Durability

Cerakote Gatorz Magnum’s: Durability and Performance

Gatorz, man, Gatorz. When talking about Gatorz Eyewear, its kind of the best of both worlds. Durability and performance are all I ask for when I’m looking at shades, and Gatorz definitely packs that 1-2 combo. I hate not having a good pair of shades on and honestly, I never knew Gatorz would soon become a part of my work kit over my Oakley’s but they did from my first pair of Black Magnum’s (you can read why I switched from Oakley’s to Gatorz here). First Spear plate carrier, Altama Maritime Assault Shoes, Mags, Weapons, Flash Crashes… and Gatorz. They are literally part of my checklist.

Cerakoted Gatorz Magnum's: Durability and Performance — Listening to the guys talk gun fighting tactic’s. This is the ‘Frankenstein’ rifle I had Travis at Tacticool Firearms in Virginia put together for me awhile back. It throws people off for sure because it looks like junk. (Now its painted all tan)

I wanted to get my hands on the tan Cerakote Gatorz for work. I figured the black Magnum’s might scratch (they haven’t, I’ve worn them time and time again at work) and in all honesty, I wanted to be 100% “cool guy” and have tan shades. I also wanted to be able to switch things up every now and then if I’m feeling bold and wanted to rock tan shades out in public. The Cerakote shades have been perfect for using personal watercraft (aka jetski’s), they’ve been perfect at the range when doing weapons training, and they have been perfect in public in general. They stay cooler than the traditional black shades due to them being a lighter color and that G on the side really pops out. I have them ‘smoked out’ and I run them during cloudy and sunny days. I can’t tell you how many people have commented on my Cerakote Gatorz while I’m oversea’s. From foreign military to civilian’s, everybody wants a pair of Cerakote Gatorz – even the people that already have a pair want another pair.

These days I’m working on the side as a weapons instructor for those guys that don’t exist if you catch my drift and even they comment on Cerakote Gatorz. “Dude I thought Gatorz were only in Black”. That’s a strong negative. They come in OD Green, Black Multicam, Tan and honestly just about every other color.

With Christmas right around the corner, I ended up purchasing a pair for my Dad. He’s a Maui Jim fan, but I think I can convert him to Gatorz! Do yourself a favor and pick up a pair of Cerakote Gatorz for your loved ones. They will appreciate it!

For more information and to purchase

Blue Force Gear Ten-Speed Pistol Pouch: Optimized retention and greater durability

Blue Force Gear’s reputation for innovating and creating gear is one unsurpassed by most companies. Their gear is well-known for a reason and the choice of the United States military and police officers around the country. The Ten Speed Pistol Pouch is a small, simple piece of gear that it perfect for most load outs. Like most of Blue Force Gear’s pouches they are well made and innovative. The Ten Speed Pistol pouch is a dual magazine pouch that is designed to be attached to any MOLLE system.

The Ten Speed Pistol Pouch compatibility

This makes these pouches compatible with almost all modern gear. They fit absolutely perfectly on the Ten Speed Vickers chest rig but are also compatible with my Telor Tactical belt, my Tactical Tailor active shooter bag, and nearly anything else with a little webbing on it.

The Ten Speed Pistol pouch utilizes passive retention with friction retention. Since the pouches are made of high-quality synthetic materials the use of elastic isn’t a surprise. The pouch is made with an elastic front, the thin Helium Whisper attachment system, and Ultracomp. The use of elastic allows the pouches to comfortably carry anything from single stack 1911 magazines to double stack CZ P09 magazines without issue. Blue Force Gear claims the pouch can hold an HK 45 magazine. The pouches can easily hold flashlights, multi-tools, or chem lights.

Size Matters

These pouches are super thin and when not in use they are instantly out-of-the-way. Low profile is probably the best way to describe the Ten Speed pistol pouch. It’s a very lightweight pouch, 60% lighter than the competition. The MOLLE straps on the back are super thin and very easy to weave in and out of a webbing system.

Function over Form

These pouches certainly don’t look high-speed and sexy. They are simple and don’t necessarily stand out. These aren’t designed for concealed carry, so they are best used when tied to other gear. Once in place, they do not sag or droop in any way. The open top design is obviously very easy to draw from, and nothing gets in the way. The magazines are held close together, but just far enough apart to make them easy to grip and rip. The elastic holds all 21 rounds of 9mm in my CZ P09 without issue. They don’t fall out, and are retained very well.

I’d suggest the Ten Speed pistol pouch to anyone who needs a simple and effective pistol mag pouch for their chest rig, plate carrier or war belt. Simple and effective and the best descriptors for quality gear.

Gear in this article

Blue Force Gear Ten Speed Chest rig – https://www.blueforcegear.com/ten-speed-m4-chest-rig.html

Telor Tactical Belt – http://www.telortactical.com/products/comfort-air-goband

Spec Ops Shop Go Panel – http://specopshop.com/product_info.php?products_id=136

SOFREP Team PT: Starting Monday, November 21st

SOFREP Team PT with Norwood will being this coming Monday, November 21st. We’ll interview fitness experts and offer training and nutrition advice.

Team PT – Monday thru Friday – no more than four times a week in the gym. Strict diet with general guidelines. About an hour session of training a session. The sessions that will be longer are optional and for those intending to go to selection or get into selection type level of fitness.

This is what I intend to start posting, every wee morning, every day, daily Team PT training session. I’ll do it a week out with anyone in the DC Metro area interested in joining. We’ll make sure the flow makes sense and that we aren’t overwhelmed. I’ll have another athlete that will be doing bodyweight training sessions for whoever wants to start anew and hasn’t exercised in some time.

I’ll be training as though I might be headed to selection one day – and have a dear friend who is prepared to rebuild. That athlete will train with body weight and eventually progress toward lifting and something closer to training for selection. My hope is to add a third to the party who is more advanced in age. One thing that is missing from most exercise routines and plans for people are plans tailored for those who are not just veterans, but, basically, old.

No, I didn’t go to the Olympics – but I’ve been an athlete most of my life. I take fitness seriously and it’s an important part of my life; something that’s become increasingly difficult to find time when you’re on your own, not on a team.

My own credentials in training is, obviously, passing selection. Second is a top ten finish at Bataan Death March and second place at Mountain Man Memorial March. I haven’t been back stateside in order to compete in the following years, but – I am now.

However, I don’t intend to put the kind of time I did when I was on a team. I don’t have the time and I’d have to gradually build the energy and stamina back. But, I’d love to – in a reasonable timeframe. I have read studies that suggest you can extend your life by simply running ten minutes a day without stop. If you aren’t working out now, why not start? You know it’s good for you. If you’re thinking about joining the army and heading to selection – why wouldn’t you train with people who have done it?

My style, so to speak has always been the work of Rob Shaul at Military Athlete, now Mountain Tactical Insitute. It’s grueling, difficult, sometimes awful – but helped me discover what it means to be well rounded, fit, and durable. Durability is key, as well as mental resilience, and I know no better way to develop either without fitness training.

We can prepare anyone who wants to join the army and anyone heading to selection. We’ll ruck, run, and ruckrun.

Since leaving active duty ranks many have a difficult time prioritizing fitness the same as they did when active. Well, their priorities have changed and there are only so many hours in a day. But, fitness and training is woven into the SOF state of being.

At any point while on a team, you should be able to pass your own selection with a reasonable and relatively brief train up. Maybe you lost your step at running or rucking but for a team player, there’s no reason to be out of shape. For veterans there is no mandate. But I wonder if veterans would be more productive in their civilians lives if some elements of their military ones carried over. Moreover, I think the community centered around exercising with the same routine and an exchange on the workouts builds a sense of community, a sense of community that some veterans might be looking for in their civilian lives.

Whatever the case, whether you’re headed for selection, want to join a gym but are unsure what you’d do there, or just want to get back into some state of fitness – just try some of this out. Whatever works, we’ll keep. Likewise, whatever doesn’t, we’ll scrap. More to follow!

Featured image courtesy of DoD

Article originally published on SOFREP by Norwood