Re: Tactical Concealment to be used in my classes
Nicely done. I have a cobra hood already en route from Tactical concealment. Looks like I made the right choice.
You're absolutely right about the unsuitability of military type ghillie suits for LE Snipers. I made my first ghillie from scratch: I used an OD flight suit (always go a size OR TWO bigger!), netting, canvas, etc., and followed the Marine Corps recipe. I ended up with a phenomenal suit for Red Dawn, but completely wrong for LE sniping. For one thing, my full suit is hot as balls 10 months out of the year here in south Florida, even with a back vent.
(I know, everyone thinks south Florida is all concrete and beaches. No one realizes that the hood is full of overgrown lots, and the nicer homes all have some sort of foliage you can blend with. I get more use out of my ghillie than even I expected. But I digress...)
Second, there are only a few pockets to store gear. I really had to be selective in what I would take on a Callout: spare mag, radio, range finder, notepad/pencil, sub-compact side arm, quik-clot; that's it.
This cobra setup should really do the trick, if your experience is any indicator. I'll still be able to wear and access my vest, and throwing my gunslinger bag on shouldn't be a problem. Also, it should be small enough to pack in that bag for the "aw sh*t why didn't I ghillie up" moments!
Making that first suit is still an experience I would do again. You really can't underestimate the experience gained from dyeing and re-dyeing to get the color just right, experimenting with loose jute and strips of burlap (I prefer the latter), and just learning the art of concealment first hand. It is a right of passage for a reason, and today it seems too many people are using the easy button -- buying a ready made suit -- without the appreciation of what it takes to really get it right.
Thanks for this thread. I hope to contribute my own work soon!
-Geoff
если не я, то кто?
(If not me, then who?)