Boots?

BobBigBoy

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Messages
148
My DD was told by her summer seminar cadre to make sure she bought her boots early in an effort to get used to them prior to BCT. I have seen conflicting recommendations and was wondering if anyone had an experienced opinion on whether to buy them now or simply wait until I-day.
Thanks
 
My DD was told by her summer seminar cadre to make sure she bought her boots early in an effort to get used to them prior to BCT. I have seen conflicting recommendations and was wondering if anyone had an experienced opinion on whether to buy them now or simply wait until I-day.
Thanks

Don't worry about getting boots early. They will issue you two pairs of boots that break in fairly quickly. :thumb:
 
This is the statement about boots in the PDF file "Appointee handbook":

Combat boots and boot socks will be issued upon arrival;
however, appointees may purchase their boots prior to
entering the Academy. Appointees may do so through Cadet
Issue during scheduled day tours to the Academy. These
boots must meet the following specifications: sage green in
color, 8 inches high, have a rubber sole, and a waterproof
upper bootie (Gore-tex or similar.) The boots must NOT have
steel or safety toes, or zippers.

If you bring them with you on I-day you will be carrying them or wearing them, this is just a FYI.
 
That's old though. 2015 never had an oppurtinity to visit before I day unless it was a short tour. I'd get some boots if I could go back. Yes, they issue you two pairs, but they're awful. My Nike frees and corcorans are much better. If you have the extra cash. Invest in some decent boots and don't wear them on the courses.
 
My daughter thought the boots they issued were very comfortable. So as anything, YMMV.
 
That's old though. 2015 never had an oppurtinity to visit before I day unless it was a short tour. I'd get some boots if I could go back. Yes, they issue you two pairs, but they're awful. My Nike frees and corcorans are much better. If you have the extra cash. Invest in some decent boots and don't wear them on the courses.

Well then the Academy has published old information then! I took it straight from the 2016 Appointee handbook. I had the 2014, but they were able to purchase and bring along. Think that was the last time the held visits specifically for incoming cadets. DD got her appointment late so it made no difference. We bought hers at the local AAFES clothing store. I will work on finding some for DS and remind, remind, remind that they should not be worn to Jack's Valley unless he wants them ruined. DD threw out her JV boots as soon as they came back to the hill. In her words "The just stunk too bad to keep". These were the boots issued to her on I-day. The pair we had purchased were her standby for a very long time. Bought her a pair of Altima's last spring.
 
Bob; as you can tell, there are a lot of different opinions. Some people find the issued boots comfortable from day one. Some, like the cadre speaking to your daughter, recommended breaking them in. Each person is different.

My son brought one pair with him. He has/had the luxury of living at/near an air force base, so getting a pair wasn't difficult. He broke them in ahead of time. He did say that they wore pretty nicely from day-1 and didn't really need to break in. He did, as the Pamphlet stated, have to carry them with him the first day, along with his back pack and AOG goodies given him. In retrospect, he said he wouldn't get them early. But as you can see, everyone is different.

I recommend going to BCT with as close to the "Clothes on your back" that you can do. "LITERALLY". A typical school back pack that you can fit an extra change of underwear and toiletries, and your paperwork in is all you need. If you have to wear the same civilian cloths a 2nd day until you get all your uniforms, SO WHAT. Don't worry about boots.

On a similar/side note: Hopefully you made a copy of ALL PAPERWORK that you did through the appointment process. My son sent in the original of everything he had to, and had 2 copies of EVERYTHING. Including medical records and immunization records. We kept one copy at home, and he brought a copy with him. So, when they say they didn't receive a certain piece of paper, he simply handed them his copy and didn't have to go through any hassle. One cadet last year took such advice and patiently watched as a couple new cadets got more immunizations because the academy didn't have his records. He gave them his copy and didn't have to get new shots or fill out the security paperwork. Anyway; RULE #3242 in the military: (Actually, rule #1): Make a copy of ALL PAPERWORK and have it available if needed. best of luck. mike....
 
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