June 1, 2017, by Leslie Wyman – There’s a saying that goes like this: “Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men.” It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.” Since the dawn of time, men were in the battlefields, fighting for their beliefs.
Whether it was the dream of achieving global dominance of Genghis Khan or by stopping a greater evil by the Allies in World War II, men have sacrificed a lot to succeed.
History as we know it is a witness to all the failures and victories of all the nations in the world. It knows how weak men can be in extreme conditions during wartime. Hannibal’s crossing of the Alps was a great achievement in Military history.
Hannibal was a Carthaginian general who is still highly considered as the best general to ever live. Although his campaign into Rome was not as successful as he planned, the very fear he struck into the hearts of the Romans was more than enough.
Hannibal bought in war elephants and became prepared for almost anything that Rome would throw at him. The only thing he did not prepare for, was the weather. In the more modern times, this lack of preparation did not come with such dire consequences as with Hannibal’s forces. The Vietnam war is the perfect example of this situation.
The U.S. Army known for being a global superpower did not have a smooth campaign in the lush, humid, and swampy terrain of Vietnam. Jungles and marshes plagued troops with unimaginable sores and other injuries because of the lack of protection to their feet. Punji Stake traps would also contribute to the horrible wounds a soldier had to endure.
However, with ingenuity and adaptation, the US introduced new “Jungle Boots” that would provide a significant boost to the military operations in the forests and swamps of Vietnam. Jungle boots were laden with steel plates for spike traps and integrating nylon mesh for proper circulation.
Combat boots are small but integral part of any military force in the world. Such accessories allow soldiers to traverse rough terrain that would prove foolhardy with casual shoes. These boots have unique qualities in them that no other shoe has, which is essential in completing specific missions.
Listed below are capable military powers in the world and the type of shoe that they currently equip their military.
Australia
The Australian Army’s troops usually operate with the Redback Terra Combat Boot. Currently, the standard issue boots are proving to have major flaws for the Aussies. The major flaw that most soldiers report is the limited sizes available.
The combat boots reportedly are also quick to rot in the extreme tropical circumstances. Due to the growing concerns, a new boot is in development, a wide array of boots that pass through military standards for a soldier’s preference.
Norway
Norwegian armed forces use the M77 for their combat and military operations. Since it’s production in the late 1970’s, the boot still proves to be reliable for the army of Norway. Although it took almost ten years to develop, Norwegian developers and designers took account of the comfort, weight, maintenance, durability, and waterproofing of the shoe.
Another quality that the M77 boasts is that it quickly dries up when exposed to liquid. Even in snowy and icy terrain, the M77 can easily attach to skis and snowshoes.
Singapore
The armed forces of Singapore come equipped with Frontier Black combat boots. These boots have “unique” water outlets that allow water to escape should water make its way into the boot.
The frontier boots also received a considerable amount of criticism because of the lack of durability and the failure of the boots to take the comfort of the soldier into account. Singapore is currently developing new boots that would address these issues.
United States
The United States military has transitioned itself into the more modern Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU). With the set, the Danner RAT or Rugged All Terrain boot becomes the standard issue military footwear for the United States Military.
The Danner RAT uses nylon, synthetic leather, and rough-out suede as the primary components of the shoe. Due to the changes brought about by the MCCUU, the shiny black colors of combat boots became obsolete. Tan became the choice of the U.S. Military as the color for their standard issue boots.
For operations in the tropics, the combat boots retain some of the dark colors from the past, albeit with more green colors to pattern it to the jungle floor and vegetation.
Takeaway
In the past, wars were won by quick action and preparation. Luckily for most of the modern armies of today, the lack of readiness when it comes to equipment do not have entirely dire consequences compared to the past. Boots, in particular, are small but crucial tools.
Several countries such as Singapore and the United States have boots designed to meet the specifics of a mission they want to achieve. For instance, combat boots used in jungle terrains and swampy settings have extra water resistant qualities. They are also built to adapt to the color of the surroundings.
In general, these boots are mostly durable and very reliable. These qualities are why some non-military standard boots for males and females are making the fashion rounds. Some people wear these boots because they are highly fashionable and comfortable for everyday use. Whatever the purpose, these shoes are close to necessities for any military and nonmilitary use.
Author Bio: Leslie Wyman is a writer and blogger by heart. She loves writing about topics that caters the needs of soldiers fighting overseas. Leslie is also known as a fashionista. She likes to incorporate military themed colors and patterns to casual wear, being careful not to go overboard and offend any military personnel.