Two Bravo Training Solutions

5.11 Casual Wear

Posted on August 1, 2021August 1, 2021 by Two Bravo Solutions LLC in Gear Reviews

layout of the 5.11 clothing — 5.11 Casual Collection; Carson Short Sleeve, Daybreaker Sunglasses, Defender Flex Jeans, Stay Sharp Belt

With a focus on getting back outdoors, I tested out another set of professional clothing from 5.11 Tactical sharp enough to wear to work but tough enough to wear to the range or on the trail. Putting together the Carson short sleeve shirt, Defender-Flex Range Pants, Stay Sharp leather belt and Daybreaker Sunglasses I set out for some days in the sun.

5.11 Carson Short Sleeve in Volcanic Heather, single pocket and logo on back of right shoulder

The Carson Short Sleeve Shirt is a regular cut, cotton/polyester blend shirt with a single pocket that creates a clean look. It comes in four different shades of heather and a solid blueblood or volcanic black. There is also a plaid version with five variants for the same $39.99 price. The shirt is a lightweight breathable material perfect for hot days in the sun. I won’t say the material has a stretch to it, but it does give a little during activity. The shirt closure is made with 5.11’s RAPIDraw™ center front snap placket designed with the appearance of buttons continuing the professional look. The back of the right shoulder has a small woven 5.11 [+] label along the yoke seam, however this is the only one. The shirt is long enough to tuck in, but still short enough to leave untucked on relaxed days. The shirt is what cleans up the outfit and gives off the professional look.

5.11 Defender Flex Jeans in Ranger Green, reinforced beltloops and additional rear pockets

Close up of Defender Flex buttons and logos

From the first time I wore the Defender-Flex Range Pants, I knew they were going to be one of my go to hard-use pants. They have a durable feel but enough stretch for the active days outdoors. They were a slim fit design but not a “skinny jean” cut. I chose Ranger Green but they also come in Khaki and a Brown Duck (think – a little oranger than Carhartt’s standard color). The $69.99 price puts it on par with other hard use pants I have bought in the past and feel like they will last just as long. The standard 5.11 pant features include reinforced belt loops to support the weight of EDC belts up to 2” and holsters, riveted reinforcement at the front hand pockets and two additional rear pockets at the yoke large enough to fit a 30 round mag or today’s near tablet sized cell phones. The pants were designed with the 5 pocket jean look including some additional stitching in the rear pockets. Besides the rivets and button from the fly carrying the 5.11 logo, there is a small 5.11 [+] label sewn on the right rear pocket and a [+] stitched near the left seam. The pants held up to multiple day abuse while camping and hiking in the rocky terrain of the Lincoln National Forest. As with any cotton pants, they will eventually show wear from the work and activities you do, but will still protect from the elements.

Since the look was a little more professional than my usual T-shirt and pants, I added a Stay Sharp Leather Belt. The Stay Sharp belt is a 1.5” leather belt with a double prong zinc buckle and built-in keeper. The double prong buckle reduces strap movement and stretch on the holes, while providing a clean look with the 5.11 [+] logo etched on the top and bottom of it. The Genuine leather holds up to the demands of EDC and the weight of a holster and mag pouch. Since wearing it, there has been a little stretch to it but only a mild curve that most leather belts take on (similar to the curve built into the Apex T-Rail Belt made of TPU coated B10 webbing). The belt is comfortable and the designer style buckle ties the outfit together. This is one of 5.11’s higher end belts at $59.99 and also comes in black.

Trying out the Daybreaker Brown Tortoise Polarized Sunglasses is a change in my usual eyewear selection of black wraparound sunglasses. These glasses have a large Ray-ban Wayfarer shape to them. Unfortunately for me they were too big for my face and allowed a lot of light in through the sides. This also caused them to slide down my nose while hiking and looking at my footing requiring constant repositioning. Only a handful of my sunglasses have polarized lenses, and most have a darker colored lens. The quality of the view through the Daybreaker lens seemed “high-def” during the bright sunny days while camping in New Mexico. It produced a clear, crisp-edged picture, while dulling down the intensity of the bright sun. The quality of construction is above their $69.99 cost, with larger than normal hinges and hard plastic frames. The ear and nose pieces are made of the same material as the rest of the frame , which has been coated to resist scratches and oil, unlike a majority of my other sunglasses that have started to peel from sunscreen use. These sunglasses should maintain their classy appearance for a good while. The glasses have the 5.11 [+] logo on both ear pieces and a small one in the top right corner of the right lens keeping with the professional look.

Final Thoughts: This outfit had a nicer look while still being rugged enough for any outdoor activity. The Carson shirt will be a little tight in the lats (it’s a large) as I get back to lifting instead of running, but should still give a clean, professional appearance. . The Defender-Flex pants will go next to my Apex Pant as far as comfort but will outperform them in durability. I will continue to use the Stay Sharp belt until it falls apart because of its strength and good looks. I will be going back to my wraparound black sunglasses even though the Daybreakers were made well, they are just too big for my face.

By the numbers:

Comfort – 5/5 Aside from the Daybreaker sunglasses being too big for my face the rest of the outfit was a good fit and the stretch of the Defender-Flex Range Pants meant all day comfort

Durability – 5/5 The shirt and pants are constructed of top of the line materials and appear to be of sound construction. Most seams are double stitched and the front hand pockets were riveted for reinforcement. The oversized belt loops were reinforced to handle the weight of a holster. The Belt buckle was double stitched in place on genuine leather.

Functionality – 4/5 All items performed as advertised and were designed for active lifestyles, the Daybreaker sunglasses were just too big to stay put while hiking and moving about the outdoors..

Weight – 4/5 the Carson Short Sleeve Shirt was lightweight and built for a warmer climate, the Defender-Flex Pants were a little heavier being 97% cotton but not unbearable in the warmer temps of summer. .

Value – 4/5 This outfit was on the higher end of shirts and pants that I would look at for work clothes and the belt was on par with competitors pricing for similar quality genuine leather belts. The prices were what I would expect to pay if I was buying clothes to talk to future business partners and clients.

Overall rating: 4.4/5 I might have to keep the shirt and belt for more professional use while I plan to wear the life out of the Defender-Flex Range pants and buy another pair when I do.

I received this product as a courtesy from the manufacturer via Spotter Up so I could test it and give my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give this product a good review. All opinions are my own and are based off my personal experience with the product.

Originally posted on Spotterup.com November 2020

Rangers Helping Rangers

Posted on November 2, 2020November 2, 2020 by Two Bravo Solutions LLC in News

Rangers climbing the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc — DDay75 Rangers at Pointe du Hoc (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

For those Rangers and other veterans looking for help, there are several Ranger based organizations out there to reach out to. If you are a Ranger that has had a brother reach out to them for help and not known where to look, here is a quick reference to the organizations that I have heard of or interacted with. Most of these organizations focus on the transitioning Ranger (veteran), but that doesn’t mean just the soldier leaving the military. Most of us have left the military and managed to stay afloat either on our own or by other influences. Some of us get lost or pulled under because all we were doing was treading water, and some us stronger Rangers were able to tread water for a long time before we just got too tired to keep our heads above water.

I will preface this list of organizations with the primary organization that we all should be linked into, the brotherhood. I have called on and linked back up with Rangers I haven’t talked to since leaving the Regiment or after a long break in contact and it was like we had just talked the week prior. I have also met and assisted many Rangers on social media, local area link ups or chance contacts from friends and work. What I am saying is, ‘Be a good Ranger Buddy’. The following will be a list of organizations with descriptions pulled mostly from their websites.

Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund, INC. is an active duty, casualty assistance, recovery, transition and veterans organization that provides financial support, beyond that which the Government And Veterans Affairs can offer, to U.S. Army Rangers and the families of those who have died, have been disabled or who are currently serving in harm’s way around the world. They also work directly with the U.S. Special Operations Care Coalition to assist U.S. Army Rangers. Programs include; Ranger Transition Program, Wounded Ranger Recovery Program, Ranger Chaplain Program, Ranger & Family Health & Wellness Program, and Gold Star Program. The organization is a way for the family and friends of Sgt. James J. Regan to give back to his brothers.

The Darby Project serves U.S. Army Ranger School qualified soldiers and soldiers serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Their mission to facilitate a successful transition from Active Duty to a civilian life filled with hope and purpose is accomplished through their Ranger Functional Fitness programs and events; connecting them to fellow Rangers, educating them about resources available to Rangers & their families from various businesses and organizations and ultimately empowering them to lead the way in their communities. The Rangers return on investment to the U.S. Army is leadership. Soldiers deserve the best-trained leaders our Army has to offer. Those leaders are Rangers. The Darby Project is the veteran-led extension of the Army’s investment. The Darby Project Sets the Example for Others to Follow by building Rangers for Life. Here is a link to businesses and organizations that support The Darby Project and the mission. The Darby Project is part of the GallantFew Family of Organizations. Ranger veteran, founder and Executive Director of GallantFew, Karl Monger realized as GallantFew grew that he needed a Ranger specific organization and founded The Darby Project.

The GallantFew with a mission to facilitate a peaceful, successful transition from military service to a civilian life filled with hope and purpose. They accomplish this through a “Revolutionary Veteran Support Network® of programs and organizations including; The Darby Project, The Raider Project, Wings Level, Vet Rec, Women with A Mission Project, Run Ranger Run, VETXPO, Descendants of Sparta, GallantFew Functional Fitness, Airborne Ranger in the Sky and Law Enforcement Education.

U.S. Army Ranger Association’s (USARA) main focus is preserving the history and heritage of the U.S. Army Rangers by strengthening the relationships among all Rangers past and present, foster camaraderie among those that have earned the title of U.S. Army Ranger and to provide an extended community for all U.S. Army Rangers and their families. USARA has a scholarship program for dependents of members or Fallen Rangers and a Ranger Assistance Program. USARA established its Ranger Assistance Program (RAP) in 2010 for the purpose of providing immediate, short-term financial assistance to active duty and veteran Rangers, as well as their immediate family. The RAP is intended to provide emergency assistance, financial and otherwise, in an effort to ensure that every Ranger is afforded the opportunity to take a knee, get a sip of water, return to the fight, and drive on to the Ranger objective. The RAP is wholly funded by donations from USARA members as well as individuals and corporations that support the Ranger community.

Three Rangers Foundation has a vision to provide the best experts, advice, and assistance in every aspect of the transition journey; spiritual, physical, behavioral, employment, financial, legal, family, and education. The focus is to specifically help Rangers, Ranger Gold Star Families from the US Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment, to include Veterans of affiliated supporting units. These selfless servants are consistently called onto be the tip of the spear, who “shoulder more than my share of the task” and subsequently are the most heavily burdened with the rigors of combat. The needs of these warriors are unique and assisting their transition back to civilian life is a primary focus of the foundation. TRFs mission is Empowering Veterans, Gold Star Families and affiliates of the 75th Ranger Regiment to achieve lifelong success. Their programs include a veteran development program, support for the 75th Ranger Regiment in the form of Ranger For Life, Veteran in Need, Gold Star Program, Behavioral Fitness and a mentorship program.

Sua Sponte Foundation was created to provide assistance to the men and families of the 1st Ranger Battalion. With the support of donations from individuals and businesses, the Sua Sponte Foundation provides; maintenance and care of the 1/75 Memorial site to the highest standard, helping the men and families of 1/75 in times of crisis, hosting and sponsoring events that serve to increase the morale and cohesiveness of both the men and families of 1/75.

The Pointe Du Hoc Foundation An inspiring community of volunteers and sponsors committed to 2nd Battalion Rangers and families. The Foundation was established to recognize and commemorate the special operations warriors of 2nd Ranger Battalion. The all-volunteer organization was formed in 2011, and partners with government and community leaders, local and national businesses, and friends of the battalion, providing support to Rangers and family members who served honorably in 2/75. The foundation provides support through their programs for the Ranger Scholarship Fund, a Life Skills Series for the Rangers, Unit Moral Activities both pre and post deployment for Ranger Families and sustaining the 2/75 Memorial.

There are several other Ranger owned or formed groups and businesses that support the veteran community. ReGroup4vets, Veterans Xtreme Adventures, Ranger Road, Scroll Factory, American Trigger Pullers are among them. There are also social media groups that link up for social events and comradery, based on regional locations. These are a good way to build a support network for both mental well-being and business opportunities. Get out there and support your Ranger Buddy or those that do. And most importantly, if you need help, reach out. There is no reason to attack these problems alone.

“I will never leave a fallen comrade…”

Please comment below if you know of other Ranger owned organizations or businesses that support the community and don’t forget to post a link. RLTW!

Originally posted on ArmyRanger.com November 2019

Whose Fault is it? A Look into the responsibility for the Preparedness of our Officers

Posted on October 25, 2020November 2, 2020 by Two Bravo Solutions LLC in Opinion, Training

Defender ammo, Aero Precision, First Spear — Whose Fault Is It?

A while back, a picture from 2013 of a Law enforcement officer at a critical incident with his optic mounted backwards had surfaced again with renewed criticism from the peanut gallery. This is not the first or only photograph of an officer with an optic on backwards or a magazine inserted backwards. When you read through all the chatter and propaganda from social media and the interwebs there is very little accountability or educational information. Yes, there are all kinds of wrong going on, but as with most photos we are missing the context, and in this case the point. How many failures led to this officer (or others doing the same) showing up to a critical incident completely ill-prepared to deal with the situation? Who else bears responsibility for the officer’s lack of preparation? Whose fault is it?

Yes, it will always be the officer’s fault. Their fault they didn’t know the optic cannot work backwards. Their fault they didn’t know you have to zero an optic after you mount it. Their fault they should have done a function check (several times) before arriving at the scene. Their fault they blew off their department trainers? Their fault to know what they don’t know? As an eternal student always looking to improve our position, we should understand there are a great many things we don’t know. As an end-user we should always ask questions, understand why we do the things we do, find out if there are other ways to do what we do and seek feedback. This might mean getting training outside of what the department provides.

How about his fellow officers? Are we so self-involved that we don’t do buddy checks anymore? It can’t be just a special teams activity to conduct inspections. It is the last part of troop leading procedures in every manual and PowerPoint, BAMCIS, RIMSRCIS. SUPERVISE – inspections, rehearsals and briefbacks. All of this can be accomplished during training. It doesn’t have to be formal, scheduled training. Senior or experienced officers should constantly develop other officers and provide feedback. How about instead of making fun of them, you help them out? After all they represent every officer on the street. Has anyone ever watched pilots conduct pre-flight inspections? They each go through their checklists and do it verbally so the others can hear them check each item. Is their task more life and death than a responding police officer to a critical incident or even just starting patrol? No.

Does some of the blame fall on the department trainers? Did they provide the best training and information within the constraints applied by management? Time, equipment, venues, enough trainers, job knowledge, support etc. Did they just do enough to “check the box” or worse pencil whipped it? Did they just tell the end-user what to do, without any understanding of why they do it that way or what it accomplishes and how it benefits them? Did they provide feedback to the officers or just run the qualifications? Did their officers leave better than when they got there? Were the trainers so intimidated or beat down they failed to challenge management to support the proper training of the department’s officers? In the end did they do the best they could to support the end-user in the field?

Management, yes, I used that word instead of leadership. To me: management manages assets, to include man-power and leadership develops its people though proper allocation of resources and setting the example. Does management provide enough time for proper training and remediation? Do they listen to their trainers needs and then provide them with the proper resources to provide good training? Are they able to increase allotted training time while still leaving patrol with enough officers to accomplish their job safely? I understand training costs time and man-power. Are they fighting to get more officers to create a balance that provides more time for training? I have sat in this seat and it always comes down to having more officers makes it easier to have a good balance. I would wager (rather heavily) that a better trained force, in the end costs less than all the liability (both civil and loss of officer) of an untrained force. Are you willing to invest that up front as a leader?

In the end, we all share responsibility for that officer not showing up prepared for the task at hand. This is just the start of the conversation. It all starts with a spot check of ourselves. How can I support the officer standing next to me? Am I the best I can be? What more can I do, on and off the clock? Can I improve other officers’ knowledge and understanding? Be knowledgeable, challenge bad management, set the example, raise the standard. Be safe.

Originally posted on Spotterup.com April 2020

Have Guns, Will Travel – Savior Equipment’s Ultimate Guitar Case

Posted on October 25, 2020November 2, 2020 by Two Bravo Solutions LLC in Gear Reviews

Savior Equipment – The Ultimate Guitar Case

I have been traveling with guns since I left high school. Even more so, I have been flying and staying in hotels with multiple guns both on official orders and unofficial trips. It’s pretty hard to maintain a low profile dragging a long gun case through the lobby or back and forth from the rental every day. I have tried transitioning them to other soft cases or backpacks after the flight, but that is just a big inconvenience. I have ditched all my big coyote or black rolling duffle bags for colored rollers and hiking backpacks, but in order to fly I still need a hard-sided, lockable case. I own several Pelican cases in varying sizes and have had very few issues with them while flying. Every time I fly with them, I get asked by other passengers and hotel guests or clerks about what’s inside. My favorites are the ones that joke about it being a sniper rifle. I just smile.

I am not sure where I first saw the Ultimate Guitar Case, maybe social media? It was a picture of a hard-plastic guitar case with foam inserts and the ability to secure it with padlocks. It had three layers of foam that could be custom cut for your firearms and gear. When I began to do more research and found the Savior Equipment’s webpage, I was shocked at the price, only $149.99. Replacement foam inserts were only $39.99, if I wanted to change up the contents or better yet, bought a new rifle. Their company info was also attractive. The company was born from a gun enthusiasts desire to have affordable cases that were made of high-quality materials. Coupled with a belief that companies should be measure by their dedication to their products and their customers. They listen to feedback from customers to improve gear and incorporate into their future designs. They also believe that companies should stand behind their products and they offer a Lifetime Warranty with an easy process.

Delivery of the Ultimate Guitar Case

A couple weeks later, the Ultimate Guitar Case showed up at my house. It came in a very sturdy and well branded box. When I opened the case, it had foam glued to the top lid and three separate 1.5” thick layers of foam, same high quality as in my other cases. I decided to cut the bottom layer for magazines, leave the second layer uncut and cut the top layer to fit two different rifle/pistol combinations. I added a sling and Surefire X300 (or other brand) pistol light cut out to add to the options. With the foam all cut out, I added a layer of felt under the bottom layer of foam to keep the noise down from the loaded magazines. Cheap fix at $3.99 from the local craft store, but well worth the effort. I used a cheap hot knife for the first time to cut the foam. I have done better work with a long utility knife, but it was a good learning process. Of note: the hot knife needs to exceed 300° and I think that a DIY jig saw style frame version would have provided cleaner cuts. It turned out good enough to use and later I will order replacement foam (because it is so inexpensive) once I figure out the final load out. The current lay out left the back end a little heavy, not bad when using the wheels. By leaving the middle layer uncut, I can just remove the top layer and will be able to load out any configuration I desire.

The case has two sturdy carrying handles, one in the traditional location on the side and one on the underside of the neck for use with the wheels. The one for use with the wheels was designed to lock flat when not dragging your heavy metal around the world. The wheels are mounted to the exterior of the case to avoid taking up space inside the case. This maybe one of its few weak points, only time and a few flights will tell. I have lost many roller bags and cases to a missing or broken wheel at the hands of baggage handlers. The case has three hinges, 6 latches and 2 reinforced locking holes to keep your gear secure during transit. The exterior is made of a high impact polymer shell. It is more flexible than the heavy-duty plastic cases, but this is where you save on weight. The empty case with foam comes in at 11.6 pounds. Once loaded out it came in right at 30.5 pounds, carrying a rifle, a pistol and 5 loaded magazines for each. Balance was obviously toward the wheels with the M4 magazines and pistol located at that end. The case will stand balanced on its side and upright, even while fully loaded. The handles remained sturdy while carrying the load of the firearms and magazines.

Sturdy drag handle and carrying handle

Close ups of the reinforced locking holes and latches

The first trip out to the range was over 90°, so I left the case out in the sun to see how the heat effected it. The plastic got hot, but didn’t get any softer or less rigid. The glue for the foam on the lid separated from the lid and I had to apply some spray adhesive when I got home. I’m sure that if I had set it in the truck upside down, it would have adhered on its own as the glue cooled.

Final thoughts:
This is a very solid case, capable of meeting the requirements from TSA for checked baggage at an affordable price. I decked it out with Spotter Up branded stickers (ones without guns in the image) and a couple “Fragile, Handle with care” stickers to add to the image. If anyone asks me about the brand of guitar in the case, I play dumb and say that it is my son’s and i dont know. It attracts way less attention than my other rifle cases and transports my firearms safely and securely. I’ll be rocking this case when traveling for a long time.

Have Guns Will Travel

By the numbers:
Design – 5/5 Light weight polymer exterior with 6 latches and reinforced locking holes keep your gear securely locked inside and meets TSA requirements for checked firearms. The three layers of customizable foam allows for multiple user configurations and versatility.
Durability – 5/5 So far, the case has held up for many trips to the range and the abuse from overworked baggage handlers. If it fails, the company stands behind their product with a Lifetime Warranty and a responsive customer service department.
Functionality – 4/5 This case functions similar to other major competitors with reduced weight and modularity. You do give up some additional cargo space by the overall shape not being a rectangle, but isn’t the shape the reason we would buy it?
Weight – 5/5 The weight is similar to cases with the same rigidity and allows the user to keep the full load well under the 50-pound limit for flying.
Value – 5/5 The price point makes this one of the more affordable cases with similar or better quality and features at $149.99 and replacement foam for $39.99.
Overall rating: 4.8/5 This case is a great blend of reduced profile carriage of firearms and gear safely and securely at a reasonable price without compromising on quality.

Originally posted on Spotterup.com September 2019

Day Trip to U.S. Elite Gear

Posted on October 25, 2020November 2, 2020 by Two Bravo Solutions LLC in News

US Elite HQ — Representing Spotter up at U.S. Elite announcing their support of Warriors Heart Foundation

A couple of weeks ago, I was able to make the drive up to New Jersey and spend the day with U.S. Elite and see some of the good things happening with them. Steve Keefer, owner of U.S. Elite, invited Spotter Up to be present when they announced the first of three initiatives that will be part of their quest to find their Higher Purpose. In attendance were several officers from the local and Regional SWAT teams, a former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik and his son (Newark PD SWAT officer), former members of the SOF community, U.S. Elite team members from out of state and product representatives Steve and Hugh from Amer Sports (Arc Teryx, Salomon and Suunto). Steve brought in Brad to share his story of recovery and how Warriors Heart Foundation saved his life.

U.S. Elite Partners with Warriors Heart Foundation, donating 275 boots and counting

Brad opened up to share with all of us how addiction had taken hold of him and where it had taken him. He has been sober for 337 days (and counting) since leaving the Warriors Heart facility in Bandera, (near San Antonio) Texas. While in treatment, Brad had a roommate from a SOF unit also dealing with addiction. His roommate had shown up with his only pair of footwear, the same boots he had deployed with. They in rough shape and far from serviceable. Brad ordered a pair of Salomon Forces boots from U.S. Elite to give his roommate to start his journey to recovery. Brad did this 3 more times while at Warriors Heart to give his brothers solid footing on their path forward. Steve and U.S. Elite has since shipped $50,000 of Salomon Forces footwear to Warriors Heart Foundation, that’s 275 pairs, each with a handwritten card for the recipient. Steve’s goal is to continue to donate boots to the recovering warriors by donating a percentage of every sale of Salomon Forces footwear from U.S. Elite to provide a pair for every participant. With this being only the first of three initiatives, that Steve and his team has for giving back to the community he continues to serve, I am looking forward to the other two.

Close up of the U.S. Elite exclusive Salomon Forces “Sua Sponte Mark II” *notice their logo on the tongue

U.S. Elite is the only company to have partnered with Salomon for an exclusive variant of the Salomon XA Pro 3D Mid; the Sua Sponte. The Sua Sponte comes in Wolf Grey and is only available at U.S. Elite. They now have the Sua Sponte Mark II, (XA Forces Mid non-Gore-Tex) in the same exclusive Wolf Grey with the current Salomon upgrades to the sole, added abrasion resistant medial and toe protection and black accents. While at this event, Amer Sports regional sales managers were on hand to speak to the focus for the coming year for Arc Teryx LEAF and Salomon Forces and share a little company history. The Forces line is focusing on protection for its law enforcement users by adding anti-slip, anti-static and anti-puncture properties to their soles. The Forces line has been around since 2015 with reduced logo signatures and upgraded durability, but Salomon has been making footwear for military users since the early 2000’s. Arc Teryx will be re-introducing the Spinx combat pants due to demand from some of its DoD clients. Arc Teryx started the LEAF (Law Enforcement Armed Forces) program in 2003 offering low-vis logo and subdued color schemes. To speak to their quality, there is an Alpha Jacket that has been on deployment and in use for over 16 years, getting handed off to the incoming war fighters. These brands only exemplify the quality of gear and the service that Steve is maintaining both in his company and customer service but also in his resolve to give back to the community.

Conversation with Steve Keefe, Owner of US Elite — Convo and Chill

This was a great trip to meet a fellow 2/75 Ranger, his team and some industry professionals while representing Spotter Up. I got to spend some time talking with Brad after he shared his story. You could really hear and feel the passion and focus he has looking for every opportunity to pay it forward. This embodied the atmosphere found in the offices of U.S. Elite, taking care of and giving back to the community they serve both locally and globally. After all the news and business was taken care of, I was invited to dinner at the Front Porch Pub. A perfect end to the day, sharing some beers, stories and time with the team and the reps from Amer Sports. If you haven’t checked out U.S. Elite, please go stop by their website or social media feeds. They carry top quality brands, sold at competitive prices and their customer service is top notch.

*All photos provided by U.S. Elite staff

Originally posted on Spotterup.com October 2019

MAG PUMP – Pistol and AR Magazine Loaders

Posted on November 17, 2019November 17, 2019 by Two Bravo Solutions LLC in Gear Reviews

mag pump loader — Unboxing of the Mag Pump ar15 and 9mm Pro Loaders and Magdump

I have loaded thousands of magazines over the last 20 plus years. Most by hand, some using devices that utilized military stripper clips and some that need the ammo to be oriented in a certain way for the device to work. I have found the most efficient way to load magazines is to have a technique that minimizes excess movement (key to efficiency and speed) and to keep the talking down to a minimum. I have got to the point that loading is a subconscious movement for me, unless I have to load a specific number of rounds for a drill. I am also aware that with the thousands of repetitions loading magazines, that I am faster (spelled: more proficient) at loading than the casual or weekend shooter. Most of the devices seem to break-even with loading by hand for me, when you have to include the prep-time for most of the devices, excluding the stripper clip loaders.

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Outdoor Collection from 5.11

Posted on November 16, 2019November 17, 2019 by Two Bravo Solutions LLC in Gear Reviews

title pic for 5.11 outdoor collection — 5.11 Outdoor Collection; Peak Long Sleeve, Apex T-Rail Belt, Apex Pants, Freedom Flex Short Sleeve

While running through spring on our way to summer, I had the chance to try out some of 5.11 Tactical’s Outdoor Collection: Peak Long Sleeve Shirt; Freedom Flex Short Sleeve Shirt; Apex T-Rail Belt; Apex Pant and previously reviewed Union Waterproof 6” Boot. All of these pieces are designed with outdoor use in mind, while maintaining a professional look to them. Each piece is constructed with quality materials and features that make them as durable as they are comfortable. The Union boots and Peak shirt are made for cooler weather and the Apex pants and Flex Fit shirt are made for warmer weather. With each piece being built for both outdoor and professional use, I was able to wear them both on and off the clock.

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The Approach Jacket from 5.11

Posted on November 14, 2019November 17, 2019 by Two Bravo Solutions LLC in Gear Reviews

title pic — The Approach Jacket from 5.11 in black

I grew up on the Pacific Coast of Washington state. Rain has always been a part of my life. As a kid, I never really worried about rain gear. We went camping knowing we were going to get wet, we just brought extra clothes. I thought I was being prepared when packing included rubber boots or a heavy vinyl, yellow rain slicker. As I grew up and joined the Army (stationed back in Washington at Joint Base Lewis-McChord), I thought we were just supposed to be wet and cold. Yes, I was issued a Gore-tex jacket and a vinyl poncho. How much work do you think I was allowed to do in those? Only if it required standing still or sleeping. Even then, I don’t remember either one of those staying dry for more than an hour or so. After leaving the Army and making the promise that I would never be cold or wet again (yes, I broke that promise again and again), I discovered updated versions of rain gear that actually worked.

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5.11 EDC PL 2AAA Flashlight

Posted on September 22, 2019September 22, 2019 by Two Bravo Solutions LLC in Gear Reviews

As the name states, this is an Every Day Carry flashlight. I have been carrying 5.11 EDC PL 2AAA flashlight for the last several months now, both at work and off duty. More importantly, I have not lost this light in the last several months. I have carried it in the front and “knife” pockets of everything from jeans to uniform pants to outdoor recreation pants. I believe the size and shape of this light is what has kept it in my pocket. The light comes in at 5” long, machined from aerospace grade aluminum with knurling on the body and around the endcap. The knurling on the body assists the user with grip and retention but also is designed in a way that would keep it from rolling away if dropped. It comes with a removable belt clip for retention in your pockets or even in MOLLE straps on your kit. The belt clip in conjunction with the knurling help to prevent it from lifting out of your pockets, even while climbing in and out of the driver seat. Of note is the placement of the belt clip, it is near the endcap, keeping the flashlight oriented in your pocket for quick access and instant index with the endcap. It keeps the lens buried in your pocket; in the off chance you accidently bump the endcap.

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The Packable Operator Jacket from 5.11

Posted on September 21, 2019September 21, 2019 by Two Bravo Solutions LLC in Gear Reviews

unpakcing the jacket — 5.11 Packable Operator Jacket

The Packable Operator Jacket has been riding in my Jeep for the last couple months, tucked behind a roll bar behind the driver’s seat. I pulled it out on more than a couple occasions when the wind picked up and the temperatures dropped. It easily fit over my Spotter Up Gunfighter Hoody and kept me warm. I tried it out the few times it rained and wasn’t in the 40s or colder. The water would bead up for the first 30 minutes or so in the heavy rain and much longer in lighter rain. After that, it would start to slowly seep through across the shoulders. Keep in mind this jacket is only water resistant (Passes the AATCC35 rain test), which means it is a coated polyester microfiber fabric and not water proof. It was comfortable to wear, while moving around the range or training venues coaching students.

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