"Yeller" Ribbons for their Fat "Yeller" A$$E$!

[Gimpy]

"HORSESHIT"!

[BLUEHAWK]

Thanks, Gimpy...

[b3196]

Im back!!!
I think I know what the problem is: You guys need to get together for a group hug
Bob K

[BLUEHAWK]

Some new gear:

AETCNS 072005134
Trainees wearing new boots that reduce injuries

By James Coburn
37th Training Wing
Public Affairs

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AETCNS) --
"Air Force basic trainees may not know it, but since January, they have been wearing a new waterproof infantry combat boot that is more comfortable and lessens the number of injuries compared to the former standard leather boot.

Combat personnel from all services can thank the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center, Natick, Mass., for its collaboration with contractors to design a more comfortable boot. The cushioned sole also reduced lower leg injuries by more than 30 percent during field testing by Army basic trainees at Fort Jackson, S.C., in the fall of 1999.

The boot, which includes flame, heat and fuel protection for flight personnel, was first issued to members of the 82nd Airborne Division deploying to Afghanistan in fall 2002. It was introduced to the Army clothing bag for basic training in January 2003.

Senior Master Sgt. Lori Mills, 737th Training Support Squadron training superintendent, said the Air Force began issuing the new boots because the Army has had success with it.

"It's a better boot for outdoor field training," she said. They seem to be working well."

The new boot has a midsole cushion, an inner layer from heel to toe, to reduce shock from repeated marching, drilling and other basic training activities. The old leather combat boot didn't have a midsole cushion.

In addition, the new boot has a Gore-Tex inner lining that waterproofs the boot, yet also is breathable, allowing sweat vapor to escape and evaporate from outer Cordura nylon material on the sides.

"The cushioning is a lot better in the new boot, and feet don't sweat as much - they breathe better," said Ronnie Barney, Air Force Clothing Initial Issue Flight chief, 37th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

The waterproofing and wicking action keep the feet drier than with the old leather boots. Wearing boots with wet feet quickly leads to blisters.

"Blisters have definitely not been a major factor (this year)," said Master Sgt. John Stiles, 737th TRSS independent duty medical technician for Warrior Week. "Our blister packs are lasting forever."

Another benefit of the new boots is reducing the amount of lower leg injuries, which include shin splints, ankle and knee problems that can cause a trainee to be pushed back in training.

Michael Holthe, footwear project engineer at Natick, was involved in research and development of the midsole cushion boot that now is standard for Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine basic trainees. He said the Soldier Systems Center was tasked with reducing the incidence of lower leg injury in the Soldier by 10 to 15 percent.

"What we did by doing a lot of analysis on soling systems and construction with biomechanics laboratories and field testing, we were able to design two different soling systems that gave us a decrease in lower leg injuries by over 30 percent, which was fantastic - double what we were shooting for," he said. "So the feedback from the field has been phenomenal."

The old leather combat boot worn by all the services had a solid rubber soling system that wore very well, but it was very rigid - it did not provide any shock attenuation, Mr. Holthe said.

"What we did was implement a polyurethane cushion to midsole into the soling system for shock attenuation," he added. "And that is the gist of the injury reduction right there. "

The boots also have softer leather on the uppers and foam on the padded collar is thicker than the standard boot. "They feel good right out of the box." he said."