I Like Sandwiches and Tactical Training
Why are people more interested in taking classes where they get to dress up in full kit as apposed to non-shooting classes (or with less shooting) where they will learn an actual skill? Now I understand that I come from a background where I pull triggers for a paycheck and work in the 3rd World as a job, so in my mind I am thinking “why take a class if I don’t learn how to do something, I only have a month off this year?”
One example is EP/PSD Courses – I have had several top EP/PSD Instructors tell me I am crazy to offer an EP/PSD course that only teaches Classroom based Academic training and does not have tons of shooting in it (despite the fact that the base EP/PSD skills are non-shooting skills), one buddy that is a Rock Star in the PSD/EP business said “Just add a day or two of shooting on your course and you will sell out – pander to people”
Click Here to Discuss, Skill and Academic Based Tactical Training VS “Lets Have fun Training” WTF >>>
DVM Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Death-Valley-Magazine/351749323377
James G Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/DeathValleyMagazine
DVM on Twitter
https://twitter.com/deathvalleymag
Join the DVM Groups on FB – here they are:
-DVM Team Room
For discussing all things DVM and Tactical shit
http://www.facebook.com/groups/dvmteamroom/
-DVM Professional Adventurers Society
For discussing everything Wilderness – Survival Skills, Tools, Knives, Books, Camping and Expedition Spots, Expedition Vehicles, Historical Adventurers and Professional Adventurers
http://www.facebook.com/groups/dvmpas/
-DVM Urban Survival Dogs
All about surviving when the SHTF
http://www.facebook.com/groups/dvmusd/
-DVM Food Fighters
For discussing all things food
http://www.facebook.com/groups/dvmfoodfighters/
DVM Dirty Dog Flea Market
For Selling and Trading Your New or Old Kit (no commercial Sales)
http://www.facebook.com/groups/dvmddfm/
DVM Movie Marauders
Revenge of the Ninja and other Movie Chat
http://www.facebook.com/groups/dvmmoviemarauders/
DVM OLD SCHOOL MEN
Fighting the Wussifacation of America, One Prius Driving, Vegan, Low-Rise Jean Wearing Femi-Man at a Time (Man only group)
http://www.facebook.com/groups/dvmoldschoolmen/
DVM GIGS
This is a page for people to post jobs on – it can be any job from Pipehitters to Computer Programmers, so if you know of a good gig at your company post it here and help your fellow DVM Pimps out
http://www.facebook.com/groups/dvmgigs/
DVM Gorillas
For discussing everything fitness, workout routines, nutrition, supplements, weight loss/gain, ECT
http://www.facebook.com/groups/dvmGorillasgroup/
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Pimp My Helmet Bitches
I see a lot of guys both off and online discussing the latest and greatest rigs, mag pouches, FAK’s, admin pouches and armor carriers that they just bought or have on their ‘tactical wish-list’. And all the stuff they have put together for their BOB’s, go-bags and Vehicle Emergency Kits.
But one thing I rarely see mentioned is helmets
Answer this – what do construction workers, military folks, skateboarders, rock climbers, motorcyclists, firefighters, Security Contractors and that ‘slow’ cousin of yours all have in common?
They all wear helmets
Why? – if you hit your head and get knocked the fuck out then guess what?
You can’t fight if you are taking a nap on the pavement.
Click Here to Keep Reading – TACTICAL GEAR – Helmets Protect That Noggin >>>
The DVM Store is back open and shipping orders again, we have a bunch of new patches and Shirts along with the original patches, gear and shirts we sold before.
The DVM “Been There Done That” shirt looks especially good, and our new DVM Grim Reaper Patches are bad-ass, and the AK PIMP patches are still flying off the shelves
The store will be open for a month while I am stateside, so hurry up and get your order in
CLICK HERE (Or Use the Link up-top) http://www.deathvalleymag.com/dvmgear/ >>>
~James G
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The AK and M-4 – Tools of the Trade for Security Contractors
Sure, I know what you are thinking; “we need another AK ‘VS’ the M-4 debate like we need another round of prohibition”. But out of the zillions of articles and YouTube vids out there I have never seen one that specifically addresses the pros and cons of running the AK-47 and M-4 in the unique environment of International non-permissive environment Private Security Contracting. Also, this is NOT a “VS” article; it is more a comparison of both the weapons systems based on my experiences running both as a Security Contractor.
On my first Civilian Contracting gig I carried an old ass M16A2 that was so fucking big if I ran out of ammo I could probably use it as a Bō Staff. It also didn’t come with a sling so I had to make one out of 550 cord, duct tape and a luggage strap (something I did for years until John over at Original S.O.E. was generous enough to shoot me one of his Single Point Slings).
The second gig I ran an AK, third an M-4. Both of these gigs were a bit strange because ‘officially’ we were not authorized to carry firearms (strange contract stuff like that happened back in the day) so we didn’t carry our weapons around with us on base, only out on missions and had zero range or training time.
The Forth gig was unique because I was issued both an AK and an M-4, so it was my choice of what weapons system I wanted to run based on the mission or task. I also spent a lot of time as a Tactical Firearms Instructor to TCN’s (Third Country Nationals), Local Iraqis, Brits, Aussies and Americans. So I spent a substantial amount of time on the range discussing the preferences between the M-4 and AK with Operators from five continents, from peaceful 1st world countries where you can’t even buy firearms, to the world’s shittiest 3rd world war torn hell-holes where you can buy AK magazines and baby wipes at the same store.
On my latest gig running the roads in Iraq I run a Yugoslavian Zastava M92, it is basically a Shorty AK with a 10” barrel and an under-folder stock. This is my favorite AK variant I have used so far.
So after using the AK and/or the M-4 as a security contractor under a variety of operational environments for a bit over a decade I am going to throw together my opinions on the pros, cons and issues I have experienced from both weapons systems.
Click Here to Keep Reading – CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS – GUNS: The AK-47 And The M-4 In Security Contracting – A Comparison >>>
Soi Cowboy Bangkok, one of the world’s most famous Red Light Districts
And Probably NOT the place to meet your future ex-wife
Walking down Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok while on leave would not be complete without seeing some 5.11 wearing fool walking hand in hand with a rough looking ex-bargirl. Now don’t get me wrong, hopping on a plane to Bangkok to blow off some steam after working for months in some 3rd world shit-hole is pretty much tradition in the Contractor Biz.
But I am referring to the guys who, despite being somewhat reasonable folks, somehow come up with the crazy person thought of “I am going to marry a Thai Hooker – And that shit is going to work out for the long run”.
I swear if I had one dollar for every “I lost all the bread I saved up on my past six contracts on some bargirl I married” stories I have heard from contractors I would be retired now. And the most amazing part is the guy telling the story seems to be actually surprised at the outcome.
Thailand has a habit of making old men young, allowing them to relive (or re-envision) their glory days of the past and no place else on earth can you see such a grouping of fat-gutted RBK (hint, hint) Contractors on leave walking hand in hand with teenyboppers young enough to be their granddaughters.
And it is by no means only the older contractor crowd who suffers from this affliction. The younger contractor crowd, who after hearing hundreds of stories about the Wild, Wild East from the old contractor hands also come to the Big Mango to sow their oats, popping from bar to bar, getting drunk, hooking up, having the time of their lives and falling in love with #38.
Click Here to Keep Reading – CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS: The “I Married a Bargirl” Contractor Douchebag >>>
The TYR Tactical PICO-1 Plate Carrier (ESAPI pockets) and GPC/PICO
- T4416 External Cummerbund w/ Side Plate Pockets used by James G in Iraq
So after wearing my Paraclete Armor Carrier to the point it was basically a de-threading mound that smelled so bad even my Iraqi teammates were spraying cologne on it while I was sleeping I went on the hunt for a new Armor Carrier.
It had actually been a while since I went looking for an Armor Carrier, the first ‘serious’ Armor Carrier I bought was a Blackhawk Carrier for my first contract in Iraq. From then on I was issued one for pretty much every contract I have ever been on. Even my old Paraclete was also issued, and it was a great carrier but I wanted something that gave me a bit more maneuverability.
After putting the word out on Facebook I was swamped with different suggestions. But when a few experienced security contractors mentioned a new (new at that time) armor company called TYR Tactical I set my sights on checking them out. And right when I was going to take a look at them they actually contacted me and offered to let me try out one of their Armor Carrier Systems.
So after talking to the folks I went with the PICO-1 Plate Carrier (ESAPI pockets) and GPC/PICO – T4416 External Cummerbund w/ Side Plate Pockets. At the same time one of my former teammates was also in the market for an Armor Carrier so he bought the same one.
Due to some nonsense with a former DVM employee my vest never made it to me here in Iraq. But my teammates Carrier made it here safe and sound where he wore it for around 9 months, then when he left I started wearing it – so in the end it worked out (sort of, I still don’t know what that dude did with my Carrier so I ended up just buying another on myself).
Click Here to Keep Reading – TACTICAL GEAR – FIELD TESTED: TYR Tactical PICO-1 Plate Carrier (ESAPI pockets) and GPC/PICO – T4416 External Cummerbund w/ Side Plate Pockets >>>
Operators totally wear Infidel Shirts
Ever since we started dropping bombs, kicking ass, and taking names in Afghanistan and Iraq, I started seeing all these infidel shirts, hats and other stupid infidel branded shit popping up for sale online. Generally I file gay tactical stuff like this under the “Multicam” category in my brain and go on with my day.
But lately there has been an explosion in Infidel branded crap being peddled on every corner of the internet. I figure it is only a matter of time before people start making Dog Sweaters with “infidel” written on the back so they can look like “operators” while walking their dog in the park.
The first thing that makes these shirts stupid is the fact that the term “infidel” is an insult. Someone wearing an Infidel shirt is the equivalent of someone wearing a shirt that says “Les américains sont des Idiots” in French [Americans are Idiots] or a shirt that just says “Fuck Christianity.”
Yes people, the term “Infidel” is an insult, so it just doesn’t make any sense at all to wear a shirt that basically says “I am a piece of shit unbeliever of any religion or belief.”
Now the justification some folks use for wearing Infidel Shirts is “We are taking the word Infidel back as a way to insult the insulters” [something like “nanny, nanny boo-boo stick your head in doo-doo” or some other intelligent reason].
Sure I agree – fuck the folks that call us Infidels, but at the same time why would you want to toss everyone in the Middle East in the same asshole basket.
Click Here to Keep Reading – TACTICAL COMMENTARY: Infidel Shirts Are Fucking Stupid >>>
Original S.O.E. Single Point Sling, HSGI Pistol Magazine Pouch – Modular & the BLACKHAWK S.T.R.I.K.E. Utility Pouch – Shooting and looting kit for less than 50 bones a pop
Despite all the reviews I do on 400 dollar tactical jackets, 300 dollar flashlights and 200 dollar knives the gear I use the most usually costs less than 50 bones. Unlike in action movies or on so-called “tactical” blogs written by guys who don’t even pull triggers for a living the most used gear are the simple things.
A pouch for holding your flashlight, QuikClot, Nokia Phone, or a sling to keep your arms from turning into jelly when standing on the side of some shitty Iraqi highway for 4 hours because another one of the old ass Scania tractor trailers in your convoy has broken down for the 7th time that mission.
Below are three of my most used 50 buck or less pieces of tactical gear, feel free to suggest you favorite sub-50 buck pieces of kit in the comments.
Click Here To Keep Reading – TACTICAL GEAR – FIELD TESTED: Three Great Pieces of Tactical Gear for 50 Bucks or Less >>>
COMMENTARY: Skill and Academic Based Tactical Training VS “Lets Have fun Training” WTF
by James G · 22 comments
in COMMENTARY, Tactical Training
I Like Sandwiches and Tactical Training
Why are people more interested in taking classes where they get to dress up in full kit as apposed to non-shooting classes (or with less shooting) where they will learn an actual skill? Now I understand that I come from a background where I pull triggers for a paycheck and work in the 3rd World as a job, so in my mind I am thinking “why take a class if I don’t learn how to do something, I only have a month off this year?”
One example is EP/PSD Courses – I have had several top EP/PSD Instructors tell me I am crazy to offer an EP/PSD course that only teaches Classroom based Academic training and does not have tons of shooting in it (despite the fact that the base EP/PSD skills are non-shooting skills), one buddy that is a Rock Star in the PSD/EP business said “Just add a day or two of shooting on your course and you will sell out – pander to people”
Click Here to Discuss, Skill and Academic Based Tactical Training VS “Lets Have fun Training” WTF >>>
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