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From the category archives:
The World’s Strongest Coat Hangers are built solid enough to handle plate carriers with body armor, heavy scuba diving wetsuits or just about anything with substantial weight.
You may remember our review of these hangers and Bryan’s testament to how strong they really are. The folks that make these were kind enough to send over a few with the ITS logo and graphics on them, and we want to give them away to two lucky members.
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See below for winner announcement.
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!
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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We’re stoked to be releasing the details today on our 2nd Annual ITS Tactical Muster and skill-set development excursion!
The Muster integrates many of the common skill-sets we advocate here on ITS into a week packed full of instruction on Self-Defense; Ascending, Rope Rescue and Traversing; Lashings and Knot Tying, Physical Security & Escape from Illegal Restraint; Trauma Management, Drags and Carries; Cover & Concealment and Tracking & Patrolling. All this while spending the evenings enjoying great camaraderie and sleeping under the stars.
If you attended last year, you’ll notice we’ve changed up the skills and have an all new curriculum for you this year! In addition to the skills above, we’ll also have some friendly squad competitions and of course a few Field Training Exercises (FTX) to ensure everyone was paying attention! It’s going to take a lot to top the overwhelming success of last year, but we know this year is going to be even more awesome!
Former Air Force PJ Nate Morrison of Morrison Industries will be back with us this year to help out with our day on the rocks learning about ascending, rope rescue and traversing. Matt Fiddler of SerePick will be heading up physical security again this year, while Bryan will be demonstrating escape from illegal restraint along with knot tying and lashings. Caleb from Lone Star Medics will be leading the medical and we’re honored to have former Green Beret John Hurth of TYR Group out to lead Cover & Concealment and Tracking & Patrolling.
Bringing our community together, the Muster will be your chance to spend a few days with the crew from ITS Tactical, get hands-on and learn together. We only have a limited number of seats available for the Muster and you’ll need to be an ITS Member to attend. Crew Leader is the only membership level that has open enrollment right now. For details on becoming a Crew Leader, click here.
While the Muster won’t be a physically demanding event, you’ll be hiking and climbing so your level of fitness should allow for this. You’re going to get dirty, you’re going to be tired, but you’ll leave with more knowledge than you came with, great memories and friendships forged.
The Muster will be taking place from Thursday, October 24th to Monday, October 28th. We’re requiring everyone to arrive no earlier than 3 p.m. on October 24th and no later than 7 p.m. that evening. For departure on Monday, please plan on being at the Muster until 1 p.m. If you’ll be flying, please keep this in mind when booking flights.
Base Camp will be located near Weatherford, Texas, which is about an hour drive west from either the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport or Love Field Airport. The exact coordinates will be emailed to everyone attending closer to the Muster. Last year we had some people organize ride-sharing and even a van rental in the Facebook Event for the Muster. If you’re interested in that option for transportation, head over to the Facebook Event to start the coordination.
The majority of our activity will take place outdoors and we’ll have a pre-arranged area for you to set up your tent. While any additional gear needed will be emailed out to those attending (well in advance), here’s a packing list that should get you started. What you want to sleep in to stay out of the elements is up to you, but please limit it to a 2 person tent at the largest.
We’ll be providing food, drinks and plenty of KillCliff for everyone during the Muster! This won’t be pre-made store bought food or even fast food, they’ll be home cooked meals prepared by Matt Gambrell in the ITS Galley each day.
We know you’re going to work up an appetite and with menu selections like smoked brisket and more, you’ll be sure to get plenty to eat! We did include geedunk in the packing list, just in case.
You’ll of course also get a Muster II T-Shirt and Morale Patch along with individual merit badge patches for each block of instruction you complete. There’s a ton more planned for you to take home, but you’ll just have to be there to find out what that consists of.
You don’t want to miss out on the Muster this year, remember we only have a limited number of spots available. Here’s the registration form you’ll need to fill out and mail in with your payment.
The pricing schedule below benefits those that get their payments in early. Don’t forget that if you’re a Life Member you’ll get 25% off your registration (does not apply to spouses, friends, etc. unless they’re also a Life Member.)
Send completed registration form AND personal/business check, bank money order or cashier’s check payable to ITS Tactical:
ITS Tactical
6100 W. Pioneer Pkwy, Suite 100
Arlington, TX 76013
Price based on date of payment receipt; your payment must be postmarked by the date you are submitting payment for. Payments postmarked after October 12, 2013 will be returned. Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable.
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Carry The Load 2013 is just a few weeks away and today I’d like to give you some information on where the ITS Tactical Joint Task Force Team we’ve organized will be meeting up before the event, how to join if you haven’t yet and a few tips and tricks I learned from participating last year.
If this is your first time hearing about Carry The Load, it’s a life-changing journey for people as they walk or run as long or as little as they can in the 20-hour period from Sunday afternoon, May 26th through noon on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27th. Like the service members they honor, they carry more than they have to, longer than they think they can.
We’d love to have you out there walking with us, even if it’s just for an hour. Head to this link to join our team! If you can’t make it out and still want help us reach our goal of raising $5,000.00 for the charities that Carry The Load is sponsoring, we’d sincerely appreciate you donating here. [Read More…]
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We’re rolling out a few new made in the USA products today, just in time for summer. We’ve added our BEVCON Koozie that’s made in the USA out of neoprene. Last year’s version was made out of foam and we just weren’t happy with the quality. Plus, who doesn’t love the smell of neoprene in the morning?
The ITS PVC Kiss Morale Patch let’s you wear our bold skull and shield logo with a touch of femininity in an entirely new way. Some have even taken to describing it as the kiss of death!
The Ladies Kiss Tank let’s you wear our bold skull and shield logo with a touch of femininity in an entirely new way. Our tank is the perfect addition to your wardrobe for warm weather excursions and workouts but is also soft enough to sleep in.
Made by American Apparel from Tri-Blend construction this heathered black top is comfortable, durable and has beautiful drape that provides extra room for concealed carry.
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The 2013 Muster is in the works and while a formal announcement with registration instructions will be posted this time next week, we wanted to whet your whistle with a little teaser.
Just like last year, the ITS Muster is only available to Plank Owners, Crew Leaders and Life Members and will be a limited attendance event. If you’re interested in becoming a member on ITS, click here.
For those relatively new around here, the Muster was developed to be a way for us to get our hands dirty with the skills we cover and advocate. It’s a break from the typical online classroom and a move to a physical one where this year, we’ll be covering Self Defense, Lock Picking, Escape from Illegal Restraint, Knot Tying, Rappelling, Ascending & Rope Rescue, Fire Building, Cover & Concealment, Tracking & Patrolling, Medical (including TCCC principles) and Navigation.
All of this takes place while camping in the great outdoors, enjoying great food and camaraderie. If you’re lucky, Bryan will make his famous Dutch Oven Cobbler!
Everyone who attended last year had a blast and we have some great new things planned for this year. For those interested in what last year looked like, click here for a recap of our 2012 Inaugural Muster.
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I didn’t want to lose the effect of publishing this on April Fool’s Day, but yesterday, April 1st, was the 4th anniversary of ITS Tactical. It’s been a wild ride since starting ITS in my home office back in 2009.
With no idea of how my idea would be received, I put it all out there in hopes that there were others like me, interested in developing under-appreciated skill-sets that could come with a nefarious perception at times. There were a few great resources around back in 2009, including Military Morons, who still produces some of the most thorough gear reviews around and Soldier Systems, which is still the go-to resource for new products in the industry.
What was lacking, was a resource for the skills that tied everything together. The “doing” and not just the cool-guy gear required to get the job done. It’s no different today and we’ll always be strong advocates for the skills necessary to save your own life, to put it bluntly. Skill-set development, gear reviews and DIY articles are the backbone of ITS Tactical and will always drive what we do here.
However, without the knowledge, the tools are useless. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but the greatest weapon is the mind. Don’t forget that! That thought can fade when the latest and greatest gizmo comes out. Getting out and practicing the skills we advocate is essential, not only for personal development, but for life in general. After all, if you’re not learning something new every day, you’re doing it wrong.
I’ve had an outpouring of support since the beginning and could have never done it without all the contributors, members and overall awesome people I’ve met along the way. Mike, Eric, Matt, Peter, Jason, Joel, Preston and Rob all deserve recognition for all they’ve done to help ITS grow to where it is today. I would also like to especially thank my wife, Kelly, who’s supported me since it was all an idea running around in my imagination. To the original brain trust of Tom G., Doug E., Matt Z., Rob C. and Nick H., a hearty thank you for your help and for your service to this country. I’ve also had the opportunity to get to know some incredible businesses and business owners who share similar values that I’ve strived to bring to ITS and I sincerely thank them for their continued support.
Mike and I had a great time a few weeks back digging through some of the first orders placed on ITS, where you had to send in a message along with your payment to say what color patch you wanted. He was customer #9 by the way. With thousands of orders since that time, things have been refined a bit, to say the least.
We haven’t lost the personal touch though, each order from our store is still hand packed and personal messages are included all the time. Thanks is something we can never say enough and our customers, readers and members are our top priority. Our daily content will always remain free, as I feel the Internet should be. Free doesn’t mean free to use wherever you like though. Some companies can’t seem to understand that when it comes to our logo, but I digress.
We’re here for the long term and thanks to each and every one of you, we’re where we are today. I’ve always been proud of ITS Tactical and all that it’s become. I appreciate each day I get to live my dream and follow my passion and look forward to another four years to come.
Bryan Black, Editor-in-Chief
(Photo below circa APR 09)
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