The Spartans of ancient Greece sought two basic fundamental strengths in their warriors,
" Cardia, Heart and Dynamis, the will to fight.” Our nations operational personnel have these traits ingrained in each of them. What NWL seeks to do is to provide them with the kit to capitalize on those strengths. We will provide equipment that is built to function in the austere climate of conflict not to hinder because of design failings. The extra time we take in the design, material selection and during the testing and evaluation (T&E) process sets us apart from the mass produced kit that requires personal adjustments or manipulation by the user after purchase. Direct communication between the end user and the ability to translate their concerns and needs into a functional piece of kit will always result in an outcome that has a tangible and positive effect on the user when it is utilized operationally.

NWL meets with each client, at our home office or at the client’s location. This interaction is vital to understanding exactly what the clients needs are and assists us in designing the most functionally effective kit for their application. This combined effort also provides us with the necessary information to address the material specifications that will change with each piece of kit depending on the environment and how austere it is. Operational personnel who function at higher levels than conventional troops or assets require direct input in the design of their kit. It is NWL experience that some top tier units have had to shop for the best option in a sea of mediocre kit that almost or nearly fulfils their needs. NWL’s aim is to be the conduit for those entities and their personnel to build the kit for the application they require. We work with capable rapid prototyping and have access to materials that those top tier units expect their kit to be built from to provide them with the greatest efficacy during their mission specific tasks.

After initial design application needs and material specs are discussed a working prototype of the kit is generated. This prototype is passed on to the client or to an operational element that will conduct a T&E of the equipment and provide real world feed back on efficacy, functionality and material durability. The same prototype will be used during operations, if applicable, results will provide unprecedented outcomes based data that will guide NWL in the modification of the prototype into a finished applications based piece of kit. Quality control will be constant; NWL staff will monitor the rapid prototype as well as the production models to insure the end user does not have material failures in the field.

Prior to ramping up production of finalized kit, a sample from the builder is presented to NWL and the client for a last QC check. This is done because the expectations of the client must be met, NWL does not accept QC checks from the builder, as the builder is never the end user. QC checks done without the client are a recipe for failure; end users have a unique vantage point from which they can analyze kit/gear that they must utilize.

National Warrior League develops equipment for our clients and insures that it is purpose driven. The outcome of an operation can and will hinge on the abilities of the personnel involved. NWL wants to insure that our kit does not become a hindrance to the completion of any operation, instead we effort to produce kit that will optimize the users performance and create fluidity through function of design.

Intuitive Proprioceptive Localization
This concept was coined by George Yu, M. D. and was used to explain how a human being can locate any appendage without the help of visual acuity. This process also explains why we can touch any one of our body parts without the help of sight. This concept has relevance to operational personnel, our equipment and training because we frequently train to utilize kit and weaponry without the assistance of sight. We are encouraged to re-holster pistols without looking at the holster; we make ourselves so familiar with the placement of equipment on our person that we can locate it in the dark or without having to see it. All this has its roots in “Intuitive Proprioceptive Localization” (IPL).

Very frequently operational personnel find themselves working in the austere climate of conflict such as: smoke, darkness or low light, concussions from explosions, less lethal gas (CS), personnel in gas masks or SCBA gear, the confinement of a vehicle or aircraft and debris from firefights and small arms. During events like this, it is paramount that the operator or assaulter be able to use their gear/kit without having to take the time to acquire it visually to operate their equipment. Being able to maintain eyes on the direction of the threat or target while engaging or initiating the action of their gear/kit creates a battlefield efficacy that will translate into quicker target acquisition and more effective fire on target.

Our AWS (Ambidextrous Weapon Sling) was designed with a cutaway mechanism, the QRC (Quick Release Clip), to be attached to the operators or assaulters PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) or body armor instead of attached to the end users weapon. The design premise was based on “Intuitive Proprioceptive Localization”(IPL). If the QRC was attached at the weapon, the user would have to acquire the mechanism visually and utilize a great deal of dexterity to actuate the cutaway feature. This added effort takes away from their reaction time and keeps them inside the threats Boyd Cycle (OODA Loop). Our AWS differs; we opted to attach the sling to the operator with the QRC. This concept allows the operator/assaulter to take advantage of IPL to activate the cutaway; he or she will not have to visually acquire the release mechanism to cutaway. Instead, the user will have the advantage of IPL and will be able to cutaway while maintaining eyes on the target or threat, thus cutting down on reaction time and gaining the advantage on the aggressor/threat. This advantage translates into faster reaction time through the Boyd Cycle or OODA Loop (observe, orient, decide and act), insuring that the operator can neutralize their threat at a fast rate. This insures that the assault element does not loose momentum or intiative in any of the critical phases of conflict.

National Warrior League (NWL) and its designers strive to design kit/gear that is purpose driven. Our gear utilizes the concepts of form and function combined with “Combat Human Factors”, IPL and survival stress response to create kit/gear that functions in the fire of conflict when the operator/assaulter requires his equipment to function with fluid efficacy. This sort of effective functionality creates confidence in the user because the kit/gear they depend on operates as it was designed. Our principle focus is to insure that our gear does not cause any hindrances in the most austere of climates, combat. This assurance allows our end users to focus on the mission not on the failings or shortcomings of their kit/gear.