New Breed of Warrior has just released the Industry Specific portion of their program. Space is limited for all of these sessions and are restricted to those with Government or industry credentials. Be sure to RSVP ASAP if you want to attend any of these sessions.
2010 NBOW Industry Specific Training
The Mad Duo attended Darley Defense Day held by Darley Defense near Ft. Polk last week and they promised us a couple of reviews. The first review is the Rifleman’s Tool, designed by none other than Walter “Blackie†Collins and coming to the fighting public via Tactical International. So, without further ado, here is their review.
We’re working on a full-blown, in-depth review right now but thought we’d give you the low-down quick and dirty now: this knife is COOL, and it really is more than just a knife—it’s a tool that may be the coolest thing that’s come along (at least in the category of lethal or hard-working cutlery) since the first multi-tool. Now, it’s not a Swiss Army Knife with a vast array of nifty gadgets, so don’t expect that. This piece of kit chooses a few things to do, specifically (as the name implies) for the rifleman, and it does it well.
The Rifleman’s Tool auto-deploys a strong 4†tanto style blade (non-auto versions coming), with the inestimable Mr. Collins’ signature on the side. Inside the body of the knife are several extremely useful implements for a rifle-shooter (particularly if the shooter is also an emergency responder). There’s a front sight adjustment tool, an aluminum shell extractor designed to avoid damage to the locking lugs on the M4 (you’ve seen it happen when someone grabs a multi-tool or a pair of pliers to do it), and a fire-starter that can also be used on the take-down pins to disassemble the weapon. All of these latter tools are accessed by unscrewing the threaded carbide glass-breaking pieces at the end of the knife.
(Sorry about the pictures: our minion was distracted and wasn’t doing such great work with the camera.)
The only thing some people might not like is going to be the price—we’ve seen it as high as nearly $400, averaging about $350 depending upon the retailer. Now, that’s actually not a bad price for a tool of this quality and potential usefulness, but you’re going to have to wrap yourself around the fact that you get what you pay for. This may also be the time you need to use the “yeah but look how many pairs of shoes you have!†argument with Household-6 in order to justify the expense. Note: Going Loud Tactical Outfitters carries the Rifleman’s Tool and is apparently running a special for a little while; enter SoldierSystems as a coupon code at checkout for 15% off the Rifleman’s Tool ($250.00 retail at Going Loud)…we’re not sure how long it’s supposed to last.
The Rifleman’s Tool is also available at Tactical International ($450.00) and DPMS Inc. ($378.00). Rumor has it that Darley Defense may also be offering the tool, but as of this date we couldn’t confirm that.
If you’d like to read a little more about it, Police Magazine did a review here. Otherwise, check back here because there is definitely more to follow!
If you have any ideas for us to review or discuss, drop us a line at Breach-Bang-Clear or FaceBook.com/MadDuo; unless you’re going to complain about our opinions, writing style or philosophy (or you’re a sissy) in which case don’t bother. We’ve got upcoming articles on a half a dozen really cool new pieces of kit and a picture of when we were coined by GW of Tactical Tailor, so it would behoove you to PAY ATTENTION.
MAD DUO OUT!
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The Future
Here at SSD we continuously look at ways to increase interaction with our readers. One example is that we are ready to release an app for the Android. Additionally, some of our writers have begun to develop specialized content for other sites. For example, you may have seen the article on Environmental Clothing Systems on ADS Inc’s web site. You will also begin to see some of our stuff in print. We have also posted content from the Mad Duo and others.
Something very exciting is happening to SSD very soon. Once we get over this busy trade show season, a big change is coming.
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We are constantly improving our fighting position, so if you have any additional ideas on ways SSD can do more for you, please feel free to share them with us.
While it’s a fashion statement, TNF has put together some pretty cool kit. Known as the Purple Label line, the Fall lineup is offered in Australian Disruptive Pattern. Here, you see a Gore-tex jacket, Fleece vest, and Day pack. The downside? They are only available in Japan.
Innovative Flight Solutions (IFS) based in Virginia Beach, Virginia and is an independent developer of alternative flight solutions for use in both defense and commercial applications.
Under development for 8 years, IFS’ most recent achievement is the “Stalker” Powered Parafoil. The Stalker can be flown either manned or unmanned, from altitudes ranging 5 feet to 20,000 feet, and as slow as 17 knots or as fast at 68 knots. In addition to its airborne capabilities, in ground mode the Stalker has the capacity to transverse paved and unimproved roadways, grass fields, beach, desert and other challenging terrain. On a paved road the Stalker can reach speeds in excess of 70 mph.
The Stalker’s distinct capabilities are ideal for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) programs as well as use in border patrol, psychological operations (PSYOPS, now called Military Information Operations), and as a combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). With a standard flight time of 4.4 hours, and an optional extended fuel cell increasing its range to 19.8 hours, the Stalker can also be used for forward scouting ahead of convoys, delivery to remote terrains, medevac, sniper operations, etc. Due to its simplicity in maintenance, small storage area, and ease of flight any platoon leader or area commander can now have immediate and total control of an air asset.
Unlike fixed wing aircraft, the Stalker cannot be rolled, put into a dive, or stalled It can also handle IFR (no visibility) flight conditions. According to the FAA, the Stalker “… it [sic]one of the safest, stable and versatile aircraft in existence…” It can carry a useful payload of 747 pounds in manned flight and as a UAV has a useful payload of 1,047 pounds.
IFS works with the Aviation Sciences department at the University of Maryland to conduct its research and development while manufacturing is done by a leading defense contractor. Extensive testing has been completed in conjunction with Anti-Terrorism Force Protection exercises at eleven (11) military bases. All testing has been successful.
The Stalker will be on display at GSS Gear’s New Breed of Warrior being held September 10-11, 2010.
Darley Defense hosted “Darley Defense Day†near Ft. Polk on Tuesday. Darley is probably best known for the firefighting equipment but has recently gotten involved in special operations and tactical equipment, in a BIG way. Initially to be held on Ft Polk itself, Darley got word literally 24 hours before the show was to open that having it on base was a no-go. A garrison marplot apparently got involved for reasons that may have been righteous, were possibly spurious, or most likely stoopid, but who are we to judge? The end result saw the show moved literally at the last minute to a hotel in the nearby metropolis of Leesville.
Now, we personally think Leesville is on par with Mos Eisley, but the show itself was great. This was largely due to the Herculean efforts of Todd Kasper (SFC, retired), local Darley coordinator and event POC. If you’ve never met him, Todd’s a hard-working SOB with a great sense of humor, unmatched energy and excellent taste in hair gel. (Great guy; should never be prescribed personality-enhancing medication.)
There were a number of luminaries from the tactical industry there, including representatives from Tactical Tailor (we’ll be telling you about an outstanding new pouch they’re putting out; it’ll make you smack your forehead and wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself), Eye Safety Systems Inc. (more commonly known as ESS, and wait until you wear the new temples for the Crossbow glasses, they’re awesome), Peak Beam Systems, Beamshot, Duostock Designs, Going Loud Tactical Outfitters, Ontario Knife Company, Rocky Boots, Wellco Boots, The Mako Group…you get the idea. There were actually a couple there we didn’t initially know anything about, like for instance Wild Things Tactical. How we’ve managed to spend years in this line of work without hearing of them we haven’t figured out but rest assured we’ve since been educated. (They provide inclement weather gear to snake-eaters from every branch and many Federal agencies, and provide every Marine’s ‘happy suit’.) WT Tactical had a couple of really sweet new pieces, which we’ll go over soon.
We met many Soldiers from a variety of outfits, including 10TH Mountain and the 509’s Geronimos. We remember one mean looking Sergeant Major in particular, giving all the gear a very critical eye; pretty sure he was with the OPFOR unit, but not sure. He had a shaved head, rasping voice and looked like all the spare flesh and sense of humor on had long since been boiled away, leaving just gristle, dick and backbone behind.
We didn’t talk to him.
Although there weren’t vast numbers of Soldiers milling about, this Darley Defense Day seemed to be a great success. We had the chance to sit down for a few minutes with T.J. Gilroy over lunch (good chow, by the way) about their goals for the show and others liked it. Foremost among those goals was the desire to not only make themselves known as the newest part of the TLS Program (formerly “Prime Vendorâ€) and to educate soldiers about options in available and authorized kit that’s out there.
There was more to it…we’ll explain more as we go. Please check back periodically to read up on some of the wicked cool new kit we saw while we were there.
If you have any ideas for us to review or discuss, drop us a line at Breach-Bang-Clear or FaceBook.com/MadDuo; unless you’re going to complain about our opinions, writing style or philosophy (or you’re a sissy) in which case don’t bother. We’ve got upcoming articles on a half a dozen really cool new pieces of kit and a picture of when we were coined by GW of Tactical Tailor, so it would behoove you to PAY ATTENTION.
MAD DUO OUT!
Went to see “The American” last night and all I have to say is, “WTF was that?” The poster outside of the theater rocked, but trust me, you see all of the great parts in the trailer, minus the naughty bits. The sex scenes had more action than the action.
Ok, sure there are ample shots of Italian boobies and muff but you have to see Clooney in the buff as well (my eyes!). No thanks. Oddly enough, the “hero” of the story had a tattoo on his arm that was an amalgamation of the Special Forces Distinctive Unit Insignia, but the motto, “De Oppresso Liber” was replaced with “unintelligible ET VERITAS” which I take to be the the SWC motto but backwards if you replace “unintelligible” with “libertas”. All in all, soup sandwich. And then to top it all off, the main weapon was a Mini-14 that he referred to as an M14.
I was the youngest guy in the theater and the seniors in the audience either walked out or fell asleep the pacing was so slow. Pass on this one, and unless you have a fetish for naked Italian ladies or Mini-14s, don’t rent it either. Don’t wait for it to premier on network TV. Even though it will be free, they will cut the only redeeming quality; naked ladies.
I should have seen “Machete”.
