The E-Tool

The Entrenching Tool which is better known as an "E-Tool" to U.S. service members.  The E-Tool has been an essential part of the infantryman’s life.  The E-Tool is a collapsible spade used by military forces.  The E-Tool can be used for a variety of different things.  It can be used for digging trenches, mortar pit, field expedient stool, and even a weapon of opportunity.  The E-Tool dates all the way back to the Roman era.  However they looked a little different back then, but same idea.  I have a love hate relationship with my E-Tool.  I hate taking it to the field, because it’s just added weight and one more thing I have to take to the field, and I hardly ever needed to use it.  On the same note when my unit was at Mojave Viper I used my E-Tool all the time for digging mortar pits and using it as an improvised toilet stool.  (The first picture is new school and the second one is old school)To Purchase an E-Tool

Black Hawk SERPA Holsters

Black Hawk SERPA pistol holsters are one of the many pistol holsters being issued and used by the U.S. military today in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  I personally did not carry a pistol in Iraq, but I do own a Black Hawk holster for my personal pistols.  I did however have a couple of friends that carried pistols in Iraq as their secondary weapon.  All of them used a Black Hawk SERPA level 2 leg holster, because they were issued to them.  The SERPA holsters are a hard plastic locking holster.  Level 2 SERPA holsters have just a single locking release that has to to disengaged to draw the pistol.  I personally like my Black Hawk holster.  I like how it is a trigger finger release on the side of the holster.  The only complaint that I have heard about the SERPA 2 holster is if sand or small rock gets down inside the holster it can cause the holster to not release the pistol, because the rock or sand is behind the release on the side.  If I were to deploy again and be issued a pistol I would carry a different holster maybe safari, or one of Black Hawks non hard plastic tactical holsters.  The one down side to carrying a non hard plastic holster is drawing it might not be as fast, but it will never get stuck in the holster.  I could just see it happening the only time I needed to use my pistol the damn thing is jamed in the holster, and thats just a risk I'm not willing to take.  However I do like the Black Hawk SERPA Holster, and would recomend it to law enforcement.  I just don't think I could recoment it to the military, because of the enviorment they are fighting in.  I know the likely hood of one of these holsters not realsing the pistol is not very high.  I just would not want to run the risk personally.  Black Hawk SERPA VIDEO
LA Police Gear

BOOT BANDS

Boot BandsBoot bands are an essential part of every marine’s life while in the corps. Boot bands are one of those things you love to hate. The love hate relationship really revolves around weather you can find them or not. Boot bands are little green elastic bands that go around your boots that you blouse your trousers into. The reason for blousing boots is to protect you from the environment you may be fighting or training in. The blousing of boots in the military started with the Army Para troopers in WWII. They originally bloused their boots to help prevent their trousers from getting snagged on anything. If I had the choice when I was in Iraq I would not have utilized them.

Baby MRAP

The M-ATV which is also known as the “Baby MRAP” is designed to handle rough terrain that the much larger MRAP’s cannot.  The M-ATV is a much smaller and lighter than its predecessor the MRAP.  The M-ATV was designed to be able to handle the terrain of Afghanistan, because the MRAP was having trouble navigating the terrain successfully in Afghanistan.  The MRAP was having issues with roll over’s, getting stuck, and just not being able to handle the terrain and roads.  Afghanistan does not have very many paved roads, and has lots of mountains, creeks, and rivers.  Afghanistan only has one paved road that stretches across the country.   Oshkosh was the first company to receive a contract to build the M-ATV in June 2009, and the contract was for 2,200 of them.  Which were to be delivered by March 2010.  Since then the U.S. military that order and placed orders for several thousand more. In all I would say this vehicle is worth the billions that the U.S. government is spending on it, it is saving lives, and allowing the U.S. military to prosecute the war more efficiently.

 Oshkosh Defense

Baby MRAP

Baby MRAP

Baby MRAP

MRAP

The MRAP created to provide better protection were the Hummv’s could not against IED’s and land mines in Iraq and Afghanistan. The MRAP was first implemented in Iraq by the Marines in 2006.  The first MRAPs used in Iraq were made by Force protection.  There are three categories of MRAP Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3.  Category 1 is your smaller 4x4 MRAP, it carries up to six people, and is also known as the “Cougar.” Category 2 is your medium 6x6 MRAP, it carries up to 9 people, and is also known as the “Cougar.” Category 3 is the largest 6x6 MRAP, it it carries up to 6 people and is also known as the “Buffalo.”  The Buffalo has an articulated arm that is used for ordnance disposal.  I have personally driven category 1 and category 2 MRAP.  I prefer the category 1 MRAP, because it is smaller and more maneuverable then the larger MRAP’s.  I have driven both Force Protection MRAP’s and Navistar Maxx Pro MRAP’s.  I personally prefer the Maxx Pro for many reasons visibility being the main one.  If the MRAP has a down fall it would be how easily the can roll over.  However MRAP's have improved the survive ability rate of IED's and land mines that far out weigh there any of their down falls.
force protection

An American Hero

Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta a true American Hero.  SSGT. Giunta then Spc. Giunta put it all on the line on Oct. 25, 2007 when his platoon was ambushed.   At this time Spc. Giunta was serving as a rifle team leader with a company from the Vicenza, Italy-based 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team during combat operations in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley.  On Oct 25, 2007 Spc. Giunta’s platoon was attacked by an L-shaped ambush, where the front two members were cut off from the rest due to large amounts of enemy rockets and machine gun fire. Spc. Giunta led his rifle team through the ambush towards the two soldiers that had been separated from the platoon. When he reached the area where the two should have been, he saw two insurgents carrying off one of his fellow soldiers. He immediately engaged the two insurgents while being shot at, he was also shot in his protective vest while in the process of recovering his fellow soldiers.  Due to Ssgt Giunta's actions on this day he is the first living person to receive the Medal of Honor from the Iraq or Afghanistan War.

Star and Stripes

Video

Medal of Honor Presentation

235th Marine Corps Birthday

As many of you know this past week the Marine Corps celebrated its 235th Birthday.  The Marine Corps Birthday represents many things to Marines and the Marine Corps.  The Marine Corps Birthday represents our history, tradition, and sacrifice.  It is a time to honor those Marines who have gone before us, and a time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  Every year the Commandant of the Marine Corps give a Birthday message.  This year’s message is centered on the Marine’s that have fought in Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  The theme of the message is “Every Clime and Place.”  “Every Clime and Place” should be interpreted that Marine Corps have and will fight in every climate and place, under any conditions, and are willing to go anywhere our country needs us.  “Every Clime and Place” is a phrase out of the Marine Corps hymn. 

Happy Birthday Marines

Simper Fi

235th Marine Corps Birthday Message

Red Dot

Aimpoint is another sight the U.S. military uses today.  These are red dot sights, that are battery powered, and are not magnified.  The Aimpoints not being magnified allows for unlimited eye relief, and the ability to get up on target very fast.  Some of the newer Aimpoint models have a very long battery life that can last up to 80,000 hours.  From being tested in extreme temperatures to the harshness of the battle field, Aimpoints have been proven to be some of the most durable sights on the market.  I have personally only used an Aimpoint just a hand full of times and really liked it.  I think this sight would be highly effective in an urban setting, because of the zero magnification of the sight and the unlimited eye relief.  However magnification attachments are available for Aimpoints to better suit longer range shooting.Aimpoint-Military

Image from: http://www.aimpoint.com/o.o.i.s?id=67&prev_id=67&product_id=464

The Gunsight

Trijicon ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) is the main rifle optic that the Marine Corps uses today.  To most Marines the ACOG is known as the RCO (Rifle Combat Optic).  The ACOG is a 4x32 power optic.  The ACOG is self illuminating optic. This allows it to set its self apart from the competition in that its competition optics are battery powered.  ACOGs are very durable and have been put to test by Marines in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  I have personally used an ACOG and I like them.  The main down fall I personally think they have is trying to use an ACOG in a close quarter’s combat situation; because the scope has a magnified 4 power it can make it hard to acquire targets at very close ranges.  However I have never been in a close quarter’s combat situation.  I have just trained for them.  Trijicon has come out with a solution for this problem.  They have added a non magnified optic that sits on top of the ACOG.  In all the ACOG is a very good optic, and has helped the U.S. military become more effective marksmen.    Trijicon

Image from:  http://www.knrshootingsports.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10_34&products_id=431

MTV vs. Interceptor

The Modular Tactical Vest was a large improvement in some areas over the former Interceptor body armor system.  However some of the improvements made to the MTV have caused some marines to want their previous flak jacket back the interceptor.   The MTV provides much more protection in areas than its predecessor.  The MTV has side SAPI (Small Arms Protective Insert) plate carriers built in to the MTV vs. Interceptor where the side SAPI plates were just attachments.  One of the major up sides to the MTV is a quick release system.  This system consists of a pull cord down by the waste, and two plastic clips on the shoulders.  This enables the MTV to come apart in a split second if there was ever a need. (If you had been injured and were in need immediate medical attention)  Now there are some down sides to the MTV.  The first being the weight of the vest after you put the SAPI plates in before any other gear has been added to the vest it weighs approximately between 30-35 pounds.  Now go ahead and add a combat load which can be another 20 to 40 lbs on top of that and it gets really heavy really fast.   Also the MTV can really limit your mobility.  I personally wore an MTV in Iraq I liked it.  I felt more protected.  I also liked how it rested on my shoulders more than the Interceptor, but I was also mounted in an MRAP, so I did not have to go out on foot patrols.  Now I did not like how the MTV limited my mobility, and if I were to of gone on foot patrols I would of wanted something much smaller and lighter in weight like modified MTV.  However I would chose the MTV over the Interceptor any day.Olive-drab