Why is everyone so "anti-tactical"?

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Dbl0Kevin

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So I've found myself wondering lately why a lot of people here seem to look at "tactical" as a bad word, or bring it up a lot of times as a joke. Seems if someone likes military style items, describes something as tactical, or god forbid has on a piece of camoflauge they're deemed to be a "mall ninja" (another term that I have never heard until coming here).

I'm having a hard time figuring out when being tactical became a bad thing.....especially among a bunch of gunnies who pride themselves on being prepared for anything.

:confused: :confused: :confused:
 
"Tacticality" for me means being very low profile, not drawing attention to myself while remaining prepared for any contingency.
 
I don't think it's the gear so much as it is over use of the word. "Tactical" has become to the shooting community what "EXTREME" is to marketing in general.
 
"Tactical" has become a hyper-macho style. It's too bad, because there's plenty of room for serious tactical equipment and thinking, but that's the firearms industry for you: the moment someone comes up with an idea, all the manufacturers jump on it and start advertising it for all they're worth.

Slapping on the word "tactical" is a 99% certain indicator that a company is completely incapable of creative thinking.
 
Justin I can understand what you're saying, but let's think about it for a moment. Tactical is simply an adjective used to describe something that is useful in a strategic manuever. With all the CCW laws sweeping the nation, not to mention the massive amount of interest in "assault weapons" due in part to the AWB (I love that one) tactical gear has become more popular and thus more companies are making it. What else would you have them call it?

Just seems to me like a lot of people are making fun of fellow gun enthusiasts for no good reason. Yeah I know there are idiots out there who go waaaaaaay overboard, but it seems like you can't mention the word tactical anymore without being looked down upon as some "mall ninja" who doesn't know anything at all about firearms or anything else.
 
Blame the companys not us. They are the ones who went with "tactical" and ran with it.

A mall ninja is a wannabe. Plain and simple.

They wish they were LE or special forces but will never be.

Besides that, SSDD with your post.

Its all in good fun sometimes. :D
 
IMO

Whether you:
buy black because you think it's tactical,

Or you:
buy brown or green because it's tactical and laugh at those who buy black (because they think it's tactical even though it isn't as tactical as your tan/OD, and therefore they must not train --shoot at the indoor range-- as much as you do)

Either way, you're just a
tactical_poser.jpg
 
Speaking as a veteran of approximately 18 years of ongoing firefights, engagements and general mayhem, I can assure you that those types who arrived in a "tactical" frame of mind were usually the first to do one of the following:

1. Run like hell to the rear;

2. Be medevaced with injuries;

3. Be killed.

Those who learned, learned that "tactical" accessories, equipment and mindset are irrelevant in combat. One learns to keep everything as simple and foolproof and uncomplicated as possible; learn teamwork, and rely on one's buddies, and be the kind of person that they can rely on in their turn; and "watch your six" at all times. These things keep you alive and (relatively) unpunctured. No amount of tactical clothing, equipment or training will do this for you...
 
I must admit that when I hear the word tactical being thrown around, I think of all the overaccesorize'd AR-15s I've seen, owned by people who are not LEOs, but who like to play with LEO stuff. Thats ok, but they can look pretty silly at the range. Thats ok too, so long as they are safe and have fun. And I agree that the word "Tactical" is being overused, mostly by people on the internet.;)
 
To me, the word is too often used in conjunction with the theory that fancy gear confers skill upon a person. I've seen too many people with high-speed, low-drag** black gear who can't hit doodly. And beyond that, so much of the "tactical" stuff is just silly or counterproductive.

I was at a gun shop this weekend and asked the clerk about slings for my tanker M1. I supposed that there might be something handier for toting it around than basic African-style with a carry strap. He pulled out a super-slick tactical sling. We fitted it on to try out, and what do I find but a plastic buckle in my cheek weld. Thanks, but no thanks. I'll stick with my old Enfield sling.

Before getting the M1, I was looking at tactical vests. Every last one I looked at had at the very least thick shoulder straps. Many also had buckles, clips, and other various obstructions on the shoulders. How the heck can you get a good snug hold on a rifle with all that junk in the way? Why don't ank of them use extra-wide, extra-thin shoulder straps devoid of doohickies? Then you caould at least keep the rifle butt in the right place. :confused:

Lessee, what else?

AR15s with 11.5" barrels and 4.5" unrifled, permanently attached barrel extensions.
Heavy-profile barrels on "CQB" carbines.
Muzzle brakes on .223 AKs (tried one with a bare muzzle; it had no muzzle climb and virtually no recoil to begin with)
*Grumble...*

It's not just a gun industry thing. I went into REI the other day, and found the same thing. Stuff like $45 "deluxe backpacking pillows" (which compressed into nothing, rendering it useless), $100 walking poles (find a stick; they're free), and other such rediculus stuff. Do people actually buy it?

I've actually started taking it the other way - prefering old "obsolete" gear just to prove that it works fine. My backpacking pack is a 35+ year old canvas deal with an aluminum external frame - and I wouldn't have it any other way. Heck, it fits me better than any modern internal frame I've ever tried on. The pistols I carry from time to time were made in 1921 and 1964.

I'm not anti-technology or anti-progress (my latest acquisition is a great modern autoloading shotgun), but I'll admit that I would love to eventually be an old fart with a Krag. :)

** Is it just me, or does "high-speed, low-drag" appear to really mean "pile on so much crap you can barely move"?
 
Agree with-
RileyMc, Justin,Standing Wolf, Ian ,and Preacherman especially.

I went to eat the other evening...I made it a point that my mom and sat on the other side away from the "posers". I figure something goes wrong we are out the exit on my six. I could also watch my vehicle and see the whole restaurant from my view.

Some punks pulled onto the lot, we had hit the time when Senior folks come in to eat. Some of the Seniors felt "uncomfortable". One older fella came over , It had been awhile, he had been a CCW student. " you thinking the punks start trouble the mall ninjas over there get popped and we make a break?"

Sounded like a plan to me. We had the back and rear exits covered. :D

This "T" word had been abused , overused, context changed and you name it. I hate it for how used. I respect the original meaning and context.

Sling...I used a pc of 1/2 ' rawhide , with 1/4" rawhide ends I slip knotted ovr bbl and pistol grip to tote my shotgun, and my Model 94 .

A photo vest and/or fanny pack is a sure way to get robbed/ shot or both around here. Even if you are photographer.
 
Here is what the dictionary says: Tactical
a. Of, relating to, or using tactics.
b. Of, relating to, used in, or involving military or naval operations that are smaller, closer to base, and of less long-term significance than strategic operations. c. Carried out in support of military or naval operations: tactical bombing.
d.Characterized by adroitness, ingenuity, or skill.



My Opinion:

Tactical: One who uses or is prepared to use tactics.
Or one half of the name of our company. :)

Tactics:Skillful manipulation of time and distance in such a manner that you get a turn, but your adversary does not.

I agree that the word Tactical is used a lot and it is sometimes used incorrectly. However being tactical can be as complicated as Drawing and firing upon a knife wielding killer who is running at you, or as simple as outrunning the attacker or even moving behind say a car and keeping it between you and your attacker. These are all Tactics and I guess if you employ them then you are being tactical or using tactics.

Whatever you want to call it we use tactics every day several times a day and most times it has nothing to do with guns of gear or fighting. If the car in front of you suddenly slams on its brakes and you brake and swerve to miss it, you are using a tactic to avoid a collision. If your wife says "Honey does this dress make me look fat?" and you say of course not, you are using a tactic. (A good one I might add) If you say yes it does, ducking would be another tactic you might soon be employing. Are we all Tactical?
Does the tactical vest I wear make me tactical, does the tac sling on my rifle make me tactical. I think not but remember we all use tactics in one form or another every day throughout our lives. Call me what you want. Call yourself what you want. Call your gear what you want. It really does'nt matter.

We are all entitled to our opinions and I value others opinions whether I agree with them or not. So basically you just got mine.
 
Yes I agree with the definition of Tactics and Strategy. I also agree we all use these in our daily to more serious aspects of our lives.

We also have examples of words and definitions that have undergone cultural and societal context changes. Add marketing to the mix and words do position an image in the public's mind.

In the old days if a person was gay, that meant happy.
If one had a queer feeling that meant uneasy or odd.

Old days the M16 / AR15 was a military/ civilian reference. We, the public ,never attached an evil connotation to it...I mean war is hell, 'Nam was hell. If a a person had a AR15 so what? It was the civiilan version. Now it is a "tactical" Evil black rifle that does conjures up all sorts of images in public mind. The Model 70 in '06 does not.

About 2 hrs from me is a honest to goodness Military Arsenal. They have stored and are in process of disposing of Mustard Gas and other nasty stuff. Now a-days if a person has more than 2 guns and 12 rds the he has an "arsenal".

So yes I agree there is proper place for tactics and strategy in the proper and original context.

Not in the mis-use and abuse to obtain an Image.

To me that is a disgrace to those that are in harm's way, have been injured, maimed or killed in harm's way.

I have an old Field Jacket with the cold weather liner. I was given this by folks in the Nat'l Guard when I was in HS. I was 1A and knew when I graduated in '73 I would go to 'Nam. They started bringing folks home the fall before. I didn't go, I guess I was supposed to stay home , raise 3 sibs and take care of a mom - no dad.

I felt bad bad Wearing that Jacket, to be honest I needed a coat. Lots of folks were wearing these and Pea Coats. Some were wearing in respect for family that had served or had served and been lost . We also had the Anti- War folks spitting on the returning Servicemen and women from 'Nam. Yep I kicked a few butts and took name of those doing the spitting on Vets . I had buried freinds that died in SEA.

I didn't have any , still don't have any patches or anything on my Field Jacket. I did not serve. I was not then - nor am I now pretending to be something I am not.

Some Friends came back in once pc, asked why I was not wearing My Field Jacket ( it was cold and honestly too poor to afford another coat, kid got sick, car broke...something happened and I used all my monies to support family) .

I told them I did not want to project or give the impression of something I was not.

Standing in a hosptial room at the Veterans Hospital " Put the damn coat on and wear it, we know you are not, pretending to be anything- you had our six and kept alive what we wanted to come home to...anyone gives you any **** kick their butt and then call one of us to help". I wore it / I still do.

I am not a Vet...I have a field coat...but I don' t pretend to be Vet either.
 
Because 'Tactical' is so far beyond what 99.999999% will ever Need (and relax, I am NOT making the fallacious Anti- argument about 'Need', talking about real-world occasions where 'Tactical' is needed)

Because 'Tactical' is tainted by too many bozos that are the negative caricature of gun owners.

Because 'Tactical' has effectively been negatively propaganized by the Antis.

Because Wood is Better Than Plastic.
 
People get into situations where they need a firearm all the time but when people start over preparing and trying to be as para military as possible it kind of goes over the deepend and they cross the line from prepared to full on paranoid. Tactical has kind of gotten into the mix. If you have a gun hidden in the toilet tank or shower in case you get attacked or it you have seriously prepared for getting attacked by an entire squad of military trained terrorists then I think you are taking a hobby/lifestyle to the extremes and deserve to be laughed at a little.
 
It's a state of mind. It's the ability to NOT intentionally put yourself into a code red situation, and if you get into it, realize how to immediately deal with it. It's a thought process. It's also a willingness to accept using deadly force to protect your life. Nothing cool about that. That's serious business. sundog
 
Preacherman,

That post of yours was hilarious.

One of our local sheriffs is about the most non-tactical folks you'd ever see. I've seen him around town in anything from a 3 piece suit to greasy overalls.

Several years ago he was in overalls, buying tractor parts or some such. While at a pay phone, two fellows decided they needed his billfold. Out came the knives. Then, out came his "tactical crescent wrench". Guess who won. :)

Don't rob a rural sheriff in diguised as a mechanic.
 
Tinker--that Sherrif was practical, not tactical.

I agree, the dictionary definition of "tactical" makes it a "good word". But the marketers have made it a bad word. Tactical=black and overpriced.

What was once tactical is now "practical'. And what was once hype is now tactical.
 
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