This is Bushido Tactical‘s new Thermal Initiator 9v Battery Holder.
Features:
Retractable lanyard for fast lighting of thermal rods and automatic stowing.
Magnetic base to attach directly to the target for faster hands free ignition.
Various color illumination for no light / low light cutting situations including under night vision with IR capabilities.
Small, light and compact.
Try it out at the next TEES Total Breaching Course on September 8 – 15, 2023.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFNS) —
Post-traumatic stress disorder is commonly associated with combat-related trauma, but service members may not know that PTSD can also be caused by experiences beyond the battlefield.
PTSD is a physical and mental reaction to a situation or event that was perceived as dangerous, according to behavioral health experts.
“The key is being exposed to a traumatic event,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Larry Kroll, deputy chief of the Defense Health Agency’s behavioral health clinical management team.
“Threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, actual or threatened sexual violence—there are all kinds of traumatic experiences that qualify,” he said. These noncombat-related traumas include car accidents, mass shootings, natural disasters, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
The PTSD trigger can vary from person to person. What is traumatic for one person may not be traumatic for another.
“A tornado comes and destroys the town you live in. Your neighbor’s house is still standing. Yours is destroyed,” Kroll said. “Both parties could be diagnosed potentially with PTSD.”
The trigger may be through direct exposure to trauma, or even indirect exposure. According to Kroll, indirect exposure could range from situations like a first responder witnessing trauma as part of their job to learning that a relative or close friend was exposed to a trauma.
There are several symptoms that can lead to a PTSD diagnosis.
Re-living the event: Service members who experienced a traumatic event may re-live the event in their minds over and over again. They may have nightmares or flashbacks. Reminders of the trauma can be caused by people, places, sounds and smells. These reminders are called “triggers.”
Avoiding situations that remind you of the event: Service members may avoid the things that remind them of the experience to avoid painful thoughts and feelings.
Negative thoughts or feelings that worsen after the trauma: You may have changes in thoughts and moods after a trauma. You may blame yourself or feel guilty for having these thoughts. You may separate yourself from others, lose interest in things you like to do, and feel more and more isolated.
Hyperarousal: You may feel too alert or hyper-aware of your surroundings. You may have trouble sleeping and concentrating. You may feel irritable, overly aggressive, or be easily startled.
It’s important to reach out for help if you experience PTSD symptoms. Treatments like cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy are highly effective and available in most military hospitals and clinics. Newer treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy may help too.
According to Brandi Blue, a licensed clinical social worker at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, these therapies allow for the patient to process their feelings of distress and challenge any unrealistic thoughts that have come from the trauma.
Service members may have felt reluctant to get help in the past, but Blue said that education in schools and exposure to mental health needs and symptoms on social media, television, and in movies is lessening the stigma.
“We can help you manage it better and deal with it better,” said Kroll. “We just want you to have a better life and a more fulfilling life.”
Kroll sees a difference in younger service members. “I think young soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and guardians now are far more comfortable getting mental health support than service members were when I first came in… they’re more comfortable talking about their stuff.”
Resources: The Military Health System has many resources available to help service members, families, or veterans, such as:
The Psychological Health Center of Excellence: The center seeks to improve lives of service members by advancing excellence in military psychological health care research.
Real Warriors Campaign: Real Warriors encourages members of the military community to seek help for mental health concerns by promoting a culture of support. The campaign features videos, tools, and resources with key information about mental health and how to get help.
inTransition: inTransition is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve, veterans, and retirees who need access to mental health care.
For a complete list of PTSD and mental health resources, visit the Health.mil information pages.
By Ken Cornwell, MHS Communications
Europe’s leading robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) developer Milrem Robotics’ unmanned ground system THeMIS equipped with the company’s intelligent functions kit MIFIK, excelled at comprehensive first-of-its-kind autonomy trials organized by the Estonian Military Academy.
Last week, under the leadership of the Estonian Military Academy and the supervision of defence and autonomy specialists from Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK comprehensive trials of autonomous ground robots took place.
For two days at the Estonian Defence Forces central training area Milrem Robotics’ intelligent ground system was put to the test throughout increasingly complex scenarios during which observers from the aforementioned countries evaluated the elements needed to autonomously navigate on the road, off-road and in a dense forest – route planning, point-to-point movement, and obstacle avoidance. The tests assessed the technological readiness of the UGV and human-machine cooperation.
The scenarios included driving on dirt roads, small forest roads, open fields with and without high vegetation and in the forest with moderate to severe density.
“During the two days, we showcased a really mature autonomous system that is capable of handling very complex environments, succeeding even in the densest forest. Autonomy is a crucial and integral part of unmanned ground systems, especially on the battlefield, since it frees up manpower for other tasks and allows soldiers to concentrate on fulfilling their mission rather than operating vehicles,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.
Väärsi emphasized that although Milrem’s intelligent functions can be hailed as a success based on the trials, autonomy development is a marathon, not a sprint and continuous improvements to reliability, features and the UI are being made by the company’s autonomy team and operatively delivered to customers via regular updates.
The autonomy trials were organized by the Estonian Military Academy in cooperation with other units of the Estonian Defence Forces and included 11 RAS developers from nine countries and visitors from nearly 20 countries. The event was partially funded by the Milrem Robotics’ led EDIDP integrated Modular Unmanned Ground System (IMUGS) project and included the project’s autonomy team as a participant.
Forward Controls Design and Revival Defense are proud to announce the release of their new family of flash suppressor/suppressor mounts: The 6315RF and 6310RF
The Rearden ATLAS system uses a short, lightweight threaded taper mount muzzle device, which is a popular mounting system. Revival Defense and Forward Controls Design have brought the functionalities and versatilities of the 6315 design to Plan B/Rearden ATLAS compatible mounts. 6315RF (1/2×28) and 6310RF (5/8×24) are the results of the joint development.
The RF series of muzzle devices are based on Forward Controls Design’s 6315 flash suppressor/compensator introduced in 2017. The 6315 design has been incorporated into many popular Dead Air suppressor mounts, such as the 6315KM (Keymo) and 6315XE (Xeno).
6315RF and 6310RF are closed tine, closed bottom flash hider/compensators that are not only durable and capable of consistent suppressor lockup but are also a useful and practical muzzle device without a suppressor mounted.
Flash Suppressor: On most platforms, we prefer flash suppressors for practical reasons. While muzzle brakes provide recoil mitigation, they also produce concussion and flash. RF muzzle devices have identical flash mitigation performance as a standard A2 birdcage, despite being shorter. Internal concentric grooves also increase the surface area of the flash tines without requiring a longer device.
Flash suppression comparison. For more information, please visit www.forwardcontrolsdesign.com/size-matters-sometimes
Closed Tine: Closed tine devices reduce the likelihood of snagging on vegetation and webbing. Fully enclosed designs are also stronger.
Closed Bottom: A closed bottom acts as a compensator. It also helps to mitigate dust signature when shooting in prone. 6315RF features asymmetric ports with 10 to 15% better muzzle rise compensation over the A2. For more info on closed bottom, please visit this link:
www.forwardcontrolsdesign.com/the-case-for-closed-bottom-muzzle-devices
Suppressor Mount: 6315RF & 6310RF provide a durable and consistent suppressor mount that don’t add weight or length to the front of the firearm. Designed to accept the popular Rearden ATLAS / Q Plan B system, the RF Series is also short enough to maintain compatibility with suppressors that have limited space in the initial blast chamber, such as the CGS Helios QD. These are also designed with a tapered mount, which provides a consistent seal for the carbon, preventing any leakage and keeping the can tight under hard use.
Pièce De Résistance – Rear A2-Style Wrench Slots: Torque specifications matter, and this is particularly true when mounting a suppressor mount to your barrel. RF muzzle devices are compatible with a standard armorer’s wrench and 3/4 wrench, with the wrench flats in the familiar location in rear, behind the ports.. This is beneficial for both installation, or if a suppressor becomes seized on the rifle and additional leverage on the muzzle device with a wrench is needed to loosen the suppressor.
“Revival Defense was established in July 2021 while we were still in California. If someone had told us then that we would have our own product on the market just over a year later, we would have found it hard to believe. Although designing and creating products that have a practical purpose has always been a desire, we did not think it would be a reality this early in our journey.”
– Akshay, Owner of Revival Defense
6315RF and 6310RF can be purchased below:
• 6315RF – 1/2×28 / .223 Caliber
• 6310RF – 5/8×24 / 30 Caliber
The Special Warfare Contracting Office at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for a new capability called the Extended Maritime Mobility Platform, essentially an airdroppable rigid hulled inflatable boat.
Currently, the force relies on small inflatables boats with small outboard motors and 2-man Advanced Rescue Crafts which are wave runner-style craft used to provide close access to those who need rescuing in the open ocean. These systems, like the anticipated EMMP are airdropped from HC130 aircraft.
The boat will be used by the Air Force’s Pararescue which is organized as the Guardian Angel community consisting of the action arm made up of enlisted Pararescuemen and commissioned Combat Rescue Officers along with enlisted Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape specialists who provide training and unit support.
According to the RFI, “Guardian Angel (GA) surface maritime operations include search/support/recovery of Isolated Personnel (IP) and recovery of Sensitive Items from ocean and coastal environments across permissive, semi-permissive, and contested threat environments.
Fielding an air-droppable, survivable, open-ocean capable, hard-hulled watercraft will provide the United States Air Force (USAF) with long range maritime Personnel Recovery adequate for vast, extended duration, open- ocean operations.”
The RFI closes on 10 July but hopefully the team issuing the RFI attended last week’s Multi-Agency Craft conference in Portsmouth, Virginia to see the gathering of small boat manufacturers.
Phoenix, Arizona (July 3, 2023) – Starting today, all Remington Model 700 rifles will come standard with Timney Triggers. The Alpha 1 and Police will come with the Elite Hunter trigger, and all other Model 700s will have the new Impact 700 trigger. Timney was asked to build a replacement Remington Model 700 trigger that does not compromise on quality. Timney listened. Timney delivered.
The Impact 700 trigger is the next evolution of accuracy for the iconic Remington Model 700 rifle. The secret to accuracy? It all starts with an amazing trigger and this trigger is truly amazing – American-made by the incredible craftsmen and women who build, The World’s Finest Triggers™.
Timney’s engineers designed this incredible trigger by machining the parts from billet steel – no skimping with metal injection molding or rolled parts – while still hand-assembling, testing, and calibrating each trigger at Timney’s facility in Phoenix, Arizona.
This new trigger has a factory set pull weight of 3 – 4 pounds (non-adjustable) that will give you a crisp, clean break and features our Sear Engagement Adjustment Lock design (SEAL’d) which ensures a user-friendly experience.
The new Impact 700 trigger is Timney’s latest, innovative, overnight success – 77 years in the making.
Impact 700 Tech Specs:
• Factory-tuned pull weight of 3 – 4 lbs.
• Non-adjustable pull weight and overtravel.
• The trigger sear and trigger shoe are precision-machined and heat-treated from premium metal.
• The sear is carbonitrided for maximum lubricity and wear resistance for a lifetime of reliable performance.
• The trigger shoe is coated with black oxide for enhanced corrosion resistance.
• Housing is constructed of Anodized aluminum.
• Sear Engagement Adjustment Lock design (SEAL’d) creates a user-friendly experience.
• This trigger has been hand-assembled, tested, and calibrated at Timney’s facility in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Backed by Timney’s Legendary, No Hassle, Lifetime Warranty.
https://landing.timneytriggers.com/Remington_Timney
Oslo, Norway, July 4th 2023 – NFM AS has spent significant time and resources on developing its THOR ® load bearing vests and has developed a range of innovative products such as the modular, scalable, and transformable GRID carrier system which enjoys intellectual property protection in the EU and other jurisdictions.
Mehler Vario System GmbH has earlier this year exhibited a product titled “Grid carrier” to the market at a trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany, which NFM believes to infringe its registered design rights.
To protect its valuable intellectual property, NFM has initiated legal infringement proceedings against Mehler before the Regional Court of Düsseldorf, Germany, (docket no. 14C O 29/2023), requesting a decision which prohibits Mehler from marketing and distributing the products in question throughout the European Union.
The question of whether or not Mehler’s “Grid carrier” infringes NFM’s registered design rights will be decided by the Court.
(Photo Credit: Photo by Doug Ware, Courtesy of Stars and Stripes, all rights reserved)
WASHINGTON — On July 1, 2023, the U.S. Army and the nation celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the all-volunteer force. For half a century, the call to serve has been answered with Americans making the choice to represent the highest ideals of service and patriotism through military service.
“This year is the 50th anniversary of the all-volunteer force,” said Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth during the Army’s Birthday Festival. “That is 50 years of selfless service, 50 years of Soldiers from all walks of life volunteering to realize their potential, 50 years of Soldiers being all they can be.”
In 1973, the Nixon administration announced the U.S. military would fill its ranks exclusively with Americans that made the choice to serve rather than with draftees. Prior to 1973’s all-volunteer force, a near-continuous conscription began with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s activation of the nation’s first peacetime draft in support of World War II. That first draft, between November 1940 and October 1946, enlisted over 10 million Americans. The draft was again re-adopted in 1948 and continued to exist until it was officially halted on July 1, 1973.
(Photo Credit: Photo by Warren Leffler, courtesy of the Library of Congress)
The Army started working on developing the all-volunteer force well before the draft ended. According to Nicholas Torre, an Army Historian with the U.S. Army Center of Military History, in April 1971, a transitionary program called VOLAR, named for the new Volunteer Army Program, was successfully implemented at select bases. VOLAR was an experiment designed to increase retention rates and morale among Soldiers and to attract those who wanted to serve. The results were promising. For example, reforms at Fort Carson that aligned with the principles of VOLAR resulted in a 45% increase of reenlistments.
“VOLAR and accompanying initiatives sought to rectify the ills of the Vietnam-era draft-dependent Army,” said Torre. The Army wanted to find ways to increase discipline and morale as it moved towards an all-volunteer force. That included improving work environments by focusing on three areas: Army professionalism, day-to-day quality of life and addressing contextual social problems like race-related and drug abuse issues. Today, at the close of the Global War on Terror and with recruitment presenting challenges, there are parallels shared between the inception of the all-volunteer force and the present state. For instance, the U.S. Army’s continues to be a diverse force and a place for equal pay and treatment.
“Our Soldiers, from the newest E-1 to the most experienced generals come from all over the country, from many different backgrounds, from multiple demographics, races and ethnicities. And while our Soldiers are as diverse as the nation they serve, we have seen throughout our history that we are strongest when we serve together. At the end of the day, what unites us is our shared Army values. That and our collective mission to fight and win the nation’s wars,” said Wormuth.
Our diverse force continues to be united by a common mission, but the U.S. Army has also evolved over the last 50 years. Under the draft system, draftees usually served for two years. Today enlistments vary depending on each Soldier’s training and career path. Today’s Army offers more complex education and training for over 200 career paths. New innovations in training such as the Holistic Health and Fitness, new approaches towards mental readiness, sleep readiness, physical readiness and spiritual readiness are telling of how today’s Army is prioritizing setting up Soldiers for readiness and success.
“No other organization can bring out the best in people like the United States Army,” Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen. James C. McConville remarked at the Army’s Birthday Festival.
Wormuth succinctly expressed what’s at the core of encouraging and celebrating Americans who choose to serve in an Army of possibilities, “The strength of our total Army has always been and will always be, our people.”
By Corinne Dionisio
