Are These Boots Authorized?

Boots and socks

The quote below came around this morning on prospective-net, the listserv for 2014 parents. For you others, this is why we are obsessing about books and socks.


A member asked about blister care. Candidates can bring along some band-aids to assist with blisters, but the cadre will be constantly checking feet during Beast (or should be - keep in mind, the cadre are learning right along with the New Cadets). Every summer we hear about a New Cadet who tried to hide blister problems and ended up on profile unable to train with their classmates or worse, with feet so bad they were sent home to return the following summer with the next class. The best blister care can occur right now: candidates should be conditioning their feet to the combat boot and low quarters. The purpose of the authorization to purchase boots/low quarters prior to R Day, is not to break in the boots/shoes, but to CONDITION the feet. For young people who live in athlete shoes and flip-flops, a sudden change to very long days standing/walking/running can result in blisters, foot, ankle, knee pain, etc. Even if a candidate is unable to find the issue low quarter, spending time in a "dress shoe" this spring will help condition the feet to that type of shoe (spending time meaning walking for significant periods of time). A candidate should never run in the combat boot. They will run in athletic shoes. It is recommended candidates report with a good quality running shoe with low mileage on the shoe. If our daughters could have done one thing differently during the weeks leading up to their Beast summers, it would have been to spend more time in the low quarters to condition their feet to that style shoe....oh, and run more (in athletic shoes). ;-)
 
^
Good.
A few pointers from experience.....

1. I can't stress enough conditioning the feet. If you can't get the exact boot, wear any boot. Wear dress shoes. Often and walk in them. Wearing them to watch TV does not count.
2. Do not run in your boots. Run in athletic shoes. Get fitted now for running shoes and break them in for beast. The running shoes you get now, you can take with you.
3. Do not break in your boots by wearing them without socks.
4. Go on a couple of half day hikes and take them off every couple of hours and inspect your feet while breaking them in.
5. When you get fitted for boots - do NOT settle for boots that are too small. Too small is just as bad as too big.
6. Change your socks frequently. Bacteria grow in socks. They get into wounds created by blisters and grow into infections.
7. R-Day is June 28th. Do NOT begin to break in your boots on June 21st. You will get blisters that will not heal by R-Day.

My (and my kid's) experience -
Her feet were well broken in by a year of military school prior to R-Day. She bought her correct boots in early May. Packed moleskin, neosporin, bandaids, sock liners, socks.
Her feet were fitted for boots and they were too small. She wore them.
Then they hiked the ski slope - up and down hill. Yes, the cadre are supposed to inspect for blisters. However, the cadre are cadets and they are young, inexperienced and not medical professionals. Some inspect more than others.
Many New Cadets will NOT complain about their feet because blisters hurt but normally don't kill you. No one wants to be a whiner - especially females.

So, my daughter's foot swells and she thinks she twisted and ankle. Doesn't say anything, no one looks for blisters. A few days later..... she can't get her boot off. The next morning she doesn't know what to do - her foot/leg is swollen. They get the cadre who calls the medic. Haul her off to the ER at Keller.
She has cellulitis. They pump her full of IV antibiotics and send her back to go to DPE get crutches and physical therapy. She ended up on profile for about 10 days and Some very strong antibiotics that cause weird, hallucinatory dreams (Levaquin).

Mom got a letter that said - I am writing to you because I am on profile. I have cellulitis in my foot, up my leg and they are going to hospitalize me tomorrow if it's not better then. After that letter, I heard nothing until the ice cream social phone call about 10 days later.


At the very best, blisters are painful. Enough to prevent you from doing your best and distracting.
At the worst, the land you in the hospital.
 
Socks

Is there a specific type of sock that is worn with the boots and low quarters?
 
Should I buy two pairs of boots and two pairs of low quarters?
 
We are beginning to wonder the same thing, Chockstock. If the issued boots are so awful, it just seems smart to buy the 2nd pair of Bellevilles and break them in at the same time.

What do you suggest, AF?
 
Is there a specific type of sock that is worn with the boots and low quarters?

Should I buy two pairs of boots and two pairs of low quarters?

We are beginning to wonder the same thing, Chockstock. If the issued boots are so awful, it just seems smart to buy the 2nd pair of Bellevilles and break them in at the same time.

What do you suggest, AF?

I answered these questions here. :thumb:

http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=12073
 
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