Readers;

Hope those of you that qualified, had a great Father's Day, and had a chance to spend some time with your kids.

We have some good news here in the U.S. Violent crime rates are down and efforts to limit the growth of gangs continue to show signs of improvement. In addition, the President took a step toward limiting illegal immigration by requiring federal contractors to certify the status of their employees. On the other hand, the Supreme Court dealt the administration a blow with the decision on 12 June awarding unlawful combatants the right of habeus corpus and allowing them the right to appeal to U.S. civilian courts to challenge their indefinite imprisonment without charges. Here is a good link on historical habeus corpus cases: http://www.uscourts.gov/outreach/topics/habeascorpus_landmark.htm

You will also find some articles from earlier this year detailing the training methods of the drug cartels and how dangerous they truly are. Finally, you will read a moving story of how we here at Blackwater took the time to recognize the sacrifices of some of our own.

Thanks again for your patronage of the BTW and for your steady stream of helpful comments and suggestions.

John Wrenn
Managing Editor, Blackwater Tactical Weekly
Director, Corporate Communications

Blackwater Worldwide Defense of Liberty Medal
Wounded independent contractors are recognized
June 2008
Dana C. Clements

Blackwater takes time to recognize those that have served and sacrificed.

On May 23rd 2008, Blackwater Worldwide held the first of a series of award ceremonies aimed at honoring the dedication and service of Blackwater personnel wounded in action. 10 private security contractors received recognition during the ceremony at Blackwater Worldwide Headquarters in Moyock, North Carolina.

The Backup Training Corporation is the premier digital training provider for law enforcement. Known for outstanding computer based training courses, their training is used in more than 9,600 police departments nationwide. Courses are approved for in-service training in 39 states and college credits are available. The library of 46 courses totals over 300 hours of free training to sworn officers, military and corrections personnel who act in a law enforcement capacity. Partnerships with several colleges provide funding for the training and the only cost to the officer is a $6 per course charge to shipping and handling. - Click here to subscribe or learn more!

To view the latest contract opportunities at Blackwater, visit our Contract Web Page

TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION AND SUBMIT YOUR RESUME CLICK HERE
Questions regarding Security Consulting or Training at Blackwater (252) 435-2488 or email webmaster@blackwaterusa.com

First report on the Future Combat Systems.

WASHINGTON - The very first of many Future Combat System vehicles was unveiled June 11 on Capitol Hill for viewing by lawmakers, members of the press and taxpayers alike.

Prototype 1 of the Non-Line of Sight Cannon, one of the eight manned ground vehicles within Future Combat Systems, was displayed on the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol Building.

While not a new innovation, the article details the availability of federal grants to equip officers with Tasers.

Funds from a federal grant will allow the Columbia Police Department to almost double the number of Tasers available to police and move closer to the goal of putting one of the devices into the hands of every patrol officer.

The nearly $33,000 grant is from the U.S. Department of Justice 2007 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, which police and the Boone County Sheriff's Department jointly sought, Columbia police Capt. Mike Martin said. The purchase was approved Monday by the Columbia City Council.

Good overview of critical security updates for MS operating system.

The monthly updates from Microsoft brought a few Critical repairs to its customers; one fix corrected a remotely executable vulnerability in the Bluetooth stack.

Here is a fun overview of how technology has actually caught up with our imaginations.

LOS ANGELES - The shoe phone on TV's "Get Smart" wasn't just a sneaky spy gadget, it was a technological marvel: a wireless, portable telephone that could be used anywhere - though it did require a dime to make a call.

Tactical Equipment Evaluation

Long time readers of my reviews know that I'm in favor of any product that performs as it is advertised; serves the purpose it was designed for; and increases the versatility of any given weapon. Many of today's close quarters weapons are equipped with vertical foregrips while others have folding bipods so they can double as close quarters fire support or precision weapons. The Grip Pod fulfills both functions in a simple compact unit. Let's take a look.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

Recreational Equipment Review

The Federal Bureau of Investigation... considered by many to be the premier law enforcement agency in our country today. Where did it come from? Why was it established? What does it do? Who provides it authority to do so? When I was first approached to review what I saw as essentially a history book I wasn't too enthused. I mean, that's not my idea of recreational reading. But I kept an open mind and I'm kinda glad I did. This book proved interesting in many ways for anyone who serves (or has served) in law enforcement.

Last Sunday morning my pager went off at 0130. I was the only chaplain available so I took the call. A 21 year old young man had hanged himself... 21 years old... He had a young sweetheart... He had a decent place to live... He did not want to live.

Full Story Can Be Viewed At:

http://www.blackwaterusa.com/btw2008/article/061608chaplain.htm

As the price of gas continues to climb, people are looking for alternatives, with some dragging out their old bicycles. Here is a good article about the benefits of bike riding, both fitness and environmental.

There are many obvious benefits to cycling that many people choose to ignore. Sure, it seems like it would be faster to drive to the store during dinner time rush hour, but is it really? Chances are it is not faster. In fact, you could probably get to your destination within a much shorter period of time if you took your bicycle than if you drove your vehicle. Many people who live in big cities are finding that taking their bicycle to work is actually faster than driving there.

Good look at how important water is for us. This is more important as we enter the hot summer months.

Do you ever forget to breathe? Because, if we did, we might be six feet under. So how come we forget to drink water? There are many people who do forget to drink water, amazing? Just like how oxygen is vital for surviving, simply put, water plays an enormous part in our lives...

Remember, wolves travel in packs, not herds...

The Blackwater Tactical Weekly is a free weekly e-publication.

The BTW provides readers valuable information from diverse sources regarding tactical and strategic security issues.

Editor-in-Chief - Gary Jackson (btw@blackwaterusa.com)
Managing Editor - John Wrenn (btw@blackwaterusa.com)
Format Editor - Jennifer Granoff (btw@blackwaterusa.com)
Frank's Review - Frank Borelli (frank@borelliconsulting.com)
Chaplain's Corner - Chaplain D. R. Staton (chpln1@verizon.net)
Advertising - Melissa Cuthbert (MCuthbert@blackwaterusa.com)

Questions regarding Security Consulting or Training at Blackwater (252) 435-2035

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