<p>For those appointees thinking about buying their boots before leaving for basic. Here is some information for you.</p>
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<p>It has not yet been determined the brand of boot required for the Class of 2012, so we suggest anyone considering buying the boots prior to Appointee Orientation call the Boot Issue at 719-333-3017 and talk to the staff. Rumor has it that appointees will have to buy two pair, one leather and one mesh upper.</p>
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<p>right, and just to add in: the appointee booklet says Belleville 650. you can loook it up on the belleville site.. but i'd just wait til orientation to be sure or call, just like usafa2011dad said :)</p>
<p>yep... the appointee booklet says Belleville 650's...
"All incoming cadets are required to have two (2) pair of serviceable boots for wear during basic cadet training (BCT).</p>
<p>link to the boots:
<a href="http://www.bellevilleshoe.com/product.php?current_product=32%5B/url%5D">http://www.bellevilleshoe.com/product.php?current_product=32</a></p>
<p>Well, here's a unique question to go along with this thread. Will cadets that got medical turnbacks during the 2011 BCT have to buy a different brand of boot for 2012 when they return, or can they use the boots that they used during the last BCT?</p>
<p>If they keep requiring the Belleville 650's, he'd have to get at least a pair of those since they are not black.</p>
<p>Dknightfam, has your son heard yet? You'll have to let me know what squad he goes into so I can pay him a visit in August. ;)</p>
<p>Hi ho Falcon. Son M is still trying to get his knees to stop hurting. Trying last ditch idea (orthotics) - should know in a few weeks if that's the solution we've been searching for for 6 months... Say a prayer for us! :)</p>
<p>Hope it goes okay for him. If it's any help for a testimonial.... Years ago -- 1977 to be exact, whenever I ran my knees would just kill me. It took a podiatrist about 6 weeks and 3 different tries with "soft" orthotics that he built up by hand with tape and felt. Then I'd run for a week and keep a detailed log -- when the onset of the pain came, where, etc. Then they cast my feet (they don't do it this way anymore, as you probably already have learned!) and made "hard" orthotics for me. Amazingly, the pain was gone, was able to do long (10 K's and 10-milers) runs, and has stayed gone all these years. I don't run as much anymore, but I still use the orthotics and I've not had knee pain since from running. Now that was with cartilage spurs, not other knee problems. But, in my case, a good podiatrist (get a sports one if you can) can do wonders -- and while the over-the-counter ones "might" work, I think your S can make it if he gets the right Doc! We'll say a prayer for him!</p>
<p>(oh, and the dvd's are great!)</p>
<p>Thanks for the optimistic post. :) And BTW - they still do the old plaster cast method - that's what they did for son M in order to fit him with the hard othotics that he's now wearing. Now we just have to wait and see if they start making a difference... Doc said it might be a few weeks - how fast did you see the improvement?</p>
<p>dknightfam, I wear hard rx orthotics as of August or so...it took quite awhile for me to "break them in" or whatever so I was used to them and it didn't hurt to wear them, but after about 2 months of determined struggles :), I was pain-free. The reason I got them was not for knees, but for arches though. I really hope it works for him!!!</p>
<p>Everyone in Eagle Eight is pulling for him....Good Luck</p>
<p>Any word on the final choice for the number and type of boots?</p>
<p>well, the appointee stuff says belleville 650s... still.. so im hoping we'll find out definite info at orientation</p>
<p>For those who haven't received it:</p>
<p>Good day and congratulations on your acceptance to attend the United States Air Force Academy. Below is all the info you need to ensure you obtain the correct boots for basic training. </p>
<p>Please note: Class Year 2012 cadets are required to have 2 pair of boots.</p>
<p>First off, your best source for finding the boots will be a Military Clothing Sales Store at a local military installation. They will be the most likely to have acceptable boots (see below for guidelines) and they’ll be able to ensure you get a correct fit. You will need to have somebody escort you on base (some one with a military ID) and make sure to take the Letter of Acceptance with you, as this should authorize the purchase (you can verify this by contacting the Clothing Sales Store directly).</p>
<p>If that is not a viable option, the second best place to purchase would be a military surplus store. They will more than likely have acceptable boots (see below for guidelines), and you will be able to try them on here and ensure a correct fit as well.</p>
<p>A third option is to wait for in processing (or appointee orientation if attending) here at the Academy. We will assist in sizing and you are guaranteed to have the correct boots. We will have about 500-700 recruits show up needing boots on in processing day, so you will definitely not be alone if you decide to wait. These boots are much more comfortable and much easier to break in than the boots referenced in the orientation package you received (20 hours a week break in time is extreme for these boots). Bottom line is waiting until in-processing to get the boots will not put you at a disadvantage.</p>
<p>Now, on to what type of boots you need to purchase. While we have certain manufacturers and models we issue – Belleville #650 (<a href="http://www.bellevilleshoe.com)%5B/url%5D">www.bellevilleshoe.com)</a>, Altama, and Wellco. Remember, you are not restricted to these specific brands. Your best bet would be to look for boots that fit the following guidelines and NOT a specific model or manufacturer.</p>
<p>Boots must:
be sage green in color
have Gore-Tex (soft waterproof nylon type material) in soles
have rubber sole (sometimes referred to as Vibram ® outsole)
not have steel/safety toes
not have zippers of any kind
be 8”-10” high</p>
<p>I also recommend buying/borrowing a pair of boot socks while sizing boots (also available at Military Clothing Sales and most surplus stores); these socks are a bit longer and thicker than ordinary athletic socks and you will be wearing these exclusively with the boots upon entrance to the Academy.</p>
<p>If you have further questions or concerns, please contact me at <a href="mailto:timothy.johnson@usafa.edu">timothy.johnson@usafa.edu</a> or at (719) 333-3447. Good luck and congratulations again on your appointment!</p>
<p>BOOT PURCHASE INFORMATION</p>
<p>APPOINTEE ORIENTATION
BOOT PURCHASE</p>
<p>CASHIER’S CHECK OR MONEY ORDER ONLY
PAYABLE TO U.S. TREASURY</p>
<p>NO PERSONAL CHECKS, CASH OR CREDIT CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED
$92.98 for 1 Pair of Boots
$185.96 for 2 Pairs of Boots</p>
<p>BOOTS CAN BE PURCHASED BY APPOINTEE ONLY
TUESDAY
10:00 - 11:30 OR 12:00 - 3:00</p>
<p>NOTE: If you decide to buy the boots after arrival at the Academy and do not have a cashier’s check or money order, the student may purchase a money order from the Armed Forces Bank on Tuesday at the boot purchase area. The money order may be purchased with a personal check, credit card or cash.</p>
<p>These boots go with the ABUs, right? Will we still need another pair for BDUs?</p>
<p>Do you recommend buying one or two pairs at Orientation?</p>
<p>I'd get one pair.</p>
<p>I have spoken to the permanent party Colonel who will be in charge of Beast and he said we will be issued ABUs, We will be going through BCT in ABUs and he gave no indication of us receiving BDUs, so I would not purchase any leather boots. As previously posted by others the sage green belleville 650 waterproof is the ONLY boot authorized for BCT.</p>
<p>From everything I've heard (from multiple <em>offical</em> sources), 2012 is going to just use ABUs during Basic.</p>
<p>You'll still be getting BDUs though, from what I've heard, since they have to finish off the supply they still have down in the warehouse.</p>