phone holder and sunglass case come standard with each Claymore Bag.

There are several additional accessories planned that aren’t available yet and include:
-IPad mini holder (optional)
-iPad holder (optional)
-Surface holder (optional)
-Kindle Holder (optional)

The current limited run is made from Ranger Green LiteLok with Black, Dark Earth, Ranger Green, and You Can’t Miss Me Silver in Cordura coming in July.

www.combatflipflops.com/claymore-bag

Tags: Combat Flip Flops
Posted in Load Carrying | 9 Comments »

Violent Little Machine Shop

June 19th, 2013

Violent Little Machine Shop is a new company that has created some interesting unisex jewelry designs.

For example, check out their Picatinny Rail Bracelet. The reverse side has a slight curve to be more comfortable against the wrist. Manufactured from Aluminum and Class III Type II Hardcoat Anodized. Offered in Bronze, Black, Silver and Green.

They have also introduced a Trigger Necklace that looks to be inspired by those sharktooth necklaces but in Steel and cooler. Offered in black oxide plated steel, 24k Gold Plated, White Bronze, and Bronze.

Either item comes with deerskin leather cord and is Made in the USA.

Tags: Violent Little Machine Shop
Posted in Off-Duty | 15 Comments »

Sneak Peek – Combat Flip Flops

June 19th, 2013

We go all the way to the UK for the 2014 Hot Shots Calendar shoot and who do we run into but Griff from Combat Flip Flops? Good thing we did because he showed us two new models created especially for Edgar Brothers.

The men’s model on the left is the Pussy Galore and the ladies’ model is the Moneypenny.

Look for these Spring 2014.

Tags: Combat Flip Flops
Posted in Boots, Industry | 5 Comments »

US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort – The Hidden Costs Of Delays

June 19th, 2013

Everyone knew that the tactical industry was bound to get smaller as the war winds down. At one point, business was almost too easy. It wasn’t just spearing fish in a barrel. If you had gear ready to deliver, the fish literally jumped into your boat. But those days are over. And, with them comes the inevitable. Companies are going to close. Others will change strategies and expectations and survive.

Yet, the are two additional stressors on industry that are avoidable, yet doing some serious damage. The first is sequestration. The Government and particular, the military, long industry’s largest single customer, isn’t buying much. Not for lack of need, but for lack of cash. And the blame for that lies with forces outside their control; politics. Reportedly, sequestration has caused the second stressor; the delay in announcing the US Army’s new family of camouflage patterns.

Many companies have figured out that they have to switch back to a pre-war, retail-based business model. But now, even that is fraught with problems. Normally, the purchase of many Soldier System items would fall back on the individual as the military itself stops buying. Individual service members would buy socks, boots, daypacks, eyepro, gloves, flashlights, knives, etc. with their own cash. Soldiers universally abhor the current issue Universal Camouflage Pattern and according to the Army itself, they don’t want it anymore either. But due to the delay Army’s in announcing new camo, Soldiers in particular are wont to spend money on anything lest they buy the wrong pattern. And this has many in industry worried.

The retail market isn’t the only side that is skittish over Army camouflage. For the Government, DLA has delayed several procurements in anticipation of a new camouflage. But even then, crunch time is coming for some commodities that will have to be purchased before the Army runs out. At the very least, Soldiers will need uniforms.

You see, no one wants to be left holding the bag, ie a huge inventory of fabric or finished goods in UCP. Already, it’s practically being given away in fire sales by vendors. Manufacturers are afraid to order fabric because they fear the few orders for UCP they have will be cancelled at any any moment as the client specifies delivery in the new pattern. As one industry insider put it, “the supply chain is getting crushed due to lack of orders on top of drawdown and sequestration.”

The longer the Army delays announcement of a new camouflage pattern, the more it hurts the industrial base it relies on. Additionally, the Army is forced to purchase clothing and equipment that will have to be abandoned after the switch. And finally, delays impact readiness. The American Soldier (as well as members of other services/organizations that must use Army camouflage) deserve to use effective camouflage.

Posted in Camo, Industry | 34 Comments »