Military / International Relations / National Security

Poland: Caught in the Crosshairs, Hoover Institution
The Army’s next infantry assault buggy might be a classic ‘G.I. Joe’ battlewagon, Task & Purpose
Russian nuclear engineers killed by explosion, Al Jazzera
Norse Heathenism believing airman gets beard waiver granted, paves way for more religious exemptions, War is Boring
Deterring and Defeating Chinese Neo-Imperialism, Small Wars Journal
Marine major who emailed classified information to warn of a potential Afghanistan insider attack should be retained, panel finds, Marine Corps Times
Soldier accused of stealing 43 pairs of night vision goggles from Fort Bragg due in court, Stars & Stripes
Eid al-Adha attack kills Filipino soldiers, child in Sulu, Al Jazzera
Ukraine’s president offers citizenship to Russian political refugees, Reuters
U.S. Military Calls ISIS in Afghanistan a Threat to the West. Intelligence Officials Disagree., Homeland Security Newswire
Making Sense of U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan., Rand Corp.
WWIII the only option to reboot the world?, Pravda Report
The Marine Corps has reinvented itself throughout its history. The new Commandant is doing it again., Task & Purpose
Why Are the Taliban Reluctant to Declare a Ceasefire?. The Diplomat
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley’s Four Myths of War, Small Wars Journal
NATO jet chased off by aircraft escorting Russian defense minister’s plane, Moscow says, The Hill
Military probes possible friendly fire in Marine death, Politico
Deep in the Mountains of Honduras, Few Know What this U.S. Military Task Force Does, Small Wars Journal
A-10 re-winging completed, will keep Warthog in the air until late 2030s, Air Force Times
Russia Orders Evacuation of Village Near Site of Nuclear Accident. NY Times
Rocky Bleier’s vulnerability on display in documentary following his return to Vietnam, Stars & Stripes
Coast Guard officer on Maine-based ship relieved of command, Stars & Stripes
Commandos’ Behavior Prompts Pentagon Review of Special Operations Culture, NY Times
FBI seeking to question alleged Al Qaeda operative in Brazil, Reuters

Homeland Security / First Responder / Wildland Fire

Mass Shootings Give Rise To Bullet-Resistant Backpacks, In Homeland Security
Border Numbers Dip Below 100k For 1st Time In Months, In Homeland Security
Mont. lab provides firefighters with insights and tools to battle wildfires, Fire Rescue 1
Good for Google, Bad for America, Homeland Security Newswire
To avoid future “El Pasos” and “Daytons,” it’s time to invest in prevention, Brookings
The Notre-Dame fire: Battling “something bigger than life”, Fire Rescue 1
NYPD Officer Dies by Suicide—8th this Year, Police One
Rikers Island officers save coworker from brutal sexual assault, LE Today
What’s new in fire department apparatus bay design and technology, Fire Rescue 1
Protestors threaten ICE contractors, their kids and pets: “We know where all your children live”, LE Today
Are mass shootings in America actually “lost cause terrorism”?, LE Today
5 children killed in fire at Pa. daycare center, Fire Rescue 1
The dirty dozen: Updating the ’10 deadly errors’ of policing, Police 1
Wildfire Devastated Town Offers $20K Signing Bonuses to Officers, LE Today

Mountain

6 Weeks to Stronger Fingers: Anticipating and Avoiding Injury, Climbing Magazine
Wolf Tried To Drag Camper From Tent At Banff National Park, Unofficial Networks
Industry Buzz: Hobie, ORU, microplastics in our rain, a hiker death, Mystery Ranch’s climbing packs, and more, SNEWS
Road Kill Costs Millions, Endangers Lives, and Hurts Wildlife Populations. Here’s a Plan to Fix That, Outdoor Life
Mikaela Shiffrin Joins Adidas In Multi-Year Partnership, Unofficial Networks
Why Thru-Hikers Are Obsessed with Fantasy Books, Outside
New Eberlestock Technical Hunting Apparel!, Eastmans
More Multiyear Snow Droughts Are Probably in Our Future, Adventure Journal
We Tried to Do Vanlife Right. It Broke Us Down., Outside
Lessons from Extreme Adventures with Jerry Holl, Julie Hotz and Ryan Higginbotham, REI Co-Op Journal
Police Believe That Criminals Cut Sea-To-Sky Gondola Cable Causing A Major Disaster, Unofficial Networks

Fitness / Health / Wellness / Nutrition

The fertility business is booming, The Economist
Mail-in DNA test results bring surprises about family history for many users, Pew Research Center
The Secret to Better Performance? Restful Sleep., OUtside
Up to half of patients withhold life-threatening issues from doctors, Science Daily
Teen vaping tied to marijuana use, Reuters
The World Happiness Report and the science of personal happiness, Stuff.co.nz
Here’s What It Takes to Feed an Entire NFL Team, Muscle & Fitness
5 Science-Backed Weight Loss Exercises That Just Work, Yahoo
5 Red Flags To Look Out For When Choosing a Personal Trainer, Muscle & Fitness
Eating Red Meat Tied to Increased Breast Cancer Risk, NY Times
Eating Red Meat Tied to Increased Breast Cancer Risk, Web
Your Guide to ‘Female Viagra’, Web MD
Opinion: Five things I wish I knew earlier in my journey with chronic pain, STAT
Is Doing Too Many Reps Killing Your Strength and Muscle Gains?, Stack
The Fine Art of Drinking the Right Amount of Water, Outside

Interesting

Why aren’t there any left-handed quarterbacks in the NFL?, Stars & Stripes
Portland, Oregon, braces for far-right rally and counterprotest, Stars & Stripes
The Rural America Death Spiral, Real Clear Defense
Blue Origin Files Protest Over Flawed’ Air Force Launch Procurement, Real Clear Defense
The Best Multi-Tool, NY Times
The Truth About Asia’s Elephant Tourism, The Diplomat
Marine who sent Nazi imagery to ‘Terminal Lance’ creator gets busted down to private, Stars & Stripes
Uber lost over $5bn in the second quarter, The Economist
The Best (and Mostly Affordable) Classic Cars You Can Buy from 1985-1995, Gear Patrol
Ancient pigs endured a complete genomic turnover after they arrived in Europe, Science Daily
The New Ford Ranger Was Outsold By The Notably Ancient Nissan Frontier, Gear Patrol
NASA’s First Water-Powered Spacecraft Successfully Orbits Earth. Mashable India

By Rob Shaul

In my programming rubric, “Work Capacity Events” are extended bouts of cardiorespiratory and muscular stress at high, but submaximal levels. Work Capacity is where it all comes together – aerobic base, sprint cardio, raw strength, strength endurance, and mental fitness.

Gym Based Work Capacity Efforts are multi-modal, intense events lasting up to 30 minutes. These combine Aerobic Base + Aerobic Power + Muscular Strength + Muscular Endurance – or the ability to perform at a high percentage of VO2 max, with a high percentage of muscular strength.  Understand that Anaerobic Training cannot be continued on forever, unlike steady-state aerobic exercise – which is why I try to limit these events to 30 minutes.

Anaerobic work is so intense cardiac output exceeds oxygen consumption, glycogen (carbohydrate) replaces fat as the primary fuel source. But glycogen is metabolized and broken down into lactic acid. We believe Anaerobic events are the type most probable in an intense/dangerous tactical or mountain situation – movement under fire, ground pursuit, hard, fast final push to the summit.

Gym-based Work Capacity efforts are Anaerobic training and are so intense that the athlete will fail in a relatively short time (<1 hour.)  Intense work capacity efforts train the athlete to tolerate lactic acid and train at a higher percentage of his or her VO2 max. The athlete develops a higher tolerance for intensive endurance-type exercise.

In MTI programming, when you see “Work Capacity” as one of the training session objectives, what follows will be 1-3 work capacity “events” depending on duration. I generally program events with target durations of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 minutes.

Most individual training sessions will have 2-3, 5-minute work capacity events, 1-2, 10-minute events, or a single 15, 20, or 30 minute event. I consciously design the events and format the event to match the intended duration.

In the perfectly designed work capacity event, the athlete will reach cardio and muscular failure right at the end of the prescribed event duration.

I’ve found over the years that work capacity event design is as much an art as science, but beyond the duration, there are several mistakes I’ve made and seen in work capacity event design which negatively impact the intent to “work capacity.”

(1) Prescribing Load which is Too Heavy.

Crossfit founder Greg Glassman is credited with popularizing gym-based multi-modal work capacity events which include barbell or dumbbell exercise. One of the common mistakes I’ve made myself in designing these, and have seen in other coaches and programming course students, is making the prescribed load too heavy.

If the load is too heavy for the free weight exercise in the event, the athlete will have to “break” the reps, which results in a short rest, and subsequent decrease in heart rate. By definition, coaches what to keep the heart pumping throughout the work capacity event, and stop because the load is too heavy works against this.

See the 5-minute work capacity event below, and the two different loads for the Power Clean. (Note, “75/115#” = women use 75# and men use 135#)

(1) 5 Rounds for Time

• • 5x Power Clean @ 75/115#
  • 5x Burpees
  • 5x Box Jumps @ 20/24″

(1) 5 Rounds for Time

• • 5x Power Clean @ 115/185#
  • 5x Burpees
  • 5x Box Jumps @ 20/24″

In the top example, most mountain and tactical athletes we work with will be able to complete the 5x power cleans in all 5 Rounds unbroken – though doing so would be progressively harder. However, in the bottom example, after the first round, most athletes would have to “break” the power cleans into sets of 1-2 reps because of the loading and strength – thus allowing a cardio rest.

The bottom event is an example where the load is too heavy for a work capacity event.

Identifying the proper loading for these events is where the “art” of work capacity design comes in, as well as the coach’s experience with his/her athletes. As well, understand that for MTI, fitness programming’s focus is outside performance. What this means is I’m less concerned with the athlete’s finish time with this event, and more concerned with ensuring he/she works hard for at or near the 5 minute duration.

What if I had a strong athlete smoking through the 75/115# Power Cleans in the top example and looking to finish this event in 3 minutes? I’d modify the event on the fly for this individual. I’d say, “boy Johnny, congrats on being so strong!  Change it to 8 rounds!”

(2) Overworking The Shoulders, Low Back, or Grip.

See the example work capacity event below. See the problem?

(1) 6 Rounds, Every 90 Seconds, wearing a 25# Weight Vest

• • 10x Hinge Lift @ 95/135#
  • 10x Swings @ 16/20kg
  • 4x Prone to Sprint

In this example, the athlete’s low back will get smoked, and he/she may need to rest prematurely because every exercise in this work capacity event is low back intensive, including the prone to sprints in a vest. Each time the athlete pushes himself up from the floor, the low back is worked.

Here’s another example which overloads the shoulders:

(1) 6 Rounds, Every 90 Seconds, wearing a 25# Weight Vest

• • 8x Push Press @ 65/95#
  • 8x Sandbag Burpees @ 40/60#
  • 4x 1-Arm Dumbbell Snatch @ 25/35#

In this example, it’s likely the athlete will need to stop and rest, no so much because of the loading, but because every exercise in this event hammers the shoulders. This is bad design.

Finally, here’s an example which overloads the grip:

(1) 15 Minute AMRAP (As Many Rounds as Possible)

• • 10x Dumbbell Hinge Lift @ 25/35#
  • 20x Step Ups holding Dumbbells @ 25/35#
  • Run 200m with Dumbbells

Would this work the grip? Absolutely. Would the athlete likely have to stop and rest multiple times because his/her grip is smoked? Yep …. and with every stop, the heart rate slows down, negating the cardio intent of work capacity training.

(3) Not Working the Legs.

The legs are the biggest muscles in the body, and it’s difficult to push the heart rate without working them. See the example below:

(1) 6 Rounds for time

• • 10x Bench Press @ 75/135#
  • 3/6x Mixed Grip Pull Ups
  • 10x Sit Ups

Would this event raise the athlete’s heart rate? Yes … but not to the near panic-level breathing we’d like to see. Replace the 10x Sit Ups with 15x Box Jumps and the effect on the heart rate would be dramatic. Remember … work capacity trains both strength and cardio, simultaneously. To do so, you have to work the legs.

(4) Garbage Reps

The focus of avoiding “Garbage Reps” in work capacity event design is to help preserve knee health.

“Garbage Reps” are loaded, deep squat or lunge movements not heavy enough to build strength, and generally designed as part of a work capacity effort.

Here would be a work capacity event example from my own programming:

(1) 10 Rounds for Time

• • 10x Back Squat @ 95/135#
  • 5x Scotty Bobs @ 15/25#
  • 10x Box Jumps
  • 10x Ankles to Bar

Those 100x Back Squats are the “Garbage Reps” – and I’m concerned about the effect of this type of high volume, light to medium load in a work capacity event on long term knee health. Years ago I began to consciously eliminate this type of effort from MTI’s work capacity event design for mountain and tactical athletes.

Again, “Garbage Reps” are high volume, lightly or moderately loaded, deep squatting or lunging exercises in a work capacity event. Exercises to avoid:

• Lightly loaded lunging movements including high volume, loaded, walking lunges, in-place lunges, Rob Shauls, Curtis P’s, overhead walking lunges, etc.
• High volume squatting movements including hand squat cleans, overhead squats, front squats, back squats, goblet squats, wall balls, etc.

Importantly, bodyweight lunging or squatting movements (unloaded) don’t count as “garbage reps” and can be prescribed, however, I rarely do this. Why? Shuttle sprint repeats work the legs, hammer the lungs, and don’t involve deep knee flexion, and are incredibly transferrable to outside performance.

As well, some light or moderately loaded deep squatting or lunging movements in MTI programming design are purposely used to train strength. The best example of this are Quadzillas, which use light dumbbells and are specifically designed to train eccentric leg strength for skiing and downhill hiking/running.

As well, loaded exercises which use the legs, but don’t involve deep knee flexion are not Garbage Reps and can be prescribed in work events. Examples include power clean variations and hinge lift variations.

Some of MTI’s older and legacy plans still have Garbage Reps prescribed in work capacity events. When I see these changed to sprints, box jumps or something similar which work the legs but aren’t Garbage Reps.

(5) Too Many Exercises

I went to one of the first Crossfit Certifications – way back in 2005, and I distinctly remember Glassman caution not to use too many exercises when designing these work capacity events. “Two to three are best,” he said.

I had just started coaching then – part-time, but as soon as I returned to Wyoming totally forgot Glassman’s wisdom and began designing work capacity events with 5, 6, 7, and on up different exercises. My events would look something like this:

10-1 Countdown for Time

• • Hinge Lift @ 135/185#
  • Scotty Bobs @ 15/25#
  • 2x Swings @ 16/20kg
  • Box Jumps @ 24″
  • Pull Ups
  • Ball Slams @ 25#
  • Keg Lift

I would forget all about weight room flow, limited equipment, limited space in this design, and get caught up not in how effective the event trained the fitness goal, but rather how hard it was, and how clever I could be in grouping multiple exercises together.

In all my program design, as I’ve learned, and improved, stuff has been cut away. With myself, and with coaches who’ve worked for me, at first, you just make stuff too darn complicated, or “sophisticated.” We often say “sophisticated design is immature” …. and that after running through this event myself I’d realize it had 4-5 too many exercises and was just overly complicated and stupid. Today, this event would look like this:

20 Minute AMRAP

• • 10x Hinge Lift @ 95/135#
  • 5x Scotty Bobs @ 15/25#
  • Run 200m

(6) Complicated Rep Counts

This is a simple mistake, but important one. The rep count for the different exercises in a work capacity event needs to be easy to remember. So, instead of this complicated to remember rep scheme:

8 Rounds for Time

• • 7x Power Cleans @ 75/115#
  • 13x Burpees
  • 4x Prone to Sprint

Use this:

8 Rounds for Time

• • 8x Power Cleans @ 75/115#
  • 8x Burpees
  • 8x Prone to Sprint

Questions, Comments, Feedback? Email rob@mtntactical.com

You Might Also Like Garbage Reps

By Rob Shaul

BUY Packet and save 30% NOW

OVERVIEW 

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

• Fully-Equipped Functional Fitness Gym including bars, racks, bumpers, plyo boxes, sandbags
• 25# Weight Vest, IBA, or back pack
• 45# Ruck

COMMON QUESTIONS

What order should the plans be completed it? 
We recommend the order listed above, I, II, III, IV, V, and VI

What if I miss a day?
Begin where you left off when you return to training. This program is progressed – each session builds upon the prior session – so don’t skip a session or skip around. Follow the training sessions in order, regardless.

What if I can’t do the whole session?
If you don’t have enough time to complete the whole session, you can split the session into two.

What is the difference between the Busy Operator Plans and Greek Hero plans or Daily Operator Sessions
1. Session Duration – The Busy Operator plan training sessions are designed to last 35-45 minutes. The Greek Hero/Daily Operator gym-based sessions are designed to last 60 minutes, and some endurance sessions can extend to 75-90 minutes.

2. Tactical Agility is not trained in the Busy Operator plans.

3. Both Series are designed as day to day programming for tactical athletes, but the Busy Operator Plans are designed for Tactical Athletes who can’t commit to train 60+ minutes per day.

I’m a Tactical Athlete and have plenty of time to train each day, but why shouldn’t I just do the Busy Operator Sessions to save time?
There is no shortcut in fitness training. Training 35 min/day won’t leave you as fit as if you trained 60 min/day. If you have the time, do the Greek Hero or Daily Operator Sessions.

What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.

Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run/Ruck Calculators are listed as an exercise.

Can I see sample training?
Yes – click on each individual training plan above, then click the “Sample Training” tab at the plan product page to see sample training.

How do I access the plan?
You can access the plan via username and password either through our website or through our app ((Mtn Tactical Fitness) available for IOS and Android.

Can I print out sessions to take to the gym?
Yes – you can print a week of programming at a time.

More questions? Email coach@mtntactical.com

By Rob Shaul

MTI is looking for remote lab rats for an upcoming, multi-modal 5 day/week, 3.5 weeks “Mini-Study.”

The Mini-Study will test the following:

1) The effect of Kettlebell/Dumbbell Swings to improve Hinge Lift 1 Rep Max strength.

Details: Lab Rats will be broken into two groups. Both groups will perform a 1RM Hinge Lift early in the cycle. Group A will use the 1RM Hinge Lift load and complete MTI’s Density Strength Progression. Group B will perform a max dumbbell/kettlebell swing effort in 90 seconds, and a follow-on volume progression based on the athlete’s swing assessment. At the end of the cycle both groups will re-test the 1RM Hinge Lift.

2) Density vs. Super Squat Progression to Increase Bench Press and Back Squat 1 Rep Max strength.

Details: Lab Rats will be broken into two groups. Both groups will assess 1RM Back Squat and Bench Press early in the cycle. Group A will continue with MTI’s Density progression. Group B will continue with MTI’s Super Squat progression. At the end of the cycle, both groups will re-test 1RM Back Squat and Bench Press and the results will be used to compare the effectiveness of the two progressions.

3) Loaded vs. unloaded running to improve 1.5 mile run performance. 

Details: Lab Rats will be broken into two groups. Both groups will assess a 1.5 mile run for time early in the cycle. Group A will continue with MTI’s Speed over Ground Progression based on the athlete’s 1.5 mile run assessment. Group B will run 800m interval repeats in Individual Body Armor or a 25# Weight Vest or back pack. At the end of the cycle, both groups will re-assess for the 1.5 mile run and the results will be compared between both groups.

Required Equipment:

• Weighroom with rack, bench, barbell and plates for the Hinge Lift, Back Squat and Bench Press
• 35# Dumbbell or 16kg Kettlebell for women in Group B, 55# Dumbbell or 24kg Kettlebell for men in Group B.
• Track or known 1.5 mile and 800m distances for the run efforts. Group B will need either Individual Body Armor (IBA) or a 25# Weight Vest or backpack.

Cycle Duration and Schedule:

This MTI “Mini Study” will take 3 weeks, plus the Monday and Tuesday of Week 4, so 3.5 weeks total. It will begin next week, Monday

Below will be the daily schedule:

• Monday: Strength – Hinge Lift or Swings, Bench Press, Back Squat
• Tuesday: 1.5 Mile Assessment or 800m repeats (loaded for Group B)
• Wednesday: Strength – Hinge Lift or Swings, Bench Press, Back Squat
• Thursday: 1.5 Mile Assessment or 800m repeats (loaded for Group B)
• Friday: Strength – Hinge Lift or Swings, Bench Press, Back Squat

Below is the Cycle outline by Group:

To Participate

• You’ll need to commit to train and 5 days/week for 3.5 weeks, and follow the programming.
• You’ll need the required equipment (see above)
• You’ll need to be an experienced, relatively fit athlete. This isn’t a cycle for unfit athletes, or athletes new to free weight-based strength training. You’ll need to know your way around a weight room.
• You’ll need to communicate back to MTI your pre and post-cycle1RM strength assessment results for the Hinge Lift, Bench Press and Back Squat, as well as your 1.5 mile assessment time, and for Group B, your pre-cycle 90 Second Max Swing effort.
• The cycle will begin Monday, August 19 and end, Tuesday, September 10, 2019.

Want to be an MTI Lab Rat?

Please email rob@mtntactical.com, and put “MTI Lab Rat” in the subject line.

Please include:

• your age
• sex
• height and weight
• training experience.
• please indicate if you already have an MTI account, and if so, the email for the account. Access to the cycle will be via the website.
• Finally, please verify you can commit to the 3.5 weeks, 5 day/week training cycle.

You’ll be assigned to Group A or B, and provided with further instructions next week. Training will start August 19.

Apply NOW

Military / Foreign Affairs / National Security

Tensions Spike as Turkey Threatens Syria Offensive, The Guardian
Admiral that oversaw Eddie Gallagher prosecution implicated in ‘Fat Leonard’ probe, Navy documents indicate, Task & Purpose
‘If we don’t kill these people they will kill you’: policing Africa’s largest slum, The Guardian
Taliban say differences resolved on US troop withdrawal, Stars & Stripes
Iran Has Hundreds of Naval Mines. The US Has a Handful of Old Minesweepers, Defense One
Pentagon chief: US would prevent ‘unacceptable’ Turkish invasion of Syria, The Hill
Shelling kills four Ukrainian soldiers in eastern Donbass, Reuters
Russia’s B-2 Lookalike Stealth Drone Just Flew for the 1st Time, Real Clear Defense
New Zealand decides to end Iraq mission, as Esper visits to boost overall defense cooperation, Stars & Stripes
Anti-Japan banners in Seoul taken down after public outcry, Al Jazerra
Chinese state media accuse US of ‘destroying international order’ – business live, The Guardian
Beyond Grunts and Pilots: Senior Leader Talent Management in the Marine Corps, War on the Rocks
Trump Imposes New Sanctions on Venezuela, NY Times
Drone strike on town in southern Libya kills at least 43: official, Reuters
Who Will Invade Brazil to Save the Amazon?, Foreignpolicy.com
New Army Laser Could Kill Cruise Missiles, Breaking Defense
North Korea took $2 billion in cyber attacks to fund weapons program: U.N. report, Reuters
Nordic countries see Russia flex its missile muscles, Defense News
Navy SEAL and Marine face hearing on Green Beret’s death, Navy Times
Australia won’t host U.S. missiles, prime minister says, Task & Purpose
New vice chief commits to ongoing US Army reform to build future force, Defense News
TacJobs – US Army Ranger, Soldier Systems
Hot Off The Press – TC 3-20.40, Training and Qualification, Individual Weapons, Soldier Systems

Homeland Security / First Responder / Wildland Fire

Gun violence in America: A true national security threat, Brookings
U.S. Military Spends Millions On Dangerous Chinese Tech With Known Cyber Risks, In Homeland Security
Hackers’ Latest Target: School Districts, Homeland Security Newswire
Mass Shootings and Mass Media, Officer.com
Texas grandmother foils mass shooting plot, LE Today
70 years ago today: Mann Gulch Fire, Wildfire Today
55 People Shot, 7 Killed in Bloody Chicago Weekend, Police Mag
New York State Lawmakers Propose Making Throwing Water on Cops a Felony, Tactical-Life.com
Video: Dayton Police Ended Shooting Rampage in 30 Seconds, Police Mag
Warrior mindset: 8 elements of tactical performance, Police One
Kan. man buys 1958 Navy plane to benefit state during wildfires, Firerescue1
Conservative cops are starting to run for office against police-hating politicians, LE Today
Filson Celebrates Wildland Firefighters With Stories From the Trenches, Gearjunkie
How wildfires trap carbon for centuries to millennia, Science Daily

Mountain

How To Get Out OF A Tree Well, Globosurf
The 5 Best Camper Trailers for Any Adventure, Gear Patrol
How to Clean a Hydration Bladder and Keep It Mold-Free, Outside
Poll | Do pedal-assist bikes or e-bikes belong on non-motorized trails? SNEWS
Affordable Satellite Phones: We Test 3 of the Best, Gearjunkie
10 Best Ski Exercises, Globosurf
Three Minutes of Mindblowing Footage Atop the Mont Blanc MassifAdventure Journal
45 Ski Areas Have Closed In The United States Over The Past 20 Years, Unofficial Networks
The Political Battle for America’s Public Land Is Happening Below the Radar, Outdoor Life
Video: Mountain Biker Fights Off Grizzly Bear With Ski Pole And Knife In Life-or-Death Struggle, Unofficial networks
Geotagging and Social Media in Our Modern Age of Conservation, REI Co-op Journal
Opinion: As Olympic Qualifiers Approach, Outdoor Sends Are Irrelevant for Comp Climbers, Climbing Mag
It’s time to stop blaming “influencers” for everything and move on to solutions, Outdoor Collective

Fitness / Nutrition / Wellness

Norseman triathlon tests toughest minds and bodies, BBC News
Garmin MARQ Athlete In-Depth Review, DC Rainmaker
5 Mind-Blowing Facts About CrossFit Games Winner, Mat Fraser, Men’s Health
Three Emerging Insights About Happiness, Berkley University
New ‘smart gym’ in the Valley provides shorter, more effective workouts, Fox News Phoenix
Preventing ACL Tears, Fitness Myths, and Rotator Cuff Repair Failures, Mike Reinhold
Haider Warraich: ‘We do everything in our modern lifestyle to hurt the heart’, The Guardian
Jogging and five other exercises ward off weight gain despite ‘obesity genes’, Science Daily
A Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimer’s. Should You Get One?, NY Times
How to Treat Elbow Pain (AKA Tennis Elbow), Outside
Bulletproof Your Ankles, Breaking Muscle
Nike Just Revealed New Data on the Vaporfly, Outside
How Tom Brady’s Still Defying the Laws of Football At Age 40, Mens Health
The Four-Week Strongman Training Plan, Muscle & Fitness
6 Exercises for a Stronger Back, Outside

Interesting

Freak rainstorm cut Oslo in two, Newsineng.com
Bjorg Lambrecht dies after crash during Tour of Poland cycling race, The Guardian
Are most people actually working two or three jobs? Not really – AEI – American Enterprise Institute: Freedom, Opportunity, Enterprise, AEI
10 facts about Americans and Twitter, Pew Research Center
The foodoo economics of meal delivery, The Economist
These 4 Cars Were Named the Best In the World This Year, Gear Patrol
Which States Have The Most Vacation Homes?, Unofficial Networks
Ford’s New Super Duty Packs the Strongest Gas Engine in a Heavy-Duty Pickup, Gear Patrol

MTI’s Top Selling Training Plans for July 2019

1. Athlete’s Subscription

2. Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) Training Plan

3. Bodyweight Foundation Training Plan

4. Humility

5. Big 3 + Run Training Plan

6. Military On-Ramp Training Plan

7. APFT Training Plan

8. Running Improvement Training Plan

9. Gladiator

10. ACFT Limited Equipment Training Plan

11. 2-Mile Run Improvement Plan
12. Core Strength Bodyweight Only
13. Chassis Integrity
14. FBI Special Agent PFT Training
15. Ruck Based Selection Training Plan
16. Big 24 Strength Training Plan
17. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
18. Ranger School Training Plan
19. Fat-Loss Training Programm
20. Hypertrophy for Skinny Guys

Learn more about our Plans and Subscription HERE

Military / National Security / Foreign Affairs

US troops definitely want to keep deploying to Afghanistan, enlisted leaders say, Task & Purpose
Vietnamese fishermen call for action against China, Reuters
Vets: Afghanistan War Wasn’t Worth It, but Troops Still Want to Deploy There, Real Clear Defense
UN: Nearly 4,000 Afghan civilians killed or wounded by war during first half of 2019, Stars & Stripes
Moroccan king pardons thousands, including ‘Hirak’ protesters, Al Jazerra
Guatemala’s president faces backlash at immigration deal with US, Al Jazerra
Secretary of state: Trump wants troops out of Afghanistan before the 2020 election, Marine Corps Times
The Delta Force soldier who died during a 2018 raid in Syria was actually killed by friendly fire, Task & Purpose
The Bill for ‘America First’ Is Coming Due, The Atlantic
UK plays Brexit hardball from a submarine base, pound tumbles, Reuters
German government divided over joining Strait of Hormuz naval mission, DW.com
What’s Driving Japan’s Trade Restrictions on South Korea?, The Diplomat
Europe’s Future Will Be Decided in North Africa, Council of Foreign Relations
A last chance for Turkey? There could still be time to fix the S-400 issue, Defense News
About that Counter-Iran Coalition…, Defense One
FBI Director: China No. 1 Counter-Intelligence Threat to the U.S., Homeland Security Newswire

Mountain

PCT Hikers Share Their Most Trusted Gear, Outside
What Is Shin Bang, Globo Surf
Here’s How a Top Adventure Cyclist Powers Through Ass-Kicking Sufferfests, Adventure Journal
The Trace We Leave: Climbing’s Impact on Crag Flora, Climbing Mag
LOWA acquires the shoemaker Riko Sport, SNEWS
The Best Outdoor Podcasts of All Time, Outside
Black Diamond Moving Some Manufacturing Out of US, Laying Off 70, Adventure Journal
Why Black Diamond Is Halting U.S. Manufacturing, Outside
Denver Man Airlifted @ 13,200ft After Activating “Spot Beacon”, Unnoffical Networks
Women make cupcakes. Men make beer and gear. SNEWS
3 Reasons an Expensive Cooler is Better Than a Cheap Cooler, Outdoor Life
Two Bears Killed in Yellowstone After Woman Is Bit In Her Tent, Adventure Journal
What’s the role of climbing guidebooks in the age of apps?, REI Co-Op Journal

First Responder / Homeland Security / Wildland Fire

Gunman posted online minutes before killing three at garlic festival, Stars & Stripes
Two Firefighters on Life and Risk, Outside
Border Apprehensions Drop Due to Crackdown and Summer Heat, In Homeland Security
Using Social Media to Analyze, Thwart Terrorist Activity, Homeland Security Newswire
Snow Globes Filled With Methamphetamine Seized By Australian Police, Unofficial Networks
Military Says 16 Marines Arrested In Human Smuggling Probe, In Homeland Security
Allocating Costs for California Wildfires, Rand Corp
Civilian Active Shooter Training – The Power of WHY, Officer.com
Update: Family of fallen officer forced to remove Thin Blue Line flag – “It’s racist”, LE Today
PA FIREFIGHTER INJURED SEVERELY BREAKING LADIES FALL AT FIRE, Firefighter Close Calls
NC trooper paralyzed from neck down after pursuit, Police One
WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER INJURED BY ROLLING DEBRIS, Firefighter Close Calls
Chaos: Man opens fire in tourist hot spot, hits cop, then these warriors responded, LE Today
2 Austin firefighters fired for cheating on hazmat training exam, Firerescue1
“CopBlaster” website is a desperate cry for attention from cop haters, LE Today
Twins Offer Buckets of Snacks to Officers After NYPD Cops Doused With Water, Officer.com
5 statements cops should never make on duty, Police One
MASSIVE BRONX APARTMENT BUILDING FIRE INJURES 6 FIREFIGHTERS, Firefighter Close Calls
A bad day for firefighters in Luxembourg, Wildfire Today
WATCH: Police Tase Stabbing Suspect 23 Times, Fire 15 Bean Bags, Tactical-Life.com
LEO Examines the Shooting of Vaughn Denham, Who Ignored 30 Commands, Tactical-Life.com

Fitness / Health / Nutrition

Have Marines Gotten Bigger? Corps Prepares for New Body Survey, Military.com
Weightlifter Hubbard becomes lightning rod for criticism of transgender policy, Reuters
The Air Force is investigating whether fighter pilots are at increased risk of prostate cancer, Task & Purpose
These Are the Best Gas-Station Snacks, Outside
Lack motivation? Try this summer workout playlist, backed by science, NBC News
The Simple Chest Workout to Grow Your Pecs, Muscle & Fitness
Fitness evolution sparked by science, group exercise, technology, WVRO Public Media
Does Orangetheory Fitness work for weight loss and muscle toning?, CNET
The Skinny Advantage in Muscle Building, Breaking Muscle
AI helping military, athletes prevent injuries via movement patternsFox Business
Leg Press vs. Squats: What’s the Best Exercise for Massive Gains?, Thrive Global
Five or more hours of smartphone usage per day may increase obesity, Science Daily
Meal Replacements Still Don’t Taste Good, Outside
Researchers estimate societal costs of the opioid epidemic, Science Daily
What About Canned Fruit?, Nutrition Facts

Interesting

German environmentalists urge ban on fireworks in major cities, DW.com
Senegal to crack down on huge plastic waste by enforcing law, Reuters
Secretive group provides unmarked buildings, quiet legal help for accused priests, Stars & Stripes
Americans have become much less positive about tech companies’ impact on the U.S., Pew Research
Why Chinese parents prefer Lego to Barbie, The Economist
Profits are down in America Inc, The Economist
Energy from seawater, Science Daily
Our Test Ride of Cake’s Kalk E-Motorbike, Outside
The Best Indoor Security Camera, NY Times
Hunting Down the Alaska Highway Murderers, Outside