Gear

Courtesy patrols discipline soldiers, family members on dress code; read our top stories in this week's Army Times

By Toni Rico on November 5, 2013 Army, Congress, Gear, Outside the wire

Welcome to the garrison Army. Some soldiers at major installations across the Army might have already encountered courtesy patrols, teams of soldiers who roam Army posts making on-the-spot corrections. Some posts are even targeting family members for dress code violations. And the Army’s top enlisted soldier is weighing in on the courtesy patrols. The Army is assessing performance on another field, the public schools near its installations. The chief of staff of the Army, Gen. Ray Odierno, says the Army will “put pressure” on officials responsible for providing education to the children of Army families. One person resisting pressure from lawmakers…

Soldiers glimpse new military gadgets at AUSA convention

By Toni Rico on October 22, 2013 Army, Gear, Vehicles, Weapons

Most soldiers outside the Washington, D.C. area won’t get a chance to attend the Association of the United States Army conference, but that doesn’t mean they have to miss out on some of the cool toys soldiers on the exhibit halls get a first glimpse of. Here are some soldier favorites: 1. This is my rifle. Soldiers like their weapons and the Remington booth was a major draw at the convention floor. Soldiers got to handle the range of the Remington’s M-16 type rifles, the R-4s, and the Adaptive Combat Rifle which can change calibers from 5.56 mm to 6.8 mm to…

More jobs open to women in combat battalions and a 'smart' scope that can make you as deadly as a sniper; see the stories in the Army Times print edition

By Toni Rico on September 23, 2013 Afghanistan, Army, Gear, Outside the wire

New job openings for junior enlisted women are putting them in battalion- and company-level roles in brigade combat teams and special ops aviation units, the latest phase of the ongoing effort to open combat-related jobs to women. See this week’s issue for the full list of brigades and MOSs now open. We put to the test a new precision scope and shooting system that can turn an average shooter into a competent sniper with the push of a button. Find out how experienced shooters — and an inexperienced one — fared with the new “smart” scope. The Army’s next Medal of Honor…

Ranger scroll latest fashion statement?

By Toni Rico on September 4, 2013 Army, Gear, Outside the wire

Spotted on the web: Urban Outfitters military-inspired clothing includes a vest with a 3rd Ranger Battalion scroll over the top left-breast pocket. Some in the military community were upset about it, and eventually Urban Outfitters removed the item from their website, although when you click on the original link the site says the vest is “sold out.” A screenshot of the original vest appears above. Other military themed clothing remains on the website, including jean jackets with Army and Air Force ranks, although other items with unit patches seemed to have been removed. What do you think? Was the vest…

Army cracks down on five-toe running shoes

By Lance Bacon on June 24, 2011 Army, Gear

All Army Activities message 239/2011 is likely to step on some toes. It prohibits the wear of shoes that feature “five separate, individual compartments for the toes,” such as the one pictured above. Such shoes “detract from a professional military image,” the message said. As such, soldiers are not allowed to wear them with the individual physical fitness uniform or when conducting physical training in military formation. In truth, this is not a new rule. But it seems word either hasn’t been spread or adhered to.

When all else fails …

By Lance Bacon on March 18, 2011 Army, Congress, Gear, Pentagon

It’s no secret that military programs are under close scrutiny as spending is cut. The inevitable power struggle has left a presidential budget seeking one thing, think-tanks and pundits demanding something else, winded lobbyists arguing their cases and Congress adding to the quagmire. So who has final say as to what military programs are a “go” or “no go?” When a panel testifying before the House Armed Services Committee said that power resides with the president, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., did something unheard of. At a House Armed Services Subcommittee hearing Thursday, he pulled out the Constitution. Here’s what he…

Gunshot detector headed to the 'Stan

By Lance Bacon on March 17, 2011 Afghanistan, Army, Gear, Product Announcement

Snipers and lone wolves, beware. Soldiers in Afghanistan will receive the first of more than 13,000 individual gunshot detection systems later this month. The Individual Gunshot Detector, or IGD, shows the distance and direction of incoming fire by way of four small acoustic sensors and a small display screen attached to body armor. The IGD display is about the size of a deck of cards and the system weighs less than two pounds, officials said in a press release. The remaining IGDs will be fielded at approximately 1,500 systems per month.

Your platoon’s new ‘flying binoculars.’

By Joe Gould on February 7, 2011 Gear, Outside the wire, UAVs

The Army wants to outfit each platoon-sized unit with a hand-held and easily operated drone weighing between 2 and 15 pounds, a senior adviser at the Training and Doctrine Command told Aviation Week. The systems would be battery powered for easy maintenance and operation, and capable of launch without rails or bungee cords. Lt. Col. James Cutting, Aviation UAS director in the Army’s operations office, is calling on industry to help make what he called a “pair of flying binoculars,” a reality. But it’s really not just one pair for everyone, but rather a series of different drones, phased in over time,…

Guns, guns, guns! (and other cool stuff, too)

By Lance Bacon on January 14, 2011 Gear, Outside the wire, Weapons

The Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show and Conference – commonly called SHOT Show – kicks off Monday in Las Vegas. It is the largest and most comprehensive shooting and hunting trade show. Last year, there were 1,633 vendors. This year is expected to be bigger and better – and Army Times will be there. Keep checking “Outside the Wire” and our Gear Scout blog for daily updates and info on the latest and greatest guns, gear and gadgets. Whether you are into firearms, ammo, archery, knives, apparel, optics or anything in between, we’ve got you covered!

SCAR sniper support rifle approved

By Lance Bacon on December 14, 2010 Afghanistan, Army, Congress, Gear, Weapons

The MK 20 Sniper Support Rifle has been approved for full-rate production. The FN rifle is a variant of the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR) family. Fielding is expected to start in mid-May 2011. Three variants of the Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle, or SCAR, were approved July 30 for full-rate production. They were:

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