I highly doubt that someone with a "Special Operations" background as the op calls it, if legit would have to come here to ask this question.
Not true. I've known some guys with very impressive resumes that know little about outfitting their own team, but use their issued gear like a brain surgeon. Just because you know how to use guns doesn't mean you know anything about them. I've seen Counter Sniper scopes posted up on 100% vetted Recon/Sniper pages, and had no idea what a piece of shit they were showing off.
I'm a Marine Sniper with fourteen years AD time when I got out, had over five years in STA Platoons, graduated 2nd from the Advanced Scout/Sniper Course and high shooter from the basic course, taught marksmanship for two years at Parris Island, shot matches, been in combat a few times, worked overseas security contracting for the last seven years, and I've been duped before by marketing and gun rags. I own a Para-TTR, "NRA's Rifle of the Year", a $2k piece of 6moa shooting shit that Para-USA couldn't fix if their life depended on it, but researching why it sucked so bad when I shot it brought me to the Hide. Before coming here I had barely heard of GA Precision, thought ACOGs were the pinnacle of AR optics, and thought there were no worth a shit match projectiles aside from what Sierra turned out. I doubt there is hardly anyone on this board that hasn't fallen victim to the snake oil that is marketing, and been duped at least once.
Sometimes we're our own worst enemies. The "Hide Mind" is vast, full of some of the greatest pieces of knowledge you will find with anything firearms or outdoors related, but we as a whole can certainly be dicks. The "oh my God, he said 'sniper' so I'm going to fuck with him" really gets old, and is liken to a bunch of California valley girls who decided to pick on the new kid because they don't dress to the latest fashion. Now I may go after types that start throwing out SHTF scenarios who start talking about popping guys at 1k because they might be zombies or whatever the fuck, but now we're talking a different scenario where the illegal use of weapons comes into play. There's a difference between ignorance and stupidity - one can be corrected.
The OP came on here asking the advice from shooting enthusiasts who know quality and value from experience, and what is snake oil from the same. Yes, he came off differently than some new members, but instead of helping the guy out in what may be a very noble venture, the board fucks with him. Some guys get their laughs, this guy fades off into obscurity while badmouthing Frank's business to everyone he knows, nobody wins. None of us knows the OP, his background, or the details of what he has been tasked with. That's exactly why I posted what I did - Delete the thread, get vetted, research and post in a more limited forum where we all speak the same language, free of the internet trolls.
[MENTION=99293]Ghost7[/MENTION], I hope you at least come by one last time to read this. I can't tell much of what you're venturing into based on the limited info you've provided, but I have been around the business for a little while. Be wary of what you're getting into, because if you aren't backed by an actual government, it could be very dangerous. A non-profit religious NGO, rolling armed counter trafficking operations in some of the world's greatest shitholes, sounds like you're in some gray area that you won't want to be in. The fact you are outfitting yourself and they don't have anything ready to roll with all ITAR licenses right off makes me wonder even more, sounds VERY fly by night. Make very certain they have all necessary licenses, visas, government authorizations and support before you go carrying weapons dipping into what may be the local governor/warlord's honey pot of money. Watch your ass out there. Sounds admirable, but shady from the onset. It's all fun and games until you're thrown in jail without any way of contacting the embassy, and when they do they tell you "you shouldn't have broken the law" or "we're doing our best" while you're in there with the very same guys you were targeting for a few weeks stay. I have a former co-worker that went through that in Pakistan for a week, and he was an just an IT tech working a legit and licensed project while flying in commercial on a diplomatic passport. I have other friends that have done time in Iraqi and Afghan jails for the very same as well. Trust me, they don't give a shit. Keep a minimum of $5k getaway cash hidden on you at all times, you might need it.
We were all "boots" once.