Special Operators: Savvy buyers of survival equipment.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Unconventional Warriors - Commercial sources of combat gear

The U.S. special operations forces don't leave anything to chance when it comes to their personal survival gear. They are astute buyers of tactical equipment and often shun military standard-issue supplies in favor of more functional, commercial items.

When they are not away on a mission, it is not unusual to fin members of the U.S. special operations forces at outdoor-gear an sporting-goods trade shows, checking out the latest body armor, backpacks or combat knives.

"The special warfare community has gone out and bought commercial equipment, because they know that it's more functional," said Bill Strang, president of Tactical & Survival Specialties Inc. The company, located in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, has become a one-stop shop. ping venue for special operations law-enforcement units looking for combat gear that is not easily fount in the traditional government supply pipeline.

TSSI, for example, designed combat knife that is becoming increasingly popular with elite combat troops, because it has unique features not found in standard knifes It also costs about half the going rate of comparable commercial knifes, "so the average troop can afford it," said Strang in an interview. It is no uncommon, he said, for members of elite units to dip into their own pockets to buy personal items, such as knives, helmets, sleeping bags, boots or specialized rope. Oftentimes, however, a special-warfare unit purchases equipment that is then distributed to its members.

This survival gear may not seem as vital as a weapon or a night-vision sight, but it helps provide a certain "comfort level" to operators who "are going to be out there longer, on their own," Strang said. "What I see as an essential item for my survival out in the field may not be the case for the guy next to me."

The special operations community, he said, "will go our and find what's innovative. ... Most guys in special operations own more personal gear on top of all the stuff" that is issued by their command. "Those are the guys who tend to be a little more progressive," Strang said.

Among the most "progressive" pieces of gear sold by TSSI is a lightweight black boot made by Adidas, the athletic-gear firm. The boot was specially designed for German/s super-secret antiterrorism teams. In the U.S. special operations forces, said Strang, "If you are really cool, you have one of these." They retail for $249. "SOF customers ask for them, 150 or 200 pairs at a time.

Strang...