Are S2V's authorized footwear for BCT?

wr041311

5-Year Member
Joined
May 29, 2012
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Hey, I am just entering USAFA, so I will be doing Basic Cadet Training this summer. I know that they issue footwear for those that don't have any, but I was wanting to go ahead and get a pair and break them in. Someone told me to try to get a pair of S2Vs from a local Rocky Boots Outlet store, but told me to make sure that S2Vs are authorized footwear for BCT before I got them.

So anyway, if anyone knows the answer, I would definitely appreciate it!
 
I would recommend not getting boots ahead of time at all. The boots they are using now are very comfortable from day 1 and don't need to be broken in, plus you'll just be carrying around the boots you bring on In Processing day. Its going to be a loooong day, and the less you have to carry around the better. You'll be issued all sorts of stuff that you'll be carrying also, plus standing in lines for many things, all the while not being allowed to just rest your gear on the ground whenever you feel like it--cadre will be watching and "correcting". Your left arm will get a workout!

_______________
Proud Mom of a C3C!
 
I'm just going to say it's a bad idea. Leave it for the academic year. You do not want to stand out during BCT, except for being an exceptional performer.

Also, it would suck to ruin a pair of S2Vs rather than the issued set!
 
I read a great deal about boots on this forum and the bulk of the comments said that there was no need to buy the boots before the BCT. We live in Hawaii, and suffice it to say that closed shoes, let alone full boots, are hardly ever worn here for any period of time! My daughter doesn't even wear footwear as an athlete (gymnast), so we went on base and bought her boots to get her feet used to them. At a HI parents club meeting some of the other parents also said their kids had wished they had gotten used to boots beforehand. She's hiked in her boots several times, and glad she did because she has gotten blisters and feels like her feet will toughen up and get used to them in the next couple of weeks.
I think it all depends; kids who are used to boots through JROTC or other efforts may not feel the need to get used to the boots. But if you do get boots, definitely get the brand with specs recommended in the handbook issued.
 
Last year on I-day we were fortunate enough to be escorted around campus by our daughter's coach, well after most parents had left. we were standing by the chapel overlooking the Terrazzo and it was painful to watch the new cadets trying to carry all their new equipment in one hand as they marched. They were having a really tough time and many of them were dropping their equipment and getting lots of grief for it. I agree with the other posters - the less you have to carry the better. Just get the boots at school.
 
different boots being issued

Just FYI, DS called Cadet Issue and apparently they will not be using the Belleville's they mention in the Instructions to Appointee handbook. They recommended DS NOT buy boots beforehand. I guess if you are going to buy them, be prepared that they may not be regulation and you could end up with new boots to wear anyway.
 
I would also caution not getting boots ahead of time. Some cadre don't let you wear anything other than the issued stuff (and that can go into the full school year depending on squad). It really depends on the squad, which you won't know until you get there.
 
Just stick with the issued boots for BCT. You want to be on an equal footing with your classmates. Rocky's would make flutterkicks easier, so you don't want to attract attention from your cadre or jealousy from your classmates.

Also, the courses in Jack's Valley ruined a pair of my boots. Make sure when you get there, you set aside a pair of boots just for the courses, particularly the Assualt and Obstacle Courses. If your cadre tell you that you are going to either of those courses, make sure you are wearing the boots you want to. If you are not, it might not hurt to ask if your flight (during basic, perhaps with the exception of using the latrine, always ask if the entire flight, or the entire table can perform some kind of activity) can change into the boots you set aside for the courses.
 
Don't buy your own boots until after basic. You will not be allowed to wear them during basic, and you DO NOT want to look any different than your classmates.

After basic, the wear of non-issued boots varies by squadron. My freshman squad wasn't allowed to wear non-issued boots until after recognition, but my current squad allows it. A lot of cadets wear Nike boots because they are a lot lighter than the issued boots (but not waterproof or as wear-resistant).
 
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