Robert McCartney

Robert McCartney served with the 2nd Ranger Battalion from 2003-2007 where he deployed four times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. He attended Jump school, Ranger school and has served as a riflemen progressing to a team leader. After leaving the Military Robert became a Customs and Border Protection Officer, working at both Seaports and Airports. During his time at CBP he has been utilized as a Range Safety Officer and K9 Handler, and EMT. When not spending time with his wife and kids, Robert spends his time bowhunting in Washington State, and lifting heavy things. Fun Certifications: CF-L1, Firefighter I, EMT. (Instagram: robert.mccartney)

Robert McCartney’s EDC

I thought about this list before I started writing. There are some items I carry in special circumstances/environments which are extremely useful to me (i.e. LifeStraw while hunting). However, I was asked to compile a list of items I would have everyday, regardless of special circumstance/environments. So what follows is what you can always find […]

SOG KIKU Small Fixed Blade

Anyone who is part of a profession or hobby that involves bad guys, the outdoors, or hunting adventures can benefit from access to a dependable knife. My personal preference has always been a fixed-blade knife. There are less moving parts (less chance of malfunction) and it generally only involves one action to utilize it (drawing it […]

SOFREP Mini Crate Club: Quarterly Report

Here at the Loadout Room we have received a ton of emails about the SOFREP Mini Crate Club. A quick recap for anyone who isn’t in the know. The guys over at SOFREP have a series of clubs where you can subscribe based on your interests. In total, SOFREP has four different clubs: Premium Crate […]

Ruffwear’s Highlands Sleeping Bag

As a dog owner I try to take Loki (meet him here) on all my outdoor activities. Eventually I hope to use him as a bird dog (maybe even this year). However, for now I am just happy to give him as much exposure to as many outdoor activities as possible. Awhile ago I wrote […]

ZORE: A New Generation of Gun Storage

Recently I received a Comms Check from one of our readers (Mike Pyryt). He was wondering what we thought of ZORE, a gun storage start-up company on Indiegogo. Too be honest I had thought this was going to lead to what was already on the market; big safe, small safe, weapon mount safe, etc. Instead, I […]

The Future of Communication Technology

Recently I came across two pieces of technology I believe can change how we interact in the world. Both are geared towards communication, however they address different problems. First is SignAloud, created by some MIT students to allow people use use sign language to communicate audibly. Second is Pilot (smart earpiece), which could allow people […]

Military Robots: ACTUV Submarine Hunter

The Sea Hunter is an unmanned surface vehicle (referred to as: Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel, or ACTUV) which was launched in April 2016. With the success of the UAV (drone) program it was an inevitability the United States Military would seek unmanned vehicles for other environments. Differing from UAVs, a ACTUV would be […]

Military Robots: LS3

Every light infantry soldier has dreamed of a way to lighten their combat load. Boston Dynamics is attempting to do just that with their product the Legged Squad Support System (LS3). According to Boston Dynamics, “LS3 is a rough-terrain robot designed to go anywhere Marines and Soldiers go on foot, helping carry their load. Each […]

The Pocket Shot

Recently I had been thinking about getting a slingshot. I wanted something quiet I could hit a bird, or small game with. I thought it would be fun to take shots at small game while sitting in a blind, without disturbing the big game I was hunting. Not surprisingly, a lot of childhood memories started […]

Triton’s Artificial Gill: Fact or Fiction?

It has been a long time since I have been excited about a “game changing” device. That all changed when I learned about Triton’s underwater breathing gill. Basically, using this compact device you could breath underwater. The device would extract oxygen under water through a filter made of fine threads. After a little more research […]