Things are going to pick up at Rocky’s Puerto Rico factory very soon. Why? Because the U.S. government recently placed an order for 45,000 pairs of Rocky military boots.

The $3.2 million contract is a follow up to last year’s $29 million blanket purchase from U.S. General Services Administration, or GSA. Rocky said it’s currently working on the first half of the order that was placed in August 2009.

In addition to the 45,000 pairs of insulated boots, Rocky said it received a request from the U.S. Military for 8,000 pairs of hot weather boots. Hot weather boots feature drainage vents that move water out and allow feet to breathe.

Based in Ohio, the footwear company said it’s looking towards the military segment as a major part of its future growth.

“We are optimistic that our ability to produce high quality boots for this market will result in further orders from the traditional contract and bid process as well as through our direct sales efforts,” said Mike Brooks, Rocky Brands chairman and CEO, in a prepared statement.

Rocky manufactures combat boots at its factory in Moca, Puerto Rico.

The term “podcasting” was first used in 2004, and soon every Tom, Dick and Harry with an MP3 player began to record and listen to audio and video snippets across the Internets. Six years later, podcasters are still doing their thing, and us, the listeners, are still enjoying the end product.

Unfortunately during that time many podcasts ceased to exist and therefore won’t be bringing you something new to listen to daily, weekly or even monthly. We weeded those ones out, and present to you the best military podcasts still in existence.

Military Channel Video Podcast – While there hasn’t been an update in 2010, this behind-the-lines view of war stories throughout time is an excellent video podcast.

Military History Podcast – As history repeats itself, war is often a common theme. This podcast explores those wars from the beginning of time through our current conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Military Spouse Talk Radio – If you’re a mil-spouse and feeling all alone, this radio show podcast is here to help. They cover everything from how to make supportive spouse friends to the latest military news.

Military Times – A weekly rundown of the top Military Times stories will help you stay on top of breaking news and current events.

The History Network – This bi-weekly show also covers military history. Its last episode recounted The Battle of Actium in ancient Rome.

Pritzker Military Library Podcast – From a library in Chicago that hosts an extensive collection of military history and fiction, this podcast is meant to build awareness of the importance of military in society.

Secrets and Military Programs – Time to break out those tin foil hats! This podcast might not be essential but it might be entertaining since it speculates on secret projects and policies that may or may not be taking place in our government.

War News Radio – If you’re tired of the current news coverage of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, War News Radio offers an alternative with in-depth reporting, historical perspective and personal war accounts.

You Served – A weekly fill of military news and views from host CJ Grisham, founder of A Soldier’s Perspective. Politics, history and current events are all game for discussion.

Veterans Chronicles – An hour-long podcast that recounts the lives of great American heroes in their own words, including eyewitness accounts from D-Day, Iwo Jima, Bagdad and more.

(Image via Flickr)

Everyone seems to have an opinion about President Barack Obama’s decision to up the ante in Afghanistan. While The New York Times and The Atlantic Wire covered milbloggers initial reactions, we gave it a week to settle in. And, well, debates are still going strong (especially in the comments section!). Here’s what some folks are saying.

Over at Abu Muqawama, Obama’s speech wasn’t as questionable as his reference to Eisenhower. “I do not know if President Eisenhower would have agreed with the current president’s direction on Afghanistan, but I think he would have certainly recognized the considerations behind his decision-making process,” writes Abu Muqawama.

The Dude, a contributor at Bouhammer.com, wrote an open letter to President Obama on Bouhammer.com. His letter starts out with: “Now that I’ve had a few days to ingest, digest, and perform my own mission analysis on your new plan for Afghanistan, I’m a bit concerned.” He writes that his concerns come from his perspective of fighting in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. His biggest argument: What took you so long to decide to do this?

Commenter Alikat on SpouseBuzz brought up another interesting point: If we do set a timeline, won’t the enemy be gearing up for a full-force effort after that point?

“In setting a prospective timeline for withdrawal the ‘enemy’ is also aware of when our troops will be pulling out,” writes Alikat. “I’m plagued by self-imposed questions of ‘How will this affect us all when the time for withdrawal does arrive?’ and ‘What if the withdrawal isn’t successful, for one reason or another?’

Another commenter, Elton, at Small Wars Journal thinks the U.S. has “no vital interest in Afghanistan.” He believes that the U.S. troops in Afghanistan will only delay the inevitable. “The fight between the Taliban and the Afghan gov’t will happen without our presence,” he writes.

Want to rehash the speech yourself? Watch it below. Or read the transcript here.

(Image via Wikimedia Commons)

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.

• 60 Minutes takes us bomb hunting in Afghanistan to find “The Deadliest Weapon.” (Military Photos)
• CNN features military tweeps and their take on the Fort Hood tragedy. (Milblogging)
• Are underage soldiers fighting for Afghanistan’s National Army? (Bouhammer)
• New camo for the Army in Afghanistan is revealed. (Defense Tech)
• MIA bomb-fighting doggy found alive in Afghanistan. (Danger Room)
• PHOTO: Nothing like an afternoon game of Spades overseas. (Line of Sight)
• A mil-blogger’s take on the upcoming military film “The Messenger.” (Not Your Average Brooklynette via Milblogging)

A new report from the Immigration Policy Center shows that the U.S. military does rely somewhat on foreign-born recruits to meet goals and serve as translators.

Essential to the Fight: Immigrants in the Military, Eight Years After 9/11 investigates the current state of America’s armed forces after almost a decade of war. According to the study, changes were made to military policies after Sept. 11, 2001 to give enlisted immigrants U.S. citizenship eligibility, and that naturalization is always at its highest during wartime.

The study points out that just one year after Sept. 11 in 2002, there were 2,434 members in the military that were naturalized in the United States. That number has increased every year since, except in 2007. In 2009, that number was four times higher than it was in 2002 with 10,505 members of the military naturalized in the U.S. and abroad.

Some other highlights from the study:

• About 8 percent of the 1.4 million military personnel on active duty are foreign born.
• About 90 percent of foreign‐born service members were naturalized U.S. citizens, while approximately 13 percent were not U.S. citizens.
• As of October 2009, more than 53,000 immigrants had taken advantage of this provision to become U.S. citizens.

To read Essential to the Fight: Immigrants in the Military, Eight Years After 9/11 in its entirety, click here.

• Hey veterans: Don’t miss out on these awesome Veterans Day deals! (Bouhammer, Paycheck Chronicles)
• Ah, memory lane: One of the most prolific military bloggers recalls his 10 favorite experiences doing what he does best — blog. (Milblogging)
• So long, A Soldiers Perspective. You will be totally and completely missed!! (A Soldier’s Perspective)
• Today the Marine Corps turns 234 years old. Happy Birthday, Marines! (SpouseBUZZ)
• Photo essay: See Afghanistan through the eyes of a U.S. Army National Guard member. (DoD News via Milblogging)
• Attack of the droid armies? Perhaps. (Custom Gear Report)

**Special Fort Hood Coverage**

• What Fort Hood did for Muslims in the military. (Stars & Stripes)
• A look at a gun — aptly dubbed a “cop-killer” gun — that has killed so many. (Danger Room)
• Want a minute-by-minute account of the horrible events as they transpired? (Vet Voice)

Projectile Detection Cueing (PDCue)

MilitaryBoots Blog peeks at our favorite neighbors in the blogosphere to find out what they’re tapping about.

• What were the top 10 technologies of 2008 recognized by the Army? (Army.mil)
• Watch out king of Nigeria, there’s a new scam online … for military dating! (A Soldier’s Perspective)
• The Army continues its quest to conquer social media with a new technology blog. (Miliblogging.com)
• British explosives expert is killed while defusing a bomb in Afghanistan. (The Guardian)
• Congress gives military spouses some extra love. (Stars and Stripes)
• The Pentagon is rushing all-terrain, lighter vehicles to Afghanistan. (AFP)
• Army Research Laboratory physicists work on seeing what’s not exactly visible with “ghost” imaging. (GlobalSecurity.org)
• Why shouldn’t civilians fly again? This is a definite flying FAIL. (FlightLines)

Belleville 800 ST

There’s nothing quite like slipping on your first pair of Bellevilles. But before you get too comfortable, get to know your protective footwear in a quantitative way.

• 1 million – The number of pairs Belleville Shoe Manufacturing Co. currently produces every year.
• 1917 – The year Belleville landed its first military order.
• 50 – Employees who worked at the first Belleville Shoe factory, which was founded in 1904.
• $2.5 million – Cost of Belleville’s new plant in 1986 (and its current home).
• 1997 – The year “Belleville” was printed on the outside of military boots.
• 6 or 7 – Pairs baseball legend Stan Musial, Belleville’s best customer, normally used a season.
• $6.3 million – Amount the Defense Logistics Agency is contracted to pay Belleville for Army, Navy and Air Force boot orders through 2010.
• 23.1 – Miles Belleville’s headquarters in Belleville, Ill., is from St. Louis, Mo.
• 1 – Times a guy on YouTube squishes a lemon with his Bellevilles (see below).

Money designated for the U.S. military has been pushed to pay for pet projects, according to the Washington Times.

Senators moved a whopping $2.6 billion originally set aside for U.S. troop training, fuel and ammunition to fund projects like a new World War II Museum in New Orleans with a price tag of $25 million. The paper said the money will be used for 778 total projects.

“Every dollar that we are forced to spend on things which we do not need requires us to take money from things which we do need,” said Geoff Morrell, a Pentagon spokesperson, in a prepared statement. “And the people who lose in that trade-off are our troops and the taxpayers.”

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, who attempted to block the motion, called the move “a disgrace that Congress has refused this common sense approach to spending taxpayer dollars.”