News

On Veterans day, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said that the holiday aimed at honoring our heroes, has been turning into a weekend sale. I agreed with his statement, and while I have no issue with capitalism, our priorities as a country are remarkably skewed.  Memorial and Veterans day have turned from honoring our fallen, and praising those who signed the dotted line, to the weekend where you can get 199 dollar flat screens, and half priced washers and dryers.  Howard Schultz aims to change the way our veterans are welcomed back home, and help them get back into the work force.  

Back in March, Schultz/Starbucks donated 30 million dollars to go towards Veterans with TBI, and PTS, this is after he pledged to hire 10,000 Veterans, and Military spouses.  

During an interview with Scott Pelley, Schultz said something that stuck with me.

..That's correct. The truth of the matter is, and I say this with respect, more often than not, the government does a very -- a much better job of sending people to war than they do bringing them home. These young men and women who are coming home from multiple deployments are not coming home to a parade. They're not coming home to a celebration. They're coming home to an American public that really doesn't understand, and never embraced, what these people have done.

I have known that Starbucks gives back to Vets for a while now, we have had coffee care packages sent to us, and even received gift cards at the USO while traveling.  But when I walked into my local store this past weekend, and saw the things they were doing, it blew me away.  They had coffee for sale where all the proceeds went to Veterans charities, a donation drop box, even a veteran themed gift card which if you purchased, Starbucks will donate $5 to Onward Veterans, an initiative to support and empower veterans as they transition to civilian life, and as the lady said, it was selling like crazy.  It is nice to see a mega huge company is trying to give back, and not solely interested in profits.

If you are interested in the programs Starbucks offers, check out the Veterans Page on the Starbucks website.

So before you 3pers, or 2A douchebags chime in about the recent debacle with the open carry group, ask yourself which company has given more to veterans, or are as committed to hiring our heroes?

For the dudes who says Starbucks coffee sucks, its better than the steaming pile of shit that Dunkin Donuts sells.

For the past 5 months we have been posting weekly workouts for people to do at home.  These workouts are designed so you don't need any gym equipment, and if you do, it is a a piece of gear you might already having laying around.  Most people do not have kettle bells, and plyo-boxes at their house.  Anyways, give these workouts a try, and let us know how you like them.  The picture is a screen grab of the last 4 workouts we have posted.  For all of them, head to www.staythecourseind.com/HardtoKill

 If you want to submit your ideas, email us.  info@staythecourseind.com

Being the type of person I am, I sketch a lot. Whether it be a new tee shirt design, or doodling while talking a phone call, some sort of writing implement is usually always in my hands. I usually like writing with a pencil because I can edit, erase, and change things up fairly quickly.  That being said the only type of pencil you can carry in your pocket is a mechanical pencil, which is fine for the most part, but sometimes I want a regular number two lead pencil.  However you can't carry one of those in your pocket. 

When Jon showed me the prototype for the bullet pencil I was immediately intrigued. It's small enough to fit in pocket, and extremely lightweight at half an ounce. The bullet pencil serves a dual role.  In addition to being a regular number two pencil it also acts as a quasi kubaton. A kubaton is a self-defense device designed to be held like an ice pick, or with a forward grip, and is excellent to target fleshy, sensitive parts such as knuckles, forearms, the bridge of the nose, solar plexus, spine, temple, ribs, groin, neck and eyes.  With the top cap of the bullet pencil being a nice point, it should perform fine being buried into an attackers collarbone. 

Operation of the bullet pencil is simple, unscrew the cap, flip it around, and screw it back in, then you're off and writing. You can also use any pencil you want. I am partial to Faber-Castell HB pencils, so I went ahead and threw one in there.

Metal shop CT is in old world machine shop.  Growing up watching his Grandfather operate and run his own machine shop he was intrigued with the whole process.  After opening his own shop, Jon became tired of many products being produced overseas, so he took his training, and experience and set out to build the best products he can, all the old fashioned way, with hard work, and attention to detail. 

The Bullet Pencil is currently on its last week of its KickerStarter campaign, while they are already fully funded, they are trying to reach their stretch goal, so check it out and back it.  You can even purchase the new pen option they are currently offering.

The Bullet Pencil has found it home in my EDC for the past 2 weeks now, and I don't plan on changing it out anytime soon.

Check out Metal Shop online

FaceBook

Instagram

Website

KickStarter

2014 Navy Hornet Ball is the most definitely the best naval aviation video of the year. The Hornet Ball is an annual event consisting of all the West coast Naval Hornet and Super Hornet squadrons.  Each year the event features a video, produced by “Wingnut”, a Hornet pilot himself, compiled from all the squadrons’ last year of flying in both combat and training missions: catapult launches, trap landings, aerobatics, dogfighting, live firing of air-to-air missiles, LGBs (Laser Guided Bombs), cluster bombs, low level flying in the desert, and much more.  Being stationed on an aircraft carrier for 4 years, and seeing these birds in action was truly unforgettable experience.  Hornet pilots are also bad influences, excellent drinkers, and will try to have sex with anything they can.  Watch it now and comment below!

This blog post is going to sound insensitive, please don’t take it that way.  This is just the rambling of a normal man who is questioning the world.  I am in no way trained as a Sociologist, Doctor, or any type of educated scholar.  Just take it for what it is, words. 

The are all types of bags in the tactical/prepper market today.  Bug Out Bags, Get Home Bags, Shit Hits the Fan Bags, while most carry the necessities for survival, people forgo the creature comforts they are accustom to when building a wearable bag. Truck bags are a different type of beast altogether.  Your vehicle carries the bag, so weight saving isn't high on the list, yet useful items are.  When I make a truck bag, I want it to contain stuff I need now, not the stuff I need if I am living in the woods for a month or two.

So where to start?  First off, identity your needs, and wants.

Needs:

-Water

-Fire/Signal

-Shelter

-First Aid

Your needs are the basically the bare essentials you want in any bag you carry.  It's stuff that is important to have, could get your ass out of a jam, and save your life.

Wants:

Man, I can go on and on in this section.  It all depends what you want to haul around.  It is 100 percent subjective to YOUR needs. Fuel, tools, tent, guns, floodlights, the possibilities are endless, however for the sake of this article, the wants will be constrained to the limits of the size of the bag.  Great thing is, you can add and subratact gear and tools to fit your requirements.

The bag itself (pictured above) is from LA Police Gear, it's their Tactical Bail Out Gear Bag, and it sells for around 19 dollars, however they run sales often, and can scoop it up for as low as 15 dollars.

I haven't used this bag before, so I cannot confirm on how well it will hold up, but the bag is a best seller (over 130,000 sold), so I doubt there were alot of problems.

-It is made from 600 Denier Nylon

-Has a hidden full size gun pocket.

-Has a slot to fit iPads, tablets, and small laptops.

-The bag is sectioned off down the center, and is covered in a loop type fabric, so you can attach your holders that are velcro based.

-The bag measures approximately 16" x 11" x 6.5" externally (15" x 10.5" x 6" internally.) 

-Includes a padded and removable shoulder strap.

-Numerous pockets, to stuff all type of shit in there.

-High quality zippers with paracord pulls (which I will probably replace)

Part 2 of the article will include all the gear that I have stuff into the bag.  Be warned, this fits MY needs, not yours.  So choose your gear carefully.

A one minute and fifty second trailer was released yesterday for the upcoming movie "American Sniper."  American Sniper details the life of Chris Kyle, US Navy Seal, who is the most lethal sniper in American military history.  Kyle was so infamous during the Iraq war, that the insurgents dubbed him Shaitan Ar-Ramadi, (Devil of Ramadi) and had an 80,000 dollar bounty on his head.  As you may, or may not know, Chris Kyle was killed in the United States by a troubled Marine, who is now awaiting trial for his death.  Bradley Cooper who plays Kyle, has vowed to tell this story for him, and all the veterans who have sacrificed for our country.  American Sniper is being directed by Clint Eastwood, who already has some great films in his quiver as a director (Grand Torino, Heartbreak Ridge.)  The film is slotted for a limited Christmas Day release, opening wider on Jan. 16.  I will say this, make sure you read the book before you watch the movie.

American Sniper on Amazon 

Company Spotlight: REI

 

When I woke up this morning, something felt different.  It was different when I shuffled to the coffee maker, let my dogs out, and turned on the laptop.  It is growth, this brand is growing, and in turn I am growing with it. Last night we hit 20,000 followers on our instagram page.  Which is insane.  But I finally feel we have found our niche, our place within ourselves.  When I thought of the concept for Stay the Course last year, I envisioned something different than what we are today.  I had difficulties establishing what we were.  Were we an apparel company? A blog? A review site? etc.  There wasn't really a clear answer then.  We are not just an apparel company, we are a brand, a brand that yes, sells apparel, but we are so much more than that.  We are the extra push you need to get your ass in gear, we are the dudes that tell you to keep fucking going, we are your motivation, the brand that tells you to experience, and enjoy your life.  So many awesome things are on the horizon.  Our clothing production has been moved in house, which means faster restocks, and more frequent clothing drops.  The blog will be much more frequent, and will include tips and tricks, how-to's, new products, reviews, fitness etc.  We are also establishing a special projects division which will be much more than just tee shirts.  So to each, and everyone of our supporters, I wish to say thank you from that bottom of my heart.  The support and encouragement you guys give us on a daily basis is staggering.  You all fucking rule.

Steven LaBarre