Afff_667 wrote:People either hate John Willis and OSOE or they hate them...there's not much, if any, middle ground on the guy.
I have an OSOE mag pouch and medical insert that I purchased (and still use) on the secondary market long before I learned anything about the John Willis business model, his background, and his personal baggage. I understand that a lot of folks are able to blow off the negative things said or written about him and rely solely upon the quality of his gear as the basis for their decisions to buy from him, and that's fine for them. It's not fine with me, though.
The stolen valor thing comes from John's unflinching support of Cory Jackson. Google is your friend if you want to learn more, but Jackson basically claimed to be an 11Bravo and veteran while promoting his business and Youtube videos, but he actually went AWOL, and then changed his story for his adoring public when called on it all. Strike 1...
John is also a very close friend and supporter of James Yeager. Google Yeager and Route Irish...Yeager and Tactical Response. Strike 2...
There's the OSOE business model. I get it. The gear is solid...overpriced in almost every case, but it's solid. The thing is that there are some great gear manufacturers out there now who make equally solid gear (or better), at more reasonable prices, with much more desirable delivery times, and without having to deal with OSOE. Strike 3...
John is a convicted drug felon who was subsequently busted in San Diego for weapons violations. I'm all for people turning their lives around, but... Strike 4...
John and OSOE (as well as Jackson and Yeager) have their fanboys. Strike 5...
You can spend your money much more wisely than with John Willis and OSOE.
Ive heard a lot of good things about his gear, but given the price and his delivery times (12 weeks for nylon? It takes my leather guy half that and I can get Wilderness Tactical overnighted) I shop elsewhere. His public image doesn't really mean much to me.