In Part I, I covered general pros and cons of body armor, as well as considerations for when you and shouldn’t wear it. In this article I will cover what to look for when purchasing body armor. Determine How Much Protection You Need/Want The first step in purchasing armor is deciding how much protection youContinue reading “On Body Armor Part II”
Category Archives: gear
Video: How to Paint a Rifle (Laundry Bag Method)
In this video I demonstrate how I paint my rifles. I do not claim to have invented this method, it was taught to me some time ago, and I am now sharing it with you. This is my first time making video content, and I may make more in the future. Please bear with me,Continue reading “Video: How to Paint a Rifle (Laundry Bag Method)”
On Body Armor Part I
Everyone who is new to the “tactical world” is immediately bombarded with a list of items that you “need to have” in order to survive combat. You “need” to have a light on your gun. You “need” to have the latest camo pattern. And, of course, you need to have armor. Body armor is aContinue reading “On Body Armor Part I”
Rifleman on a Budget
Updated: April 8, 2024 This page is a resource for “good enough” gear for someone looking to build a rifleman’s kit on a tight budget. I seek to list equipment that is reasonably affordable but also reliable and rugged enough to withstand real-world use. My goal is for you to use this list to fillContinue reading “Rifleman on a Budget”
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”
How to Add an AK Bayonet to Your Gear
I recently purchased an AKM bayonet to replace the Ka-Bar I carry on my belt (I know, I can already feel the thousands of knife hands pointed at the screen as my jarhead brethren call me a traitor, lol). My reasons for this were as follows: However, there are no commercially available options (in stock,Continue reading “How to Add an AK Bayonet to Your Gear”
Gear Snobbery and the Principle of Diminishing Returns
I have a good friend who goes by “BoltBoy.” Solid guy, he also designs and sells some cool Baofeng accessories. One day BoltBoy went to a precision rifle competition. Active duty and former scout snipers were among the competition, most of them sporting some very expensive weapons. One shooter even had a weather meter thatContinue reading “Gear Snobbery and the Principle of Diminishing Returns”
“Mission Essential”; Planning your Personal Logistics in the Field
If you read my article about how to pack a ruck, you have a good idea how to choose what gear to take on a patrol. The next step is determining what you need to take in order to keep that gear working for you. Many items that we carry have consumable components that mustContinue reading ““Mission Essential”; Planning your Personal Logistics in the Field”
Jäger Loadouts: The Team Leader
The Team Leader is a specialist of sorts. His primary weapon is not his carbine, it is his team; the men to his left and right. His loadout is therefore tailored to support his handling of his primary weapon. Today I will describe what a Jäger Team Leader should carry at all times and whatContinue reading “Jäger Loadouts: The Team Leader”
Von Steuben Training & Consulting 