35 posts by Joel Aber

As terrorist attacks continue around the globe, more and more focus is put on stopping the attack before it happens, not just in apprehending the r...

Recondo (usually assumed to be a combination of the words Recon and Commando) was founded by Major General William Westmoreland in 1958 to ensure t...

**I am not a lawyer, and nothing below should be considered legal advice.  This is merely my reading of a recent DoD directive that I know a lot of...

In 1943, the Allies debated their strategy for taking back the Pacific from the Japanese.  Their strategic goal: the unconditional surrender of Jap...

It’s no secret that Eastern European countries worry about Russia’s intentions.  They have good reason to.  Between cyber and physical ...

Some of you may remember a previous article I wrote on citizens, the police reserves, and state guards.  Well, I had a chance today to observe some...

This is my second paper for the Naval War College in which I attempt to analyze the American War for Independence through the three phases of revol...

This is my second paper for the Naval War College in which I attempt to analyze the American War for Independence through the three phases of revol...

This is my second paper for the Naval War College in which I attempt to analyze the American War for Independence through the three phases of revol...

This is the second part of a paper I wrote for the Naval War College.  In part one, we discussed whether or not a cyber attack can rise to the same...

This is the first part of a paper I wrote for the Naval War College.  The contents of this paper reflect my own personal views and are not necessar...

There is a decided difference between the cohesion of a single army, led into battle under the personal command of a single general, and that of an...

For those of you that have looked into Army Special Operations Forces, you’ve certainly noticed by now that the vast majority of them are Air...

So it’s the time of year again when the Naval War College classes startup, and I’m abusing myself this year with Strategy & War and...

The smallest action you do in their heartland is better and more enduring to us than what you would if you were with us.  If one of you hoped to re...

So this debate started in the Team Room, and I think it deserves a little more attention than you can really give it in the comments of a Facebook ...

Proving that terrorists can and will use any available means to achieve carnage, Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel used a rental truck to kill 84 people on...

On Friday, July 1st, five gunmen from a domestic Bangladeshi terrorist group known as Jumatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh (JMB) stormed the Holey Artisan...

You guys seem pretty psyched about RE Factor’s new line of “modernized” art, especially the Colonial Maritime Raid Force.  Since ...

  As the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) heads into its summit in Warsaw, Poland, next week, questions continue to arise about the r...

The guy on the bike or Segway running mail and memos between city offices, most likely.  But there’s another kind of Courier running around o...

I recently had my first experience flying with checked firearms, and I thought I’d share what I learned for those who may be starting to trav...

“Oh, tell me not that they are dead – that generous host, that airy army of invisible heroes.  They hover as a cloud of witnesses above...

For anyone who doesn’t anxiously await the release of new Army publications, there is a new Training Circular out – TC 3-22.9 Rifle and...

Despite the proliferation of responsible newly-armed citizens and the advances and emphasis placed on personal defense training in recent years, th...

The death of SO1 Charles Keating IV on May 3, 2016, in Iraq marks the third U.S. military death in operations against Daesh. Once again, America...

Here’s a few rifle/pistol drills that can be done on the RE Factor IQ target. Some of these drills have par times, others are a “beat yoursel...

Here’s a few pistol drills that can be done on the RE Factor IQ target. Some of these drills have par times, others are a “beat yourself̶...

Here’s a few pistol-only drills that can be done on the RE Factor Kill Zone target. Each drill includes description, times, and skills worked. Some...

Here’s a few rifle/pistol drills that can be done on the RE Factor Kill Zone target.  Each drill includes description, times, and skills work...

Remember that guy?  You know, the one who never has time for actual training because of “work commitments,” “lack of money,”...

“We must depend in every time of national peril, in the future as in the past, not upon a standing army, nor yet upon a reserve army, but upo...

A sling is to a rifle what a holster is to a pistol, and more. It allows the user to stow the weapon out of the way when they need their hands for ...

So when last we met, we discussed setting up optics and iron sights on your rifle.  This week, let’s talk about lights.  I personally believe...

Setting up your rifle is a very personal affair, much like setting up your gear.  With today’s accessories available for the AR and AK platfo...