Prepping Etymology: behind the word "tactical"

[majorhavoc]

A light-hearted look at how the word is used in marketing.  Touches on everything from the origins of the clothing/gear company 5.11 to coyote brown diaper bags.  It's a short, fun read.

It can make even a simple act, like retrieving a store loyalty card from your wallet, feel like a strap-in, lock-and-load, mission-critical experience. Which, in the context of your personal day, it may well be.

When somebody asked the r/tacticalgear subreddit, "Why is military tactical gear so popular?" one answer pointed to the practical selling points — claiming that it's "generally built for harder use than its ultralight civilian equivalent" — while another equally popular post simply said: "Because deep down we all know what's coming."

[Crimson_Phoenix]

That last bit though...

[majorhavoc]

That last bit though...

I know, right?

[Crimson_Phoenix]

Irony is, I see so many folks carrying around ditty bags, shoulder bags, fanny packs, etc. with MOLLE webbing and tactical this and that. Other than I still wear my Tru-Spec tactical pants I wore when I was with the Sheriff's Office because they're comfortable and the cargo pockets are useful, I now wear hot weather fishing shirts and New Balance dad shoes anymore. My go to bag is a mid-sized Jansport laptop work bag in navy blue. Meanwhile, most folks seem to see "grey man" as all tactical kit in FDE and Ranger Green, but you end up looking like a plainclothes cop or PMC.