On Friday, June 14—coincidentally the Army’s 224th birthday—the Army unveiled its newest and most unnecessary badge: the Expert Soldier Badge. If you read this and are rolling your eyes, trust me, you are not alone. According to a press release, the Expert Soldier Badge will recognize those individuals who demonstrate a mastery of physical fitness, […]
Headline
Pack your gear: NASA announces plan to rent out International Space Station
In a somewhat surprising move, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced last week it will rent out portions of the International Space Station (ISS) to private corporations. The plan also includes provisions to allow private astronauts to travel to the space station. According to a NASA press release, the new policy hopes to […]
Gear in the Wild: The right gear for chemical attacks (or for when you forget your gym bag in the trunk)
U.S. Army Sgt. Cory Sweetman radios back to an operations center during an exercise at Atlantic City International Airport, N.J., Nov. 7, 2018. Sweetman is with the 21st Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team (21st WMD-CST), New Jersey National Guard. U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt Hecht Watch how U.S. […]
A quick and dirty guide to finding good bourbon whiskey – and not get ripped off
Believe it or not, bourbon was once an unpopular spirit – with many opting for vodka, gin, rum, or a tamer whiskey choice. For better or worse, the bourbon industry has exploded in recent years, largely due to a mix of clever marketing along with (some) really solid bourbons. As a result, there are tons […]
Be prepared: The 2019 wildfire season threatens to be another inferno
Experts warn that the 2019 wildfire season in the U.S. could be a bad one. A report issued by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) earlier this month paints a bleak picture of what firefighters are likely to face this season. According to the report, significant fire activity is expected to begin around the end […]
Gear in the Wild: Astronaut uncovers relic aboard the International Space Station
A collection of 3.5″ discs that must have been aboard the International Space Station for years were uncovered by European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst. Gerst posted his discovery to Twitter: I found a locker on the @Space_Station that probably hasn’t been opened for a while… / Ich habe hier auf der #ISS ein Fach […]
Army recognizes top ten operators from across its special operations community
On June 7, the Army Special Operations Command recognized ten soldiers and civilians from across its special operations units for their distinguished service. Brig. Gen. Harrison Gilliam, the deputy commanding officer of the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center and School, inducted five soldiers into the Special Forces Regiment, two soldiers into the Civil Affairs Regiment, […]
Gear in the Wild: Training to respond to chemical attacks in Florida
U.S. Army Spc. Nicholas Threatte, a chemical decontamination specialist and a native of Darlington, South Carolina, checks radiation levels on a simulated victim of a chemical attack during a training exercise at Homestead Miami Speedway, Homestead, Florida. Operation Homestead ’19 was held on January 24, 2019. Spc. Threatte is assigned to the Army Reserve 413th […]
Op-Ed: Firearm safety rules apply to everyone. Don’t be an idiot.
The United States has long been, and will likely forever continue to be, embroiled in a debate about firearms. What firearms are okay to own, where is it okay to carry them, and how to prevent nefarious types from getting their hands on them are the subject of polarizing arguments around every national election – […]
Gear in the Wild: Maritime Raid Force Marines get urge to submerge
U.S. Marines with Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, swim underwater during dive training in Aqaba, Jordan, on July 8, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jon Sosner) Learn more about the U.S. Marines Maritime Raid Force below: https://youtu.be/gpPGrQxJ6lQ