Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler is concerned soldiers are buying boots that don't meet military specs, and the service will soon respond with a list of approved and unapproved footwear to better equip soldiers.

"We've identified some boots that we don't believe are safe and in line with the military specifications for issue boots," Chandler told Army Times. "We've asked PEO Soldier to take a look at the current boots that are available at the Military Clothing Sales Store and the exchange, and to help us to determine whether or not all of the boots that are available through the Exchange system in fact meet the military specifications."

Chandler said he believes PEO Soldier has reached out to notify some manufacturers to say "these are the specifications, and we'd like you to take a look at what you're providing."

A spokesman with PEO Soldier referred questions to Chandler's office.

"When a vendor or a military boot manufacturer puts out a boot, my recommendation is they make sure they run it through PEO Soldier ... to ensure they meet our specifications," Chandler said.

Chris Ward, spokesman for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, said that boots sold at the Military Clothing Sales Stores meet Army specs, but that not all boots at the exchanges do.

To avoid confusion, Ward said AAFES has used signage to indicate those boots for sale that can't be worn in uniform.

It all boils down to safety, Chandler said.

"This is really about taking care of soldiers and helping them to recognize that while that boot may look really great, it may not save your foot," Chandler said.

About Michelle Tan and Tony Lombardo

Michelle Tan is the editor of Army Times and Air Force Times. She has covered the military for Military Times since 2005, and has embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Haiti, Gabon and the Horn of Africa.

Tony leads a team of more than 30 editors, reporters and videographers dedicated to covering the news that affects service members and their families. Tony is responsible for strategy of the Military Times digital brands, the print publications, video and multimedia projects for Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times.

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