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Permalink Reply by Jim Finley on December 18, 2009 at 6:03am

I'm a retired Marine. I enlisted at age 17 in 1976 and retired in 1996; I was commissioned via the Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP) at just shy of nine years in, and retired as a captain. My first MOS was 0341, mortarman, and I served in the weapons platoon of K Co., 3rd Bn, 4th Marines, 3rdMarDiv, then in the 81mm mortar platoon in H&S Co., 3rd Bn, 1st Marines, 1st MarDiv. I spent most of the twenty years in data systems and telecommunications, and usually had additional duties in suicide prevention programs and/or substance abuse counseling centers. Along the way I also spent some time as a rifle/pistol range coach, as a career planner, and as a drill instructor.
I used the tuition assistance program and my GI Bill while on active duty, picking up degrees in management, education, and psychology. After I retired from the service I started a second career as a psychotherapist - in that field most of my time has been in addiction treatment programs, working with teenagers in gangs, and working in the New Mexico prison system with inmates with serious mental illnesses.
I have always, since I was about twelve anyway, been fascinated with military tactics and weapons, and I still belong to the Marine Corps Association and subscribe to the Marine Corps Gazette and the Marine Corps Times to stay current on what's going in with the Corps. Also, I've loved shooting since I was a kid, and today my wife Jan and I have a pretty good gun collection, mostly rifles with a lot of them being current or former military types. I got my concealed carry permit after an inmate who was in a gang threatened to have friends on the outside take me out. I usually carry a small .45, a Glock 30. Jan is in the process of getting her CCW permit and has a little Kahr .40 S&W she likes shooting.
I tend to be what some consider over-prepared - in addition to a pistol, I normally have a couple of knives on me (one positioned for easy access for each hand) and sometimes a stun gun and/or Sabre spray.
I just found out about this website from the editorial page in Gun Digest, and wanted to check it out right away - being prepared for all kinds of disasters and societal breakdowns is important to Jan and to me, and this sounds like a good place to share information on some subjects that are vital to us.

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Permalink Reply by Corey Graff on December 18, 2009 at 10:04am

Jim: Welcome and thanks for your service! We hope you never have to use that concealed weapon, but yes, you've come to the right place.

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Permalink Reply by Homeline Security on January 21, 2010 at 11:17am

I am a retired sheriff deputy primarily engaged in search and rescue. I also was a private investigator for a few years, and am still veryy interested in personal defense, contract security services, and security consulting. Now I primarily consult to owners and captains of large private yachts on yacht and crew protection.

Over the years I have bought a lot of gear for law enforcement, search and rescue, tracking, high angle rope rescue, evidence search, electronic surveillance and electronic countermeasures. My background in the computer industry also gives me a technical view of security tools. I still keep up on the tactical companies selling equipment and know where the best prices are.

I definitely have my favorites in any category. What we need is a rating system for vendors, or equipment types, and even specific items. But of course it depends on your criteria.. But I think that could be the perfect start of a rating system.

My favorite items these days are well made tactical pouches and bags that do not look too "military" but have all the features. Sure I love camo for the statement it makes, but sometimes I don't want to make that statement so loudly.

My best recent purchase is the LAPG junior bailout bag. On sale for an unbelievable price, it looks low key, but has great features like waterproof linings, velcro attachment points, inside organizing pockets and great quality. And the map bag is even better, with more room, comes with an internal holster, lots of pockets and dividers, extremely well made and useful. I think it may have been a Condor product. I like their stuff.

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Permalink Reply by Bruce P. Redding on January 26, 2010 at 9:25pm

I am prior military and spent a few years in the firearms business. Then I realized that I needed a real job and became a commercial diver. At this point in my life I am a bit old to still be diving so I currently work offshore in the commercial diving industry as a Life Support Supervisor. I have had a concealed carry permit for 24 years and have been lucky enough not to have needed it. i have carried at one time or another most everything you can think of in almost every mode of carry. The search for the perfect combination continues! My spare time is currently being spent with my two new tactical rifles.

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Frieze on January 26, 2010 at 11:28pm

Retire from a community college here in columbus. Love to shoot 45 acp ad AR15 or anything that shoots 22 to 45. Member of Ohio gun collector and the NRA and others.

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Permalink Reply by Ben Sobieck on January 28, 2010 at 11:37am

Welcome everyone!

I'm an online editor with Gun Digest, Tactical Gear and BLADE magazines. I'm a tactical enthusiast, but more on the knife side of things. There are three things I look for in a good tactical knife: utility, utility, utility. Function is everything. Rambo-style knives miss the point.

The most recent blade I purchased was a Benchmade Nimravus Cub II. It's the knife I'm holding in my profile pic. The Cubby is one of my favorite knives, mainly for its light weight and sturdy grip. I'll be writing a full review of the knife soon.

I look forward to meeting you all and sharing the latest about tactical gear!

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Permalink Reply by chuck rehm on January 28, 2010 at 8:31pm

I work full time at a local community college as the grounds mechanic. I also work part time in armed security ,private investigation and personal protection. I have both a state firearms license and a concealed carry permit. I like my glock 27 for my carry weapon. I recently purchased an AR15 and want to get some good optics for it. If anyone has a recommendation for a good quality for the price scope I am interested.

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Permalink Reply by Tiger McKee on February 7, 2010 at 6:00pm

Tiger McKee here, and I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello to everyone.

I run Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alafrickingbama. www.shootrite.org
I've been teaching firearms for about the 20 years, a lot of those with Clint Smith and Thunder Ranch. At Shootrite we teach about 50% LE/Security and the other half citizens; I'm also an adjunct instructor with the F.B.I. in their instructor development courses.
I'm on the staff with TacGear, SWAT, and do some work with FMG's annuals they put out. I'm also the author of "The Book of Two Guns," and have designed some tac/training equipment and stuff like that.

I'm excited about being a staff member with TacGear, and in this website. I've been doing this stuff for long enough to realize there is so much I don't know, and I think this site is going to be a great opportunity to exchange ideas with other shooters and instructors.

Also, this is really the first forum I've been involved in, so you guys excuse me if I make mistakes on protocol or have to ask some questions on how all this computer stuff actually works.

Tiger McKee
Shootrite Firearms Academy
www.shootrite.org

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Permalink Reply by Gerard Dunlap on February 8, 2010 at 9:50pm

Hi i'm a publishing pro who is into all types of shooting. I've also been collecting firearms since I was very young. Military and S&W I am a NRA and AZ Pistol & Rifle Asso. Life Member

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Permalink Reply by Scott W. Wagner on February 9, 2010 at 10:20am

I am a 30 year law enforcement and police training veteran. He worked full time LE for ten years as as a state undercover liquor control investigator, narcotics investicator for a local sheriff's department, and as a uniformed municipal officer in for a city of 30,000. For the past 20 years he has been a Professor of Criminal Justice and Police Academy Commander and trainer at Community College while serving as a reserve deputy sheriff with Union County Sheriff's Office in Marysville, Ohio. There he performs road patrol and training duties, and is the only reserve deputy on the Union County Sheriff's SRT team where he serves as team sniper and assistant team leader. I recently authored the book "Own the Night-Selection and Use of Tactical Lights and Laser Sights"

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Permalink Reply by Scott W. Wagner on February 9, 2010 at 10:27am

Chuck, Bushnells New Gold Line is an excellent value for mounting on any type of rifle-They have a great 3x9 that works fine for most AR applications, assuming you have a flattop AR.

chuck rehm said:

I work full time at a local community college as the grounds mechanic. I also work part time in armed security ,private investigation and personal protection. I have both a state firearms license and a concealed carry permit. I like my glock 27 for my carry weapon. I recently purchased an AR15 and want to get some good optics for it. If anyone has a recommendation for a good quality for the price scope I am interested.

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Permalink Reply by Tiger McKee on February 9, 2010 at 11:49am

Chuck,
The optics for an AR depend on what you're intended use of the rifle will be. For example is it for hunting, target shooting, or something like personal protection or fighting?
Tiger McKee

chuck rehm said:

I work full time at a local community college as the grounds mechanic. I also work part time in armed security ,private investigation and personal protection. I have both a state firearms license and a concealed carry permit. I like my glock 27 for my carry weapon. I recently purchased an AR15 and want to get some good optics for it. If anyone has a recommendation for a good quality for the price scope I am interested.

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