Author: Jack Bogart

“Military-grade elastic” is a well-known concept in the world of load-carriage today; but 15 years ago, it was a revolutionary idea. One that no one thought would work. Photo courtesy of U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Isaac Cantrell The idea was born when the CEO of Blue Force Gear (“BFG”) was nearly side-swiped by a cyclist careening out of an alley. As the “10-speed” cyclist swerved to avoid a collision, the CEO noticed a pair of water bottles tucked into the spandex pockets on the back of his jersey and the idea materialized. The water bottle was heavy, but…

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. —   Defending the U.S. homeland is a cornerstone and the ultimate deliverable of the latest National Defense Strategy. It is also a task deeply intertwined with the specialized work of the AFCLC. The AFCLC delivers a contribution to homeland defense by strengthening security cooperation with partner nations on U.S. borders, a mission directly supported by LEAP Scholars and tailored curriculum. This partnership helps contain threats before they reach the homeland. “LEAP arms our Airmen with the linguistic and cultural tools that are essential for working hand in hand with Latin American mission partners,” said…

By Massad Ayoob Posted in #Skills The 1911 is truly a classic gun. It is robust, reliable and easy to shoot well. Well, it’s easy to shoot for right-handers, that is. Historically, the 1911 pistol has been a right-hander’s gun. Now, the history books tell us there was a time in America when a teacher would rap a naturally left-handed kid across the knuckles if they wrote with their dominant hand. Southpaw shooters must flash back to that every time they look at most 1911 pistols in the showcase: the great majority come as originally designed by…

New recyclable sleeping bags and liners, warmer pads, and expanded sizing, along with refined travel and technical packs for better time outdoors. {Dover, NH—March X, 2026} — NEMO Equipment’s 2026 collection advances the brand’s commitment to better sleep, lighter loads, and gear designed to stay out of the landfill. The spring lineup brings three additions to NEMO’s Endless Promise® fully recyclable collection: the Tempo™ Spoon® shape sleeping bag and both Tracer™ sleeping bag liners, alongside expanded sizing for the Tensor™ Elite sleeping pad and top-selling Disco™ and Forte™ Spoon® shape sleeping bags. Refined updates to the Vantage™ and Resolve™ pack collections, plus Flyer™ and Roamer™ sleeping pads,…

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2026 — The National Service Animals Monument (NSAM) today announced it has received an unrestricted $1 million donation, paid in full this month, accelerating efforts to build the nation’s first federally authorized monument honoring service animals and their handlers. This landmark effort, led by NSAM—the nonprofit leading the initiative—and lead sponsor, the United States War Dogs Association , unites military, law enforcement, and assistance-animal communities in a historic national tribute in the Washington, DC region. The announcement comes on the heels of a major legislative achievement. In 2023, bipartisan legislation signed by Joe Biden authorized the construction…

CSA Observes TiC at JRTC FORT POLK, La. — Gen. Randy George, the Chief of Staff of the Army, and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer visited the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk March 19-20. The visit focused on observing a rotational training exercise and engaging directly with Soldiers in the field, including members from the 82nd Airborne Division. The emphasis was on continuous transformation and ensuring the force remains lethal, disciplined and ready. George spent time in the “box,” JRTC’s premier training area known for its force-on-force exercises that prepare units to fight and win in…

KOMENDA, SLOVENIA (26 March 2026) UF PRO, one of the most innovative brands in the tactical clothing industry and part of Mehler Systems, has introduced the P-40 Classic Gen.3 Tactical Pants, a new generation of low-profile tactical pants designed for everyday reliability, unrestricted mobility, and comfort across a wide temperature range. The P-40 Classic Gen.3 builds on the proven concept of the P-40 platform, focusing on functional improvements in fit, adaptability, and long-term comfort. Designed for professional users who require a clean, low-profile appearance without compromising performance, the pants are suitable for operational environments, training, and everyday duty use. The…

By Friedrich Seiltgen Posted in #History From its earliest experimental roots to today’s cutting-edge stealth bombers, the flying wing has remained one of aviation’s most radical and enduring ideas. Stripped of traditional fuselage and tail structures, this design prioritizes aerodynamic efficiency above all else. The design reduces drag and saves weight, which can extend its range. What began as a bold engineering concept in the 1930s would go on to influence some of the most advanced military aircraft ever built, including Sixth Generation stealth bombers and unmanned support and combat aircraft. Horten Ho 229 The Ho 229…

Rock River Arms has released a retro A1 Carbine SBR AR in celebration of zero-dollar tax stamps.Now that the cost of some NFA tax stamps has been reduced to zero dollars, there’s basically no reason not to buy factory short-barreled rifles through a Form 4 transfer rather than making your own through a Form 1. Rock River Arms is just one of many companies embracing this change, and the company has launched a new retro AR-15 A1 Carbine SBR to shed some light on that fact. It’s available in two configurations and both look very cool.Expectedly, the RRA A1 Carbine…

Platatac – OT Shirt Platatac’s pitch for their new OT shirts is straightforward. You already know the problem. Too hot. Holds sweat. Useless under kit. They aim to fix it. Built to run under tactical gear or on their own — on task, in training, at work, or when things ramp up. What matters: Lightweight. Fast-drying. Perforated 75% Nylon / 25% Spandex stretch. SPF 50+ UV Protection. Already moving fast — and the ones running them aren’t giving them up. Short Sleeve. Long Sleeve. Long Sleeve w/Hood. Offered in 10 colours and camo patterns. This entry was posted on Saturday,…