Every day on the battlefield in Afghanistan, US soldiers risk their lives to defend their country. To aid in this mission, they are supplied with the very best military equipment. This equipment includes uniforms and clothing. What many people may not know is that they too can obtain military uniforms and clothing for their own personal use.
Controversial to a fault, this bill was near unanimously approved by the US Senate, but what is the National Defense Authorization Act really all about? On the face of it, it is designed as a law to combat, prevent and discourage domestic terrorism by granting US special forces the authority to detain, interrogate, assassinate or incarcerate American citizens and legal alien residents without charges, prosecution or conviction, effectively circumventing the sixth amendment of the US constitution – the right to due process and a fair trial.
Law enforcement gear is what police officers use to take down dangerous criminals every day. However, what many regular citizens may not be aware of is that they too can own some of the same police equipment. Much of this equipment also has applications beyond law enforcement.
When it comes to choosing a knife for a survival situation, many people make the mistake of over complicating the selection process, or ignoring the fact that most of the time, their knife is going to be used for a variety of mundane tasks around the campsite or hiking trail. Once all of the extraneous information has been eliminated, the process is actually extremely simple.
One of the most frustrating things about the way that federal and state governments function is that a great deal of equipment and material is wasted as a result of minor improvements in technology and because stock rotation regulations. However, though governmental waste is a sore point for many private citizens, it is a boon for those searching for great deals on used equipment.
When it comes to remaining safe and being successful at any activity, the correct equipment is undoubtedly the key, and Airsoft is no exception. Many novice Airsoft enthusiasts are often overwhelmed by the amount of equipment that experienced participants bring to a competition or operate with during friendly skirmishes. While the right equipment does not guarantee success, a less than optimal rig is one of the fastest ways to ensure failure.
While countless television programs and survival guides have dedicated countless hours explaining to outdoorsman and survivalists what do in the event of an emergency or unforeseen survival situation, many experts often neglect to focus on the most important aspect of any survival situation: prevention.
Do you have a police officer in your family? Have you been wracking your brain for holiday gifts? If so, consider one of these top ten items this season.
1. Footwear
Police officers are on their feet for the better part of their shift and can be terribly hard on their footwear. Walking, running and climbing can wear out boots quickly, making them ill-fitting and uncomfortable. A new pair of tactical boots can be a welcome relief to sore feet.
2. Watches
Having a rugged watch is essential for any officer. The most popular styles are those with canvas or rubber bands, making them both comfortable and functional.
3. Knives
Police officers use knives for various purposes throughout their work day and a good quality folding knife is always an appreciated gift. From cutting seatbelts to removing flexi-cuffs, knives are useful and essential to duty performance.
4. Night Vision
Night vision monocles and binoculars are sometimes provided by departments and sometimes not. If your officer doesn’t have access to these handy sight tools, why not buy them their own this holiday season?
5. Field Gear
From flashlights to first aid kits, making sure the officer in your life has the proper field gear will keep him or her safe. Check out their current inventory and replenish it if needed.
6. Protective Eyewear
Whether driving into the midday sun or firing rounds on the range, protective eyewear can be an officer’s best friend. Update their eyewear this holiday and they’ll be sure to thank you for it. From sunglasses to protective goggles, the choices are virtually endless.
7. Tactical Gear
Organizer bags, gloves, hats, headgear and belts all comprise what officers and soldiers call tactical gear. If you’re at a loss for a holiday gift, a great bag makes a wonderful gift and will help keep your officer or soldier organized.
8. Handcuffs
Handcuffs are typically provided by departments and military organizations but you may find that he or she has a particular preference. Hinged cuffs are popular choices and often not the handcuff of issue. Consider having the handcuffs engraved with a unit number or last name to add a personalized touch.
9. Unit T-shirts
If your officer is in a special unit, let them display their achievement proudly off-duty with a unit T shirt. Great for casual weekends and for training days, unit T shirts are a popular gift choice.
10. Surveillance Equipment
Digital recorders are an excellent tool, both for recording interviews and personal liability protection when riding with a subject in the back of your patrol car. Slipped into a breast pocket, digital recorders are less bulky than their ancestors and easily concealed.
The United States Army Special Forces are also known in the military as the Green Berets. They earned this nickname because of the special headdress they wear, the green beret. This makes them standout against all other soldiers and military employed individuals. In general, they are charged with six types of missions. These missions are tantamount to maintaining peace in the United States of America, as well as around the world.
General Tasks and Duties:
Because of the nature of their work, which is often more clandestine when compared to other branches of the military, the US Army Special Forces completes unconventional warfare, allowing them special access to and in places of interest. Their tactics are different than what would be used by other squads and platoons, dependent on the situation. These small, elite teams are allotted more liberties than other groups might. Part of this overlaps with their additional tasks, especially foreign internal defense and special reconnaissance.
Getting around the Red Tape:
Some of their work is self-explanatory. Key among these would be direct action and hostage rescue. There is less ‘red tape’ or official paperwork when it comes to SF work. They are given a job and do what they can and must to meet their objectives. They are not held up at every point to deal with the politics and bureaucracies of every action.
Education
Due to the nature of their work, individuals involved in the Special Forces must study a great deal in order to be successful in maintaining peace around the world. They are required to learn about the language and culture of the areas in which they may be immersed.
Where Have the Special Forces Been Seen?
In recent years, the Green Berets were actually the first military individuals on the ground. This was the case not only for the war in Afghanistan, but for the War in Iraq. The Green Berets were, in both cases sent in country to help prepare for the arrival of additional troops. They helped to secure areas and get a read on the local area. Without their assistance, it would have been much more difficult to set up in either country and attempt to help defend citizens from insurgents.
The Selection Process for the SFs
Soldiers train consistently as Green Berets. However, they are divided into four quadrants. Collectively, this is known as the Q Course. The Q Course can last anywhere from 55 to 95 weeks and depends on the particular jobs at hand. Once the Q Course is completed, SF soldiers are then eligible for additional training, advancing them in certain skill courses, including, but not limited to, the Military Free Fall Parachutist Course (MFF) and the Combat Diver Qualification Course.
At some point in everyone’s life, they are going to have to interact with the police. Depending on the situation, these experiences may be good or bad. However, one thing you may learn is that the police do have a lot of cool stuff. Some of these things also do have uses outside of the law enforcement. Below is a list of five different kinds of law enforcement gear that ordinary citizens may find a use for.
1. Mace
One form of law enforcement gear that may be very valuable to women is mace. Mace is actually a form of tear gas. It comes in a very small aerosol canister. When the nozzle on the canister is pressed, a small dose of tear gas is sprayed out. This can have the effect of very quickly disabling an attacker. For this reason, many women find owning mace very comforting when they have to travel alone.
2. Surveillance Equipment
Regular citizens may also be able to find good uses for police surveillance equipment as well. For one, it can be used to keep tabs on children. Bugs can be placed inside a child’s room. This can allow the parents to listen in to make sure a baby is safe. When a baby sitter watches a child, a hidden camera can also be used to make sure the sitter is not abusing the child.
3. Nightsticks and Batons
Another piece of law enforcement equipment that could come in handy is a police nightstick or baton. Nightsticks and batons are very efficient blunt weapons. For this reason, they can be used for self defense. They are also smaller than other similar weapons such as a bat or golf club. For this reason, they can be stored in a drawer in a bedroom. The baton or nightstick can then be pulled out if a person suspects that someone has broken into the home.
4. Uniforms and Clothing
Another option you may be interested in investing in are police uniforms and clothing. Once you purchase a police uniform, you should be careful about how you use it. Impersonating a police officer is a crime. However, it can be a very fun option for a Halloween costume. Role-play with a romantic partner in such a costume can also be quite fun. Just make sure to also purchase handcuffs.
5. Police Walkie-Talkies
Another item that many people may find useful are police walkie-talkies. While the use of a walkie-talkie may seem kind of quaint in the age of the cell phone, there are a number of different situations they may be useful in. For example, if you go on a hunting trip with some buddies, walkie-talkies can provide easy communication in areas that may not receive cellphone service.
