Mar/100
Blousing Military Boots
When someone asked “Why does the military tuck their pants into their boots?” on Yahoo! Answers last month, it wasn’t the first or the last time that this question has come up.
Other than to look cool, one obvious reason for tucking BDUs into your boots is too keep out any unwanted creepy crawlies and any other sort of debris that can be flying around. Can you imagine how uncomfortable that would be?!
Moreover, soldiers are constantly on the move, and they don’t want to get pants caught on anything that might slow them down. And it sure keeps in the heat during cold weather missions.
There’s also another big reason why soldiers stuff their pants in their boots: It’s a requirement.
According to Army Regulations 670-1: “Soldiers will wear the trousers bloused, using the draw cords or blousing rubbers, if the trousers are not tucked into the boots. Personnel will not wrap the trouser leg around the leg tightly enough to present a pegged appearance. Soldiers will not blouse the boots so that the trouser leg extends down to the ankle area. When bloused, the trousers should not extend below the third eyelet from the top of the boot. When soldiers wear the sleeves of the coat rolled up, the camouflage pattern will remain exposed. Personnel will roll the sleeves neatly above the elbow, no more than 3 inches above the elbow.”
Now that you have to do it, here’s how: First put on socks, pants and boots. Tie your boots and bring your pant leg to just above the combat boot. Pull the blousing string tight around your leg so it’s sitting right above the top of your boots. Tie the string in a knot, and tuck it underneath the pant cuff. Pull down the rest over the boot.
And then there are trouser blousers. You can use those, too. Or if you plan on wearing leather with your boots, check out the how-to demonstration below.
(Image via D Sharon Pruitt)
Feb/100
Weekly Drill Down: Stolen Valor Arrest, Bouhammer’s “The Hurt Locker” Review and More
- The FBI arrests a man for wearing army medals that aren’t his. Can you blame them? (A Soldier’s Perspective)
- Bouhammer’s scathing review of Oscar-nominee The Hurt Locker has gained imitators and other media attention. (Bouhammer)
- And here’s another take on The Hurt Locker. (Defense Tech)
- Oh boy! The Pentagon wants to create a real-life Spider-Man crawler. (Danger Room)
- Instead of blogging, Abu Muqawama is tweeting his little heart out. (Abu Muqawama)
- The Army’s 2011 shopping list looks like a big one. (Kit Up)
- Don’t get into fight or go to a party without your drinking battle mug! (Gear Scout)
- How about American Idol military style? Then Operation Rising Star is at your service. (Not Your Average Brooklynette)
Jan/100
Weekly Drill Down: Haiti Relief, Military Dating Scams and More
- Read Jake Wood’s riveting blog from Haiti where he and his four-man team have brought supplies and medicine. (Milblogging)
- Haiti from 15,000 feet. Things look OK from far away. (Line of Departure)
- The infamous military dating scam: Learn it so you can avoid it. (A Soldier’s Perspective)
- Stop boo-hooing about missing the SHOT Show and start reading all about it. (Gun Holsters Blog)
- Get out your Crayolas! Not you, silly. These coloring books are for kids. (Her War, Her Voice!)
- Instead of rifle grips or mounts, Magpul gives us … iPhone cases? Yup. (Gear Scout)
- Find out what life’s like in the military as a senior non-commissioned officer. (Bouhammer)
- What’s a ‘virtual surge’ and how can it fix Afghanistan? (Danger Room)
- What did the Marine Corps ship to Haiti? Find out. (Defense Tech)
- Caption Contest: With moves similar to Lady Gaga. (Military Times)
- The Air Force names its male and female athletes of the year. (Flight Lines)
- Winter fun? Doesn’t look like it to us! (Line of Sight)
- SHOT Show blast from the past: Booth Babes of 2009. (OPFOR)
- Strike – Hold! clears up a search traffic mix up once and for all. (Strike – Hold!)
Jan/100
Soldier Jogs into Guinness Book of World Records
Army 2nd Lt. Sophie Hilaire
Clad in military boots, an Army combat uniform and a combat helmet, Army 2nd Lt. Sophie Hilaire stomped her way into the Guinness Book of World Records last November. Surrounded by runners in white sneakers and airy, brightly colored Nike duds at the Philadelphia Marathon, Hilaire plowed through the crowd wearing 30 pounds of gear, according to North Texas e-News.
“I just happened to look at the Guinness Book of World Records for marathons,” she told the newspaper, “and saw an entry for the fastest time with ‘full battle rattle’ — Army combat uniform, boots, Army combat helmet and the protective vest with full body armor. A British soldier owned the record with a time of 5 hours, 11 minutes.”
Although her original goal was to blow away that record, Guinness officials opened up a women’s category instead. Her record? 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 54 minutes, which Hilaire set that sunny fall day.
Read more about her journey here.
Meanwhile, there are some other pretty amazing (non-military related) feats highlighted on the Guinness World Records’ website:
- Greatest Distance Walked With a Milk Bottle Balanced on the Head
- Fastest Time to Eat a 12″ Pizza
- Most Snow Angels – Multiple Venue
- Largest Human Logo
- Longest Lawn Mower Ride
- Side Wheel Driving Through Smallest Gap
And now, the world’s fastest banjo player:
(Image via North Texas E-news)
Jan/100
Weekly Drill Down: New Camo, Sci-Fi Weapons and More
- The Navy’s new Type III camo looks a lot like an early variant of Woodland MARPAT. (Soldier Systems)
- Is it OK for a U.S. Marine Captain to criticize Australian women’s dress standards? OPFOR doesn’t think so. (OPFOR)
- Stranger than Sci-Fi: See 10 weapons too cool to be real but are. (Danger Room)
- Win an ITS Tactical Blow Out Kit by giving it a new name. (ITS Tactical)
- Military blogger Michael Yon documents his scuffle at the Seattle airport via Facebook. (Milblogging)
- There’s a TV show seeking veterans looking to reconnect. Interested? (A Soldier’s Perspective)
- What does Bouhammer have to say about the Army’s social media division? Find out. (Bouhammer)
- Does Afghanistan need a big Army? (Democracy Arsenal)
- Watch The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart interview Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen. (Scoop Deck)
- What’s so bad about reflective belts? OK, OK … sorry to have asked! (FlightLines)
Dec/091
Are You Tweeting about Military Boots?
People tweet about a LOT of things — probably too many things. And apparently those things include military boots.
But does that really surprise you? People have been uploading their inappropriate thoughts and too-much-information scenarios since microblogging’s inception.
Naturally, we searched the web to track down the most recent boot tweets. What did we find? People sporting combat boots to shovel driveways, to run six miles in the snow, and, of course, to make (at times rather unfortunate) fashion statements.
@judypink: Can I wear military boots to the Ritz in London tomorrow for lunch? I say no: but @iamecks begs to differ…
@Cyberbod: Six mile run in thick snow and military boots. Let the training begin…
@Delomaximum: Had to break out the military issued boots! Long a** driveway seems even longer with just one shovel #fml
@chelseablobs: #ifIseeonemore pair of All Saints military boots… so help me.
@beautifulbatch: tomorrow im ‘daring to be different’ for work – military boots, burberry trench, handbag, oliver peoples glasses, braces etc etc
@joped: WTF !! This place won’t allow a friend of a friend in because he has military issue boots .. He’s on leave and drove a f***** hour here!\
@allegedlyfff: @fashionface13 Normal cut jeans are out, along with big bags and apparently the only acceptable boots are those godawful military styles…
@angelaatrocious: so for one skirt, two dresses, a pair of military boots, and a pair of rain boots…it’ll be $154…but free shipping…lol.
@JessicaDHughes: Dear 21 you look sexy today in your Ray Bans and military boots
@emma_kelly_: 2) oversized Blondie t-shirt, leggings, black military boots and red cardigan. Edgy jewellery. sorta edgy outfit
@caitlinbeaumont: wants some proper nice leggings to go with my military boots!
@PunkStar697: I have a bunch of military uniforms blues bdu’s, abu’s, and boots and also PT Gear I’m throwing away if nobody wants it . Also have brand
@NicoleeyColeeey: Hmm £56. Damn i need to organise. But i really need them military boots. LIKE NEED them. This is Rihanna vs All Saints jeans all over again!
@rantsandraveskc: Jack-boots are really cool thigh high military boots – -no – I don’t pee in them
(Image via Bouhammer)
Dec/090
Weekly Drill-Down: Camo-house, The Crud and More
Trying to keep a low profile on the home front? Try camouflage paint. (Soldier Systems)- Got The Crud? Talk to Spouse Buzz about it. Not familiar with The Crud? Let her share the slimy details. (Spouse Buzz)
- The U.K. switches up the uniform pattern for ALL of its ground troops. Ready, set, aaand… discuss! (Strike – Hold!)
- ITS Tactical launches a new iPhone app for its loyal readers. (ITS Tactical)
- Signs that the holidays are here: decked-out warships and a Santa Claus cameo. (Scoop Deck)
- Find out what Brian Williams sent to a milblogger to share with the troops. (Michael Yon)
- Need a last-minute gift? Try one that might eat your brains. (Soldier Systems)
- Check out the National Guard website’s shiny, new look. (Milblogging)
- At a cursory glance, it appears to be camo Chewbacca. What do you see? (Military Times Caption Contest)
- Troop greeting parties finally get airport gate-access from the TSA. Time to celebrate! (Not Your Average Brooklynette)
(Image via Apartment Therapy)
Dec/090
Weekly Drill-Down: ‘Empty Boots,’ Tactical Coffee and More
- “Empty Boots” provides powerful imagery to remind us of those who won’t be spending the holidays with their families. (A Soldier’s Perspective)
- Protect the troops from cancer-causing gun lubricants. (Army Technology)
- So sad, but so true: Women veterans struggling for acceptance. (Associated Press)
- An Australian Navy shipbuilder spices things up for its 2010 calendar. (Danger Room)
- First there was tactical teddy bears and tactical Snuggies … and now tactical coffee!? When will the madness end! (Tactical Gearhead)
- U.S. Army makes the list of 10 Biggest Social Media Stories of 2009. (Milblogging)
- Don’t miss Heroes Week on Wheel of Fortune! Episodes featuring military personnel will run through Dec. 18. (Scoop Deck)
- Ever seen a split barrel before? Now you have. (Line of Sight)
Nov/091
10 Holiday Gifts to Send Our Troops
Everybody loves getting gifts, but there’s nothing quite like ripping open a package sent by someone you love from the place you miss the most. Especially if it’s something that you really need and something that is nowhere to be found in Afghanistan, Iraq or wherever you may be stationed.
Looking to send a care package to a deployed service member without a specific troop in mind? The DoD advises identifying someone through family and friends since you can no longer send packages addressed to “Any Soldier.” You can also partner with an America Supports You homefront group found here, which can connect you with a unit and provide a list of desired items.
Meanwhile, we received top intel from a former marine who spent his fair share of holidays overseas. He gave us the 411 on some of the most-requested items that would make for perfect gifts this holiday season.
1. Books/Magazines
Paperback books and magazines are excellent, no-batteries-required ways to stay in-the-know and give a quick, much-needed escape from reality. Just don’t send books from the Twilight series, since those on the receiving end will likely be publicly ridiculed.
2. Toilet paper
This might seem like some strange gag gift. It’s not. Think of how you feel when you go to grab a wad of Charmin and find an empty roll. Not such a good feeling, right?
Continue reading “10 Holiday Gifts to Send Your Troops”
Nov/090
75% of Teens Unfit to Serve, Report Finds
Military recruiters work endlessly to enlist the best and brightest to serve our country. However, a new study found that more often, these recruiters are likely met with teens who are unfit to serve for one reason or another.
According to “Ready, Willing and Unable to Serve,” 75% of Americans between ages 17 to 24 would not be able to join the military. Why? There are three main reasons: inadequate education, criminal pasts or weight problems.
The 12-page report by Mission: Readiness Military Leaders For Kids, a nonprofit organization led by retired generals and admirals, also cited additional disqualifiers such as asthma, eyesight or hearing problems, mental health issues or recent treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders.
“Unfortunately, the number of young Americans who have high school degrees, are in good physical shape and are without criminal records is declining,” said Henry “Hugh” Shelton, a retired U.S. Army General, in the report.
“To keep our country strong and safe, we need to ensure all young Americans get the right start in life – we need more investments in high-quality early education.”
The military can grant waivers for those who have a GED score, but, according to the Boston Herald, that’s a privilege given to fewer than 2 percent of applicants.
“What we allow waivers for, and for whom, is like an opening and closing gate depending on our needs,” Douglas Smith, a U.S. Army Recruiter, was quoted by the Boston Herald as saying. “We can adjust our policies if we have to.”
To read the complete study, click here.
Tactical Pants Blog
- The Tactical Penguin
- Mighty Morphin Tactical Pants (aka Convertible Cargos)
- Top 10 Badass TV Cops from the ’80s
- Woolrich Lightweight Tactical Pants Giveaway
- Tactical Talk: Trigger Pull Tactical
- Discreet Tactical Denim Jeans
- Introducing Kitanica PNT X.A Tactical Pants
- Behind the Seams: Criminal Hotspots, EMS/Fire Blogger Meet-up and More
- Kids Tactical Pants
- Tactical Talk: EOTAC’s Fernando Coelho