WFW #5: The Salute Seen Around the World

Being in various communities within SOCOM, some of our people nominated don't ring a bell with some of our supporting members. While I hadn't heard of Josh Hargis when his name came across my desk, we vetted his service and started in on the project. During the coordination of the package did I finally place the name with the story.

Full story found here:
The Salute Seen Around the World.

I had seen the picture and heard the story and it made this package that much cooler to be able to coordinate something for him.

When my friends and I started this little project, it was to show the guys who's careers ended early that they weren't forgotten. That regardless of insignia worn on their uniform, the rest of our community takes their sacrifice seriously. It was an honor to set this package up for such a solid example of SOF. Josh was nominated by a fellow Ranger and through coordination with his wife and friend we got a hell of a package put together.

We typically ask what type of gun or thing would the vet want but would never buy for themselves. For Josh that was a 300wm long range rifle. With all our packages we start with a goal and then see what the industry is willing to support. Through this process, we have built some pretty amazing relationships with companies that jump at the opportunity to support and continue to do so.

WFW #5 consisted of:

Rifle was built and coated Stumpies Custom Guns

A Defiance long action

A custom painted and engraved chassis by PDC Customs

Barrel once again supplied by Bartlein Barrels 

Bipod Supplied by Atlas once again

Custom knife done by one of our own at Rustick Knives

Trigger and muzzle brake were actually donated by civilian donors out of their own good will.

The generosity of this industry never ceases to amaze.

It's looks like this that make this worth it. 

The gun seems to be well loved and hopefully will be for many years to come.,

WFW #4 300WM for a Frog

Very happy SEAL receiving his new gun. 

We happened to award #4 and #5 out of order, which in the end doesn't matter as the guys still ended up with their weapons. It only mattered because they were numbered but don't judge us, nobody is perfect. We were reached out to by a SEAL out of Virginia Beach, who had a friend who was being medically retired. After a lengthy career this SEAL Chief had lost his leg in an IED overseas and was being released back into the wild. We reached out to his girlfriend and started to piece together what he would want.

After some communication and coordination we started to piece together a package for him. He wanted a long range precision rifle in 300wm that he could hunt with, shoot and enjoy. After some communication with some of our industry partners we had the amazing offer from Terry Cross at KMW rifles to supply an entire rifle to this unknowing operator. This SEAL asked very nicely, once awarded, that we keep his identity secret and supplied these pics in thanks. In keeping with requested privacy that is as in depth as we will go into his background but the package was well received and we cannot thank all the companies who supplied items enough for their help to our little project.

Final package:

KMW Longsword 300WM by Terry Cross: 26" 300WM in a KMW Sentinel Stock.
https://www.kmwlrs.com

Applied Ballistics Kestrel donated by Kestrel
Kestrel Weather Meters

Rustick Knives Field Knife donated by one of our own, Jack Stottlemire at Rustick Knives
https://www.rustickknives.com

Atlas Bipod Donated by B&T industries
http://www.accu-shot.com/

Soft goods donated by Armageddon gear
https://www.armageddongear.com

We couldn't do any of this without the blind faith in us by the companies that continue to donate product. It cannot be stressed enough that we do not have hands on any of these product prior to award and all weapons are transferred through a FFL on location to each recipient.

WFW #3: Big bore for a Green Beret

So a little late getting this post up but better late than never. This was the second package or two Green Berets injured in the same IED blast. See WFW #2 for Jared Bullock's story.

WFW #3 Goes to Cody Ensly. I had spoke with his wife multiple times about what type of weapon he would want but would never buy himself. Being a gun guy, Cody had a lot of your typical wish list type guns already crossed off his list. Finally his wife got back with us with his wish. He wanted a 375 Cheytec or 50 cal....

Here at Weapons for Warriors we like to shoot for the stars so we put our heads down and started making calls. The industry again did not fail to produce.

Donations include:

Desert Tech HTI in 375 Cheytec: https://deserttech.com

Vortex Razor 5-20x Scope: http://vortexoptics.com

Atlas Bipod: http://www.accu-shot.com

Kestrel Ballistic Computer: Kestrel Elite 5700

Sling, Weapons bag, soft goods from Armageddon Gear: http://www.armageddongear.com

Custom Knife from Rustick Knives: http://www.rustickknives.com

Supplements from: 18 Series Nutrition https://www.18seriesnutrition.com

40 Rounds of Ammunition from Copper Creed Cartridge Company: http://www.coppercreekammo.com

Paint by Dimensions by Holmes:

We had one of our crew, who is also Special Forces, drive out with it to surprise him at a range local to Cody's house. He was going under the impression that his wife had bought a range day Groupon. Needless to say he was a bit surprised at what he showed up to.

After many thanks, Cody got to enjoy some time with a brother. It cannot be put into words the experience it is to award these men with something like this. The expressions on their face realizing it isn't by a charity or civilian organization. These packages are put together by fellow operators as a way to show them they are still one of us.

None of this could be possible without the donations of companies like the ones above. When you go to spend your hard earned dollars please think about where it is going. These companies jumped at the opportunity to show their appreciation for someone who gave so much of themselves and asked for nothing in return.

Please keep an eye on this page as we have 3 packages to award in 2017, If you may know a warrior who deserves a visit by WFW, please feel free to contact us on our Facebook page www.weaponsforwarriors.com. Information and rules are listed on this blog.

WFW #2- A Green Beret, well most of one.

After WFW #1, the feedback we received was amazing. Looking to line up our 2015 packages two Green Berets were nominated by a friend. Reaching out to their wives, we were made aware of some wishes they had as far as weaponry and we were off and running. 

Our First package goes to Jared Bullock, described on his athlete Facebook page:

"I am a retired SOF guy and an amputee since 11-13-13. Since that time, I have become an OCR racer and want to inspire other to do great things in life."

Jared's drive to never quit and help others in his situation played a enormous part in our deciding to award him. A double amputation and still the never quit attitude to persevere, succeed and excel in life, bringing a great credit upon himself and the brotherhood of Green Berets he belongs to. 

Jared's wife said he had been talking about an AR10 for hunting, so off the WFW cadre went looking to lineup the best possible package we could. 

Donations Include: 

Mega Arms: Billet Upper and lower receiver http://www.megaarms.com

Bartlien Barrels: 18.5" 308 caliber barrel (2nd time they've donated) http://www.bartleinbarrels.com

Weibad: rear bag and ground pad https://wiebad.mybigcommerce.com

Accushot: Bipod https://www.accu-shot.com

Magpul: PRS Buttstock, MIAD grip, Magazine www.magpul.com

Armageddon Gear: rifle bag, rear bag, sling http://www.armageddongear.com

Copper Creek Cartridge Company: 308 Ammunition http://www.coppercreekammo.com

Matt Helm Knives: Custom hunting knife https://www.facebook.com/MattHelmKnives

Geissele Automatics: 2- stage match trigger https://geissele.com

Seekins Precision: Bolt and carrier, misc Small parts  http://www.seekinsprecision.com

Centurion Arms: rail assembly http://www.centurionarms.com/Default.asp

Badger Ordnance: charging handle, scope mount, selector https://www.badgerordnance.com

CORE Shooting solutions: range membership, DROS http://www.coreshooting.com

Dimensions by Holmes: Paint of entire rifle/scope http://dimensionsbyholmes.com

GA Precision: Barrel Chambering and Assembly http://www.gaprecision.net

Civilian Donations: muzzle brake and Nightforce Scope

After almost a year, the package was done and ready to be awarded. Now how to get Jared to our award site (CORE Shooting, in Baker FL) without his knowing. With his wife in on the plot, she talked Jared into a Groupon range day and the scene was set. 

The WFW staff had little time to get the package arranged before they arrived to burn some powder. We talked for a brief moment before showing Jared the rifle he would be shooting today, very excited to get his hands on a nice rifle we let him know he would also be leaving with it. The genuine amazement and surprise on his face made all our hard work worth it. The ability to gift something like this to a brother in arms who has literally given limbs in service for our amazing country is a life changing experience. 

We helped Jared get it zeroed and on steel out to 950 yards. An enormous grin across his face the entire time. 

We hope it brings Jared as much pleasure of ownership as it brought us awarding him this amazing package from some awesome industry leaders. We please ask that you remember and support the amazing companies that support us here at WFW. Without them we would not be able to do this for these amazing soldiers who gave so much for us. 

WFW #1: AWARDED!

Today I (Joe) had the amazing opportunity to award our first package to its new owner. Needless to say he was blown away. We were able to get out to the range, get the rifle zero'd and setup for him. This has to be one of the most rewarding things I have ever had the opportunity to setup. 

WFW #1: Once a Sniper Always a Sniper

Proudly I get to announce our first package being delivered tomorrow to one very deserving operator.

Disclaimer before we begin: Here at WFW we strive to help fellow operators who have given something for their county and in doing so give support to the companies that allow us to do that by donating so generously. In an attempt to allow these operators to continue in their lives without being posted about online for the world to see, we will give brief descriptions of their situation without divulging their names,  or individual units other then service affiliation. Any picture of individuals will be blurred for their protection unless otherwise approved.

Now with that being said, our first package is for a member of Naval Special Warfare who lost his leg above the knee during combat operations overseas. For those joining in late I (Joe) was approached by his unit to assist them in purchasing a rifle for him. This interaction was the catalyst and beginning of what I hope will become a large ongoing project now known as Weapons for Warriors.

After a few phone calls to the companies listed below we had a truly amazing package starting to materialize. The pouring of support by these companies cannot be overstated and many thanks from all of us here at WFW to those who rogered up to help us.

Donations included:

Defiance Machine: a Deviant Long Action with magnum bolt face http://defiancemachine.com

Mile High Shooting Accessories: AX Rifle Chassis http://milehighshooting.com

Bartlien Barrels: 26" 30 Cal rifle barrel blank http://bartleinbarrels.com

Timney Triggers: Calvin Elite R700 Trigger http://www.timneytriggers.com

Accu-Shot: Atlas Bipod and Monopod http://www.accu-shot.com/Atlas_Bipods.php

Vortex Optics: Razor 5-20 rifle scope http://www.vortexoptics.com

Spuhr AB: Scope mount http://spuhr.com

Gunworks Elite: Cerakote work on entire package http://gunworkselite.com

Combat Swag: Data Book http://www.combat-swag.com/COMBAT-SWAG.html

Crowner Knives: custom knife and sheath http://jeffcrownerknives.blogspot.com

The rifle was expertly built by Marc Soulie of Spartan Precision Rifles http://www.spartanrifles.com

Please excuse my horrible pictures, I am camera challenged currently. A situation to be fixed in the future.

I am extremely happy with the final result and I'm sure the deserving operator will as well. Please follow us for more updates on future projects, and continue to feed your nominations to our Facebook page until we set up our email accounts.

Welcome to WFW: Weapons for Warriors

Welcome to Weapons for Warriors (WFW). Our sole purpose is to remember and appreciate those warriors who were wounded while serving at the tip of the spear. Being all active duty ourselves, the contributors and people associated with this project hold strong ties and serve in varying units falling under USSOCOM. I (Joe) started this project quite by accident when a friend of mine contacted me when a member of his unit was injured and his unit was looking to purchase this operator a rifle. This young sniper had taken a round to the back of one of his legs causing it to be amputated from above the knee. The only thing he was worried about even after his injury was when he could get back with his unit and continue to operate. People like this are the reason I love my job and continue to strive to be apart of this small community of extraordinary people.

 I have a few friends within the industry so they were looking if I had any suggestions on where to look to make their hard earned dollars go a little farther. After some thought I advised them to hold on while I made some phone calls to see what I could set up. I was overwhelmed with the response from the firearms and tactical industry jumping at the opportunity to help this young man with a promise of nothing in return, no high dollar advertisements or promotions. More to follow on this endeavor soon but after wrapping this project up I started thinking about how I could help more warriors wounded yet still wanting to be in the fight. Help given by operators for other operators, not used for political gain, or public support but because these brothers gave something in service for a country they believe in and care so dearly for. So here we sit at our first blog post, hopefully one of many. I will start to look for submissions to be picked by our panel of operators for worthy warriors.

Submissions must follow this criteria:

1. Must be verifiable SOF (through a known unit commander, certificate, reputation etc. This is in an effort to keep this project from being exploited by fakes)

2. Must be submitted by a fellow SOF warrior or spouse (verifiable)

3. You do not get to pick and choose what we set up but do get to give feedback if selected. Kinda like the popular television show Overhaulin' we are going to be going off donations and other people's time and money. If your attitude is anything other than gratitude and support you will receive no help/ items and another warrior will be chosen.

4. DO NOT LET THE PERSON KNOW! What would be the fun if the nominated individual knew the whole time? Let us have our fun.

I chose to do this for SOCOM unit warriors only simply due to the members of WFW being all under SOCOM ourselves. Sadly in the world we live in there are too many people willing to pretend to be something they are not for personal gain. We have ways to verify service within SOCOM and verify the validity of certificates so we are sticking to it. There will be no exceptions to this rule, I apologize.

Disclaimer: Here at WFW we strive to help fellow operators who have given something for their county and in doing so give support to the companies that allow us to do that by donating so generously. In an attempt to allow these operators to continue in their lives without being posted about online for the world to see, we will give brief descriptions of their situation without divulging their names,  or individual units other then service affiliation. Any picture of individuals will be blurred for their protection unless otherwise approved.

We are doing this on our own time and using friends and connections to help fellow operators. I am going to try to set up things like pistols, rifles, knives, axes, shooting trips, competitions, courses of instruction, tactical gear etc. Things these men are intimately familiar with and keep them in the fight as well as show they are not forgotten and are dearly appreciated. I plan on using this blog as a way to show the support of the companies who donate as well as a place to write about ongoing projects.

thank you for your time, contact for submissions will be posted as soon as I can setup an account.

please like and share us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/weaponsforwarriors