Gear Review – Von Steuben Training & Consulting

Review: Vakarian PC/LBE from REBELs RAIDERs

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”

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”

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”

Jäger Course 23-1 Gear AAR

This past week was the first Jäger Course. I’ve been looking forward to this class for a long time, and it was my great pleasure to finally teach it. Over the course of 5 days and 4 nights, 8 students and I lived out of our packs and slept under our tarp shelters. An aggressiveContinue reading “Jäger Course 23-1 Gear AAR”

Mike’s Jäger Kit, 2023 Edition

Last year, I wrote a series of articles on my “Jäger Kit”, the equipment that I carry for light infantry operations and extended patrolling. However, one’s equipment is a constant evolution as you find things that work better for you, and I am no exception. And with the Jäger Course coming up in a month,Continue reading “Mike’s Jäger Kit, 2023 Edition”

Condor Map Pouch Review: “The Team Leader Pouch”

In previous articles that I have written about my gear, I said that combat equipment is constantly evolving. If you ever are using your equipment and discover that it is not doing something that you need it to do, either get a better piece of gear or modify it so that it does. A fewContinue reading “Condor Map Pouch Review: “The Team Leader Pouch””