Question for those who might know:
Is there a list of CF-approved LPO replacement boots for each kind of "issued" boot? If so...where the hell do you find it? If not...why not?
It sure would make it easier for all involved.
No there isn't. That's because different boots (and there's hundreds of styles makes out there) work different for different people. And what is available locally differs across the nation.
The regulation is that you have to buy "black" boots. IE: if you buy black boots with orange threading ... I am not going to approve the re-imbursement for them (trust me ... some idiot actually did just that despite having signed the sheet as "read & understood" that he was required to purchase "all black" footwear that resembled military issued footwear. That's the regulation.
Also, if you are LPOing to replace "combat boots" - then the boots that you buy should be all-leather. No gortex crap that essentially makes them something other than a "combat boot". If your LPOing as a replacement for CWWBs ... then buying a gortex and thermal lined boot would be acceptable.
Instead of coming back to see us after 2 months and going "these boots are too hot to wear (cause it's summer and 35 degrees out), so you need to buy me 2 pairs of different ones now." That's been tried too.
You know, one thing I can't issue is common sense; the Supply system needs some of that issued too, but so do a WHOLE lot of soldiers. Seems to be a lot of high priced babysitting going on these days. I AM NOT these guys' momma ... I figure if they're old enough to be in the military they should be old enough to know better, sadly, that's not the case all the time. We can make lists for anything, but if troops just feel free to ignore paperwork they sign anyway (then fight with you for half an hour as to "why your ****ed up supply system" isn't willing to pay them for my black boots with orange threading) ... a "list" won't accomplish SFA - it's just a bit more handholding.
Just like the young troop living across the street from me ... fuzzy wolf blanket for a living room curtain with a couple of milk crates for furniture. With a computer sitting on a computer desk ... but a really hot new Porsche sitting in his driveway (where which I am sure his paycheck goes each month paying the insurance and gas on it).
