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Attn Airmen & Guardians – Want to Go to Ranger School?

January 6th, 2024

Want to go to Ranger School?

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) —

It’s been called “a laboratory of human endurance,” testing the physical, mental and spiritual grit of the officer and enlisted leaders who undertake it. It’s the Army Ranger School and the Department of the Air Force is looking for Airmen and Guardians who are ready for the challenge.

Through the Air Force Security Forces Center’s Ranger Assessment Course, DAF candidates are taught, coached, tested and evaluated for nomination to the grueling 62-day Ranger School experience.

“The Air Force RAC delivers dynamic leadership evaluation and training, mirroring what a candidate will face at Ranger School, which helps drive increased success rates at Army Ranger School. Attendance to both courses ties directly into the Air Force chief of staff’s priority of strengthening joint leaders and teams by directly placing them in joint leadership school and roles which have proven to build military leaders,” said Gabriel Rodriguez, readiness training and RAC program manager at the AFSFC.

The next RAC, about a third of the length of Ranger School, is set for early spring at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis. Anyone from any Air Force or Space Force career field can attend.

“While the majority of Ranger School attendees come from combat arms career fields, individuals from other Air Force specialty codes can also attend if they meet the necessary prerequisites and requirements,” Rodriguez said. “Ranger School can provide valuable leadership and tactical skills, regardless of the individual’s primary AFSC.”

One of the many misconceptions of the RAC and Ranger School is “that you must be 100% ready before you even attend the course – but that’s where most people are wrong,” said Master Sgt. Keegan Donnelly, RAC instructor with the AFSFC.

The RAC curriculum has undergone an intense review and rewrite to craft a leadership laboratory, he said, designed to teach and coach students before assessing their abilities.

Capt. Daniel Reynolds, assistant director of operations for the 4th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, is the only Space Force Ranger School graduate to date. In his position, he interacts with tactical joint force warfighters on a daily basis to develop more resilient satellite communications toolkits. That warfighter-centric focus in his day-to-day job is what led him to the RAC and ultimately Ranger School.

“Ranger School, as the world’s premiere combat leadership course, expertly teaches resilience, grit and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds,” Reynolds said. “It teaches leaders how to break down complex problems and craft decisive solutions to dynamic combat scenarios. This is incredibly relevant to any career field in any branch of military service.”

According to its website, Ranger School is a small unit tactics and leadership course that develops functional skills directly related to missions that engage the enemy in close combat and direct fire battles. It’s held at various locations in Georgia and Florida and is open to U.S. military members from all branches, as well as selected students from U.S. allied nations.

With less than 40% of those who attempt Ranger School succeeding, the Air Force developed a form of RAC, or pre-Ranger training, in the mid-1980s to send more competitive candidates forward to increase the odds of success.

Ranger students train to exhaustion, pushing the limits of their minds and bodies during three phases – Darby, Mountain and Swamp – which follow the crawl, walk, run training methodology, Rodriguez said.

With the punishing nature of Ranger School, preparation and an understanding of what attendees will encounter before they get to both the RAC and Ranger School is extremely important, he said.

“Candidates can increase their success at both RAC and Ranger School by focusing pre-training on being successful during the weeklong Ranger Assessment Phase,” Rodriguez said. “At RAC, we hone in on tasks that could hinder a candidate from being successful at Ranger School. This includes strictly executing push-ups, sustaining the mental and physical toughness to meet the time standard on the 12-mile foot march, and honing the basic navigation skills required to pass the land navigation test on the first attempt.

“A proven method to increase success at Ranger School is to take advantage of local training and attending RAC, then followed by Ranger School,” he added.

“The bar to gain acceptance to Ranger School is high, and rightfully so,” Reynolds said. “RAC allows prospective students to understand what will be expected of them if they accept the challenge to attend Ranger School. It also provides them with the tactical skillset necessary to be successful there, both in the assessment phase and in the course’s three patrolling phases.

“Developing Ranger-qualified leaders within the Space Force is critical to our continued defense of the contested warfighting regime of space,” Reynolds said.

“Every career field has a need for decisive, brave, tough and purpose-driven leaders of character. To put it simply, learning how to lead is something that Ranger School does on a world-class level. This is an invaluable resource to have for any service member in any career field,” Reynolds said.

“The RAC and Ranger School were the catalysts for some of my life’s greatest transformations,” the captain said. “The experience transformed me into a much more confident, capable and purpose-driven human being and that has affected every aspect of my leadership development for the better.”

Airmen and Guardians who qualify to attend RAC, and ultimately the Army’s Ranger Course, should be prepared for the monumental experience, Reynolds added, with “feeling drawn to attend” being the most important component to possess in preparation for it.

“A significant proportion of people who fail the course do so because they arrived without deciding that the experience was something that their life needed,” the captain said. “Take the time to decide for yourself what your reasons for Ranger School are, and how important joining the community is to you. When you’re more cold, wet, tired and hungry than you’ve ever been in your life, those reasons will be what you will lean on to carry you through.”

“Regardless of their recommendation to move onto Ranger School or not, [RAC attendees] are still returning to their units better trained, more lethal and adaptable leaders in the joint arena,” Donnelly said.

To apply for RAC attendance or more information on the program, go to the Air Force Portal under Air Force Forces Generation Connect or email AFSFC.S3T.AFSFC_RAC_Program@us.af.mil.

By Debbie Aragon, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Training | Comments Off on Attn Airmen & Guardians – Want to Go to Ranger School?

U.S. Soldier Conquers French Desert Commando Course

January 6th, 2024

For nearly 50 years, French soldiers stationed in Djibouti have made their way to Arta Mountains for the French Desert Commando course, a grueling five-day course designed to test soldiers’ physical, emotional and mental limits. This year 40 U.S. service members signed up for the challenge, among them was U.S. Army Sgt. Liliana Munday.

Growing up, Munday, a Soldier with the 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Carolina National Guard, gravitated toward physical activities that kept her outdoors as often as possible. She was immediately interested in the French Desert Commando Course but hearing about the physical demands of the course brought on feelings of doubt.

“I didn’t think I was ready for it,” she said. “But Staff Sgt. (Samuel) Perez kept pushing me to try out because he saw that I wanted to do it and he had faith in me that I could do it.”

The FDCC has two phases, the pre-assessment and commando phase. The first phase ensured service members met the basic physical requirements and evolved into a preparation program over several weeks. During this period service members consistently trained to earn a spot in the commando phase. The second phase took them out to the field where they faced numerous courses including a night obstacle course, a ropes course and a swimming course incorporated with various combative and desert survival skills.

With the paperwork submitted the next step was to prepare. Her training regimen began in September and included rucks and runs around the installation before dawn, weight lifting, and dynamic, high-intensity exercises nearly every day. At the peak of her training, she fit in three workouts each day while balancing her regular work schedule.

After three months of training Munday remembers the nerves she felt on the drive out to Arta Mountains where her hard work was put to the test immediately.

“I almost had an aneurysm, I was so scared,” she said. “On the way out there I kept thinking, ‘Am I ready? Am I gonna do this? These guys are gonna smoke me, I’m just gonna be out here stranded and be sent home on day one’.”

Day one consisted of a five kilometer ruck-run with a full kit, followed by a PT test and rope climbs.

“I was nervous because rope climbs are very hard for me and in training, I could only do one,” she recalled.

Her training partner, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Samuel Perez, was there to support and encourage her, watching as she steadily made her way to the top.

“I could see she was nervous because we saw the other competitors struggling with this climb,” Perez said. “I was there telling her she could do it; I knew she could. She got up there and when she came back down she had a big smile beaming from her face she was so excited and she ran over and gave me a big hug.”

With the first big hurdle behind her, Munday moved forward in the course with a newfound confidence.

“For some reason, after completing that first day I was good. I started to feel like I could do this thing and I proved to my squad that I was here to work and I deserved to be here,” she said.

Each day and night Munday and her squad faced a new obstacle, the most difficult for her she says was the mountain obstacle course.

Positioned 200 meters above the ground, participants were required to jump across five platforms spaced several meters apart, jump and grab on to a steel pole and slide down to the ground.

“When you’re doing that mountain obstacle course you don’t realize how far each platform is from one another and there are points when you’re not clipped in,” she explained. “I thought, if I missed even a little bit, I’m going down.”

On day three, after pushing herself through numerous challenges and rucking non-stop from one training location to another, she thought she had reached her breaking point and seriously considered quitting.

“Your joints just start to scream. It’s painful,” she confessed. “I kept thinking I cannot take this pain anymore. I’m almost done but I cannot do it anymore.”

Through the dirt, mud, sweat and pain, it was Munday’s spirit and drive within her that helped her push through. That spirit and drive, she said, comes from two of the strongest people she knows.

“My mom and my grandma—they’re such strong women and they never let me quit when I was younger. They have strong personalities and it’s within me,” she said. “It was very nice to tell them that I did this. They were like, ‘No way, that’s awesome!’ and when I told them I was the only female they said, ‘You’re kicking ass!’.”

At the end of it all, the feeling of accomplishment came when she received the French Desert Commando pin at graduation. Black and gold in color, the pin prominently features a scorpion resting on the outline of the country of Djibouti. Along the rim are the words “Aguerrissement Zone Desertique” which translates to “Desert Zone Hardening”.

“I’m now able to look back and say, I did that. We did that,” she said with a smile. “Completing something and not giving up even though you may want to … it sticks with you forever. I use this as fuel to my fire when I feel like I can’t do something. I think to myself, ‘You can, because you have already’.”

Beyond the support she received from her family and teammates, Munday’s success is a testament to the old adage ‘preparation is the key to success.’ It’s a message she’s taken to heart and shared with her fellow soldiers since completing the course.

“Someone I work with said he wanted to do the FDCC but he didn’t think he was ready,” she said. “I said, ‘Sir, you’re never going to be ready.’ I didn’t think I was ready. But I got ready. So if you truly think or know that you want to do something no matter the current status that you’re in, if you want to pursue it you’re just gonna have to train and do what it takes to get to that point. There is no other way.”

By MSG Jerilyn Quintanilla

Posted in Army, Guest Post, International, Profession of Arms, Training | 3 Comments »

GA-ASI Completes First Lifetime for Full-Scale Fatigues Test on MQ-9B

January 5th, 2024

SAN DIEGO – 03 January 2024 – On Dec. 5, 2023, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed a major milestone with the full-scale fatigue testing of an MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The team completed the “first lifetime” of fatigue testing – which is equivalent to 40,000 operating hours – and represents an important step in validating the design of the airframe system. The testing is part of the aircraft certification to the NATO standard STANAG 4671, where the aircraft will be ultimately be tested through three lifetimes, thereby proving the 40,000 hour lifetime of the airframe.

The full-scale fatigue test simulates the aircraft’s design service through the application of repeated structural loading on the assembled airframe. The testing identifies any potential structural deficiencies ahead of fleet usage and assists in developing inspection and maintenance schedules for the airframe. The results of the test will be used as a part of the documentation for certification, as well as form the basis for in-service inspections of structural components.

MQ-9B is GA-ASI’s most advanced RPA and includes the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian® models, as well as the new Protector RG Mk 1 that is currently being delivered to the U.K. Royal Air Force.

“Full-scale fatigue testing is an integral part of validating the airframe design and a key input to the certification of the airframe prior to going into service,” said Chris Dusseault, Vice President of MQ-9B in Europe. “The completion of the fatigue test builds confidence for our MQ-9B customers that the SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian airframe meets the stringent design rigor and is a mature system at Entry into Service.”

The testing is the validation of years of design and analysis efforts. This is the first of three lifetimes of testing for the airframe. Two of the lifetimes simulate the operation of an aircraft under normal conditions, and the third lifetime has intentional damage inflicted on the airframe’s critical components to demonstrate its resistance to operational damage that may occur in the lifetime of the air vehicle.

Testing was conducted Dec. 13, 2022-Dec. 5, 2023, at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research in Wichita, Kan. The airframe tested is a production airframe purpose-built to support the test campaign.

Posted in Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI Completes First Lifetime for Full-Scale Fatigues Test on MQ-9B

Catch Up With Ocean State Innovations At The SHOT Show Suppliers Showcase

January 5th, 2024

Ocean State Innovations is excited to welcome you to our SHOT Show Suppliers Showcase Booth 52240, at The Venetian 5th Floor, Palazzo Ballroom, Las Vegas, Nevada on January 22 – 23, 2024. We have the following products to review with you and your production team:

• CORDURA® TrueLock™ Solution Dyed Fabrics – 500D & 1000D.
• Curv® Tactical – Innovative Curv® Thermoplastic Composite Technology
• ITW® Military Products & Hardware
• Velcro® Brand Hook 89 & Loop 1100
• Velcro® Brand Loop in MultiCam®
• OSI Printing Services – Woven Fabrics & Velcro® Brand Loop
• Innovative Textile Developments

Stop by and say hello to the OSI Team members or reach out to make an appointment:

Peter Raneri – peter@osinnovate.com

Geoff Senko – geoff@osinnovate.com

Nick Boulis – nick@osinnovate.com

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, Materials, SHOT Show | Comments Off on Catch Up With Ocean State Innovations At The SHOT Show Suppliers Showcase

Vets Tactical Showcases Groundbreaking CUPOLSTER at SHOT Show

January 5th, 2024

Transforming Vehicle Holster Solutions

January 4, 2023, Castle Rock, CO – Vets Tactical, a leading innovator in firearm accessories, is excited to introduce its patent-pending Cupolster® vehicle cup holder holster at their inaugural exhibit during the 2024 NSSF® SHOT Show in Las Vegas, NV, from January 21 to 26 in booth #43952. Precisely engineered with an ergonomic cant, the innovative Cupolster BRAVO SERIES by Vets Tactical vehicle holster raises the bar for swift firearm access and user comfort within a vehicle.

Vets Tactical CEO Craig Washburn describes Cupolster’s transformative potential. “Its design, positioning, and angle create a strategic staging area for your handgun, facilitating swift and efficient retrieval from your vehicle’s existing cup holder. When seconds matter most, your sidearm is easily accessible without hindering your field of view. Say goodbye to awkward bending or reaching—your firearm is right at your fingertips, ready to defend you and your loved ones.”

Washburn explained the convenience of customization without the need for adhesives or screws, “Customize your vehicle’s cup holder with our sizing tools. No need to worry about permanent alterations to your car’s interior—pop it in, and it securely stays in place. Plus, it’s easily transferable between vehicles,” he said. To address in-vehicle safety, the ambidextrous Cupolster BRAVO SERIES features a fully covered trigger guard allowing cross-draw positioning adapted to right or left-handed drivers and front-seat passengers.

Acknowledging the discomfort of driving with traditional holsters, Washburn added, “Whether IWB or OWB, driving with a holstered firearm can be uncomfortable. The Cupolster addresses that issue, providing a seamless and efficient solution for firearm carry within vehicles.”

Cupolster BRAVO SERIES Vehicle Holster Features

• Swift and ergonomic access: The 20-degree cant optimizes the holster’s position in vehicle cup holsters, providing unparalleled accessibility and an ergonomic fit for swift handgun access.

• Universal compatibility: The BRAVO SERIES offers versatility for a wide range of firearm sizes.

• Customized fit: Each Cupolster includes a magnet and sizing accessories, allowing users to tailor the fit to their specific cup holder.

• Easy installation: No tools, screws, or glue required.

• Adaptable: Enhance compatibility with smaller vehicle cup holders using the CHARLIE ALPHA Cup Adapter (sold separately), expanding the Cupolster’s adaptability across many vehicles.

• Ambidextrous: Can be configured for cross-draw positioning, catering to right and left-handed users.

• Four options: Different sizes ensure the perfect fit for specific handguns.

• BRAVO ONE: Fits most large to medium-framed semi-auto handguns with slide widths up to 1.05”

• BRAVO ONE LIMA: Designed for handguns with attached Streamlight TLR-1, TLR-7, Surefire 300x, Olight Valkyrie, and similar structured lights with slide widths up to 1.05”

• BRAVO ONE MICRO: For smaller framed semi-auto, micro, compact, and subcompact handguns with slide widths up to .88”

• BRAVO ONE XL: Ideal for extra-large-framed handguns with slide widths from 1.06” to 1.25”

• MSRP: $69.95

Check your local and state laws for vehicle firearms transport regulations.

Click here to make an appointment with Vets Tactical CEO Craig Washburn during the 2024 SHOT Show. To see the entire Cupolster assortment, visit SHOT Show booth #43952 or the New Product Center on Level 1 of the Venetian Expo to see the Cupolster BRAVO SERIES by Vets Tactical.

Posted in Holsters, Mobility, Press Release | 23 Comments »

EAA Corp & Girsan Firearms Now Shipping 2024 Products in January

January 5th, 2024

Cocoa, FL – EAA Corp and Girsan Firearms proudly announces the imminent release of its highly anticipated products, starting in the beginning of January: the MC1911 Influencer™, MC1911 Untouchable™, and MC9 Disruptor™. EAA’s new line of firearms is set to disrupt the small arms market by offering a series of pistols that bring a unique blend of features, quality and affordability.

The MC1911 Untouchable™ Our competition offers you a striped down 1911 at a competitive price. EAA/Girsan offer you a truck load of features and top shelf quality at a competitive price. Our Untouchable™ line comes standard with ambidextrous safety, extended beavertail, accessory rail, long hole hammer, 3 configurations, multiple finishes, multiple calibers and still priced like our competition. Don’t settle for a striped down 1911 – get your Untouchable™.

The MC1911 Influencer™ represents the pinnacle of the 1911, boasting optic compatibility (RMS/RMSc), an accessory rail, extended beavertail, ambidextrous safety, magazine well, and a variety of sizes, calibers, and finishes and a trigger pull that you would find on guns costing three times as much. This is not your grandfather’s 1911; it’s a game-changer for the modern firearm enthusiast.

The MC9 Disruptor™ is set to shake up the competition, featuring all the upgraded bells and whistles at a budget-friendly cost. From optics compatibility and accessory rail to a threaded barrel and a choice of Black or OD-camo finish, the MC9 Disruptor™ sets a new standard for striker-fired firearms with value and functionality.

Experience these groundbreaking products in person at SHOT Show 2024, booth #12054, and see for yourself why EAA is first in price and first in quality. EAA will also be attending Industry Day at the Range for SHOT, Booth #SR21, where media can live test fire current and upcoming products for 2024.

Posted in Firearms, Press Release | 3 Comments »

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Who We Are

January 5th, 2024

Established in 2010, FirstSpear is a pioneering tactical equipment manufacturer that was born out of a vision to provide cut-ting-edge gear for military personnel and law enforcement agencies. Our founders, a team of experienced industry professionals and former U.S. servicemen, recognized the urgent need for innovative solutions that would enhance operational effectiveness on the front lines.

Driven by our deep understanding of the challenges faced by those who serve, we embarked on a mission to revolutionize load carriage systems. Our relentless pursuit of excellence led us to develop an industry-changing innovation known as FirstSpear Tubes. These quick-release hardware systems have completely transformed the way tactical gear is worn and utilized.

The FirstSpear Tubes allow for rapid donning and doffing of equipment, streamlining critical gear adjustments and improving overall efficiency. This breakthrough design has garnered widespread acclaim from professionals in the field for its unmatched ease of use and unwavering reliability. We take great pride in knowing that our Tubes have become an indispensable part of the gear arsenal for countless military and law enforcement personnel.

Our journey creating the FirstSpear Tubes involved tireless research, development, and collaboration with end users. Drawing upon our collective expertise in designing and producing tactical equipment, we set out to create a load carriage solution that truly met the demands of modern warfare. By actively seeking feedback from those who rely on our gear, we ensured that the Tubes offered unparalleled functionality, durability, and adaptability to various mission requirements.

In recognition of our groundbreaking design, FirstSpear was granted the US Patent Number US 10,051,984 for the FirstSpear Tubes. This patent serves as a testament to the unique value and ingenuity of our design, solidifying our position as an industry leader. It reaffirms our commitment to pushing boundaries and continually developing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the safety and performance of those who trust in our gear.

Building upon our success, we remain dedicated to serving those who serve. Our relentless pursuit of excellence drives us to constantly push the boundaries of innovation in tactical gear. We are committed to providing top-notch equipment that empowers professionals in high-stakes situations, be it on the battlefield or in law enforcement operations.

At FirstSpear, we understand that the lives are on the line. That’s why we pour our passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment into every product we create. Through continuous research, collaboration, and attention to user feedback, we will continue to lead the way in advancing tactical gear and developing ground-breaking technologies that address the ever-evolving needs of our customers.

With FirstSpear by their side, professionals can trust that they have the most innovative and reliable gear, Built For The X.

Visit FirstSpear to find America’s Premier kit and accessories.

Posted in Advertiser, FS Friday Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on FirstSpear Friday Focus – Who We Are

Soldiers Conduct First Touch Point for Long Range Assault Aircraft

January 5th, 2024

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — Program Executive Office, Aviation conducted a Future Long Range Assault Aircraft Soldier touch point the last week of November at the Bell Flight Research Center in Arlington, Texas.

Led by the FLRAA Project Office, the touch point was the first of up to twelve events the Army plans to conduct to optimize both human and system performance while ensuring mission ready capabilities are delivered to the warfighter. Soldier touch points involve gathering data and feedback early in the design and development process to shape future prototypes and fielded capabilities. The events are part of an iterative process to identify, refine and verify system hardware and software designs and functional capability requirements.

“Soldier touch points are key to FLRAA’s program strategy. In the past, this has included Army pilots flying both demonstrator aircraft,” said Col. Jeffrey Poquette, FLRAA project manager. “Today, the focus is on crewmembers and combat Soldiers who are representative of the FLRAA’s passengers. These interactive events provide our team with crucial feedback to build transformational capabilities for FLRAA.”

An infantry squad and two Black Hawk crews from the 1st Cavalry Division supported the event. During the STP they practiced embarking and disembarking from a FLRAA fuselage mockup in a variety of simulations and scenarios. The squad began their practice sessions without any equipment and added tactical and squad level equipment as the STP progressed.

“The STP was incredibly valuable and is paramount to the successful development of the FLRAA,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tylor Enright, an aviator with 1st Cav. “It’s great that they are willing to hear about what Soldiers and crewmembers actually need for future missions in these aircraft to be successful.”

As the infantry squad members completed their exercises, the aircraft crew members practiced entering and exiting the mockup cockpit and stowing equipment, as required, in a series of tests that added more equipment and tasks for each iteration.

Representatives supporting the STP included the Future Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, the Redstone Test Center and Special Operations Command.

“These Soldier touch points are a criticality important way to ensure we get the requirements right and inform design decisions early,” Maj. Jeremiah Webb, FVL CFT Future Long Range Assault Aircraft lead.

The data gathered from the STP will directly inform FLRAA preliminary design as well as the development and delivery of virtual prototypes of the aircraft.

A tiltrotor aircraft, FLRAA will have the hybrid capabilities of planes and helicopters. When fielded, it will expand the depth of the battlefield by extending the reach of air assault missions and enable ground forces to converge through decentralized operations at extended distances. FLRAA’s inherent reach and standoff capabilities will ensure mission success through tactical maneuver at operational and strategic distances while the aircraft’s speed and range will nearly double the Army’s patient evacuation capability during the “Golden Hour.”

The FLRAA is intended to eventually replace part of the U.S. Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk fleet, which has been in service for more than four decades.

-US Army

Posted in Army, Aviation, Guest Post | 3 Comments »