Brandon Wombough is a former Marine, and currently the armorer at T-Rex Arms. Following up our discussion last month in the wake of the Kirk assassination, I wanted to take the opportunity to sit down with Brandon for a conversation. We touched on many different topics including personal accountability and prioritization of efforts, to how you can test yourself and your own capability, and talking the realities of pride and ego. Of course, we had to spend some time getting into the community, talking about drones, talking about the ergonomics of some laser aiming modules and how many of us focus on the wrong aspects of the gear and the training. All around, this was a fantastic discussion and I think if you're looking for more information, as well as a unique way to tie your faith into your life and your endeavors, this would be a great listen for you!

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While many of us are still reeling from the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, many more of us have responded to the tragedy with righteous action. It's often unfortunate that we must see evil to know its existence, and adjust our preparation. Being reactive, rather than proactive is never preferable. Perhaps one of the most affected populations in this turbulent time, are faith based institutions and organizations. I sit down this week with Jonah Norman to talk about not only Executive Protection, but about the work being done at multiple levels to make centers of worship more safe, and the importance of carrying that work out for the right reasons. There's a awful lot packed into this discussion, including the importance of advance work and intelligence gathering, understanding the reality and perceptions of good versus evil, penalties for lack or preparation and more. I truly believe this conversation provides some critical insight for many of us, seeking to do more.

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Fresh off of our group training trip to Ben Franklin Range in Pennsylvania, I sit down with Blake Flannery of Orion Training Group and Maneuver Training Solutions, to talk about the work we did in the shoot house. Additionally, we dig into some of the concepts, as well as context, to structure clearance work and CQB in general. There's so much information and opinion floating around within the training community on this subject, it's hard to really grasp what can truly be called right and what really is wrong. To this end, we talked about some of the different and outdated systems and styles of CQB, the importance of initiative driven tactics, and make some parallel connections between infantry tactics, and structure clearance. This was a great opportunity to debrief after the trip, but also a fantastic discussion for those of you looking to learn and understand group clearance work.

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Unfortunately, as the time has gone on over the past few years, it seems the world around us has only gotten more violent. While we at one point all wanted to believe it was a question, a discussion of right versus left, this religion versus that religion, it's becoming more and more obviously that the lines that are being drawn, aren't as clear and convenient as we would like them to be. In this iteration of the SITREP I talk about a handful of recent events, attacks on houses of worship that are a powerful illustration of the danger we all face as a culture. Additionally, I share my thoughts and some feelings and insight on how we got here. What led us to this point, and more importantly, how can we walk this back? What does the process of healing look like, and how can escape from what has started to feel like inevitable and consistent chaos in our day to day lives.

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Personal Accountability. In my experience, it is the single greatest characteristic that I've seen in high performing individuals. While many folks claim they desire to be a highly capable individual with a high level of preparedness, the truth is that many simply fall flat. Accountability is at the crux of that issue more often than not. In a discussion that hits very close to home for me personally, I dig in to why it's so important and I add color and context to the situations that I think many of us run in to, while trying desperately to be better prepared, and more dangerous individuals. At the end of the day, we have to prioritize ourselves, our happiness, our families, and our own interests above those of peers who may not share the same drive, determination, and ambition that we have for ourselves. My hope is that this insight is helpful for some of you who may be having similar struggles, and are trying to find a way to break free of some of the weight that's holding you down.

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Understanding your tools and how to use them to solve problems effectively is probably the best way to summarize much of what our training is about. Just as with any skillset or trade, if you don't know to use those tools, or understand the entire purpose of having them, you're going to run into issues, and certainly will be less effective. This is why it becomes so frustrating for many, seeing the emulation and "copy-catting" that is triggered by influencers, when it comes to equipment and supporting gear. Everything from optics and lights, to plate carriers, armor, and belts then becomes the constant focus and concern, rather than the hard skills that should instead by our pursuit. In this episode, I dive into this, and offer up some helpful tips and strategies for how to be more thoughtful, and certainly more effective, in this journey.

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The fallout from the assassination of Charlie Kirk has weighed heavily on everyone's minds. What is next? What will we do? Why do we feel this way? To do my best to tackle those questions as well as bring insight on how to honor his memory, I sit down with Jeremiah and Brandon to break apart everything that's gone on over the last several days. Specifically we talk about faith, and the inherent morality that comes with it, and how it must be our guiding principle as we push forward in a world that seems to feel more and more dangerous and uncertain. As someone who isn't very far along in their personal faith journey, it was fantastic to hear both of these men speak with conviction, and share their thoughts on what's going on, and how we can all contribute in a positive way.

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Unfortunately, I'm releasing this SITREP out of cadence, but in light of these events it's something that is needed. Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA and a major political voice in our country, has been assassinated. During his stop at Utah Valley University to kick off a public speaking tour, he was shot. This comes as a major blow to many, and serves at least as a shocking reminder of how far our society has fallen in these turbulent times. As always, I share my thoughts, my feelings, and do my best to speak on why this is so impactful, regardless of if you agreed with Charlie and his opinions or disagreed.

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Night Vision. The super power that we all want, and the only capability which can be purchased. Unfortunately, to many, it's perceived to be unattainable due to the financial constraints which surround it. What many folks don't realize though, is that you have more options available than what you might think. To explore the options, and talk in depth on used and surplus options, I'm sitting down with Shane Sharp and Ty Morgan from Terrace Unity Solutions. TUS is a Michigan based night vision company just a few minutes from me, and a resource I only recently realized I had access to. We get into the comparisons and benefits between surplus and new devices, as well as some common questions like L3 versus Elbit versus Photonis, and do our best to fill in the gaps and add some much needed context to the common concerns that folks have. If you've been chasing the dream of owning NODs and haven't been able to make it happen, give this one a listen. I think you may learn a few things.

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Watches are an essential piece of field kit, and something that many of us take great pride and interest in. Understanding what goes into making a quality watch, what to look for, as well as why it's important, is critical in making a good selection. It's even more important if this is a functional tool that you'll depend on in either the military or law enforcement, out in the field. To discuss these details, and how Brigade Watch Co. is facing the challenges head on, I sit down with one of the founders of Brigade, Kevin Ding. As a former Marine, Kevin first-hand knows the challenges of the field and training, and as a watch enthusiast, he knows what makes the difference in a quality time piece. As someone who enjoys watches but doesn't know a lot, I really enjoyed the time with Kevin and being able to soak up his knowledge, and hear about how uncompromising values and dedication to quality, drive Brigade Watch Co.

Check out https://www.brigadewatches.com/ if you want to see the fantastic work Kevin and team are doing!

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