Team Recoil

ABOUT US

At its core, Recoil Rifle Slings is about the people. Our company was designed from the outset to help retired and disabled veterans get out of the house, break away from depression and the multitude of other issues facing our veterans today. We have come to know so many veterans that have joined our ranks, grown, and moved on, not to mention those still with us. They are our extended family. If you’d like to know more about some of those that work with us here at Recoil, take a look below. Welcome to Recoil Rifle Slings.

P.S.: We’ll be adding new faces from time to time, some of our crew are camera shy at times, and there’s always a new face.

Bill Hawkins

Owner/Air Force Veteran

I am a veteran of the Vietnam War where I served in the Air Force in the USA, Germany and Southeast Asia from 1969 through 1973. My primary job was Weapon Control Systems for the F-4D Phantom. I worked on Radar Systems, Airborne Lasers and Category Two Test Equipment.

My wife and I would like to thank you for supporting our veterans. We are vested in our fellow service men and women and have had over thirty of them work for Recoil Rifle Slings as contract workers over the last four years. Some have been homeless and other have had a number of problems to over come. Not all have chosen to move on with their lives but we have tried to give them a starting point and chance to grow.

Linda Hawkins

Owner

As one of the owner’s, (not a Veteran), I count it an honor and a joy to help with the endeavor of my son Will and his father Bill Hawkins.  I have been named MaMa Hawkins by one of our Veterans and that name has stuck with me.  That is who I have become to many of the guys here in the shop.  I truly enjoy cooking, encouraging when I can, and simply just being there when needed.  Sometimes all a person needs is to know someone truly cares.  That is basically where I fit in this company.  As a daughter of parents who both served in World War II, a husband who served in the Vietnam War and a son who served during the Gulf War, I have seen and heard and dealt with much of the lack of care of our Veterans, so with this said I love our Veterans whether male or female and I try to be supportive.

Will Hawkins

Founder/USMC Veteran

I am a 100{7cf773d022e7cb2eef6b74a6263198d5e9a8c5ba798237e13f1ccf5e48f29278} disabled vet and founder of Record Rifle Slings. I would like to start by saying thank you very much for supporting our veterans. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to take this time to speak with you. I was in the Marine Corps for five years and got out in 2002. When I was discharged I quickly learned what all disabled veterans are going through.

When you order from Recoil, while you are getting a good product made by a veteran, you are also changing a life of someone that served this country. Every sling ordered keeps Recoil Rifle Slings going. It gives a vet the ability to work and get out of the house. Most of the veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from PTSD. In home is the last place that they need to be 24/7. PTSD is just one of the many different disabilities that veterans are facing, there are also the homeless and the ones that just can’t get jobs. Our goal is to give these vets a purpose and the ability to overcome, with help from people that understand, and at the same time give them the opportunity to have a normal life.

Bryan Baguley

Army Veteran

I am a Retired U.S. Army Infantryman as a Staff Sargeant (SSG). So I can honestly say that I am a ‘GRUNT’.  I have been in combat 3 times in Iraq and Afghanistan, and 1 hardship tour in the Republic Of Korea. I have been stationed in many places in the United States and overseas. Upon my retirement on May 2011, I have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other physical problems. I have been having a difficult time coping from the transition from military to civilian life. It has been difficult for me to hold a regular job with my disabilities. I receive a 70{7cf773d022e7cb2eef6b74a6263198d5e9a8c5ba798237e13f1ccf5e48f29278} disability rating from the VA.

Being that I have been a ‘GRUNT’, I know what it is like having to carry equipment, especially my M-4 rifle. The slings we were issued were inadequate. I saw Recoil Rifle Slings on the internet and was blown away by what and how they were made. Upon meeting Will Hawkins he showed me in person the slings that is shown on the website. When he learned that I was a Disabled Veteran, he offered me a job. I accepted and its a decision I will not regret.

Stephen Nelson

USMC Veteran

I served two years in the United States Marine Corps from 2010 to 2011. I was a Marine working in the Supply Warehouse stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. I later was diagnosed with medical problems, unrelated to my military service, while at Camp Lejeune. I was diagnosed with epilepsy and other problems. The combination of all my medical problems resulted in me being placed on 80{7cf773d022e7cb2eef6b74a6263198d5e9a8c5ba798237e13f1ccf5e48f29278} Veteran Disability Rating.

I heard about Recoil Rifle Slings through a mutual acquaintance between myself and Will Hawkins when hanging out at a local surplus store. I met with Will and his father, Bill Hawkins, and they explained to me what Recoil was all about, what’s going on now, and where the company is headed in the future. I was very excited about the project and signed on without a second thought.  I’m one of the first veterans to join Recoil but my personal contact number is 01 which I selected. I take great pride in my work and want to make sure you know that all slings come with a lifetime warranty guarantee.

Terrance Sneed

Navy/Coast Guard Veteran

I’m Vet 6769, and I’m a U.S. Navy and Coast Guard veteran that has served for 12 years combined. I served in the submarine service for 3 years and service navy for 5 years. I also served in the Coast Guard for 4 years at a small boat rescue station in Santa Barbara, California and on a High Endurance Cutter out of San Francisco, California. During both services I was deployed on two Western Pacific Deployments.

I hope you enjoy your new sling, and remember it has a lifetime warranty. If you find anything wrong with it at all, please don’t hesitate to contact Recoil Rifle Slings and we’ll take care of you! If you like, you can even request me by name or Vet. Number to replace your sling for you.

Robert Medina

Army Veteran

I’m Vet #84, and I am a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving four years from 2009 to 2013.  I served as a Gunner’s Mate aboard the USS CHOSIN CG-65 (a guided missile cruiser) stationed out of Pearl Harbor, HI. As a Gunner’s Mate on a surface ship my role included small arms weapons technician/trainer,  vertical launch system missile technician, torpedo handling, and my favorite Mk 45 5” cannon technician.

I’ve had many awesome experiences while in the military, like visiting different countries, learning to be a man (I enlisted after high school), or even something as simple as viewing a starry sky, on a darkened ship, out in the middle of the ocean.  The cherry on top of it all though has been meeting the many brave men and women with whom I served both those who have gone before me, and those who continue to answer the call. One of those folks of course is Recoil Rifle Slings founder Will Hawkins. After meeting with Will and explaining how I was still adjusting back into a stable civilian life, he graciously accepted me with open arms. It is a humbling experience to work here at Recoil Rifle Slings, with a good group of other veterans who understand everyone goes through hardships, everyone needs help, and every now and again somebody to lean on.

I take much pride in the slings I have made. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you, and thank you for supporting the military. I hope you enjoy your sling and stay safe.

David Colon

Air Force Veteran

Hello my name is David Colon. I am a 100{7cf773d022e7cb2eef6b74a6263198d5e9a8c5ba798237e13f1ccf5e48f29278} disabled Veteran. I served in the Air Force from 1975 to 1977. I was a fuel Specialist, Fueling up F-4’s and B-52’s during the pull out from Vietnam. I was stationed at Mac Dill A.F.B., Florida. I also served in Guatemala and Alaska. Bringing Disaster Relief to the affected areas. I was Honorably discharged in 1977.

I now make slings with Recoil Rifle Slings. I have had the privilege of making many of your rifle slings. I attempted to make them flawless. I hope you are as happy with them as I am.