“Ares Armor Inc. is not the inventor of Kydex. We’re just the company which spends days and nights perfecting it for gun lovers like you.”

Act now. Custom Kydex solutions are now featured in a flash sale at AresArmor.com. Save now until Friday, August 21, 2015 at 7:00 a.m Eastern Standard Time.

Fill your carrying needs exactly the way you want. From concealed carry to open carry applications, complex systems for combat or serious competitive shooting needs, every Kydex product we create is purpose-built for you.

If you’re looking for the finest Kydex Holsters or Kydex Mag Pouches, look no further than right here in the USA, and to those who bravely defended it. U.S. Marine Mike Moran leads the kick ass Kydex team at Ares Armor Inc. It is a unit of professionals who are passionate about precision, and dedicated to delivering the highest-quality customized solutions for pistol shooters, AR-15 and AR-10 shooters, or all of the above.

Why settle for off the rack leather products? Why deal with trials and tribulations of the break-in period with leather and waiting for it to end? Wouldn’t you prefer to enjoy a “Love at First Sight” experience with superior products from Ares Armor Inc.?

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Kydex is a powerful thermoplastic. By applying heat, precision, and expertise, our team and technologies can masterfully mold and manipulate it to almost any shape imaginable. It’s durable, super easy to clean, and holds its shape over a lifetime of light or hard use.

On a regular basis, our team works on customized solutions for the military and law enforcement communities across the country, as well as individuals. They’ll be happy to serve your needs, too.

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Photo: U.S. Army

You’re not the only one who is already looking forward to Friday. 96 students will be graduating that day from the rough and rigorous U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Every graduating class from this intensive training program is special. Friday’s group is special and unique. It includes the first two female Soldiers to earn the right to wear the respected and coveted Army Ranger tab.

The Pentagon released a statement to the media. “Congratulations to all of our new Rangers,” said Secretary of the Army, John M. McHugh. “Each Ranger School graduate has shown the physical and mental toughness to successfully lead organizations at any level. This course has proven that every Soldier, regardless of gender, can achieve his or her full potential. We owe Soldiers the opportunity to serve successfully in any position where they are qualified and capable, and we continue to look for ways to select, train, and retain the best Soldiers to meet our Nation’s needs.”

The two women whose names were not released by the Pentagon are among the first females admitted into the Army Ranger School program since it was opened more than six decades ago. Back in April of this year, the gender addition experiment was instituted on a trial basis.

Friday’s graduating class of 94 men and 2 women represent those who met all of the requirements of the challenging 62-day (and night) course. The current Army Ranger School class started out with a total of 381 men and 19 women. As you can see by the numbers, less than 1 in 4 male Soldiers in the class will graduate. Less than 1 in 9 female Soldiers successfully completed the grueling mission.

The Army Ranger School training program is a test of one’s physical and mental skills and strength. Pentagon officials call it “The U.S. Army’s premier combat leadership course.” They describe the curriculum as “teaching Ranger students how to overcome fatigue, hunger, and stress to lead Soldiers during small unit combat operations.”

Minimal amounts of food and sleep were provided to students over the nearly nine-week period as they were forced to learn how to operate in mountain terrain, heavily wooded areas, and the Swamp Course at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

In addition, the Army Ranger candidates were required to complete the following activities which helped to keep their minds off being hungry and tired:

• 27 days of mock combat patrols
• 4 days of military mountaineering
• 4 air assaults on helicopters
• 3 parachute jumps
• A 12-mile foot march in three hours
• Multiple obstacle courses
• A swim test
• A land navigation test
• Physical fitness testing which included 59 sit-ups, 49 push-ups, six chin-ups, and a 5-mile run in 40 minutes

Approximately one in three Army Ranger School students are forced to “recycle” through at least one phase of the course. The two women graduates recycled through two phases of the course.

While the 2 female Army Ranger School graduates will make history this Friday, their futures come Saturday remain unclear. What is known is that unlike their 94 fellow male graduates, they are not yet eligible to apply for positions in the elite special operations force, the 75th Ranger Regiment, or other ground-combat jobs such as the infantry.

The Pentagon has ordered that all military occupations be opened to women. However, finalized decisions about what specific combat roles female Soldiers will be allowed to fulfill are not expected until later in the year.

Ares Armor Inc. salutes the 2 female Soldiers and 94 male Soldiers for their extraordinary efforts and accomplishment in earning the Army Ranger tab.

Photo: Army Navy Military Expo 2014

Ares Armor Inc. is a veteran driven company. And every day it is heading further down that road to success. As an example, a team representing some of the U.S. Military Veterans employed at the Oceanside, CA based company is eagerly making the trip to Las Vegas this weekend. They are excited to be exhibitors at the Summer 2015 Army Navy Military Expo.

Among those representing Ares Armor Inc. at the upcoming ANM Expo are:

Atreyu Jimenez – Director of Wholesale Accounts. U.S. Marine.

William Smith - Director of Wholesale Accounts. U.S. Marine.

Martin Cromwell – Retail Manager. U.S. Marine.

“We’ve been looking forward to being a part of this well-run and established event,” said Bryce Stirlen, the civilian CEO of Ares Armor Inc. “The Army Navy Military Expo provides our team a great opportunity to contribute to this incredibly important community. Our company is passionate about developing and delivering innovative, high-quality products that will make a difference in how operators in the field perform - while at the same time enhancing safety by improving technology.”

You will be able to find the Ares Armor Inc. team at booth # 705 of ANME, being held at the Tuscany Suites and Casino from Sunday, August 16, 2015 to Tuesday, August 18, 2015. For your added convenience, you’ll find the booth is located right near the areas for breakfast and lunch at the expo.

Ares Armor Inc. will be proudly displaying a wide array of innovative products from both its nylon catalog and metal catalog. These are products already being used by those in branches of the military, as well as law enforcement, and the tactical gear industries.

“Basically we are going to showcase the whole list of our gear and have it in the hands of operators who are actually going to use it,” said Atreyu Jimenez. “Our end goal is to provide them with the best gear possible so they can succeed on their missions.”

Ares Armor Inc. will gladly arrange a specific time for a private meeting, consultation, or demonstration at the Summer 2015 ANM Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Safe travels all.

Think cool.

The Army Navy Military Expo has exactly what you need in Las Vegas in August — air conditioning. The ANME Summer 2015 show is being held inside the comforts of the Tuscany Suites and Casino from Sunday, August 16 through Tuesday, August 18^th.

The Army Navy Military Expo is a battle-tested B2B tradeshow. It brings together buyers and sellers through displays of the coolest products in the army-navy surplus, tactical, law enforcement, and outdoor industries.

David Castlegrant is the show manager for ANME Summer 2015, the 15^th edition of the event which began in 2007. “We’re hoping for a great show,” said Castlegrant, who’s got more than 20 years of experience in the surplus industry. “The summer show is smaller and usually more intimate. But our pre-registration for this event is up dramatically. We’re expecting we could have more than 900 attendees.

Even during summer in the desert, Las Vegas attracts visitors from around the world. “We already have international buyers from 19 different countries right now,” adds Castlegrant. “They come from a lot of gun stores, “cop shops” or police supply stores, and plenty of surplus stores. The interesting thing about surplus stores is no two are alike.”

Think cool.

U.S. Veterans from Ares Armor Inc. will be at the ANM Expo to meet you, and show you a wide array of the company’s expanding product line. They will be featuring products from the company’s complete nylon catalog, as well as items from the metal catalog. You can find Ares Armor Inc. at Exhibitor Booth #705. It’s right by the breakfast and lunch area.

Think cool.

If you are a buyer or serious browser, your cost to register for the Army Navy Military Expo Summer 2015 event couldn’t be more attractive. It’s free at www.anmexpo.com.

We’ll look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas at the ANM Expo.

You may want to hurry. If you have a quick moment of free time, that could be all of the ammo you will need to win the AR-15 Build a Rifle Kit Giveaway from Ares Armor Inc.

Enter to Win.

No purchase is necessary. The AR-15 Build a Rifle Kit Giveaway ends tomorrow, July 31, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. EST. (Eastern Standard Time).

Ares Armor Inc. is your source for owning an AR-15 just the way you like it, just the way you want it. We are the home of 80% AR-15 Polymer Lower Receivers, and the home of AR-15 Upper Receivers. These are the products you need to Build-a-Gun from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

This means your custom AR-15 is Unserialized, Unregistered and 100% Legal.

Enter to Win an AR-15 kit now.

Don’t bet against Mike Veale. He’s the cool guy pictured above and in the video below. If Mike wants to bet your summer vacation was more fun than his, he’s probably right. And don’t dare double down on a bet your summer vacation was more dangerous than his. Unless of course, you were also carrying a gun, machete, and tomahawk deep in the African bush trying to stop cold-blooded rhino killers.

This weekend, Mike Veale is off to the Kruger National Park in South Africa. He’s returning as a volunteer ranger to join the fight against the poaching and extinction of rhinoceros. Mike is really geared up this time and for good reason.

Rhinos are literally being wiped off the face of the earth. It’s happening at a truly alarming rate. On average, poachers kill three rhinos every day. They could all be gone by 2030 unless there is real change. One northern white rhino died this week. That means there are only 4 left in the world. Other species of rhinoceros have already been completely killed off.

You see, rhinos have a bounty on their head. It’s called a horn.

These animals are stalked by ruthless criminals who chop off rhino horns to sell for big money on the black market. These people are not traditional hunters. They are not doing what it takes to feed their families. They are high-priced animal assassins supplying high-priced product in demand with certain customers.

Technically, this six-week trip is not even a vacation for Mike Veale. He’s pulling the trigger on another unpaid leave of absence from his job. It’s helpful his employer understands. Mike is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and a best friend of the rhinos there.

Don’t bet against Mike Veale, and his fellow rhino-saving rangers this time. Mike and his colleagues in Africa as well as in Asia are now benefiting from custom-designed tactical gear courtesy of Ares Armor Inc. According to Mike, being geared up battles in the bush is in fact a matter of survival of the fittest. “Our standard gear before was clunky, heavy, and visible,” he says. It really hurt rangers since we are already battling conditions where just about everything is against us. Now, having new kick-ass gear from Ares Armor totally customized for rangers in the bush, will be life-saving at times,” Mike adds. “Plus, it’s created a huge morale boost for our guys.”

Don’t bet against Mike Veale. He may be focused on saving rhinos from poaching and extinction. But he’s definitely doing it with the heart of a lion.

Sick children in a hospital is hard enough. They’re scared. They’re bored. They’re stressed about who and what they’re missing. And on top of all that, they’re not feeling well.

Doctors, nurses, and technicians work hard to provide care for these patients. But in addition, giving kids some healthy outlets to pass the time in the hospital, and take their minds off their medical condition can be just what the doctor ordered.

This issue became the trigger for a toy drive to benefit pediatric patients at the Palomar Health Downtown Campus hospital in Escondido, California. The campaign was organized by a former U.S. Marine at Camp Pendleton. When a couple of the Marines on the team at Ares Armor Inc. heard about the toy drive, they quickly stepped up and stepped in to help their comrade help the kids.

Photo: Will Smith and Atreyu Jiminez of Ares Armor Inc.

Matthew Quinn was on active duty in the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton last year when his daughter suffered a kidney infection. He says she received excellent care, treatment, and family support at the base hospital.

As a result of this experience, Matthew Quinn became aware pediatric patients from other families don’t have the same resources to help them get through their hospital stays. “Other parents don’t have the means or availability to entertain their kids in the hospital,” says. “They really struggle.”

This was all the ammunition needed for launching a toy drive.

Despite the best of intentions, the act of kindness still needed an upper. In addition to his family life, Matthew Quinn is very busy as one of the co-owners of the new Warfighter Academy military training center which just opened its doors in Escondido.

The guys from Ares Armor Inc. joined in the mission and got their own company to open its arms and checkbook to make a strong final push for success. Will Smith took time over last weekend to go shopping for new toys. CEO Bryce Stirlen contributed a donation of $1500 for more toys and activities to occupy the kids while in the hospital.

“Prior to this toy drive effort, the pediatric center had a small toybox,” Quinn says. We literally walked in with an SUV and pickup truck loaded with new toys. Thanks to the Ares donation, we’re going to purchase more. The staff were very excited. One of the nurses was so touched she wound up crying.”

“We’re grateful for this opportunity as a company to assist U.S. Marines on our team in supporting one of their own in the community, and making hospital stays just a little bit easier for sick kids,” added Bryce Stirlen, CEO, Ares Armor Inc.

Yes, the big guns in any pediatric hospital are always the medical professionals on staff. But hopefully, being able to provide better play time for the little boys and girls inside those patient gowns will also play a role in getting them healthy and back home.

Says Quinn, “If this one thing provides kids and their families with some kind of happiness during challenging times in the hospital, then it was important for us to do.”

Its name came out of respect for veterans. Its mission came out of respect for civilians, law enforcement and military professionals. Now, the new Warfighter Academy is bringing together these communities by serving them with a one of a kind, state of the art, defensive weapons and tactical training center.

The 32,000 square-foot training facility is located in Escondido, California. That’s about 25 miles southeast of Camp Pendleton in Southern California. Warfighter Academy just opened its doors a month ago, acting as a great bridge between the city’s past and future. Its team of owners, both retired military and civilians, have renovated the old Escondido Police Headquarters which had become overrun with vandals, squatters, and animal critters.

Mission accomplished. Really.

Dave Maynard is the Master Instructor at Warfighter Academy, and rightly so. Dave is a legend in the tactical operations community. He began his career as a U.S. Navy SEAL back in 1972. He successfully completed roughly 30 combat deployments, with his final deployment in 2012. Over that 40 year span, he trained with basically every high speed group and government agency. Dave Maynard is considered the world’s leading authority on Low Light Training, and one of the world’s top experts on gunfighting.

Dave and his partner, Sonny Garcia, have been working together training various special forces for the past eight years. Now, along with U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton, Matthew Quinn and Joe Smith, they have created a facility they say is the first of its kind in the United States.

Warfighter Academy is the place where experienced combat veterans provide you with exceptional, adaptable training opportunities which can develop or fine tune your skills. It’s the same type of high adrenaline, instructional training which American forces have been successfully doing around the world for more than 40 years.

“We’ve known there has been a big outcry for civilian training,” says Sonny Garcia, one of the owners of Warfighter Academy. “People are always asking us how they can get military-style training. And both law enforcement and military professionals are always looking for more training to hone their skills.”

Now, men and women of all ages, as well as teens, can get the same military combative concepts, and training this team has done for years. The big difference is they’ve made it more manageable to fit busy American lifestyles. “We’ve taken our 5-day 60-hour training sessions and broke them down into intense 90-minute skill set classes on 4 different levels,” explains Garcia. “What’s great is we have the ability to train people with all levels of experience, and each level of our program builds upon the next.”

The Warfighter Academy offers specialized courses is essential skills including:

• individual force-on-force
• individual room clearing
• room clearing with a partner and/or team
• low light tactics

Warfighter Academy Escondido also provides true home defense and other real-life scenarios for civilians. You’ll get trained on how to neutralize aggressors in customized layouts such as home residences, business offices, and school classrooms.

Because defensive weapons and tactics training must be repeated and updated to maintain the highest standards of skill and safety, Garcia adds, “There are no real firearms and live fire on the property. A lot of people are intimidated. They own guns but don’t really know what to do with them. Everything we do is simulated. It will be a no-stress environment.”

Along the same lines, they also offer various membership packages. This helps people get the training they want in affordable and cost-effective ways.

“The work the boys at Warfighter Academy are doing is simply amazing,” says U.S. Marine, Will Smith, Director of Wholesale Accounts at Ares Armor Inc. “They are offering a chance for anyone to learn the basics of gun fighting and the chance to evolve their skills under the guidance of some excellent teachers. In this day and age, those very skills may save your life or the lives of innocent people.”

Four U.S. Marines are dead. Three other people including a police officer and another military member are injured. The gunman was also “neutralized” or killed according to law enforcement officials. The Chattanooga shootings done ambush style took place this morning at two different sites of the Naval Operation Support Center.

The shooter in these incidents has now been identified as Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez. He was 24-years old and was residing in Hixson, Tennessee, a few miles from Chattanooga. It is believed he was born in Kuwait, but was a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Photo: Muhammad-Youssef-Abdulazeez from Hamilton-County, TN DUI arrest in April 2015.

Authorities believe he acted as a lone gunman in the Chattanooga shootings. However, an intense search into his connections is underway to determine if he was working with others, or was part of a bigger plan for additional attacks. His known address was quickly raided by law enforcement.

The FBI is leading a very detailed investigation of his personal background, firearms checks, and whether or not he was motivated by allegiance to ISIS or other similar groups. U.S. Attorney Bill Killian said officials were treating the attacks as an “act of domestic terrorism.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Ed Reinhold said they were still investigating a motive.

A chilling tweet from a reported ISIS related account was posted online minutes before the Chattanooga shootings took place.

Officials in Chattanooga, Tennessee confirmed the shootings began around 10:45 a.m. local time. Witnesses say he drove up to the scene in a silver Mustang convertible. He then began firing multiple shots with a high-powered rifle.

The gunman opened fire at two separate locations. One was an Armed Forces Recruiting Center which housed both a U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Office. The other was a Naval Operation Support Center, where all of the fatalities and injuries are believed to have occurred.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus released a public statement on the shootings. “Today, the Navy and Marine Corps team collectively mourn the loss of four heroes. “The tragedy in Chattanooga is both devastating and senseless. On behalf of the entire Department of the Navy family, I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those killed and wounded in service to our nation during this incident.” Secretary Mabus added, “While we expect our Sailors and Marines to go into harm’s way, and they do so without hesitation, an attack at home, in our community, is insidious and unfathomable.”

U.S. Marine Will Smith, Director of Wholesale Accounts at Ares Armor Inc. shared this statement on behalf of the company:

“The tragedy that took place today reminds us all that we must always remain vigilient and continue to uphold our oath to protect our nation from all enemies foreign and domestic. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the fallen. It is my hope that they find peace quickly in this dark time. Until Valhalla Brothers.”

President Barack Obama expressed his condolences regarding the four fallen Marines. “My main message right now is obviously the deepest sympathies of the American people to the four Marines that have been killed,” he said to reporters in the Oval Office. “It is a heartbreaking circumstance for these individuals … to be killed in this fashion.”

The president promised to be thorough and prompt in figuring out what happened in these tragic Chattanooga shootings.

July 6, 2015

It is with heavy hearts in Ares Armor Inc. that we announce the forced termination of Founder Dimitri Karras for breach of duty as an employee of this firm.

Mr. Karras had been on paid administrative leave since March 2015 for highly unprofessional behavior against members of the management team, staff, and others. Most recently, he launched a series of disruptive and disrespectful public attacks against the CEO, and the company. Furthermore, the uncovering of serious financial discrepancies connected to his selling the company only served to complicate matters.

Mr. Karras repeatedly took advantage of the incredible patience and generosity of new owner and CEO, Bryce Stirlen. “We as an organization simply cannot allow him to continue this type of behavior against the company and people who supported him,” said Stirlen. “Mr. Karras has a very well-documented history. As one the of the company directors said in a management conference call, ‘sometimes to grow a bigger and better garden you just have to root out the weeds.’ Regardless, we still wish Dimitri the best of luck in his future endeavors.”