Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Designing a New Vertical Capability

April 3rd, 2023

CRO Medical (Missoula, MT) is excited to announce the Hoist Harness. An ALL-IN-ONE riggers belt, gun belt, and assault climbing harness. Now available for select government buyers. Public release is scheduled for Summer 2023. For inquiries email support@cromedical.com

Almost everyone needs a vertical capability at some point in their career. The most common load-bearing feature is a hard-point tether attachment from a gun belt. This is fine for tying into helos or elevated positions but generally not suitable for rappelling, belaying, hoisting, or climbing, something you inevitably find yourself doing on occasion, regardless of the job.

We surveyed the market about a year ago to see what commercial options were available for hard point tethers in gun belts and climbing harnesses for tactical and civilian use. It became clear that there was a significant gap in capability for an all-in-one riggers belt, gun belt, and climbing harness.

We embarked on a year-long process researching and building countless prototypes, testing, and validating the design. This is what we discovered:

For flight missions that focus on hoisting, the Misty Mountain ISH harness or Edelrid tactical harness were common choices when surveying the community. The primary features that were most desirable for flight missions included:

1 Comfortable leg loops must be worn all day and hoisted for extended periods

2 Working loop to secure the carabiner for ease of clipping in

3 Load-rated friction buckle, commonly found in climbing harnesses, due to some flight crews not allowing cobra buckles

4 Lightweight and easy to integrate into existing gun belt setups

The ground assault mission has several different requirements. We had to strike a balance between a harness always worn for climbing or flight operations and an “in extremis” vertical capability when lowering, hauling, or hoisting for HAF, climbing, and VBSS assault missions.

For the ground force, the most desired features were the following:

1 Gun belt suitable for all existing tools and solid shooting platform

2 Rated climbing harness integration

3 Compact leg loops for “in extremis” use

4 Not dropping the gun belt to don the harness

Design

Eventually during the process we had a “light bulb” moment and decided that the inner belt should be the load-bearing component of the system. The inner belt would also replace the riggers belt and be worn all the time. The outer belt would provide a stable shooting platform, and the leg loops would need to detach to prevent dropping the belt when stepping into the harness. Never a good idea to drop your pistol, especially in a hasty hoist situation.

Here’s the full breakdown:

Inner Belt

The Inner Belt replaces the riggers belt for everyday wear with combat pants, a key design feature of this product. The inner belt has a load-rated friction buckle and a belay loop/ working loop fixed, so no matter what, you always have a load-bearing capability whether you are using your gun belt or not. This also makes for an ultra-lightweight climbing harness. Feedback from the pararescue crowd confirmed working on the tower all day without the outer gun belt, but still having the harness available was a nice feature.

Belay Loop/ Working Loop

The load-bearing aspect of the product required us to certify both EN 12277 and EN 358 safety standards. This is the Type C fall arrest standard, including the belay loop being rated to 15 kN.

We had to lean into our material selection to meet the 15 kN safety rating while still being small and low profile. We settled on Sterling climbing webbing, which is both load rated and has a reliable supply chain.

Engineering an anodized aluminum friction buckle

Creating custom hardware for this project proved to be more complicated than we initially anticipated. Luckily, we have engineers on staff at CRO. We ended up with a custom friction buckle that works well with our webbing selection and has excellent retention while still allowing the user to tighten and loosen easily, which is required to route the inner belt through your belt loops.

Outer Belt

The Outer Belt needed to be familiar and functional for mounting a pistol, mags, dump pouch, tools, etc., but also needed to integrate with the inner belt. It’s bad practice to load metal on top of metal, so we offset the inner belt friction buckle to the side in the appendix area and centered the working loop/ belay loop. When loading the outer belt, the Cobra buckle routes through the belay loop, and both are centered. A perfect setup and the belay loop has a retention strap when not used. This makes a very clean, stable shooting platform with a ton of working space to mount tools.

Designing the Leg Loops

Retention was a key design metric during the process. The problem with most leg loops is they don’t stay in place when you put them on. They tend to sag and fall down the back of your legs. We found the ideal balance of retention, functionality, and comfort through trial and error.

These turned out really well, and they pack down nicely. They’re not too bulky like the ISH harness leg loops (although not quite as streamlined as the Arc’teryx Leaf leg loops), but they provide a REAL hoisting capability and are actually comfortable to use. Removing the tightening buckle hardware also allowed us to slim it down.

The result of this project is a riggers belt, gun belt, and assault climbing harness, all-in-one. So far, the feedback has been tremendous, and we look forward to getting this out to anyone needing a gun belt and a vertical capability.

For quotes, contact support@cromedical.com

www.cromedicalgear.com/products/hoist-harness

MSRP $280

Posted in Guest Post, Mountaineering | 18 Comments »

Studies and Analysis Squadron Unveils One-Stop Website for Enlisted Promotion Study Materials

April 3rd, 2023

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

For many years, Airmen have had to search multiple websites and resources to find the necessary material for their enlisted promotion studies. This could be anything from learning what they need to study or finding audio files to help them prepare for the tests. However, all of this is now a thing of the past thanks to the Studies and Analysis Squadron at Air Education and Training Command.

Members of the SAS have worked hard during recent months to create one comprehensive website where Airmen can access all their enlisted promotion study materials in one place – The Air Force Enlisted Promotion Study Guides website.

The site hosts electronic versions of AF Handbook 1, including both publication files as well as audio files; study guides tailored specifically towards those testing for staff sergeant or technical sergeant; plus, the Enlisted Promotions References & Requirements Catalog, which provides additional information on everything related to promotions within individual career fields.

The new resource makes it easier for Airmen preparing for an upcoming promotion test – no more having to hunt down different pieces from various places. Now, Airmen can quickly locate everything they need on one convenient page, just a few clicks away – making studying much simpler.

“The science of adult learning tells us that this learning occurs differently across populations and individuals. So, it’s important that we provide a variety of options for Airmen to learn,” said Lt. Col. Marcus McNabb, SAS commander. “This is an important first step in that direction and provides an audio resource, in addition to the traditional written resource.”

“Coupled with the plan to transition the test administration to an electronic medium in 2024, this modernization of testing resources and administration aims to reduce the administrative burden of testing Airmen and allows them to focus on the important aspects regarding Air Force and job-specific knowledge,” he said. “Ultimately, these efforts will ensure the Air Force promotion system continues to evolve to ensure we continue to promote the highest performing Airmen and meet the demand for quality Airmen to assure our nation’s defense.”

Studies and Analysis Squadron, Air Education and Training Command

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on Studies and Analysis Squadron Unveils One-Stop Website for Enlisted Promotion Study Materials

Sneak Peek – Waterfowl Blanket from Kitfox Design Group

April 2nd, 2023

Kitfox has produced several sought after throw blankets depicting weapons of war, but for their latest project they’ve switched their focus to hunting.

The blanket features a Beretta Over Under, a variety of waterfowl, the best boiis (Labradors and Chessies of course), and a splash of flora to justify it having a place on your couch with the wives and girlfriends.

If interested in learning more, visit www.kitfoxdesigngroup.com/blogs/news/the-waterfowl-blanket.

Posted in Off-Duty | Comments Off on Sneak Peek – Waterfowl Blanket from Kitfox Design Group

Boy Scouts Once Dressed Like Doughboys

April 2nd, 2023

Founded by Lord Baden-Powell, the Scouting movement finds its roots in the military. Lord Baden-Powell was himself a General in the British Army who led his forces successfully during the Second Boer War.

His military training manual, Aids to Scouting, was wildly popular amongst boys in England and a movement was born. Naturally, the Scouts adopted militaristic uniforms.

Here in the States, a similar thing happened. This is a page from a 1925 pamphlet. Aside from insignia, you’d think this young man was in the Army.

Posted in History, Scouting | 11 Comments »

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Ball Raises Over $500,000 for Sea Service Families In Need

April 2nd, 2023

Funds allow the nonprofit organization to continue providing emergency financial
assistance to active-duty and retired Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families.

WASHINGTON (March 27, 2023) — After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society hosted their black-tie fundraising ball on Saturday, March 25, 2023 and raised over $500,000. Senior military leaders, NMCRS supporters, corporate executives and military families gathered in support of the organization’s mission of providing financial, educational and other assistance to active duty and retired members of the Sea Services of the United States, their family members and survivors.

The event, themed “Together Again,” included a reception, dinner, silent auction and dancing. General Eric Smith, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps; The Honorable Russell Rumbaugh, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management & Comptroller); and Vice Admiral Rick Cheeseman, Chief of Naval Personnel and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower, Personnel and Training started the evening off by applauding NMCRS volunteers and employees for extending the special kind of care and compassion that assists clients when they need it the most.

Entertainment was provided by the United States Navy Band Cruisers, the Navy’s premier popular music group. Distinguished speakers included LtGen. Robert R. Ruark, president and CEO of NMCRS; Sergio Rodriguez, NMCRS volunteer and 2022 Navy Spouse of the Year. Margaret Brennan, moderator of “Face the Nation” on CBS, served as emcee for the evening. Brennan’s spouse serves in the United States Marines Corps Reserve.

“The Society is proud to play an important role in the financial, personal and family readiness of those who wear the cloth of our nation,” said Ruark during his speech. “Long deployments, family separations, frequent relocations and other unique environmental factors create exceptional hardships for those who serve and their families. NMCRS exists to be a helpful resource when needed.”

Since the ball was last held in 2019, NMCRS has provided over $141 million in financial aid and served over 230,000 clients.

The event was demonstrative of the organization’s commitment to providing Sea Service members with urgent financial assistance, financial education, scholarships and much more. USAA was the presenting sponsor and the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. served as the venue.

“Our goal at NMCRS is to make it as easy as possible for Marines and Sailors to ask for help,” continued Ruark. “In everything we do, we are preparing clients for a solid financial future.”

Posted in Charity, Navy, Press Release, USMC | Comments Off on Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Ball Raises Over $500,000 for Sea Service Families In Need

Cleared Hot Releases Heavy Yield Pylon Extension Rail Integrated Opticians Node

April 1st, 2023

•HYPERION dropping 1st April 2023•

•Working on State Department approval for export. This will not be ITAR•

Posted in Optics | 9 Comments »

The New Tacti-Cool Edelweiß Set-UP

April 1st, 2023

LENGGRIES, GERMANY, and KOMENDA, SLOVENIA (1 April 2023) — Following on the heels of their successful joint participation at SHOT Show 2023in Las Vegas, U.S.A., UF PRO and Lindnerhof-Taktik have agreed to collaborate further on the creation of special, one-of-a-kind tactical-use products.The two brands say they are united by a shared drive for constant innovation, a love of detail, and a desire for greater creativity. This powerful combination has led UF PRO and Lindnerhof to bring to market a radically new concept, one that takes the product portfolios of both companies to a higher level.

Beginning Saturday, 1 April, the gates will fling open wide for pre-ordering the brands’ hot new tactical Edelweiss set-up consisting of UF PRO’sP-40 Tactical Lederhosenof UF PRO and Lindnerhof’s matching and adaptive Chest-Rig Harness Edelweiss BY732.

Said Armin Wagner, Head of Product Development at UF PRO, “Never settle for ordinary Lederhosen when you can experience the comfort, style, and adaptability of our P-40 Tactical Lederhosen, which features the innovative Waist/Flex System and scholler®-dynamic stretch material to ensure a comfortable fit for all your Oktoberfest adventures.”

However, the advantages of the P-40 Tactical Lederhosen don’t end there. Equipped with an array of pockets—including cash pockets for your expenses, a dedicated coaster pocket, and even pockets for pens and knives—these Lederhosen are the ideal companion for any unpredictable situation, Wagner contended. “And yes, they’re Knee-High-Socks-ready, so you can maintain that authentic Bavarian look without sacrificing practicality,” he added.

Jakob Kolbeck offered insights concerning the process by which the product was developed: “In the course of discussing the initial design concept, it was clear that we needed to come up with something that would enable our customers to stay tactically ‘cool’ during their free time—and also to allow us,as a Bavarian-based company, to include the look of our traditional Alpine costume.”

The Chest-Rig Edelweiß BX732 is classically designed but with softer padding and extra MOLLE/PALS slots and loops for carrying additional equipment (such as hydration tube guides, cable guides, and more). Moreover, users can personalize the Chest-Rig by means of MOLLE fixation with just a bit of adaptation to the traditional design and included center part.

Included with the Chest-Rig is the BY623 Multi-Purpose Pouch Edelweiß – a small,round multi-purpose bag that provides storage space for AirTags, beer tokens, coins, snus, and all other EDC items.

The Chest Rig also offers the necessary adaptation points for UF PRO’s XXXPants so that set-up users can enjoy additional safety, loss protection, freedom of movement,and above all, comfort in EVERY situation.

Kolbeck promised, “You will love wearing this combi—let’s call it tacti-cool or ED-R, meaning Every Day Ready! And not just for your trip to the world’s largest folk and beer festival.”

For more information about those products of each respective brand, please visit UF PRO’s website at ufpro.com and Lindnerhof’s webshop at hqg.de.

Tags: Lindnerhof, Lindnerhof Taktik, UF PRO
Posted in International, Load Carrying, Press Release | 9 Comments »

Cadet Sisters Compete at the US Army Small Arms Championships

April 1st, 2023

Fort Benning, Georgia — This year’s U.S. Army Small Arms Championships was more than just a unique training event for two Texas A&M Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets, it was a family affair.

Cadets Hayle Mayer and Jesse Mayer, who are sisters, participated in the week-long, comprehensive, live-fire marksmanship training event that brings together more than 250 Soldiers from across the U.S. Army to the Maneuver Center of Excellence. The annual event, which is commonly called the All Army, is hosted by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and opens up with All Army competitors receiving a variety of classes from the USAMU champions and experienced trainers.

After that, the Soldier competitors, who were a mix of servicemembers from active duty, Reserve, National Guard and ROTC, put the lessons to the test on the ranges by competing in 11 different courses of fire during the week. The variety of matches allowed the Soldiers to compete in both rifle and pistol matches, with and without combat gear, as well a four-stage multigun match.

As a senior, All Army 2023 was Jesse’s second year to compete and the cadet said each year has been extremely helpful in developing her Soldier skills.

“I think both times that I have come here, I have really grown as a marksman…just learning the basics, what I am capable of, watching improvement each year, and just learning how complex marksmanship is. It’s been really incredible each time.”

For her sophomore sister, Hayle, it was her first All Army experience. With limited prior marksmanship experience and spending all week with an array of Soldiers with a range of marksmanship knowledge, Hayle said she was trying to absorb all that she could.

“I am just learning basically everything you can about shooting.”

Though Hayle and Jesse may at be different levels of marksmanship knowledge, the sisters say that military life in general is nothing new to them. In fact, they were born into that life since both their parents were Marines, both grandfathers were Soldiers and a grandmother was an Airman.

That meant that military life was just always there. It’s what we saw and respected, Jesse explained.

“Everyone was so disciplined and so patriotic. There was just such a higher purpose to the military that I always saw, and I wanted to be part of that.”

So when it came time for college, joining an Army ROTC program was nothing out of the ordinary because both our parents instilled a strong sense of independence and strength in us, Jesse said.

“Our parents really made sure that we always knew that we were capable of anything that we wanted to do. So there was nothing stopping us, as long as we put our minds to it and put in the hard work.”

And that’s exactly why Hayle and Jesse were at All Army. As part of their ROTC’s Ranger Challenge Team, the cadets competed in the USAMU training event to gather experience and knowledge that they could later share with other cadets. That way, the A&M Team will be stronger and more knowledgeable before we go to the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition at West Point, Hayle explained.

“We all want each other to do the best that we can.”

Jesse reflected that same espirit de corps as well when asked about if her and her little sister were competitive with each other.

“We are very competitive with each other, but also very supportive I think — we balance each other out.”

Sharing knowledge with her teammates, and her little sister, is just a way to pave it forward and frankly, just how we were brought up, Jesse explained.

“Growing up, I watched it—the honor, the sacrifice, and what it meant to give back and serve other people, your Country and your family.”

With all that, Jesse is proud to say that she is contracted to commission in May of 2024 and looks forward to carrying on her family’s tradition of service.

“It means a lot to me to serve my Country, to push myself in any way that I can, and it is part of a family legacy—being in the military—and I just want to complete that and do that for my family.”

Though military service is a tradition in the family, Hayle says it’s not something she feels like she has to do as well. She just wants to do it too, and that’s the advice she’d give to any other young adult, or even a little sister.

“Hold yourself to your own standards, not the standards of other people. If you want to do something, then that’s just the fact and just do it.”