FirstSpear Friday Focus: IMBREX Offset Reconnaissance Chest Rig

On a reconnaissance patrol, breaking down the load to reconfigure kit isn’t an option. The FirstSpear IMBREX™ OFFSET RECONNAISSANCE CHEST RIG is a purpose-built, split-front chest rig engineered specifically for the SOF reconnaissance and patrol operator managing simultaneous movement, co...

By Eric G •

Soldier Systems Digest: 3rd Recon Company

If you’re not a subscriber to our weekly newsletter, Soldier Systems Digest, you missed this entry form last week. Cold War Concepts The US Army has a long history of small units organized for deep reconnaissance. During the Vietnam War each Division along with a few other units had Long Ra...

By Eric G •

M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage: Artillery on a Stuart Chassis

A lot of people suggest that the Stuart tanks were underpowered for World War II. While this may be true when compared to tanks like the Panzer IV, the platform was still able to bring significant firepower to the battlefield in the form of the M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage. The M8 Howitzer Motor Ca...

By Richard Johnson •

USMC Announces 0315 Scout MOS

WASHINGTON, DC — MARADMIN 296/26 announced the creation of a new primary military occupational specialty (PMOS), 0315 Scout, to provide infantry battalions and light armored reconnaissance battalions with a dedicated, all-weather reconnaissance and surveillance capability. This change, effe...

By Eric G •

Army Develops Self-Evacuation Exoskeleton for Lower-Leg Injuries

When a soldier takes a round to the shin or catches a blast that fractures the tibia, the traditional response pulls two to four additional service members off the line to haul a litter, plus a security element to cover them. That's a significant combat power cost for a single casualty. The ...

By Eric B •

POTD: US Recon Marines Go Finnish at Narrow Waters 26

Finland's coastline has a way of sharpening allied relationships. During exercise Narrow Waters 26 at Upinniemi, Finland, in May 2026, Marines from 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division conducted weapons and boat familiarization training alongsid...

By Eric B •

Dale Dye: Why Marines Are Called “Devil Dogs”

It’s one of the most memorable monikers for a fighting force around, and its legend stems from a brutal battle fought more than a century ago. The term was reportedly adapted from the German Teufel Hunden, and applied to American Marines following the Battle of Belleau Wood during World Wa...

By Capt. Dale Dye, USMC (Ret) •

Ayoob: The 1911 at War

I recently heard someone say that handguns have no place in military combat. History shows us otherwise. For the tanker, artilleryman, radio operator or medic whose hands are too busy at designated tasks to hold a rifle, the pistol makes enormous sense. Behind the lines when unpleasant surprises ...

By Massad Ayoob •
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