Alex's Random Thoughts

Last week, we  have talked about the ways that how the gun industry market their products to the shooting community. This week, I want to talk more about the defense industry.

For any product within the industry, the best way to advertise their products is field-tested by any combat force within any combat zone or armed conflict. The best example is the US military, because they are the most experienced combat force after World War 2 and basically every fight is their fight, so if the US military uses certain equipment on the battlefield, it is best advertising campaign for the companies within the arms industry.

Although normal people cannot buy a tank or a bomber, civilians can still legally buy small arms and personal equipment like tactical vests and body armor , so those companies usually market their products by slogans like “field-tested by the US Army” or something similar. These companies sometime even give out their products to some well-known combat forces like the 75th Ranger Regiment, SEAL, the 101st Airborne Division and USAF PARARESCUEMAN(PJs), and the soldiers will give those companies some photos that soldiers are using those products as a return for those “free gifts”; those companies will use those photos on their ads to promote their products.

Another way to attract buys’ attention is to get a NSN number for the product. A NSN number is a NATO Stock Number, or National Stock Number (NSN) as it is known in the US, is a 13-digit numeric code, identifying all the ‘standardized material items of supply’ as they have been recognized by all NATO countries including US DoD. Having a NSN on the product almost means that the product is accepted by the US combat forces, so having a NSN is a way to promote the product. Almost every hot selling items have NSN numbers, such as almost every product from a weapon lights company called” Sure-Fire”,   protective eye wears from “ESS” and “Oakley”, weapon sights from “EOTech”.

http://www.eotech-inc.com/product.php?id=2&cat=1

https://secure.usstandardissue.com/Product_Category.cfm?id=7

http://www.esseyepro.com/Crossbow_detail.html?color=27

http://www.narescue.com/C-A-T_-_Combat_Application_Tourniquet-CN33B7051138B3.html?BC=8A50801E34A7

http://www.surefire.com/nsn_ordering

As a competitive shooter, I always buy my gears either with NSN codes or tested by the others, because any mistake within the game will not only lose the game but also have a much higher chance to do serious damage or even kill the others or myself, compared with other sports.