Marines to Put New Jungle Boots to the Test

Got trench foot?

The Marine Corps is counting on honest feedback from troops who will wear and test four different tropical combat boot prototypes this summer at the Marines' Jungle Warfare Training Center in Okinawa, Japan.

Officials with Marine Corps Systems Command told Military.com that about 400 Marines from the Hawaii-based 3rd Marine Regiment would test out the boots during a two-to-three week period of jungle combat training that will start within the next two months.

The Marines published a call for sources to design the tropical combat boot last December, in response to an earlier directive from the commandant, Gen. Robert Neller.

"The commandant was interested in pursuing the opportunity to provide Marines with boots that would be lightweight, fast-drying, and appropriate for a tropical environment," said Lt. Col. Rob Bailey, product manager for infantry combat equipment for the command. "We also know that the Army has a similar interest in coordinating and collaborating."

Read the rest of the story at Military.com.