'' The A.P.A.C.I. ''
So what is it all about ?
The A.P.A.C.I (yhe, imagine it as Apache) is basically a set of skills or, lets call it ability's, that the individual must have, in order to increase his success rate in the CQB environment.
See, the CQB is a violent & relentless environment, which is full with problems and only a few solutions. Often the CQB has a major mental effect, that can break everyones will, no matter how equipped or trained you are.
Embracing those principles and keeping them in the back of your head, will for sure improve your ability to solve and overcome problems.
A -Acceptance
P -Persistence
A -Awareness
C -Creativity
I -Initiative
A more detailed lesson regarding this concept can be found in our up coming Focus Entry course in Thüringen, Germany.
Welcome back to our blog and the third part of the PenCott Greenzone gear review series. In the previous parts we gave an introduction into the topic and an overview of the gear and apparel we are going to review in this series. Then we started off with the UF Pro “Boonie Hat” and the Leo Köhler “KSK-Smock”. In this article we are going to have a look at gear from Tactical Tailor. We will talk about advantages and disadvantages give some tips and share our experience from testing.
Tactical Tailor is one of the big players in the tactical nylon industry. The guys from Lakewood, Washington invented and patented the famous MALICE clip and developed great gear like the Modular Assault Vest (MAV). Almost every product of this traditional company was designed and is being produced in the US. A lot of their products are NSN listed, meaning they are officially approved by the Military forces of NATO and many other countries. This means: the guys at Tactical Tailor are 100% professional.
So I was really happy when Tactical Tailor announced that some of their gear will be available in PenCott Greenzone and Badlands. There is also the chance to get some stuff in snowdrift custom made. Most of this gear is part of Tactical Tailors the ”Fight Light” Series meaning made from 500D Cordura material instead of 1000D. This means almost the same durability and fire resistant as 1000D Cordura at a reduced weight.
Now let´s have a look at the stuff. We´ll start with the “Fight Light Platecarrier (FLPC)” by Tactical Tailor.
Price: 335,00 USD (other colors and sizes differ slightly in pricing)
Available SAPI Sizes: M (other colors also available from M-XL)
Weight: 1120g (Size M) / 1370g (Size M with both Side SAPI Pouches)
Other colors (multicam. Atac-s, RG etc.) are available
As we can guess from the name the FLPC is part of the “Fight Light” Series. At first glance the FLPC looks much like any other modern light plate carrier. It has got plate bags for front, side and back armor, modular webbing on the front and back (4 rows/6 slots) and the sides (2 rows/4 slots), a drag handle, loops for cables and hydration, etc. So why talk about it? We´ll have a closer look.
Very soon you will notice the high level of detail: all stitching are perfect. The webbing and even the velcro is printed in PenCott camouflage. Did I write velcro? Well in fact this is not just velcro but a material called “Quiet Loop!”. This innovation from Propel LLC is 50 percent less noisy than normal hook and loop material. It is used on the FLPCs front, back and even the sides of the cummerbund. Optional Side SAPI Carriers can be mounted over the cummerbund. They are fixed with velcro and will stay in position very well. The advantage is the easy modification of the level of protection according to the mission. You can go rather low profile or mount the side plates and have a higher level of protection.
Right when you put the FLPC on try to close the cummerbund, you will be surprised. There is no flap or velcro in the front. Instead the cummerbund can be opened at either side with a fastex buckle at the ten and two o´clock position. These fastex buckles are covered by a velcro flap that features two slots of molle in two rows. The cummerbund is attached to the vest at the backside with MALICE clips that are covered by a flap. The cummerbund has stretch inserts so it can adjust according to the kind of garment the operator is wearing. The pros of this system are easy use of fastex clips and no velcro damaging your combat shirt. The disadvantage is that the fastex-covers tend to tilt over when for example pistol magazine pouches or a radio pouch are attached. Notice the TACO-pouch mounted on the right of the FLPC in the picture standing in front of the Landrover.
Another nice detail of the FLPC is the integrated admin pouch on the top of the front with openings to both sides. But be careful! There is no velcro or button to close this pocket. So do not put anything in this pocket that is not secured with a strap or anything likewise. You will lose it!
The FLPC can be easily adjusted in height with velcro straps on the shoulders. They are covered by very comfortable shoulderpads. They have a mesh-padding just like the cummerbund has. The adjustment of the cummerbund works the same way. Open the covers and adjust it with the velcro. Having the side plate pockets installed though the adjustment of the cummerbund of course takes more time because you have to remove these guys first. A quick release cable is not featured. Instead you can quick release the FLPS with two big fastex buckles located where the shoulder straps are connected to the rear platebag. Here is another small criticism. Some people that wore the FLPC had problems with these buckles tending to push a little to their bladebone.
I did not have problems with this. So how does the FLPC fit? For this review I used my “Mehler Vario System” SK4 plates. The size is 310mm x 250mm x 15mm / 12,2" x 9,84" x 0,59". So they are bigger than a standard SAPI size M and honestly a little too big for the size M FLPC. Inserting them is not easy. The platebags are stretched to their limits. So I strongly recommend using plates the correct size. For me as a person of 172cm and 71 Kg the platecarrier in size M (based on the SAPI plate size!) must be trimmed down to the smallest adjustment possible. Anyone smaller or thinner than me will have problems because the FLPC will not be tight enough. Having found the right adjustment (and maybe adding some custom extra padding to the fastex buckles), it fits me nearly perfect. The two platebags have 5 very comfortable paddings made from molded foam that ensures a very good airflow and prevents the plates from bouncing when I run. I can wear the FLPC for hours and hours. This is really one of the best systems we have seen so far.
Still we have some suggestions for improvement in a next generation of the FLPC. Compared to other PCs we miss an integrated kangaroo pouch for magazines. Also we would like to see an easier option for adjustment of the cummerbund on the back and a solution for the tilting of the fastex covers mentioned above.
Of course without pouches attached the FLPC is only worth half the price. So next time we will have a look at what the guys from Lakewood have tailored for us. Also we will focus on 2nd line apparel. We´ll have a good look at the innovative UF Pro combat shirt and the Molay Gen2 combat pants, a clone of the famous Crye pants. So stay tuned, like and share. We are looking forward to your comments and suggestions. Also if you have any questions fell free to ask. See you next time.
Written by : Philipp Wolfertz
By : Philipp Wolfertz.
Welcome back to our blog and the second part of the PenCott Greenzone gear review series. Last time we gave an introduction into the topic and an overview of the gear and apparel we are going to review in this series. In this article we are going to have a look at the UF Pro “Boonie-hat” and the Leo Köhler KSK-Smock/Einsatzkampfjacke.
Now let´s have a look at the stuff. We´ll start with the “Boonie hat” by UF Pro.
Price: 24,50 EUR
Sizes: S-2XL
Weight: 80g (Size L)
UF pro is a trademark of the company UNI&FORMA based in Slovenia. They specialize in high quality garment systems for professionals. Their UF Pro boonie hat features velcro areas for any kind of patches and IR-tabs on the top and at the sides. Unlike boonies from other manufacturers it does not have a long velcro for name tapes. There are loops all around for additional camouflage vegetation. Remarkable is the integrated inner pocket for small stuff. An adjustable chin cord made from paracord prevents the hat from getting lost.
Africa, 2014... Multicam VS Greenzone....
The hat is lightweight and very comfortable to wear. Compared to other boonies the brim of the UF Pro boonie hat is rather small. I like this because it keeps the user´s silhouette small and the boonie gets less often stuck in bushes and trees. Also a headset like 3M´s Peltor comtac XP can be worn comfortably. On the other hand this design does not offer as much protection from sun or rain as one with a larger brim would do. In the end you have to decide if you prefer this design over larger brims. Also it is missing an Velcro for IR.
The boonie hat is very well made of 50/50 Nyco ripstop material. It can be machine-washed at 40°C. My head has a circumference of 58cm and Size L fits me perfect. All in all I can really recommend this boonie. You can purchase it directly at UF Pro´s webshop.
Next in line is the Leo Köhler KSK-Smock, also referred to as “Einsatzkampfjacke”.
Price: 179,00 EUR
Sizes: S-XXL
Weight: 1420g (Size S)
The Leo Köhler KSK-Smock has been a very successful product for several years now. It comes in a large variety of colors and camouflage patterns. Finally it is also available in PenCott Badlands and Greenzone. I think that most readers know this one quite well. So I try to keep it short here. The Smock is very well crafted and like all Leo Köhler products made in their own factory in Tunesia. It is made of 50/50 Nyco Ripstop material. It can be machine-washed at 60°C. Size S fits me (172cm, 71KG) perfect.
The smock can be closed and opened with a big two-way zipper. Additionally it features big slotted buttons and velcro. Like any real smock it has multiple pockets on the arms, chest, waist and lower back. All outer pockets are secured with big slotted buttons that are also usable when the operator is wearing gloves. Pockets can not only be found outside, they are also inside the smock. The two inner pockets on the left and right of chest are closed with a zip, the inner pocket at the butt is open at the top and divided into two compartments.
The waist can be adjusted with an integrated cord. The wrists can be adjusted with velcro. Speaking of Velcro of course you have two smaller Velcro patches on either side of the arms and one bigger in the left arm. There should be enough space for any kind of milspec-tactical-pork-eating-beard-owner-crusader-patches. You might notice in some pictures that I simply covered the Velcro areas with a rectangular patch from UF Pro because Velcro covers do not come with the smock. Also there is velcro for nametapes and ranks.
The hood is adjustable in size and big enough to wear a helmet under it. A wire integrated in the brim gives the opportunity to adjust the hoods shape and give more stability to it.
From my point of view one the most important features of this smock are the cordura padded elbows with integrated soft foam pads. They make proning very comfortable. Second great feature are the zippered armpits. The two-way zippers help the user to control the ventilation and adjust it to the ongoing situation. When your body gets hot, simply open the zippers and the airflow will cool you down. When it gets cold simply close the zips. I don´t want to miss this feature in any outer shell. Speaking of layers the KSK-Smock is not really waterproof but it surely is water repellant for a longer time. So i suggest you can use it as a third layer in 90% of all times except for heavy rain over a long time. But even this is possible when wearing a waterproof layer underneath. Since the smock is quite large, wearing a cold weather layer underneath is also no problem. For example I successfully combined it with a Helikon Tex “Patriot” heavy fleece jacket and even with a Carinthia “MIG 2.0” Jacket (Use the arm-pit-zippers!). Vice versa in summer you can just wear a thin shirt as a baselayer under the smock a still benefit from PenCott concealment.
One of the few missing features would be pockets in the sleeves of the forearms. Front chest pockets that are not only accessible from the top via slotted buttons and the inner sides with zippers but also from the outer sides would be the cherry on top. This would make the whole thing even more handy when wearing a plate carrier, vest or chest rig.
All in all the Leo Köhler KSK-Smock is a Smock as it should be and a very good bang for the buck. It is second to only very few and even more expensive smocks like for example the “Special Forces Smock Gen. II or Gen. III” from Sabre (Gen. III: 239,90 EUR). The pockets offer a lot of storage room for any kind of gear. They even can be used as a substitute for a chest-rig or day pack. For example I can pack my 10x42 Binoculars easily in one of the side pockets or put my rolled-in poncho in the large back pocket. With all these pockets a smock can be especially useful in LRRPs. But keep in mind not to overload yourself with too much gear stuffed into the pockets. Walking, laying down or even sitting can be limited! If you keep this in mind the KSK-Smock is very comfortable to wear and a highly recommended piece of gear for any season and almost any weather.
Next time we will focus on gear. We´ll have a good look at the tactical tailor Fight Light Platecarrier and several different pouches. So stay tuned, like and share. We are looking forward to your comments and suggestions. Also if you have any questions fell free to ask.
See You next time.
In this article I´m going to describe a situation that often happens to those who are not so experienced or trained during CQB trainings and specifically in real situations.
2008- hot, dusty and stressful.Finally we reached the 'physical' part of our 'Urban' qualification. The training ground looked like a small random settlement straight out of Tatooine (Star-wars).
It was our first real physical training of different various CQB methods,with a great focus on the entry phases.I was number 2, behind my buddy ready to enter the room. It was our first time with live fire. Needless to say: no more game or simulation...a real cause & effect. We entered the room via the procedure we learned. Since, like I mentioned above, the place was full with sand, the whole room which had no windows turned very fast into a one big dust cloud. We couldn’t see more than two meters ahead. Seconds after 'stabbing' the 180° to the left, I recognized a continuous passage to a next room and automatically notified my buddy.
We shifted into a 'continuous' method and solved that problem as well. We stacked up, processed the situation carefully and continued to the next room. For those who have been in those situations before it´s clear, your heart is beating, your adrenalin valves pumping like a F1 formula car, and you view the world out of a toilet paper tube.
On the second entrance it was hard to breath and we began to process it slow. One of the instructors tossed by us a live flash-bang straight into the room, in result we had to 'flip the switch' and kick in all force. It was a bad enter. Out of 4 targets in each corner, one was still 'alive' and clean.We froze in our final position, awaiting 'endex' & feedback from our instructor.He came in with a hard face, checked the 4 targets and swiftly started to yell on us:
''Paper targets never lie. They are a true mirror to your actions and they have no manners or pretty words to deliver the truth. You failed in the first room, you missed a hidden corner with a small target, and you repeated your failure in the second room-you are all dead long ago''.
I refused personally to even believe him – not until the next hazing changed my mind. We were too linear and too 'obvious', all of that was the fault of Mrs.White fatal.
What is that White fatal?
Back in the methodical CQB preparation week, which took place a week earlier, we sat in classes and have been through literally dozens of different tactical sketches and white boards simulating different situations and clearing techniques.
What we all always saw was a white background and a black color as the designated structure borders – there were no obstacles, furniture, irregular structure layouts or so. It was just obviously blank & clean.
During our first 'wet' week I figured very fast that prior to any entrance.We all ran in our brains that same white board with that clear & clean sketches.We always unintentionally ignored the fact that there is more than just a 'Cube' shape and some borders, there are also obstacles and things in between that will require your immediate attention and the ability to take a fast decision. And none the less it will compromise & force you to even change your individual tactic in some drastic occasions.
Reality
Walls will always be there, and so it is with windows & corners. But there are enough obstacles that no white board can prepare you for. Obstacles like tables, chairs, sofas, ledges, elevations & different angles; and even big animals in some shit holes in the world will surely get in your way and will do their best to disrupt & compromise you.Unlike in the white board – the effect can not be deleted by a simple move of a hand – what happen is a solid bitter fact.
Linear thinking
''When everyone in your team thinks the same, no one thinks.”
Linear thinking is our tendency to immediately look for a reason at a problem rather than looking at the problem as the result of many interconnected reasons.
Focusing on one reason rather than on the underlying structure of interconnected reasons is what creates unintended consequences in our attempts to solve a problem. Just like missing a hidden shaft or a passage in a room.
When you relay your planning only on a white board, it will result in a linear thinking later on. Most CQB briefs I did and have been through in my life have been with a clear and straight lines. Don’t get me wrong. I see no problem in the use of white boards or sketching. I just believe it´s crucial to keep in mind that nothing is linear in a room clearings. And no room is empty of content.
For example in many briefings we did, regardless when ever for a Mission or training, (in case there was no third model available) the white board was fairly accurate by structure, but we never knew obviously what is inside.In order to prevent the white fatal, we always added into the empty sketch of the designated room five different sets of possible furniture \ content layouts. So in case there is a hidden small shaft or a huge 'Bar' ledge to the left, we would have an automatic 'answer' to that problem.
Discussion.
Discussion is a must in any team.
Yes yes we all know that, we all heard our instructors & officers repeating that damn sentence...But wait a second, are you really doing so?
A healthy team discussion is made of the ability to forge more than two opinions and point of views into a productive tool, which is essential to your task. In my experience, the discussion is a key element to prevent that White fatal. Life is made out of questions, fast & slow questions, and you are the one who is committed to reply with an answer, fast or slow – you choose. Therefore, after you went through that sketch, make sure that there are answers to any possible ''IF?''.
Summary -
I´ve got nothing against white boards. I loved them since I was a kid. But only sketches without any discussion, a discussion that was built by everyone´s OWN opinion and not by a team opinion, is what will give you the ability to deal such situations.
Thanks for listening.