I don’t often do gear reviews (I believe this is my 3rd ever), but I make exceptions when I find something innovative or especially useful. I have been following Rebel SMG on X (@Rebels_Raiders) since he started working on the Vakarian, and the concept intrigued me. A 3-in-1 kit that can be readily converted fromContinue reading “Review: Vakarian PC/LBE from REBELs RAIDERs”
Category Archives: gear
Priorities of Purchase; Progressively Building a Rifleman’s Kit on a Budget 2024 Edition
If you probably already have at least a basic understanding of what gear you do and don’t need, I am not writing this article for you. I am writing it so you can show it to your friends who are just breaking into the realm of preparing for the coming fight, and need a littleContinue reading “Priorities of Purchase; Progressively Building a Rifleman’s Kit on a Budget 2024 Edition”
Hurricane Helene Response Part 3: Equipment AAR
This is the third (and likely final) part of my team’s AAR following our operation supporting the relief efforts for Hurricane Helene in Western NC. If you haven’t already, check out Part 1, my interview with Tacticon Armament, and Part 2, the general AAR for how we conducted the operation. Otherwise you may be aContinue reading “Hurricane Helene Response Part 3: Equipment AAR”
Custom MAG Training Summary and AAR Sep 2024
Over this past weekend I had the pleasure of teaching a 3-day training course to a private group. One unique trait of VSTAC is that I can tailor curriculum to meet the specific training needs of a private group. This group requested the following training modules: Training modules available for custom training events can beContinue reading “Custom MAG Training Summary and AAR Sep 2024”
Joint MAG Training AAR
This past weekend my MAG had the opportunity to cross-train with another MAG in the mountains of Kentucky. We arranged a mutually beneficial exchange of training where they taught us how they train to fight from and around soft-skin civilian vehicles, and we taught them some radio skills. It was an OUTSTANDING weekend of trainingContinue reading “Joint MAG Training AAR”
Can Cannon Grenadier TACSOP (videos)
It is with great pleasure to announce that I have FINALLY finished the TACSOP videos for the Can Cannon Grenadier concept. Thank you for your patience, this has been several months in the making. Topics covered: I wanted to present this material in as professional and thorough a manner as possible. It ended up beingContinue reading “Can Cannon Grenadier TACSOP (videos)”
Mountain Training Event AAR
This past weekend I had the privilege of spending a few days in the mountains of Western NC training with some friends. There was a combination of force-on-force exercises, radio practice, TCCC training, and the fieldcraft involved with just dealing with the elements of being in the mountains in winter. I came away from this eventContinue reading “Mountain Training Event AAR”
When Gear Fails
Stuff breaks. No matter how expensive an item is or how many torture tests it passes, everything will wear out and break eventually if it is actually used. Or human error gets the best of us and we just lose things. When this happens in the military, Uncle Sam just reaches into his your pockets and replaces saidContinue reading “When Gear Fails”
Minuteman Grenadier: How to Make 66mm DPS Rounds (Video)
Boltboy and I demonstrate how to modify EG-18 smoke grenades such that they can be launched from a can cannon. We call them 66mm DPS (Dual-Purpose Smoke) rounds, since they can be launched for hasty target reference points or thrown/launched for screening movement. We are NOT building explosives, we are simply putting a pre-made pyrotechnicContinue reading “Minuteman Grenadier: How to Make 66mm DPS Rounds (Video)”
On Body Armor Part III
Part I of this series laid out the pros and cons of armor and provided context on when it should be used. Part II was a guide on what to look for when purchasing armor. Today, in part III, I will demonstrate proper fit and wear of a plate carrier and provide some tips onContinue reading “On Body Armor Part III”
Von Steuben Training & Consulting 