Over the past 25 years, I’ve experimented with all kinds of armor—from concealable options to heavy tactical gear. Now, as a civilian rather than an active-duty soldier or police officer, I have the freedom to choose what I wear and when I wear it.
A few years back, I bought a Condor MOPC and wore it on several “outings.” While I liked it, its generous storage space wasn’t ideal for someone like me who tends to pack a lot of extra gear. After moving to Fort Worth Texas from York PA,, I left it behind, and it eventually disappeared plates and all. I hope whoever absconded with it puts it to good use.
At 52 years old and the self-proclaimed leader of the OFS (Old/Fat/Slow) Club, I try to maximize the benefits of every activity I engage in. After joining Mens Alliance about two months ago, I decided to invest in armor again for tribe workouts. Back in Pennsylvania, I rocked an olive drab MOPC, but here in north Texas, I opted for a coyote pattern. This time, I went with the Condor Sentry Plate Carrier—a piece of gear I really trust.
As my first plate carrier the Condor Sentry, I was looking for something streamlined that I could use for physical training as well as keep in my vehicle as part of an Active Shooter Response Kit. It’s designed for quick deployment in PT, training, or, God forbid, an active shooter situation. Since I’m not wearing it on duty but rather for these purposes, I chose the Level III Shooters Cut Plates (front and back) from Predator Armor. Priced at just $99, these plates, which are made in the USA, offer Level III protection and are rated to stop rounds up to 7.62×51. I purchased the carrier on eBay for $56 shipped, bringing my total investment to about $160 for a solid setup.
The plates arrived a few days ahead of the carrier. They’re nicely finished and have a slight curve to better fit the body. When I came home late last night, to find the carrier had arrived it only took a few minutes to insert the plates and adjust the rig. I had also ordered an Excellent Elite Spanker Tactical MOLLE Hydration Pack for the back, which fits a 3-liter hydration bladder and has two additional spacious pouches. It attached to the Sentry plate carrier as if it were made for it.
Here in Texas, where summer temperatures average 110-120°F, staying hydrated is crucial—as the old Camebak slogan goes, “Hydrate or Die.” I haven’t fully configured my loadout yet, but I plan to include both basic and mission-specific gear. Today, I attended my local Mens Alliance Tribe meeting—the Cowtown Tribe in Fort Worth, TX—and it was my first time doing physical training in body armor since SWAT school in 2001. Back then, I wore a bulky full vest from Safariland that, along with my old Condor MOPC, made me feel like a clumsy turtle, limiting my mobility during shooting, moving, and even when getting in and out of vehicles.
This morning, despite 50°F and rain, I wore the Sentry over a Packable Zero Rain Shell from Zero Foxtrot in gray—a remarkable $99 jacket with easily accessible waist pockets whether sitting or standing. Of course, the chest pockets are covered by the carrier, I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable everything felt right out of the box.
After a quick prayer, we began a 30-minute workout consisting of jumping jacks, pushups, mountain climbers, burpees, crunches, and wind sprints. Unlike my experiences even with concealable armor on patrol, I almost forgot I was wearing this gear—even during 150 jumping jacks, which I’ve always despised. When the workout wrapped up and I relaxed in my camp chair for a 30-minute devotion and discussion, there was no skin chafing or discomfort; I barely noticed the armor at all. It was an unexpectedly enjoyable experience, and I found myself thinking, “Where has this been all my life?” I’m excited to test this setup in various conditions, including at next month’s Annual Horde of Barbarian Ambassadors Men’s Alliance National Conference in Richmond, VA, where I’ll wear it extensively as if I were deployed.
I plan to add a shingle to carry two 30-round magazines for my AR and two mags for my CZ P10 C, alongside my Spartan Blades Kabar. The Kbar arrived with an excellent sheath and mounting platform, which I repurposed using four Chicago screws to attach the sheath to the carrier via MOLLE mounts. I even spray bombed the sheath in coyote to match the vest—a nod to my sometimes-tiresome role as a tactical fashionista. The knife stayed secure throughout the entire workout.
As for the Kabar itself, the only way to enhance its badassery would be to have it re-engineered with input from Mark & Curtis of Spartan Blades—two retired SF operators with unmatched fieldcraft expertise. Their innovation using Crucible Industries’ CPM-MagnaCut steel has made the Kbar a true standout. While I haven’t yet put the knife to any rigorous tests, I plan to do so during my upcoming camping trip at the Horde of Barbarian Ambassadors. Once I add a few more items to my Sentry Plate Carrier and pair it with a battle belt loaded only with a pistol and my AR Pistol, I believe I’ll be well on my way to creating a lightweight, grab-and-go Active Shooter Response Kit.
