There's something about military surplus that simply resonates with men. Like cars, swords, or 16 oz steaks, milsurp in all its forms has a way of immediately capturing the attention of nearly any man, regardless of their overall level of interest or knowledge in it. It's simply attractive. But for some, this attraction can become an obsession. Interest in the gear becomes interest in its use, in the historical context which informed its design, in the people who used it and the challenges they faced. This obsession is true for many, and for me, it played a significant role in shaping my identity, my interests, and my path in life. This eventually culminated in the creation of Rattlesnake Outfitters, a military surplus store aimed at sharing this passion with others and inspiring this lifestyle and values in other like-minded individuals.
As long as I can remember, I have always been enraptured by all things military. As a kid growing up, I would always gravitate toward war movies and video games, "playing army" outside, and accumulating and collecting the gear, tools, and clothing associated with it. From the handful of local surplus stores in my area to garage sales and flea markets outside of Fort Drum, I would take any opportunity I could to visit such places in search of new gear, and to immerse myself in it all (nothing can quite compare to that surplus smell). As I grew older, so too did my collection, as well as the simultaneous and complimentary passions for history and spending time outdoors. Discovering a new uniform, rucksack, or load bearing system, learning as much as I could about it, and then taking it into the wilderness to practice using it and experience how it actually works in the field, became a regular routine for me. Not to be confined solely to the outdoors and backyard, military surplus bled its way into all areas of my life. I wore a Swiss salt and pepper rucksack as my book bag in high school, I'd wear tiger stripe pants and jungle boots to social gatherings, a Goretex flecktarn jacket while walking to class on rainy days in college, and I've even snuck pieces of surplus into formal attire for successful job interviews. This hobby and passion would shape me both socially and professionally as I made my way in the world.
After many years wading through the bureaucracy and trivialities of employment in 21st century America, it dawned on me during a particularly frustrating day; Why not channel my passion, experience, and insider knowledge of military surplus and the milsurp market into a business, one which will allow me to share my passion with others while also living the life I've always wanted? A business which isn't just about earning beer and ammo money or keeping the lights on, but one which inspires and educates other people like me and equips them with the tools and knowledge to pursue their own happiness. Given my own unique experiences, training, education, and drive, it made too much sense not to pursue it, no matter how challenging. And thus was born Rattlesnake Outfitters.
The mission statement of Rattlesnake Outfitters is as follows: To empower the everyday Individual with the tools and knowledge to pursue their happiness as cost effectively as possible and promote the virtues of Liberty, Independence, and Self-Determination. Although fairly straight forward, this establishes a responsibility to not only provide top quality, affordable, and proven gear, but also the knowledge to use it effectively in the field and in daily life. This can be seen with in depth descriptions on the history and utility of nearly every item, as well as articles and videos describing their use both technically and practically as well as suggestions on useful modifications and general fieldcraft. An example of this can be seen in our effort to promote they dying of UCP to transform otherwise excellent and affordable gear from ugly and ineffective to that which excels. As the company continues to grow, so too will the products and information offered. While primarily a military surplus store, Rattlesnake Outfitters is not strictly military surplus, and strives to offer new and original products as well to fulfill all of your adventuring needs and allow you to live life on your own terms. And as we grow, we hope that you grow with us, and we are always receptive to feedback, requests or suggestions.