TTPOA starts tomorrow. If you’re on hand, make sure you stop by the FirstSpear booth to get your FR “Back of the Hand” FirstSpear/DRIFIRE/Renegade T-Shirt.
FirstSpear TTPOA T-shirts
April 18th, 2012TNVC IRS (Infra Red Sale)
April 18th, 2012
TNVC is running their annual Tax-Refund special: IRS (Infra Red Sale). Check out their website for savings on all Generation 3 Night Vision Monoculars and Night Vision Scopes. The sale also covers other Infra Red items such as IR Illuminators, Class1 IR Lasers, and IR Signaling Devices. Save money on popular brands such as:
ITT Exelis
L-3 Electro Optical Systems
Laser Devices, Inc.
Princeton Tec
S&S Precision
Adventure Lights
ACR Electronics
Disruptive Thinkers – The Disruptive Poets Society
April 18th, 2012Army Special Forces officer Grant Martin wrote a piece for ‘Small Wars Journal’ on effective Disruptive Thinking. Very good article and well worth your time to go read it. Make sure you check out ‘Disruptive Thinkers: The Disruptive Poets Society.’
I was actually encouraged and cultivated to serve as a disruptive thinker during various parts of my career. Unfortunately, the institution I served, as unconventional as it was, wasn’t entirely made up of the open minded. The institution isn’t a monolith and that goes both ways. Conventional units will have freethinkers and SOF will have their dogmatic followers of the status quo. The military attracts joiners and you have to be aware of that. Some folks are more than happy to be cogs in the machine, as clunky as it might be. And, you will often work for someone who is really good at going with the flow and getting promoted. Generally, these types are staff officers or XOs and serve as door keepers. Be prepared for that. Instead of looking at you as an asset they will feel that you are upsetting the boat. When possible, wait them out or learn how to co-opt them.
I have interesting perspective having served in both the Army and Air Force, with most of that service in SOCOM organizations or other similar assignments. Over the years I learned a couple of things that initially didn’t make sense to me as a disruptive thinker. First off, it’s pretty hard to think outside the box if you don’t know where the edges of that box are. Learn doctrine cold. Then, take a look at how you actually do business. This is where disruptive thinking begins; in the seams between doctrine and reality.
Second, it’s ok that the institution resists change. Not every idea is a good one so it’s actually a good thing that the military doesn’t change how it does business willy nilly. Make sure the idea is worth it and be prepared to defend it in the context of doctrine.
Next, don’t make long-term changes based on one person. Once I had a boss ask me, short of cloning, how we could another me once I PCSed to my next assignment. They had created a duty position that was uniquely me, much like this website. I had a skillset that was outside of my careerfield and there was no way that they were going to get someone like me at my grade level with my experience. They had to reconsider what that duty position’s value was to the command once I left.
Real change isn’t made with fielding a new widget. Don’t confuse wanting to buy a piece of kit with disruptive thinking. In particular understand DOTMLPF. Real change is generally effected in other ways than kit and that shiny new piece of gear often requires changes in other areas well including organization, logistics and training.
Keep change simple. Like Albert Einstein said, “Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex… It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.”
Finally, only try to fix one thing at a time. The institution isn’t prepared to make wholesale change. Often, to effect what you see as real change, you feel that a lot has to happen. Instead, analyze your concept and the institution. Look for that one item that will not only improve the institution but also make them open to more of your suggestions. Remember that door keeper I mentioned above? Look at your idea from his perspective – Red team yourself.
Chances are good, if you’re an SSD reader, you are constantly looking at how to do things better. Learn to harness those thoughts and look at things from different points of view in order to anticipate friction points. When you are ready to present them, know your audience and seek out buy in.
MultiCam Materials – 500D Cordura
April 18th, 2012
Every two weeks SSD showcases a different MultiCam print fabric from Duro Textiles LLC. This week, we are covering Beaver. MultiCam is a single camouflage pattern designed to help the wearer hide in varied environments, seasons, elevations, and light conditions. After a great deal of commercial success and adoption by elements of US Special Operations Forces, in 2010 MultiCam was selected for use by the US Army as its Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP).
Duro prints on genuine Cordura fabric from Invista. A mid-weight fabric, 500D Cordura is rapidly becoming the industry standard for load carrying items that need to be light and durable. This material is coated on the back side for water resistance and features a face side finished with a durable water repellent.
Specs:
Finished Width – 60 inches cuttable
Finished Weight – 7.1 oz/yd² approximately
Fiber Content – 100% Nylon
Construction – 46/35 (warp/fill)
Breaking Strength – 453/348 (warp/fill) (lbs, minimum)
DOWNLOAD Test Report here.
Manufactured from 500D Cordura for its great balance of weight and durability, the new High Ground Plate Carrier incorporates several interesting features.
First off is the Mix-&-Match cummerbund with internal as well as external cummerbund PALS webbing. Additionally, the bungee system allows you to change out whole cummerbunds rather than reconfigure MOLLE pouches. The HGPC also incorporates a cable routing system to eliminate cable clutter. You can also ditch your plates one at a time without dropping the whole carrier kind of like in the first gen of BALCS carriers. Finally, it incorporates an internal pocket for flat items (or your hands) that is accessible from either armpit as well as internal breathable spacer cloth to assist with air flow.
Overall, the HGPC weighs only 2.5 lbs due in no small part to fabric selection. Please note, it is only available in MultiCam and Coyote.
Duro offers progressive pricing based on the number of yards ordered. For more information on this or any of the full line of MultiCam fabrics visit www.multicamfabric.com or email Galpen_Ben@DuroLink.com.
Special Operations Warrior Foundation Gear
April 18th, 2012The Special Operations Warrior Foundation has long been our favorite charity going back to when our founder was still on active duty. As we’ve said time and time again, one of the best ways to get folks to give is when you give them something to show for it. SOWF has teamed with Lifecordgear.com to offer two new products including paracord bracelets and key fobs.
The bracelets are available in 5 color options with a choice of plastic buckle or adjustable steel shackle. The key fob is offered in 3 sizes and 5 color combos.
These products are officially licensed by the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and 100% of the net profits for each item sold will go directly to the SOWF. Plus, they are Made in USA!
LBT SFAT Catalog
April 18th, 2012London Bridge Training Co has released a mini catalog for the Security Force Assistance Team. It includes gear from several product groups such as backpacks, deployment bags, pouches, medical solutions, and armor carriers selected specifically for the SFAT mission. Naturally, it’s full of MultiCam goodness.
A Moment of Silence for Our Fallen Canadian Comrades
April 17th, 2012War is a dangerous business and regardless of what country you come from, it always hurts to lose fellow service members. It’s even worse when the fallen are victims of accident. When Canada suffered its first casualties of the war on terror 10 years ago today, a 500 lbs bomb was accidentally dropped on Canadian forces killing four Soldiers and wounding eight others.
So, a moment of silence for Canada’s fallen and for that matter all of ours. Canada has been a close ally. Honor them with us.
AmericanSnipers.org Adds New Products to Website
April 17th, 2012AmericanSnipers.org has added several new products for April including products released during SHOT Show.
