black low quarters - females

Katherine

5-Year Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
29
This is the description for the female low quarter shoe:

"c)Women’s Shoes: Oxford, Black Leather, Moccasin Toe; Non-Shiny (DSCP - Style 90100; key item # M210P; $45.60); authorized one pair."

Has anyone found the shoe online? The nearest PX is like 3 hrs away, so that's a last resort. Thanks in advance for any help.

:)))))))
 
No, that is not the shoe you'll be issued. Again, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. They are going to give them to you.
 
This is the description for the female low quarter shoe:

"c)Women’s Shoes: Oxford, Black Leather, Moccasin Toe; Non-Shiny (DSCP - Style 90100; key item # M210P; $45.60); authorized one pair."

Has anyone found the shoe online? The nearest PX is like 3 hrs away, so that's a last resort. Thanks in advance for any help.

:)))))))

There is a sense of urgency in getting these shoes ASAP since R-day is 20 days away. They need to be broken in, your feet need to be broken in to these kind of shoes and you need to wear them when you report on R-day. You will get issued another pair at West Point, but what a lot of cadets do is use those for inspection and wear the one they brought with them to R-day for everyday use.

That said, they also need to be fitted properly, so ideally, that would mean a trip to the PX. But, I would call them first because they may not have the correct shoe or your size and may need to be ordered. They might even be willing to ship you a few sizes and let you send back the ones that don't fit and that would save you a trip to the PX.

Is there an Air Force base that is closer? Last year, the AF bases were more likely to have these shoes than the Army posts. The Army Military Clothing Sales Stores tended to only have the super shiny shoes. You should have received MCSS Directory in your 2nd admissible mailing that lists all the stores with locations and phone numbers. If you did not get this directory, send me a PM and tell me where you live and I can look it up for you.

This is what we did last year. We have a Army post here, so we took our shoe letter with us to the MCSS. They did not have that shoe but they fitted DS and then ordered them from an AF base store. They sent a couple of sizes to our Army post MCSS, DS tried them all on and we bought the one he liked the best.

To answer your specific question, I have no idea if the Bates shoe is acceptable. I personally would rather get exactly what the shoe letter said and know you're OK. Regardless, you really need to get these shoes in your possession soon or you will be miserable R-day.

Good Luck!
 
They need to be broken in, your feet need to be broken in to these kind of shoes and you need to wear them when you report on R-day. You will get issued another pair at West Point, but what a lot of cadets do is use those for inspection and wear the one they brought with them to R-day for everyday use.....Regardless, you really need to get these shoes in your possession soon or you will be miserable R-day.

Good Luck!

/FACEPALM

Let's set the record straight: you do not need them to report. Hundreds of your classmates will show up in sneakers. Yes, it's true. Secondly, please get over the idea that you'll be rocking these nicely shined LQ's and that it will make your life easier because you won't have to shine them while other new cadets do. Your squad leader will not allow you to outshine your squadmates and coast while they work vigorously to shine their new low quarters. You will be wearing the fresh pair you are issued like everyone else.

You will not be allowed to wear any style of low quarter that is not the issued style. New cadets wear issued items only, right down to their eyewear. Save yourself the run-around.

P.S. - R-day will be miserable whether you're wearing your shoes or theirs.
 
R-Day shoe story.

Back in the day we were told to bring a pair of black leather shoes, well-broken in. We would be issued a pair at USMA, but we needed the worn pair right away. So I bought a pair, made sure I shined the heck out of them, and wore them to school every day for five weeks. This was the seventies when NO ONE wore black laced leather shoes to school, so my classmates thought it was either quaint or odd. But I was darned proud of those shoes.

So my parents and I travelled up the night before R-Day and stayed outside of Highland Falls. That night I opened my suitcase -- and my beautiful broken in shoes were missing! I forgot to pack them, how I still don't know. The next morning we wound up going to the local Jamesway(?) to buy a pair of whatever leather shoes were available, with the result that blisters were my companion that first week. I can laugh now.
 
Except that their official reporting instruction are to arrive on R-Day wearing low quarters. If they can't get low quarters they are to arrive in black non-shiny leather oxfords.

Scoutpilot is right though, of course. Lots and lots will arrive in sneakers - I even saw some arrive in their tan boots. If you can get the low quarters ahead of time at a base - terrific. If not, it's not the end of the world, they will issue you low quarters.

Don't buy the Bates - save $100 since if you wore them on R-day they would come off right away. If the nearest post/base with the proper low quarters is 3 hours away - don't worry about it! Go for a run!
The truth is - you could arrive in your PJ's and identification and they would not only take you but well care for you.
 
Let's set the record straight: you do not need them to report. Hundreds of your classmates will show up in sneakers. Yes, it's true.

Yes, let's set the record straight.

Katherine is quoting from the boot letter that she received from West Point.

It says:

PURPOSE: Early purchase of boots and low quarters will provide candidates with the
opportunity to break in the footwear and avoid blisters during Cadet Basic Training. Each Cadet
Candidate is required to purchase at a minimum, one pair of combat boots (not to exceed two
pairs) and one pair of low quarter shoes prior to R-Day. This program is mandatory.

Pretty straight forward. Not an option. Required.

Katherine is asking for help in buying the right kind of shoe because it is REQUIRED.

The thought is that not only do the shoes need to be broken in, but your feet need to get used to these kind of shoes. Most teenagers wear tennis shoes, sandals, flops etc. Not closed toe leather shoes.

What Classes 2013 and prior did as far as what to wear/buy for Beast/R-Day is irrelevant to 2014.
Case in point, 2013's had a shoe letter. Were not suppose to buy boots. They would be fitted and supplied at Beast. Problems galore happened with the 2013's breaking in the boots at Beast, so that is why 2014's were told to buy the boots this year. They are to break them in PRIOR to R-day. Same with the low quarters.



Secondly, please get over the idea that you'll be rocking these nicely shined LQ's and that it will make your life easier because you won't have to shine them while other new cadets do. Your squad leader will not allow you to outshine your squadmates and coast while they work vigorously to shine their new low quarters. You will be wearing the fresh pair you are issued like everyone else.

Scoutpilot - you misinterpreted this. Note, I said CADETS, as in post R-day. This is a practice among current cadets. Helps with SAMI'S. Like not sleeping in your bed in order to not mess it up. So I'll ignore the rest of your statement since you were going on the wrong assumption.


Katherine - buy the shoes as mandated. Break them in.
 
Katherine, you need to call the AAFES facility closest to you and ask if they can order them for you. I opened the AAFES site, put in the key item number and the shoe popped up right away at the price quoted (I am authorized to shop at AAFES). They are available. If you have any questions please contact Deb Dalton, the USMA Parent Communications Liaison at deb.dalton@usma.edu . Depsite the title, she will help candidates, too, and she is VERY responsive. I have already told her about your issue...:thumb:
 
Same boot letter as two years ago. Yes, it was "mandatory" then too.

IF she can't get the shoes then she can't get the shoes. Lots and lots of New Cadets won't be able to get the shoes. If she shows up in sneakers they will not turn her away at the gate.

Katherine - If you are unable to locate the correct shoes as per your boot letter I suggest you call your Admissions officer up at West Point. You will get correct guidance.

Oops cross posted with mo2c - good advice. Call Deb Dalton.
BTW - didn't they post or send you a printout of all the AF and Army facilities with these shoes/boots? Some National Guard bases have them too and might be closer for you.
 
Same boot letter as two years ago. Yes, it was "mandatory" then too.

IF she can't get the shoes then she can't get the shoes. Lots and lots of New Cadets won't be able to get the shoes. If she shows up in sneakers they will not turn her away at the gate.

Katherine - If you are unable to locate the correct shoes as per your boot letter I suggest you call your Admissions officer up at West Point. You will get correct guidance.

Oops cross posted with mo2c - good advice. Call Deb Dalton.
BTW - didn't they post or send you a printout of all the AF and Army facilities with these shoes/boots? Some National Guard bases have them too and might be closer for you.

Same boot letter I received in 2000. It hasn't changed, despite the know-it-all tone from certain posters who seem to think I need a lecture on my Alma mater. Even if you wear them on R-Day you'll take them off when you're issued your low quarters.

What does mandatory mean? You tell me. I never saw anyone turned away for wearing the wrong shoes. Bear in mind that what Just_A_Mom said is right. Many will not find the right style. Regardless, all will be wearing issued low quarters by the oath ceremony.

Relax, and don't sweat the shoes.
 
MAJOR thanks to all of the kind folks who replied to my message.

I'm trying to get my hands on the MCSS Directory for my area to get the official low quarters. Although I'm trying to get the shoes for at least a week of wearage, I'm not going to freak out about it if I can't get them in time. It might be blister city, but I'll get over it.

All the best, everyone! GO ARMY
 
Quick question about the boots -- do they have to be the specific "issue boots"? Or can they be any normal hot weather boot that's manufactured by one of the four approved brands?
 
Technically, I guess they can be any normal hot weather boot by the four brands. If you're looking to get Bellville's, I'm pretty sure the DES 390 is the agreed-upon correct boot.
 
The ones I have are the Belleville 310. I had a pair of the issue boots (Altama Delta's) from months ago, but no matter how much I wear them (probably hiked 30+ miles total in them) they'd still been giving me awful blisters, even using moleskin. The 310s don't rub at all, so I'm hoping they won't a) be classified as "improper footwear" and be taken away, or b) result in me getting tons of crap from the cadre.
 
A word to the wise: you will likely not find those shoes at a MCSS on most nearby bases. I checked the FT Campbell MCSS today for Katherine. They carry the style, but only in a patent leather finish.

Finding a MCSS will not necessarily solve your problem.
 
A word to the wise: you will likely not find those shoes at a MCSS on most nearby bases. I checked the FT Campbell MCSS today for Katherine. They carry the style, but only in a patent leather finish.

Finding a MCSS will not necessarily solve your problem.

I've heard they carry them more often at MCSS on AFB's. I got mine on Scott AFB. I also saw them both at Ft. Carson MCSS today and Peterson AFB MCSS a few days ago. But, especially if you don't live close to a military installation and/or are not military yourself, I would call clothing sales in advance to make sure they do carry them.

Any advice on the 310s?
 
I've heard they carry them more often at MCSS on AFB's. I got mine on Scott AFB. I also saw them both at Ft. Carson MCSS today and Peterson AFB MCSS a few days ago. But, especially if you don't live close to a military installation and/or are not military yourself, I would call clothing sales in advance to make sure they do carry them.

Any advice on the 310s?

Honestly, the 310 falls into the "approved cool guy boot" category. It's not one of the boots we would typically get through MILSTRIP, and you are not likely to be allowed to wear them during Beast or plebe year prior to promotion.

IIRC, the Bellville 390 is the style you're likely to receive, as it is the most common OCIE-issued boot. The 340 is aesthetically identical except that it is a nomex upper and thus is flight/CVC approved. I believe it costs more as well.
 
The ones I have are the Belleville 310. I had a pair of the issue boots (Altama Delta's) from months ago, but no matter how much I wear them (probably hiked 30+ miles total in them) they'd still been giving me awful blisters, even using moleskin. The 310s don't rub at all, so I'm hoping they won't a) be classified as "improper footwear" and be taken away, or b) result in me getting tons of crap from the cadre.

I had a problem with the rubbing in the boots as well. I would highly recommend going with a smaller size in the boot. I did that and there was a significant difference. I haven't had a single blister since I switched them. If you're worried about your toes being squished, get them in a wide. I can tell you though that no amount of moleskin will stop the rubbing. Good luck :)
 
Try the MCSS at AF bases.
They are more likely to have them than the Army MCSS.
 
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