While Bryan and Kelly are out having a blast at the Overland Expo, the rest of us back at ITS headquarters want to have some fun too. To kick off the weekend, we decided to run a contest giving away one of every single patch we make!

It’s easy to enter and all added up, one lucky person is going to receive over $180 worth of our patches! You better act fast though because this contest only runs through the weekend!

What’s Included in the Prize Pack?

• 36 morale patches from the ITS Store; as shown above.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

Contest Fine Print:

• One winner will be selected at random and will receive one prize pack with the contents listed/shown above.
• Plank Owner and Crew Leader rocker patches not included.
• Morale Patch Display Frame not included.
• The winner will be notified by email. Once contacted, they have 24 hours to claim their prize. If we do not receive a response from them within 24 hours, we will select a new winner.
• Contest ends at 11:59 PM CST on 5/19/13.

Parodied from Robert Downey Jr.’s classic line in the movie Tropic Thunder our newest morale patch is perfect for any occasion you might find yourself in as words to live by.

Featuring 100% embroidery, these patches measure 3″ wide x 3″ tall and feature a velcro backing to stick them wherever you’d like! The velcro can also be removed with a seam ripper if you’d like to sew them on.

Pick up a You Never Go Full Retard Morale Patch in the ITS Store today!

Kydex Rescue Hook Sheath

Made in the USA by our friends at W2H Kydex, these Rescue Hook Sheaths were purpose built to carry the Benchmade Rescue Hook 7 and are perfect to attach to the side MOLLE channels of our ETA Trauma Kit Pouches.

Using an integrated short MALICE Clip for attachment, not only do these fit our Tallboy or Fatboy Trauma Kit Pouches, but can be mounted on any MOLLE compatible item for quick access to your rescue hook.

We’re also carrying a limited number of Benchmade Rescue Hook 7′s available to purchase separately if you’re not already carrying one. They’re perfect for quickly and reliably cutting in an emergency situation and made in the USA.

The larger handle of the 7 hook works well with gloved hands and the coated handle allows for a better grip. Made of 440C premium stainless steel, these 4.3″ long rescue hooks also feature a .5″ blade length. These 7 hooks do not include the Benchmade soft sheath and are available to accompany the Kydex Rescue Hook Sheath available here.

Click here to purchase a Rescue Hook 7 or here for a Rescue Hook Sheath

MPIL MultiCam

Battle Systems has recently released MultiCam version of their MPIL and we’ve got them available starting today in the ITS Store. Sharing the same characteristics as the original Orange/Violet MPIL, the MultiCam MPIL replaces the Violet panel with MultiCam ripstop fabric.

These were spec’d by an American Military unit to offer the ability to flash the HiViz Orange to communicate with aircraft or ground elements and then return to a subdued side without stashing the MPIL away. Made from 1.55 oz. and 1.1 oz. ripstop material, these MPILs weigh in at just 1 oz.

The MultiCam MPIL is a limited edition that you can pick up here in the ITS Store

Sons of Liberty PVC Morale Patch Restock

Our Sons of Liberty Morale Patches are back in stock and now feature more vibrant colorways, including the classic Red/White, as well as Tan/Coyote and MultiCam.

The Sons of Liberty were influential in orchestrating effective resistance movements against British rule in colonial America on the eve of the Revolution, primarily against what they perceived as unfair taxation and financial limitations imposed upon them. The Sons of Liberty effectively undermined British rule, paving the way to America’s independence.

In 1767 the Sons of Liberty adopted a flag that has often been referred to as the rebellious stripes flag, which features nine vertical stripes (five red and four white.) These nine stripes have been said to represent the Loyal Nine, a clandestine political group that inflamed public opinion of British law and predated the Sons of Liberty.

A seminal act and lasting legacy of the Sons of Liberty to the history of the American Revolution, was the December 16, 1773 orchestrating of the Boston Tea Party. Some might point out that the echo from the Sons of Liberty can be heard today, as our rights are being encroached upon and our Constitution attacked. Not a flag of distress or of war, but one of defiance, one that was used in the face of such tyranny. We will Prevail!

The ITS Tactical Sons of Liberty Flag PVC Morale Patch is made in the USA and measures 2″ x 1″ with hook velcro on the back.

Grab your Sons of Liberty PVC Morale Patch here!

We asked to see what you carry in your bag on a daily basis and you certainly delivered. There were some really great submissions but we could only pick two winners for the $25 Gift Certificate to the ITS Tactical Store.

It was great to see different items carried and how they could be useful in a variety of scenarios. Whether you can pack light and travel fast or you have to carry enough gear for your family, being prepared is key.

Crew Member: pmariolo

Crew Member: FiveByFive

Congratulations to our winners!

Please send us an email to claim your prize and we’ll get your gift certificate issued!

Honorable Mentions

While they didn’t make the final round of voting, these are some submissions worth sharing. Backpack, messenger bag and even a briefcase, it doesn’t matter what you use as long as you have it properly stocked.

Crew Member: bigfoot

Crew Leader: nwagstaff

Crew Member: zsulli

 Crew Member: Corbie

If you are in need of some EDC inspiration, be sure to check out the forum to see the rest of the rest of the entries! If you didn’t win this time, don’t worry, we have more contests coming up.

Stay tuned!

We’re proud to support our good friend and ITS Plank Owner, Karl, from OscarDelta by carrying their Go-Tubes in the ITS Store! Go-Tubes are perfect for deep carry concealment to store small items you need to protect from damage, loss or unauthorized access.

They’re also ideal for emergency cash, lock picks (both our 4-piece Titanium Flats or the 2-piece Bogotas fit), mini flash drives, maps, documents, storing duct tape (wrapped around exterior), geocaches, glow sticks, matches, mini sewing kits, spare batteries (2 x AA or 4 x CR123).

Each Go-Tube comes standard with a keychain cap or can be replaced with the included spare cap for lower profile carry. The interior tube can also be easily cut down in size with a hacksaw to create an even smaller concealment device.

Pick up your Go-Tube here today!

Tubular Picks

You might remember the recent article and video that Bryan put together going over the basics of Tubular Lock Picking. Due to the multiple requests and great feedback we received, we’re now offering Tubular Lock Picks in the ITS Store.

Also known as Adjustable Tubular Manipulation Picks, these tubular picks allow adjustment of picking needle pressure, which gives them the versatility to pick tubular locks with higher spring pressures.

Tubular Lock Picks come in a 7-pin or 8-pin configuration and feature a comfortable, slip-resistant rubber handle. Each Tubular Lock Pick comes with a decoder key, adjustment wrench, rubber protective cover and instruction sheet.

Grab your Tubular Lock Pick here!

Visible Cutaway Practice Handcuff

We’ve long advocated the need to practice getting out of handcuffs in case they’re ever used on you during illegal restraint situations, especially with how easy they are for anyone to obtain. The clear cut-away design of the practice handcuffs we’re now carrying allows you to easily see the manipulation of the locking mechanism inside the handcuff.

The trainers also allow for single-lock or double-lock picking and come with a handcuff key.

Purchase the Practice Handcuff here!

Tubular Practice Lock

Tubular Locks can be hard to source for practice, so we’ve sourced them for you. These are actual 7 and 8 pin practice locks that feature a removable locking bar.

They’re perfect for mounting to a lock pick board for practice too. The 7-pin Tubular Practice Lock comes with two keys and the 8-pin Tubular Practice Lock comes with one. Each also comes with all the hardware needed to mount.

Tubular Practice Locks are available here!

If you were excited about being able bring your small pocket knife on your next flight, you may want to sit down. Many of you know that the Transportation Security Administration recently made an announcement saying they would allow certain small knives aboard commercial flights starting April 25th, 2013.

That decisions is currently on hold indefinitely. 

This news came just a few days before the new rule would have gone into effect. The TSA made the following statement on their website:

“In order to accommodate further input from the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC), which includes representatives from the aviation community, passenger advocates, law enforcement experts, and other stakeholders, TSA will temporarily delay implementation of changes to the Prohibited Items List, originally scheduled to go into effect April 25. This timing will enable TSA to incorporate the ASAC’s feedback about the changes to the Prohibited Items List and continue workforce training.”

John S. Pistole, the T.S.A. administrator, has stated, “A small pocketknife is simply not going to result in the catastrophic failure of an aircraft.” [CNN]

Many groups have been calling for the repeal of this new rule stating that allowing small knives on planes will cause longer security lines and increase potential hazards for everyone.

The TSA replied: “This is part of an overall Risk-Based Security approach, which allows Transportation Security Officers to better focus their efforts on finding higher threat items such as explosives.” [ABC]

Arizona Representative Matt Salmon just wrote a Dear Colleague letter that puts things nicely:

[Click here to download the original PDF]

Fight For Your Knife Rights

Write your Representative and Senators in support of the TSA’s allowance of knives on planes and let’s keep up the pressure to make this a reality!

• Find and contact your Representative here: house.gov
• Find and contact your Senators here: senate.gov
• Become a member of the American Knife & Tool Institute
• Join Knife Rights and become informed

Starting today, you’ll have a chance to bid and win one of a kind items and experiences, all while supporting America’s Silent Professionals through an online auction.

The auction will last from May 1st to May 15th and the goal is to raise $100,000 for Special Operations charities such as The Green Beret Foundation, Lead the Way Foundation, The Station Foundation, Team 5, Gold Star Memories and the Tommy V Foundation.

The items up for grabs range from awesome to extremely rare. Here’s just a few:

• Barrett M82 .50 caliber rifle
• Swiper Small Unmanned Aircraft System
• 5-day SPECOPS Adventure Experience in Jordan
• Emerson knife carried during bin Laden raid

The Silent Professional Auction was created by Combat Flip Flops, The Macalan Group and Intelligent Waves as a way to show support to SOF members and their families all while providing you an opportunity to donate to worthwhile charities that offer aid to these groups. 100% of the proceeds will go to the SOF charities listed.

“Recently, I was reminded that ‘abundance’ is a constant circle of giving and receiving. This country and industry are blessed with abundance because of those that have given so much for us. The Silent Professional Auction is our opportunity as an industry to give back – it’s their turn to receive.”

- Matthew Griffin, CEO, Combat Flip Flops

There will also be an additional fundraising event held at SOFIC (Special Operations Forces Industry Conference) in Tampa on on May 15th at the Bad Monkey from 8pm – 12am. The entry fee is $100 but that fee is tax deductible and grants you access to the top shelf open bar as well as the chance to win raffle items that are not listed in the online auction. For details, contact Kym Goddu at xo@silentprofessional.org.

Here’s your opportunity to own some amazing gear and take part in life changing events, all while supporting the good guys.

Click here for the 2013 Silent Professional Auction