Not only is Panteao Productions putting out some incredible instructional DVDs, but they’re producing them at an unbelievable rate! It almost seems like there’s a new one coming out each week with a different well known industry instructor.
What’s also unique about what Panteao brings to the table with their instructional DVDs, is that you can sign up for a monthly membership at $17.95 or a full year for $150 and stream anything and everything online without having to commit to purchasing each DVD.
Despite us having a few of Panteao’s DVDs here at the shop, I’m seriously considering signing up for the annual online subscription. When you take into account all the training you’re getting for $150, it sure makes it worth it compared to traveling to a class. Watching a DVD or online instruction is never going to replace hands-on training, but I know I’ve learned quite a few things from the DVDs I’ve watched. [Read More…]
I would argue yes, the order does matter. Something that’s been ingrained in me since my days in BUD/s is the order in which I dress.
As I was getting dressed this morning, putting my pants on first, I thought I’d write about why we were taught back in the day to dress in a certain order. [Read More…]
The history of “safes” goes back to the days of the caveman, when they attempted to keep their belongings safe from fire. Of course they didn’t have secure containers or locking devices to keep out unscrupulous cave folks. Those weren’t developed until the first “lock” that’s credited to the Egyptians. The Romans and Chinese created warded locks and the rest is history.
We wont go too in depth on the history of safes, but if you’re interested in early and mid 19th century American safes I found this website which has great information and some cool photos. For a entertaining read check out this blog post that talks about the “15 most impenetrable bank vaults”.
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Here is a very simple, stealthing project for your Casio G-Shock watches. I am planning to do a lot more to my little DW-5600 like reverse the display, stealth the faceplate (if possible), but for now I wanted to stealth the bezel (aka: remove the white paint).
The first step is to gather all the necessary equipment. For this project you’ll need some Goof Off (not Goo Gone or any similar sounding products), a small ceramic bowl/dish (plastic ones may melt with the Goof Off inside it) this is one I made myself, a small pair of tweezers, and an old toothbrush or scrubbing brush. [Read More…]
Since first hearing of the Black Powder Red Earth Graphic Novel, I’d been wanting to read it. I’m actually a huge comic book / graphic novel fan and was stoked to meet BPRE mastermind Jon Chang recently and get a copy to check out!
Jon also put me in touch with co-storywriter and Special Operations Contractor Kane Smith, who I had the chance to interview. His Q&A below really gives some great insight into the plot development. No spoilers, I promise! [Read More…]
One of the hardest things about the GORUCK Ascent for us has been figuring out how exactly to describe it. It was so much more than simply getting the opportunity to climb multiple 14,000 foot peaks and even more than a field test for the GORUCK GR2 pack.
Hand the GORUCK GR2 to an avid backpacker or mountaineer and they’ll most likely begin pointing out what makes their pack better. It’s lighter, it has a waist belt, it’s colorful… you get the idea. But we assure you, the GR2 was in no way a simple bag. It’s not only capable of summiting 14′ers, but getting you to and from every campsite and trail head in between.
Throughout this article you’ll be reading both of our (Bryan’s and Mike’s) experiences during the Ascent and our journey along the way.
The GORUCK Ascent wasn’t just an event that forged friendships, took us out of comfort zone and forced us to overcome adversity daily, but introduced us to parts of ourselves that we never knew existed. While the Ascent wasn’t billed as a GORUCK Challenge, what we came away with is truly what a “challenge” is all about. Personal growth. [Read More…]
Finally? Yes, almost a year ago I wrote an article here on ITS Tactical where I said that Airport Security needed to be “Israelified.”
Last month we got the word that the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) would be screening passenger behavior at Boston Logan Airport. I’m really glad and also surprised to see the TSA institute this, as it’s certainly profiling and something I never thought the government would have the backbone to implement.
The profiling is part of a $1 Billion national program called SPOT (Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques) and trains TSA screeners to ask passengers non-intrusive questions to see how they respond. Suspicious or anxious behavior, like avoiding eye contact and searching for answers will warrant additional screening.
While the program is still in its pilot phase, I feel it’s certainly a step in the right direction. I still feel we need to do even more to model our airport security after Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport, but profiling is a step in the right direction.
What’s your opinion? Do you agree that we need to Israelify our Airport Security even further?
Duct tape is one of the most useful things on the planet. It can be used to secure, repair, or build in ways that other materials such as rope, glue, or conventional tape cannot.
Because of the hundreds of applications for this miracle material, I have always loved duct tape. I’m especially fond of Gorilla brand duct tape, which has 50% more glue than conventional silver duct tape and adheres to damn near anything.
Unfortunately, while convenient to use, duct tape is very inconvenient to carry around. It comes in these large, 20-yard rolls with a big hole in the center, which makes the tape take up far more space than it should. When you’re carrying a full bag, that extra space could be crucial.
I have found three different ways to easily carry around duct tape: in a mini-roll, a collapsed roll, or on a keychain. [Read More…]
There’s enough information out there about sharpening knives to fill an encyclopedia and in fact many books have been written on the topic.
Many of us that sit down to sharpen our cutting tools end up with a dull edge, or only occasionally achieve a nice sharp edge. While some of us can get a sharp edge consistently, we find that it doesn’t last long.
I was such an individual at one time and this article is aimed at laying a foundation for getting a consistent edge that will last. [Read More…]
Operational Security and speaking to the media on Spec Ops matters: Now there’s a high wire act I really can’t recommend.
I’ve been asked to appear on numerous news programs and television specials now pertaining to our Special Operations units and their accomplishments, especially the recent successes of our Navy SEALs. In most cases, due to a lifetime of secrecy and an appreciation for it, I flatly decline. I have, however, accepted on the few rare occasions when I felt there was something positive to contribute, or even to intervene and “stop the bleeding” as it pertains to our Operational Security (OPSEC).
My motivation for speaking out has most often come from seeing high-ranking military officers spilling highly-sensitive information as though it were no concern at all, which sends the media into a feeding frenzy for operational details. In these situations, I feel it’s important that SOMEBODY get on there who will ride the OPSEC brakes a bit and steer the press away from our operational specifics. So, in my case I spoke out when I thought it would help. Did it work? In one case, apparently it did work to some degree. Friends of mine noticed other news contributors quoting my recommendations in the press over the following few days. [Read More…]
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