Don't drink the 5.11 Tactical Kool-Aide!!! - Anonymous employee 5.11 Employee Review

Great atmosphere and great coworkers

I don't have any cons for this company

The benefits are genuinely competitive for this space, including solid medical coverage, a 401k, paid time off, and a strong employee discount that matters if you actually use the products. If you’re passionate about tactical and outdoor gear, working with the product and interacting with engaged customers can still be a bright spot in the role. There are moments where the mission and customer base make the work feel meaningful, especially when you connect with first responders and tactical users who still care about the brand.

Over time it became clear the company has lost its way and drifted from its original identity and core customer. Executive leadership feels disconnected from the field and the people doing the actual work, and decision-making often looks driven by ego and favoritism rather than data or merit. There is a noticeable sense of nepotism at the top, which undermines trust and makes advancement feel more about who you know than how you perform. The CEO’s communication style can come across as dismissive and even gaslighting when employees raise legitimate concerns about strategy, workload, or culture. Day-to-day, the culture often feels fragmented or non-existent, especially outside of headquarters, despite the heavy emphasis on values and “family” in official messaging. Constant changes, shifting priorities, and poor communication about why anything is happening create frustration and burnout for people on the ground.