Note: This is part of a series. You can read part one here. The 1980s, under the Reagan administration and still in the shadow of the Vietnam War, brought an influx of military funding after a long funding drought. The military made leaps forward in numerous military technologies. One of those technologies was body armor. PASGT (Personal Armor System for Ground Troops) … [Read more…] about A Primer on Ballistic Vests (Pt. 2): Recent Systems and Plate Ratings
While you are rushing out to find those red-hot after-Christmas deals, negotiating all those crowds of rabid shoppers, consider this rather unorthodox gift idea for all your loved ones: tactical vests. Lost you? Last thing you would buy? Well that may soon change. There soon may be a whole new market of vests flying off shelves. Don’t believe me? Think that tactical vests … [Read more…] about A Primer on Ballistic Vests (Pt. 1): Flak to Kevlar
Menton Day is celebrated on December 5th by U.S. Army Special Forces, often with formal dine-ins, ceremonies at memorials, or at the least assemblies at a local bar or tavern for stories and toasts. The day commemorates the 1st Special Service Force of World War II, a joint American-Canadian unit activated in 1942 and key factor in the early history of modern special … [Read more…] about Menton Day, Day of Respect for the First Special Service Force of WWII
The French are embracing a different style of warfare than that of the U.S.—one that embraces limited, yet practical, objectives. The U.S. goes in big with shock and awe, throwing massive amounts of troops, air power, and ordnance at an enemy, with few exceptions. Unlike their American allies, the French go in accepting their limitations. They don’t have a large army, … [Read more…] about The Distinctly French Approach to Modern Warfare
In the aftermath of the Paris attacks, details are slowly coming to light. With those details comes the dawning of a realization: Things are going to change, and probably sooner rather than later. ISIS has been communicating more effectively, in ways that are harder to detect and track. They’re using commercial encryptions that European and U.S. intel assets cannot break. … [Read more…] about The Paris Attacks Have Sparked an Inevitable Paradigm Shift
Over the years, I have learned to chill. Be a more laid-back kind of guy. Not take things too seriously. But one thing that still puts my blood pressure into rocket range and makes me want to throat-punch someone: whenever I hear someone mention Navy, Marine, or Air Force Special Forces. People, there is only one Special Forces in the U.S military, and that is U.S. Army … [Read more…] about There is Only One Unit Called Special Forces
In all this recent furor over female Rangers, I have not read or heard any references to Katie Wilder, the only female so far to attend the U.S. Army Special Forces Qualification Course and be granted SF certification. Her SFQC class graduated in Aug of 1980. I do not know her class number. According to sources within the SF community, Captain Wilder, while assigned to 5th … [Read more…] about Katy Wilder, the Only Woman to Wear the Special Forces Green Beret
When I was in my late twenties, I met a Russian who turned out to be a veteran of the Soviet Spetsnaz. I was still, at the time, in Special Forces, in 12th SF Group—a reserve SF group that has since been deactivated—after having been in two active-duty SF groups. The Russian, who I will call Ivan (he would not appreciate me using his real name), and I became good friends. Part … [Read more…] about Special Operations Face-Off: U.S. Special Forces Vs. Russian Spetsnaz
Raytheon has developed a hand-launched missile, called the Pike, intended to replace the M203 and the Javelin. The Pike is 17 inches long, weighs two pounds, is 40mm in diameter, and is claimed to be “the world’s only hand-launched precision-guided munition.†The Pike is designed to be fired from a rifle-mounted grenade launcher, such as the M203, or from the new family of … [Read more…] about Raytheon Releases First Ever Rifle-Mounted Precision Missile
Last year a friend asked me if I had ever heard of a movie called “Operation Dumbo Drop.†I said that of course I had. He said he had watched the movie recently with his grandkids and from the moment he heard the words “Ban Don,†he froze, for the words “Ban Don†had a special meaning for this guy. The movie, “Dumbo Drop,†with Danny Glover and Ray Liota, is about a squad of … [Read more…] about Operation Barroom: The Truth About Dumbo Drop
On Tuesday the Ranger Training Brigade on Ft. Benning held an informal ceremony and party to thank and say goodbye to all the female Observers and Advisors that have been there since November 2014. Each O/A was given a plaque and a piece of pink Ranger tab cake. The purpose of the O/As was to ensure that female Ranger students were provided a fair and equitable … [Read more…] about Female Ranger Students and the Pink Ranger Tab Cake
War is a dirty business and United States States warriors are taught to do whatever it takes to prevail. That is especially true of SOCOM units, Special Forces, SEALs and all those other denizens of the night who train for and thrive on special situations and tactics. But, even for Green Berets and SEALs there are lines to be crossed. Such lines have been crossed many times … [Read more…] about Philosophy of War: SFC Charles Martland, Bacha baz, and Morality in Warfare
