From the monthly archives:

April 2010

CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS: Do Non Ex-Military Guys Have a Place in the Security Contracting Industry?

by James G · 43 comments

in Civilian Contractors

Ex-military – does it really matter?

Do Non EX-Military Guys Have a Place in the Security Contracting Industry?

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This is a debate I have heard from my first day on a security contract when some ex-mil contractor asked me;

Ex-mil Contractor: “you ex-mil?”

James G.: “no dude”

Ex-mil Contractor: “how the hell did you get on this gig?”

James G.: “Smith* hooked me up”

Ex-mil Contractor: “you guys don’t have any place in this line of work, go home before you get someone killed”

James G.: “FUCK YOU DOG-RAPIST!”

Later I found out that this dude was ex-Army but he sat a desk the whole time as a photographer. Now I am by no means a “Bad Ass Village burning cigar chomping mercenary” but I am pretty sure that I am at least the equivalent of a guy who drove a desk for a few years in the military.

Don’t get me wrong, I do understand some high-risk jobs in security contracting do require a high-speed background. But I have to disagree with the argument “if you are not ex-military then you don’t have a place at all in OCONUS security contracting”.

Click Here to Read Some of the Arguments Against Non Ex-Military Working in the Security Contracting Industry >>>

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INFO SECURITY: Social Media and Security – What you post could be deadly…

by Norm W. · 24 comments

in Info Security

Its all fun and games on social networks until your FarmVille buddy “Pizzalovr297” shows up at your house at 3AM and man-rapes you

This article I wanted to take some time and give a few pointers on social media and situational e-awareness. Situational e-awareness is when you’re consciously aware of what you post on the internet, where you go on the internet and how you craft your passwords and user id’s.  Yes, user id’s can be used to gather information on someone.

Here’s a few questions that I know you can answer yes to at least one of them;

Do you have any of the following accounts;

Facebook
Myspace
Twitter
Flicker
Google (Gmail, GCalendar, etc)
Yahoo (e-mail, calendar, etc)
Microsoft Network
Match.com
Whrrl
FourSquare
Gowalla
Yelp

Now, if you’re reading this online, you have at LEAST access to the internet.  You most likely have access to an e-mail account.  It may be one of the above mentioned, or it may be something entirely different.  Either way, having an account on any of the above, or any number of other social media applications online opens you up to giving out too much information.

Click Hear to Increase Your E-Awareness >>>

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TACTICAL GEAR: NTOA Member Tested and Recommended Means Squat to me

by James G · 28 comments

in Tactical Gear

Another “NTOA Member Tested and Recommended” tactical product

So your new tactical-groovy toy comes complete with a NTOA Member Tested and Recommended seal of approval on it – guess what that means?

Nothing

Before I get into why let me explain to the folks here what “NTOA Member Tested and Recommended” means. NTOA (National Tactical Officers Association) is a trade organization (mostly) for police officers and trainers who work in the tactical realm.

What “NTOA Member Tested and Recommended” means is one of their members has reviewed a piece of gear and given a score on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the best. The testing and scoring system is mandated by the NTOA.

Sounds good right?

Well here is where I have a problem with “NTOA Member Tested and Recommended” products and the NTOA itself. First off the NTOA clearly states on their website that:

“Please note that this is not product endorsement from the NTOA. It is a recommendation by a field tester for the law enforcement community”

If that is so, then why do they put the NTOA seal on products their members test? Seriously if they are willing to use their name and logo to endorse a product then why do they then distance themselves from a product that they endorse with their seal of approval and logo? (confusing right?)

I am guessing it has to do with the Fees they charge for listing any product that gets the “NTOA Member Tested and Recommended” seal on it – anywhere from 50 dollars to 10% of the products retail value.

So the NTOA won’t even stand behind their own members’ decisions on gear they have reviewed using NTOA testing standards, that they put the NTOA seal/logo on and charge companies scale based fees to list.

Am I the only person here that finds that to be odd and even contradictory?

Click Here to Read More Reasons Why NTOA Member Tested and Recommended Means Squat >>>

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LIGHTS: In Quest For the Perfect Flashlight

by Lorenz Lo Szabo · 23 comments

in Lights

Bet you didn’t know your surefire could do this

I love flashlights. And that is everything I have in common with most collectors of flashlights. Because nobody owns the perfect flashlight in the end, so I’m going to write what works for me. I also apologize for the length, but one can’t shorten this topic.

I have a natural dislike for all products made in Asia/China – except those fantastic culinary things! Unfortunately most of the stuff we purchase is made, assembled, or copied in China, Taiwan, or Vietnam, etc. Therefore I prefer gear made in the USA whenever I can, though I also like gear from Germany or Japan (remember when they copied everything).

This is how I became aware of SureFire, long before I started to work in the tactical industry. Lately I had to redefine my China rule, as I became a fan of NiteCore.

The question of all questions: incandescent or LED? Here’s the basic question: do you want to buy lots of cells and replace costly bulbs? If you answer yes to both questions, I guess you don’t like the blue tint of the Cree XP-G LED… And, if you have a problem with “color tints” of lights – too blue, too white, too orange –this article will only amuse you anyway.

Until the end of 2009 there was only one single reason to stay with incandescent bulbs: the need for IR filters. As SureFire introduced the Vampire series with IR-capable LEDs in early 2010, there is no need to stay with incandescent bulbs unless you don’t have the budget to upgrade.

[click to continue…]

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TACTICAL TRAINING: If You Are Fat You Are Not a Warrior – And the “DVM From Fat Body to Not So Fat Body Diet”

by James G · 31 comments

in Tactical Training

I eat Twinkies for breakfast but I still think I am a warrior

Every time I see some fat ass at a training class, online, in uniform or working as a contractor I want to walk up to him and yell “STOP EATING”

The most annoying ones are the fat bodies who claim to be some sort of “bad-ass” or even worse – are actually working or teaching in a warrior related profession. And its not just the fact these guys are disgusting blobs of blubber, it’s the shitty tough guy attitude that just about every fat “warrior” has.

I remember a few years ago a buddy of mine asked me to take a knife fighting seminar with him because he paid for his wife to go and she backed out at the last minute. I figured “why not, its free” so after driving for 4 hours, paying for a hotel room and giving up my entire weekend I walked into the class to see this dude with a big fat belly standing there.

Now, my buddy knows how I am so as soon as he saw me looking at Mr. Chubby Knife Guy he said “Dude, please don’t say anything, he is a bit chubby but he knows his shit. So I bit my tongue for the sake of my buddy and went along with the program, and honestly the training wasn’t that bad until he started talking about discipline and warrior mindset stuff.

At that point I couldn’t control myself anymore so I asked “if you are a disciplined warrior than why are you so overweight?” Damn, the expression on his face looked like I called his mother a whore or something.

Anyway he went off on a rant about how he wasn’t really fat, had muscle underneath and could still kick ass and take names and all sorts of other insecure stuff fat people say when you call them out for being a buffet rapist.

Fo reals, how am I supposed to take some guy teaching a tactical course seriously if he doesn’t even have the discipline to stop bringing his hand to his fat fucking mouth?

Click Here to Read The DVM From Fat Body to Not So Fat Body Diet >>>

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INTRODUCING: La Cima World Missions

by James G · 24 comments

in Uncategorized

I would like to introduce the DVM readers to La Cima World Missions a Humanitarian Aid NGO that helps children in the 3rd world. La Cima World Missions is run by a friend of mine Dr. David Sperow, an American Dentist that has dedicated his life to providing medical care to impoverished children and people in the 3rd world.

Dr. David isn’t the sort who leads from the rear, he packs his backpack and hits the field tromping through jungles (urban and wilderness) in the 3rd world. This is truly a man that “talks that talk and walks that walk”. He is a no Bullshit guy that I am honored to have as a friend.

For those of you here that do not know me personally I NEVER vouch for people, EVER. Nothing personal against the folks I am friends with but I am Old School, if I vouch for someone I do it for life. And I personally vouch for Dr. David and give my word that he is a stand up guy.

So why am I telling you all of this?

Because I would like to ask the people who read DVM to skip a couple cups of coffee or one Big Mac and donate 7 bucks to Dr. Dave and La Cima World Missions today.

That’s it – 7 bucks

7 bucks is fucking nothing, and the pocket change you donate to Dr. Dave will go directly to helping children. How much of an outstanding person will you be today if you do something unselfish like helping poor children in the 3rd world today? And all you have do is give a lousy 7 bucks.

I have always believed the folks within the Tactical Community are great people that will bend over backwards to give a fellow warrior a hand.

So I am personally asking you to help out some kids, all for the price of 2 cups of coffee at Starbucks.

Be an Outstanding Warrior today and throw La Cima World Missions 7 bucks.

Click here to go to the La Cima World Missions Website and donate 7 bucks (the donate button is on the right hand side)

~James Grey

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URBAN/EXPAT SURVIVAL: Improvised Weapons for Home and Abroad

by Luke W. · 24 comments

in Expat Survival,Urban Survival

Stand still dude, you got a bee on your shoulder

So, you have found yourself out and about far from home and the legality of you carrying your trusty side arm of choice or your favorite pocket folder is not an option. Quite possibly, obtaining a weapon off of the local black market is in fact just a great a threat to your long term health as the predators that you carry your weapon of choice for.

If you are not a federal agent, Secret squirrel, or other person who can obtain diplomatic immunity and travel armed, there are certain options at your disposal if arming yourself legally is an extreme difficulty. As many of you know, your presence in parts of the world is not necessarily appreciated as you pass through or conduct business.

There are certain elements who in fact may welcome you as a potential victim for their criminal enterprise, or you may be a target of opportunity for the latest terrorist propaganda video. With all of the legal hurdles in your way, that does not mean that you go silently into the night unprepared.

We have discussed the mindset of traveling grey so not to draw attention to yourself. We also have discussed in a previous article that a combat mindset is essential to self preservation. This article is to point out certain everyday items that can be used as a weapon, but do not raise any concerns from the folks that are around you.

This article is designed to get you to think outside the box. Best of All, these items are legal, globally!

Click Here to Read About Different Types of Improvised Weapons >>>

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EXPAT SURVIVAL: OPSEC For NGO’s and Humanitarian Aid groups

by James G · 15 comments

in Expat Survival

Be smart with the information your NGO publicly displays

OPSEC = Operations security

Every time I see some well meaning yet idiotic humanitarian aid guy flashing the peace sign in a picture with a caption like “This is me and my local fixer Jang Wang getting ready to cross into North Korea on our mission to bring bibles and polio shots to poor people” on Facebook all I can do is shake my head.

What these people don’t realize is any half descent photo intelligence guy can not only pinpoint there exact location based on the vegetation and topography in the background – he has put himself and anyone working or traveling with him on a shit-list. Or even worse, they may have endangered the very people they are supposed to be helping.

I understand that most people who work with or run smaller NGO’s don’t have any counterintelligence training so I have written up this quick primer on OPSEC for NGO’s.

Click here to read OPSEC for NGO’s and Humanitarian Aid groups >>>

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TACTICAL GEAR: The “SAR Operator” – Does Tactical Gear Have a Place In Search & Rescue?

by Alex S · 27 comments

in Search and Rescue,Tactical Gear

This probably isn’t an appropriate gear set-up for your next SAR callout

Last week I was involved with a training exercise between several county S&R teams, local fire & rescue and law enforcement.  It was one of those times where you get to have a good look at what everyone else is using out in the field and I often take notes if I see anything interesting. As usual, most favoured a duty belt or pack to carry their gear and equipment.

Others made do with whatever they had in their pockets and a couple had low profile chest rigs.  However, one guy stood out as one guy always does – the one who will only be addressed by his callsign and refers to himself as a “SAR operator”.  He wore a full Blackhawk assault vest, a duty belt with every conceivable type of pouch on it, a drop leg admin panel (yes, I cringed too) and a throat mic of the variety often seen used by Special Forces.

Adorning this ensemble were mag pouches, several tritium glow rings in various colours and a callsign patch (I won’t even go into what his callsign was).  Aside from looking like he was dying to kick someone’s door in – he looked, to put it bluntly, friggin’ stupid.

Now, S&R teams do often have a paramilitary look about them, there’s no doubt about it.  Most of my team wear military surplus fatigue bottoms and boots.  But if you’re a searcher and all you’re missing is a heavily-modified AR and a tango to neutralise – this may be the point where you need to consider the following:

Click Here to See if You Are a Silly SAR Operator >>>

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OLD SCHOOL MAN: Gran Torino and the 31 Old School Man Habits of Walt Kowalski

by James G · 58 comments

in Books & Movies,DVM OLD SCHOOL MAN

Gran Torino - one of the only movies where the main character isn’t a metrosexual bumbling male
Gran Torino – one of the only movies where the main character isn’t a metrosexual bumbling male

This is probably one of the greatest Old School Man flicks ever made, hell – it’s hard to go wrong when you combine Clint Eatswood and a 45. auto. I am actually surprised that Hollywood green-lit a movie with a main character who acts like a man, especially considering that movies with metrosexual male leads are the norm now.

To say it is refreshing to see a man on the big screen that curses, smokes, drinks beer and has solid Old School values would be an understatement on my part. And besides being a great Old School Man flick Gran Torino is also a good example of how the old school man genome doesn’t always pass down the family tree.

Now allot of the naysayers dismiss this flick as just a story about a bigoted ornery old man. Well as the main character Walt Kowalski (Clint) would say; “Fuck You” because the meaning of movie is much deeper than that. Sure Walt starts off a racist old man, but he sees the fault in his thinking and (despite being old and stuck in his ways) he changes his flawed way of looking at people and eventually comes to love the Asian family next door more than his own spoiled family.

To see a movie where the main character is a man of values who despite being a flawed man is still a good person with solid Old School Man values is a breath of fresh air amongst the “sex and the city” crap Hollywood normally vomits out nowadays. And the huge success of Gran Torino at the box office and the academy awards American Film Institute (AFI), National Board of Review, Broadcast Film Critics Association and Chicago Film Critics Association Awards is proof positive to Hollywood that the American male is damn tired of seeing men portrayed as bumbling pussys on the big screen.

So in tribute to this great Old School Man movie I have thrown together a list of the 31 things that today’s man can learn from Walt Kowalski

Click Here to Read the 31 Old School Man Habits of Walt Kowalski and a List of the Best Walt Kowalski Quotes in Gran Torino >>>

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