Field Notes
Insights, gear breakdowns, and operator-ready advice from the team at Military Overstock.
Field Notes is the in-house publication of Military Overstock — written and reviewed by former operators, gear buyers, and industry professionals. We cover tactical equipment, training, and industry news without the affiliate gloss.
Top Dispatch
Get Home Bag vs Bug Out Bag: The Difference and What Goes in Each
The difference between a get home bag and a bug out bag isn't semantic — it's the difference between making it home and being stranded for 72 hours. Here's what goes in each, and why you need both.
Latest Dispatches
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52
Tactical Plate Carrier: Why Modular Design Wins Over Fixed Plate Carriers
The case for modular over fixed — why the OperatorCore 5-piece system is the last plate carrier you'll need to buy.
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51
How to Clean an AR-15: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Carbon kills your zero and your reliability. Here's the complete AR-15 cleaning protocol — field strip, barrel, BCG, lubrication, and function check.
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50
Weekly News Roundup: Army MRE Overhaul, AMPV 30mm Confusion, War Acquisition Reform, and Navy Amphib Command Changes
Four significant stories from the past week: Army's alternative protein MRE push, the premature AMPV 30mm announcement, War acquisition reform, and a Navy policy shift on amphib...
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49
NIJ Level 3A vs Level 3 Body Armor: What's the Difference?
Level 3A stops handguns. Level 3 stops rifles. Here's how to know which one belongs in your carrier.
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SPNSR
From Our Shop · SponsoredAR Folding Stock Adapter™ – Compact, Tactical Upgrade for Easy Storage & Transport
Fold It. Stow It. Stay Ready. When every inch matters — whether you're packing a tight gear bag, storing your setup in a vehicle, or bui...
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48
The Drone Netting Problem: Why Militaries Are Struggling to Stop FPV Attacks
Fiber-optic FPV drones have exposed a critical gap in modern military force protection. Here's what the IDF's improvised netting response tells us about the state of counter-dro...
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Bug Out Bag Checklist: Complete 72-Hour Survival Kit Guide
The complete 72-hour survival kit guide — every category covered, every item justified, and a priority order for building your bug out bag on any budget.
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46
The MP7 Goes Mainstream: What the White House Correspondents' Dinner Tells Us About Executive Protection
When a plainclothes agent drew an MP7 at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, the tactical world took notice. Here's what the viral moment reveals about modern executive prot...
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Tennessee Passes Property Defense Bill Expanding Deadly Force Rights
Tennessee's new property defense bill promises expanded deadly force rights — but the Tennessee Firearms Association says the fine print delivers far less than the name implies.
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From Our Shop · SponsoredMagazine Marking Bands™ – Color-Coded Caliber ID Bands for AR Mags (6 Pack)
Stop the Guesswork.Start Reloading with Confidence. Magazine mix-ups can ruin your day—or worse, your rifle. Magazine Marking Bands™ give...
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44
Tactical Waterproof Jacket: Why the M23 Is the Layer You Need Before the Next Storm Hits
The M23 Shark Skin Waterproof Jacket is the only shell you'll need this storm season. Here's why operators and serious outdoorsmen reach for it when the weather turns.
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43
EDC Gear Essentials: What Every Operator and Everyday Citizen Should Carry
The gear that actually earns its weight when rounds start flying — and when they don't.
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42
Weekly News Roundup: U.S. Bolsters Middle East Presence, Army Ramps Up Troop Levels, and More
This week's top defense stories: U.S. forces counter Iranian mine-laying in Hormuz, the A-10 Warthog gets a stay of execution, the Pentagon pushes for 44,500 more troops, and a ...
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Best Tactical Backpack 2026: Ranked by Use Case
Three tactical backpacks. Three use cases. Here's how to pick the right one for your mission, with real specs and no fluff.
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From Our Shop · SponsoredMagConnect™ Tactical Mag Coupler – Faster Reloads for AR-15, AK & MP Mags
Double Your Firepower. Reload Faster. The Tactical Mag Coupler Built for Speed and Reliability When seconds count, digging through a pouc...
$21.99$39.99Shop Now -
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40
Saildrone's 170-Foot 'Spectre' Drone Ship Enters Navy's Unmanned Vessel Competition
Saildrone's 170-foot Spectre drone ship has entered the Navy's MUSV competition alongside Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri with missile and anti-submarine capabilities.
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39
U.S. Army Chinook Completes First Fully Autonomous Landing in Aviation Milestone
The Army's CH-47F Chinook just landed itself — without a pilot. Here's what the first fully automated approach means for the future of military aviation.
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38
How to Apply a Tourniquet: Step-by-Step CAT Tourniquet Guide
The step-by-step guide to applying a CAT tourniquet correctly — written for civilians who want to save lives under pressure.
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37
Marine Corps Upgrades Awards for Abbey Gate Defenders — 7 Marines Honored After Review
Seven Marines who defended Abbey Gate during the 2021 Kabul withdrawal have received upgraded awards following a Pentagon review — recognition that senior leaders say was long o...
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From Our Shop · SponsoredQuickLoad™ Tactical Speed Loader – Fast, Universal Mag Loader for AR & Pistol
Wasting Time at the Range? Not Anymore. Every serious shooter knows the drill: you spend more time loading mags than pulling the trigger...
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36
What to Put in an IFAK: The Complete Tactical First Aid Kit Checklist
If you carry a firearm for any reason — range days, home defense, field training, or professional duty — you need an Individual First Aid Kit. Not a basic box of bandages from...
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35
Magazine Marking Bands: Never Mix Calibers Again
You spend good money on quality magazines. You train regularly. You know your rifle inside and out. But one mistake — grabbing the wrong mag mid-session — can bend a firing pi...
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34
Best AR-15 Wall Mount 2026: Secure Display & Storage Solutions
You built your AR-15. You've zeroed it, accessorized it, and now it's sitting in a case or leaned against a wall somewhere — doing nobody any good. The rifle you trust your li...
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How to Set Up a Plate Carrier: Complete 2026 Setup Guide
A plate carrier is only as good as how it's set up. You can drop $800 on the most modular, heaviest-rated carrier on the market — but if your plates are in backwards, your cum...
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From Our Shop · SponsoredM.O.S. Gear Level IV Ballistic Plates – Rifle-Rated Ceramic Armor for Maximum Threat Protection
Ultimate Protection. Zero Compromises. When life-or-death protection is non-negotiable, the M.O.S. Gear™ Level IV Ballistic Plates delive...
$139.99$249.99Shop Now -
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NIJ Body Armor Levels Explained: The Complete Protection Ratings Guide
When your life depends on body armor, understanding NIJ protection levels isn't optional—it's critical. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) rates ballistic armor on its abil...
