Alex Hollings

Alex Hollings Alex Hollings writes on a breadth of subjects ranging from fitness to foreign policy, all presented through the lens of his experiences as a U.S. Marine, athlete and scholar. A football player, rugby player and fighter, Hollings has spent the better part of his adult life competing in some of the most physically demanding sports on the planet. Hollings possesses a master's degree in communications from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as a bachelor's degree in Corporate and Organizational Communications from Framingham State University.

Watch: Canadian artillery team gives soldier one hell of a wake up call

Serving in the military forces you to develop a number of unusual skill sets that aren’t necessarily specific to war-fighting, and many of them involve sleep. The ability to go for extended periods of time without rest becomes paramount in uniform, as does your ability to catch up on that sleep deficit at unusual times […]

Off the beaten path: 4 tips for mitigating the risks of adventure traveling

I’ve done a fair amount of traveling over the years. I’ve stood next to pyramids on two continents, wandered around the Coliseum and the Acropolis, gone white water rafting in Alaska and relaxed at a wine tasting in Malta. Que Johnny Cash singing, “I’ve been everywhere,” because, although there’s still plenty of world left to […]

How slowing down can help you win a fight for your life

Out here in the regular world, where law enforcement is just a phone call away and most bars have bouncers employed specifically to break up fights, fist fights tend to be pretty short. A few punches thrown, maybe some poorly executed wrestling, and unless you’re on your way to become an internet celebrity on WorldStar, […]

Watch: What does it take to become a Delta operator?

While covering a story recently, I had the opportunity to tour some facilities with a number of current and former elite operators hailing from various military branches and government agencies. Although these men may have different abbreviations on their identification cards, the community of people with their unique skill set and level of expertise is […]

Watch: US Marines train in a live fire shoot house

Clearing a building is among the most treacherous tasks a warfighter can be faced with in a combat zone. A building full of unknown twists, turns, and hiding spots, potentially full of well-armed opponents isn’t anyone’s idea of an easy day, but the reality of modern warfare requires that our service members are experts in […]

High Speed Daddy’s Diaper Bag: Where tactical meets practical for dads on the go

I’ll be up front about this: I’m not a fan of using tactical gear to achieve the internet’s coveted operator aesthetic. I prefer to wear my range and field gear to the range or field, and to dress like a normal human dad while I’m out running errands or spending time with my daughter. I’m […]

Nothing’s worse than soaking your wallet… unless you have the Reborn Wetsuit Wallet

We’ve all been there–You’re having a nice day at the beach, a lazy Sunday on the boat, or maybe just a barbecue with a few sprinklers set up for the kids and whether you meant to or not, you end up soaking wet. Modern phones are built to hold up to that kind of punishment […]

Gear in the Wild: Search and Rescue personnel save lives

South Florida Urban Search and Rescue, Florida Task Force 2, out of Miami, Fla., conduct reconnaissance missions in Bucksport, South Carolina, Sept. 25, 2018, by GPS marking neighborhoods to identify areas and properties that are flooded, as a result of rising waters in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. These reconnaissance missions are critical for first […]

Learn how to prepare for a bad situation from retired Navy SEAL Clint Emerson

Longtime readers at the Loadout Room will recognize Clint Emerson as the author of the 100 Deadly Skills series of books, which are an invaluable tool for anyone that prizes self reliance and being prepared. For those who may not have run across Emerson’s work in the past, he is one of a few professional […]

The Bremont Broadsword: A timepiece with history

Bremont’s Armed Forces Collection does more than pay homage to the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force; it’s brought new life to an aesthetic that’s directly reminiscent of a series of watches commissioned by the Ministry of Defence during World War II. These watches, commonly referred to as “the dirty dozen,” were made […]