Readers;

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance of early breast cancer detection. This disease hits close to home as one of our own is bravely fighting this battle. We can all make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. It can be as simple as encouraging regular screening tests for loved ones and friends or by participating in an event designed to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. Regardless of how you chose to participate, please participate. Every little bit helps support the goal of ending this terrible disease.

We are participating in the 2009 Komen Tidewater Race for the Cure 5K in Virginia Beach on October 17. If you live in the area, please come out and show your support.

I am patting myself on the back as I extend a Happy Birthday to the US Navy BEFORE their birthday tomorrow. (Regular readers know that I have a habit of forgetting important dates!) Tomorrow marks the 234th birthday of the United States Navy. Thank you to the fine men and women who serve in the US Navy and in all branches of our military.

Stay safe.

Zach Taylor

Managing Editor, Blackwater Tactical Weekly
Please continue to submit your suggestions to btw@ustraining.com

- EZRA KLEIN, Washington Post columnist, mocking President Obama's surprise win of the Nobel Peace Prize

Q+A-Is it the Nobel "Peace" or "Political" prize?
October 9, 2009
Reuters
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON, Oct 9 (Reuters) - The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday to President Barack Obama, the third prominent U.S. Democrat to win recently, only seemed to reinforce an impression the prize can be as much about politics as about peace.

Some observers interpreted the Nobel less than nine months into Obama's presidency, before he had had time to pursue much peace policy, as a last dagger from Europe tossed at Obama's Republican predecessor, former President George W. Bush, who was unpopular there.

Full Story

PRINCETON, NJ -- Gallup finds a new low of 44% of Americans saying the laws covering firearm sales should be made more strict. That is down 5 points in the last year and 34 points from the high of 78% recorded the first time the question was asked, in 1990.

Today, Americans are as likely to say the laws governing gun sales should be kept as they are now (43%) as to say they should be made more strict. Until this year, Gallup had always found a significantly higher percentage advocating stricter laws. At the same time, 12% of Americans believe the laws should be less strict, which is low in an absolute sense but ties the highest Gallup has measured for this response.

The Navy's new recruiting slogan, "America's Navy: A global force for good," was designed from the outset to motivate existing sailors as much as to entice young people to enlist.

But according to reactions by Navy Times readers in the week since the slogan was made public, that plan isn't working.

Tip of the Week:

Carbine Optics & Iron Sights

Many carbine shooters have come to rely solely upon a red-dot type sight such as an Aimpoint or Eotech as their only sighting system on their gun.

H. "Coy" Coyer
Firearms and Tactics Instructor

To view the latest contract opportunities at U.S. Training Center, visit our Contract Web Page

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Tactical Equipment Evaluation

GD Itronix MR1

First off you need to understand: I'm not a technology kind of guy. Sure, I like electrical toys that serve my purposes like flashlights and radios, but I couldn't tell you the strengths or weaknesses of particular radio designs or how the digital switching in some flashlights work. For all that, I've done some previous testing of laptops and was approached by General Dynamics Itronix to test their new MR1 "laptop". When I got the test unit I was more than surprised. I look at it as sort of a Blackberry on steroids.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.newamericantruth.com/reviews/other/gdmr1.htm

Review

A few months ago I was approached by a number of people specifically wanting advice on what they should do if they were out in public, legally carrying a firearm, and present when an "active shooter" event took place. Their actual actions and the morality / values that drove them were never in much debate. OF COURSE they were going to do all they could to protect their families and neutralize the shooter. The bigger challenge was how to identify themselves safely to responding law enforcement. Enter DSM Products Safety banners.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.newamericantruth.com/reviews/other/dsmbanners.htm

VITAL INGREDIENTS (Part 2 of 4)

DEVOTION
de·vo·tion
n.

1.	profound dedication; consecration.

2.	earnest attachment to a cause, person, etc.

3.	an assignment or appropriation to any purpose, cause, etc.

http://www.ustraining.com/new/btw/chaplain/101209chaplain.htm

NFL goes pink to highlight a crucial catch for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 5 2009
Las Vegas Pop Culture Examiner
Jennifer AlLee

Real men do wear pink. Especially when supporting a cause as important as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Calling their campaign A Crucial Catch, NFL players and coaches are sporting pink on everything from helmets, to towels, to shoes, to the palms of their gloves. And it doesn't stop there. Referees are wearing pink wristbands, and fields and stadiums are adorned in pink as well.

Full Story

Here are some links for charitable organizations.

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly does not endorse any organization over another nor encourage charitable contributions, we provide these links as a public service, and take no responsibility for the actual sites. Although we strive to validate the sites before linking we caution you to do your own research, as the internet is ripe with scams.

Folds of Honor Foundation provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving our great nation.

The greatest measure of respect that we can bestow upon a fallen hero is to step up, step in and support that soldier's family - to open our hearts, extend our embrace and lend a generous hand, providing for others in a selfless manner that would make any patriot proud.

Folds of Honor is committed to helping the families of our fallen service members. Our vision is for every such spouse or dependent to have the financial freedom and opportunity to pursue higher education. With your support, we can present an ongoing tribute to our brave men and women who have given so much for us. Please join us in this most honorable of efforts.

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly is a free weekly e-publication.

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly provides readers valuable information from diverse sources regarding tactical and strategic security issues.

Managing Editor - Zach Taylor (ztaylor@ustraining.com)
Format Editor - Jennifer Granoff (jgranoff@ustraining.com)
Frank's Review - Frank Borelli (frank@borelliconsulting.com)
Chaplain's Corner - Chaplain D. R. Staton (chpln1@verizon.net)
Advertising - Jennifer Granoff (jgranoff@ustraining.com
All other inquiries – btw@ustraining.com

Questions regarding Security Consulting or US Training (252) 435-2035

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