About Glen Workman

A Personal Opening

I started this site because I was tired of reading "expert" reviews written by guys who’ve never slept in the dirt or had their life depend on a piece of kit. After fifteen years in the Marine Corps—half of that spent as a weapons instructor—and another decade running Workman Firearms & Range 42, I’ve watched too many good people waste money on gear that fails when it matters, or worse, follow self-improvement advice built on theoretical nonsense.

That’s the problem I’m solving here. I bridge the gap between military-grade utility and civilian life. Whether you’re a veteran transitioning out, a new gun owner trying to sort signal from noise, or someone looking to build discipline without the motivational poster fluff, I’m writing for you. No theory. No unboxing videos where the reviewer hasn’t even zeroed the optic. Just ground-truth from someone who still sweats through his shirts at the range every day.

About Glen Workman

I’m a Marine. Not “former Marine”—there’s no such thing—but a veteran who spent his career teaching Marines to shoot under stress, in the dark, and when they’re shaking from adrenaline. I’ve instructed everyone from boots fresh out of SOI to Force Recon operators, and I’ve seen what happens when equipment promises “tactical” performance but can’t survive a three-week field op. I’ve fixed malfunctions in the rain, tested optics in desert dust storms, and learned that the best gear is the gear you forget you’re wearing because it works.

After I hung up the uniform, I built Range 42 from nothing but concrete and stubbornness. Running a live facility means I see thousands of shooters cycle through every year. I watch gear break. I see training scars turn into safety issues. I know which plate carriers pinch after hour three, which red dots lose zero under recoil, and which “tactical” boots give you blisters on day one. This isn’t desk research. I spend 60 hours a week on the range, still teaching concealed carry classes, still running drills, still getting my hands dirty.

You should trust my judgment because I’ve paid for my opinions in blisters, blown-out knees, and range fees. I don’t review things I haven’t personally used over time. If I recommend something, it’s because I’ve bet my own safety on it—or watched students succeed because of it.

What We Cover

This site sits at the intersection of tactical gear, veteran mindset, and practical self-improvement. Here’s what that looks like:

If you’re looking for unboxing videos set to electronic music or “five-minute mindfulness” shortcuts, you’re in the wrong place. This is for the men and women who want to stay dangerous, capable, and disciplined long after the uniform comes off.

How We Test & Review

Every piece of gear you see reviewed here has been run hard. My baseline for any tactical equipment is simple: Does it work when I’m tired, dirty, and under time pressure? If it can’t survive a weekend carbine course or a month of daily appendix carry, it doesn’t get a recommendation.

My process looks like this: Minimum 500 rounds for any firearm or optic before I write a word. Plate carriers get worn through full training days—squatting, sprinting, shooting prone. Knives and tools get used for actual work, not just paper cuts. I’ll note manufacturing flaws, warranty issues, and whether customer service responds when things break. If I’ve only had hands-on time at a trade show, I’ll tell you straight up.

Yes, this site uses affiliate links. When you buy through them, I earn a commission. But here’s my promise: those relationships never touch the review score. I’ve torched products from companies that pay me and praised gear from competitors who don’t. My loyalty is to the reader holding the rifle, not the marketing team holding the purse strings. If something’s junk, I’ll say it’s junk, and I’ll tell you what broke and why.

Get In Touch

Questions about a specific piece of gear? Want to argue about zero distances or talk shop about opening your own range? I read every email, even if it takes me a day or two to get back to you. Reach me at info@glenworkman.com.

Questions? Reach us at info@glenworkman.com