For over a month, I walked around an active duty post in the same pair of boots. I get back to my unit (national guard) and within minutes I hear "your boots are not authorized! Didn't you get that email?!" Well I did get the email and my boots are in fact authorized. My issue is this: if I expect my soldiers to be out at the range all weekend marching around with gear, then I expect they be able to take care of their feet and wear boots that won't cause blisters or unnecessary discomfort. Our soldiers are our greatest asset. If they want to buy boots that will help them perform at their peak levels, then so be it! I understand our army is getting away from the war mindset and becoming more garrison but does that mean we shouldn't allow soldiers to wear comfortable boots?
Posted in these groups: 
Boots
Leadership
Boots Leadership
Posted >1 y ago
This is a duplicate discussion. Click below to see more on this topic.
We all got the memo that these and others were not authorized. How are you enforcing it? It starts with us as leaders to stop wearing them so that the Soldiers know we uphold and follow the standard.
Responses: 3
Suspended Profile
The boots are authorized because they have already gone through the ringer for safety/protection testing, etc. I'm not talking about protection against stepping on a land mine either. Those boots you want to buy outside of the authorized list, those that have not been approved, the military can't guarantee your safety in them. It's sort of like an insurance policy. If they are approved and on the list of approved, your covered. If not, you're putting yourself at risk. If you find a pair of boots that are comfortable and the majority agree, bring it up to your COC and see if they'll get approved. The worst thing Command will say is No.
I have never personally seen a detailed list of boots that are authorized or not. All I've ever seen is a description that's written in one of those formats that I, myself, find a little challenging to decipher.
I have a pair of Blackhawk boots that I paid $179 for and they were worth every penny. I can't wear them when I fly, but you can bet your butt I wear them all day everyday on the ground. When you're flying you're even more limited and I have yet to find a pair of flight approved boots that are incredibly comfortable. I've heard that there's a list of flight approved boots, but I have yet to find it. (If anyone can provide a link or point me in a direction that would be GREAT! My feet would appreciate it!)
I have a pair of Blackhawk boots that I paid $179 for and they were worth every penny. I can't wear them when I fly, but you can bet your butt I wear them all day everyday on the ground. When you're flying you're even more limited and I have yet to find a pair of flight approved boots that are incredibly comfortable. I've heard that there's a list of flight approved boots, but I have yet to find it. (If anyone can provide a link or point me in a direction that would be GREAT! My feet would appreciate it!)
I am quite sure that in the whole list of authorized boots there is something comfortable for all. From what I have seen/heard about the unauthorized boots is that they are made of synthetic material and this is why they are not authorized. SSG Robert Burns SFC Michael Hasbun SSG V. Michelle Woods Can you please help me out and make sure what I said is correct as I am just a Marine and only have like three pairs of boots on my approved list.
SSG (Join to see)
I understand that it is the synthetic material which makes certain boots unauthorized. But so many soldiers have the nike boots and that's what they have found that works for them. I have heard bike is coming out with a pair that will be authorized. But I just hate to tell soldiers they can't wear boots that they spent $120 on anymore.
SSG (Join to see)
*nike
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google