Fred Rowlands

Fred Rowlands Fred “Garfield” Rowlands is a 21+ year Navy veteran who spent his career in strange and diverse places like Diego Garcia, Wintering Over in Antarctica, the Southern Border, and Burbank CA. Has spent over 30 years working in Military Physical Security, Law Enforcement, and Private Security, and has “more luck than a cat has lives” supposedly. He now resides in NW Florida with his wife and a French Bulldog named Kane.

Vortex’s New Micro Red Dot, the Defender XL

In response to the demands of serious competitors, Vortex® proudly presents the Defender-XL™, a red dot sight engineered to elevate your speed and accuracy in competitive shooting. Recognizing the importance of quick target acquisition and adaptability in dynamic environments, this sight is crafted for those aiming to dominate the competition. The Defender-XL™ boasts an ultra-wide […]

Superior Career Services, A Powerful Advocate for Transitioning Service Members

While at SOF Week Guy McCardle and I had the privilege of meeting and talking with David Stevenson, Chief Career Advocate, and the man who makes it his mission in life to assist those who have served. This is the first in a series of articles from David originally published on “The Advocate Corner”. Unlocking […]

Fior, a Blended Scotch Made to be Enjoyed With Friends

You’re bringing cigars, right? SOFREP Managing Editor Guy McCardle was asking me what I was packing for SOF Week. Umm, Yes of course, why? Because I’m bringing a bottle of Fior Scotch to review, have you ever had any? I had to admit I hadn’t, mostly because I’m not a big Scotch drinker but, if […]

Shaky Hands, No Problem for the KITE APC 50 Binoculars

I’ve been putting the latest Kite APC 50 Image-Stabilized Binoculars through their paces, specifically the 18×50 model. This new addition to Kite Optics’ IS lineup has left me thoroughly impressed. The image stabilization is top-notch, and the new features and improved optics provide an even better viewing experience. Kite has poured over a decade of […]

Crazy Creek Chairs, Adult Tested, Kid Approved

When it comes to outdoor gear, comfort and durability are paramount. Picture this: you’re deep in the backcountry, the sun is setting, and after a long day of hiking, all you want is to kick back and relax. Or, you’re on the beach of the river in NW Florida or simply at a BBQ with […]

Pic Of The Day, The Kraka Board at SOF Week

When the world is 70% covered in water you should expect navigating it to be a big deal at SOF week, and it was. Many types of watercraft were there, unmanned, submersible, battery, hybrid, new propeller design, new hull designs, and more. The Kraka Board is designed to get you and your gear into various […]

The Ultimate Carbon 4StableSticks Must be Used to be Believed

When it comes to stabilizing your shot, nothing beats the reliability and precision of 4StableSticks. For hunters and shooters who demand top performance in the field, 4StableSticks offer unparalleled stability, versatility, and ease of use. Built from the best materials and designed with innovative technology, these shooting sticks are the go-to choice for anyone serious […]

Pic of the Day, The MH-6 Little Bird at SOF Week

One of the most anticipated parts of this year’s SOF Week was the “Battle of Tampa Bay” demo. Multiple Special Operation Forces from around the world with various equipment from the exhibitors and what is currently in use. Especially fun were the different modes of aerial attack forces on display including the MH-6. They were […]

SOF Week in Review

Holy Mother of Blessed Acceleration, don’t fail me now! The words of Elwood Blues echoed in my head as I entered the highway interchange with .25 miles of space to navigate across 7 lanes of traffic, including the on-ramp. Along the way I also had to deal with a love-struck Romeo performing a running roadblock […]

What Do Special Operators Want? More Tech, Better Tech annnnnnd Smarter Tech

You couldn’t walk anywhere without seeing advanced technology applied to something, seriously it was SHOT Show again except specifically for special operations forces. SOF Week 2024 brought out the big guns—literally and figuratively. This year’s lineup showcased some serious tech that’s set to revolutionize the battlefield for special operations forces. All this and more was […]