Sgt. Dave Rogers

Sgt. Dave Rogers, a former U.S. Air Force serviceman, was nearly speechless when we broke the news—that his picture and story beat out hundreds of entries earning him a lifetime supply of Converse. He told us that he’d never won anything in his life. Now he has.

His compelling picture and story along with seven others have been posted on MilitaryBoots.com so others can learn about the trials and tribulations that he and his trusty desert tan boots have endured. In 1992, Rogers spent six months in Somalia for Operation Restore Hope. He wore his boots every day, and he also kept a journal about his time in what he called a “screen-door away from Hell.”

Following his big win, Rogers chatted with us via telephone about his new boots, his old boots and his meeting with Charlton Heston.

What brand were your boots?

Well, those are the ones that Norman Schwarzkopf helped design in Operation Desert Storm. I doubt if I look at them I’ll be able to tell. I bet you a CSI lab can find it. There is a round circle where there might have been something once, and you can vaguely see the shoe size. I don’t think the army designed these to last for twenty years.

Have you ever worn Converse boots before?

This might be my first time…

Where do you keep your old boots? Do you have a special spot for them?

The Winning Photo

I do. I have built some bookshelves in my office. I have the boots up on my shelf normally propped up with a piece of rock that looks like a piece of coral. That rock hit me in the side of the head at a riot in Somalia. What they would do is put these things in a sling and fling them at you.

It’s like David and Goliath. Except my name is David, and I got the rock thrown at me. It’s supposed to work the other way around. The rock hit that helmet and actually dented it, hit my rifle stock and broke the rifle stock so it was really moving. They really wanted to take my head off. Maybe someday I’ll get to throw it back. Probably not, but at least it will keep my boots up.

How does it feel to have won free boots for life?

MilitaryBoots.com staff signed Rogers' first Converse boots box.

I tell you what, I thought about it over the weekend. I have mixed feelings about it. I remember how difficult it was back then to get a pair of new boots. You figured it would be easy, but it really wasn’t. There are a lot of guys and girls over there now in harm’s way that are doing a job for us … taking care of things so we don’t have a situation like 9/11 again.

Every day that you go to work, and you arrive there in one piece, and you get there in a relatively peaceful nation. You get to buy your granola latte and sit down at your desk and enjoy yourself with your friends, all of that is being bought and paid for by young people today out in the field.

Some of them are not coming back, and I think about that, and I think about winning something like this, and I feel like it’s bittersweet. It is true; I don’t think I’ve ever won anything before. But I can’t help but wonder about that guy looking for a new pair of boots. And I just won this contest to get these boots forever, and it makes you feel good, and it makes you feel bad. I wish I could help the guys and girls that are out there.

What’s one moment you’ll never forget from that time in Somalia?

Everything could change at a moment’s notice. You never knew what you are going to get. One moment could be perfectly quiet, and the next moment things could just go absolutely crazy.

I was lying in my rack one night, and I heard a scream from the room in this burned out school building we were living in. It didn’t have a roof in some places. There was this yell and then all these girls go running past in various states of dressed and undressed. After they passed, this female lion comes trotting out. A full-sized female lion comes by and disappears. Another night a female lion went into the girls’ room and snuggled up underneath one of the racks. When someone grabbed the flashlight, you can imagine the surprise.

What do you do nowadays?

I am a 100 percent disabled vet. I do some writing, I’ve written a book. I teach aikido. I’ve been doing that for about 25 years. My book is Positive Aikido. I’ve done a lot of stuff in that area. We used to contribute to a lot of groups that combat domestic violence, so we do different events and try to raise money for them.

Your journal sits next to your old boots in the winning contest photo. You also sent usa picture of Charlton Heston signing your journal. How did that come about?

Rogers with Charlton Heston in Somalia

When I was out some place if the vehicle parked for any length of time or anything that didn’t require your immediate attention, I pulled out my journal. I kept it in my left cargo pocket in my BDU pants and had it wrapped in plastic bag so if it rained or if I ended up dead, the journal would be able to go back to my family. I would ask people if they’d like to write a page or two in it because I wanted the journal to be for my kids if I didn’t come home. And I didn’t want their voice to be just my own. I wanted it to be the voice of other people so that it would be more objective.

So, one day I’m out, me and my buddy Al, and we walked in this perfectly clean building and there was this big guy sitting at this table all alone. We walk towards him, and it just felt so odd. The guy looked over at us, he pushed his chair out slow and he stood up and walked towards us. “Gentleman, how are you doing?” he said. I stepped forward and shook hands with this guy, and I realized that it’s Moses. It’s Moses! I’m shaking hands with Moses!! It’s the man. It’s Charlton Heston. And then Al said something, then some other guys came over. They shuffled us out, and I had just met Charlton Heston.

It was the same day, and we were out at the embassy compound. We pulled the Hummer in … and sure enough, in his red shirt with his white cowboy hat on, there’s Charlton Heston standing in the middle of this crowd of troops. I walked into the group, and I took the journal out of my pocket and asked him to sign it. And he said sure.

Last year Drew Peneton launched a blog that focuses on giving tips to military veterans interested in returning to civilian work.

Peneton is an Army National Guard veteran who now works at a Fortune 50 corporation. After witnessing the difficulty others have had entering the job market, he wanted to give back what he learned from his own transition. That’s why he dispenses his free advice through a blog and also offers guidance via email.

Updated about once every two months, Boots to Suits offers tips for those looking to either go back to school or jump right into the job market. Peneton is a big social media enthusiast, and he pushes visitors to get their resume out on Linkedin, Facebook and even Twitter.

Some of Peneton’s most popular posts include a job search action plan, social networking for veterans and five things every veteran should know for success. Through the posts he explains how to network online, how to target opportunities, how to maximize opportunities, how to continue your education and more.

Nowadays you’ll be hard-pressed to find something there isn’t an app for.

Wanna quit smoking? How about warming up those hands? And then there have been apps that do absolutely nothing.

Well, the Army has high hopes there’s still some untapped innovation out there. They’ve launched an app challenge called “Apps for the Army.” Open to all soldiers and Army civilians, the contest is seeking the best mobile applications developed by and for military personnel.

“Digital natives have arrived in the Army, and what we need to do is give them an opportunity to show their skill set; show their capabilities,” Lt. Gen. Jeff Sorenson, the Army chief information officer, was quoted by Stars and Stripes as saying.

By participating, you not only get to assist your peers, you get a chance at winning cash awards — the total prize pool is $30,000. However, the Army is limiting enrollment to the first 100 applicants. So, if you want to compete (and have the software development skills to back it up), click here.

(Via Not Your Average Brooklynette)

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)

• 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)

• 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!)

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)

• 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)

• “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)

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”

3. Candy
Nevermind that it’s bad for the teeth and waistline, M&Ms, Skittles, Snickers, etc. are good for the soul. When super-sweet flavors hit the tongue, you know that a blissful sugar high is only moments away.

4. Hygiene gear
Buying someone a tooth brush, baby wipes or deodorant as a gift is typically met with looks of embarrassment (what, do I smell bad or something?) and shame (yes, I do…). However, in this case, it is encouraged to exchange such gifts. In fact, we hear that baby wipes “are like gold” overseas “not just for wiping … but for dusting off weapons or cleaning hands before or after eating chow.”

5. Beef jerky
Not only does beef jerky have an incredible shelf life because of its vacuum-sealed packaging, it’s a great way to get protein and is typically low in fat. It’s also hard to ignore just how delicious those marinated, easy-to-carry meat strips really are.

6. Rifle cleaning kits
Although baby wipes can be used to tidy up a firearm, having an actual rifle cleaning kit is necessary to keep it functioning well. If troops are in a desert climate, guns tend to get extremely dusty, and if they aren’t cleaned properly, there’s the risk of jamming.

7. DVDs / CDs
While some might have access to crappy wobbly-camcorder-in-movie-theater versions of the latest films, you can send them the real thing. Need help? Here’s Amazon’s list of the best DVDs and CDs of 2009.

8. Hand sanitizer
The most commonly accepted alternative to hand washing will also come in handy before meal time. The mini Purell bottles with a key chain jelly wrap will turn it into the perfect accessory to latch onto some tactical pants.

9. Canned food
SpaghettiOs anyone? Allow Chef Boyardee to take care of a few meals for your troop. Canned food typically has a two-year shelf life after the purchase date, so it will really come in handy when all the holiday fixings have disappeared.

10. Notes of thanks
There’s a reason why your favorite troop isn’t in the States for the holidays. Let him or her know that you appreciate their dedication and service, even if you already remind them incessantly. A note of thanks is especially meaningful around the holidays.

(Image via Wikimedia Commons and Gijoesmilitarysurplus.com) Y7AWGP8F7ZAF