Running: Everyone’s favorite form of exercise

No, running is not everyone’s favorite form of exercise. The mindless jarring forward with little-to-no reprieve can last fifteen, twenty or thirty minutes before a solid, worthwhile distance run is knocked out for the day. By the end, you’re out of breath, sweaty and, if you don’t eat quickly, feeling pretty weak. The exercise is […]

Veterans and war: The ‘hollow shell of a man’ trope

You know the trope: the veteran comes home from “the war.” He is distant, has vivid flashbacks that send him careening to the floor, is always on high alert and can’t seem to turn it off; he digs foxholes in his backyard and drinks way too much. Countless movies and television shows have portrayed veterans […]

The Hammer of Education

Education. It’s lauded by many as the ultimate tool against poverty, extremism and racism. Some make it seem like it’s the pinnacle of achievements for the average person in the United States. Those who aren’t inclined toward formal education often scoff at it, those who are inclined that way profess its importance to anyone who […]

A decade of service: From an Army Ranger to a DC Police Officer

Patrick Bacon joined the United States Army when he was 21 years old. He would make it through the rigorous schools and selections required to enter the 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served in the 3rd Ranger Battalion, spending five years in the military and leaving as a sergeant with multiple deployments under his belt. […]

Gadsden Dynamics War Belt

A couple of months ago, Gadsden Dynamics sent out a War Belt for review.  I put up my initial impressions here, but have now spent enough time at the range and over the hills to deliver a final review. For a quick refresher, the War Belt weighs only 10 oz (with optional AustriAlpin Cobra buckle upgrade) and is 3 MOLLE rows tall. […]

What can hackers do with your personal information?

Cyber security is a complex but essential reality of today’s world. It can seem a little overwhelming at times–physical security is much simpler: you have a gun, you point it at the door, you shoot bad guys if they come in and try to hurt you or your family. If they climb through the window, […]

The American Dream in a foster kid turned Ranger

It’s not easy to become a U.S. Army Ranger. To be a successful Ranger, you need to have a strong sense of self, be physically fit and mentally strong. You have to be able to push yourself further than you imagined possible, and then you have grit your teeth and low crawl a little further. […]

SOF pic of the day: Rangers lead the way

A U.S. Army Ranger assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment looks down the sights of an M240B machine gun during company-level, live-fire training at Camp Roberts, Calif., Jan. 30, 2014. The Rangers trained to maintain their tactical proficiency.   DoD photo by Staff Spc. Steven Hitchcock

Red Rock Outdoor Gear | The Transporter Pack

I’ve recently started getting into precision rifle shooting.  All of the sudden, my nice little range bag was stuffed full of tools I needed to keep organized and accessible.  My old range bag just wasn’t up to the task.  I had a chance to test out Red Rock Outdoor’s Transporter Pack and wanted to know if it would […]

Suppressed Armament Systems | Blast Diverter

Those of us who have had the pleasure of shooting suppressed weapons know how much more enjoyable those little cylinders can make the shooting experience.  Similarly, we who have stood next to someone on the range who was shooting with a muzzle brake on a magnum caliber or a short barreled rifle will attest that experience is about as […]

Blue Force Gear | Lighten the load

With the multitudinous variety of options we have in the tactical accessory world, it’s easy to assume one pouch is probably the same as most others. What defines a better pouch? Is it lighter, or is it stronger? The answer really depends on the end-user’s point and purpose for his/her kit. Personally, I want it all: equipment […]

An Army Ranger’s Preferred Folding Knife | Benchmade Griptilian

Someone asked me the other day what knife I brought with me to Ranger school. I completed Ranger school back in 2012 and with me I had a Benchmade Griptilian. The criteria of a solid knife in school is pretty limited. First Is it light enough that you would be willing to carry it? This […]