Yesterday, I was way down the rabbit hole of reviewing the library of photographs taken by Natick Soldier Systems Center over the years when I ran across this photo. I knew immediately what it was and it got my mind to racing.
I had read an article on a boot system used by the Rangers over 30 years ago in Infantry magazine. In fact, I adopted some of the concept as my own during my time at Bragg.
I did a little online research and found the article in the online Infantry magazine archive at Fort Moore’s website. It was in the March-April issue of 1989 but I know I didn’t read it until at least Fall of 90.
Unfortunately, the older issues are all PDF scans and whoever did it didn’t do a very good job. Consequently, the pages I’m going to share aren’t the best. For instance, one of the pages was scanned upside down. I have tried to rectify them as best as possible, and hopefully you can read the article.
I had recalled that one of the authors was a physicians assistant with 2/75, and at the time they were Warrant Officers, and not commissioned officers like today. When I went back and reread the article, the co-author really stood out: CPT Peter E Blaber who at the time the article was written was the XO of A Co, 2nd Bn, 75th Ranger Regt. Yeah, that Pete Blaber. Obviously, the name would not have resonated with me in 1990, but COL Blaber definitely made his mark on the Army during the ensuing years.
But I find even more remarkable is that he took the time to write an article about footwear and foot care for Infantrymen.
Now, on to the meat of this trip down memory lane: the Multi-Component Boot System. The article lays out a project undertaken by Natick and 2/75 for a boot system based around the popular OD Green Jungle Boot which could be accessorized with various socks and a GORE-TEX gaiter to increase the temperature and climatic range of the boot so that the Soldier could rely upon a single pair for a mission which takes place during varied environmental conditions. There article also offers some great advice discussing foot care and boot sizing. As far as I know, no other units ever adopted the system.
I won’t steal anymore of the authors’ thunder except to say that it made a significant impression my me as young Sergeant, influencing my equipment choices, and it educated me that that metal foot size gizmo is called a Branock Device.
Enjoy!
I know that some SEALs were using that concept around the same time. I don’t know whether it was something taught/ issued, or they read the same article . A friend was still using Rocky Goretex socks and jungle boots into the late 90’s after picking it up in Land Warfare phase in 90/91.
I had picked up a pair of the Rocky socks in early 88 before I went to Germany but we could,t wear Jungle Boots there. I either wore my Danner Go Devils or the Gore SF boots we had in LRS.
Thanks for finding this—and thanks for the feedback that it helped you better understand footwear as a Jr Leader in the Army. It also changed the way I approached footwear for the rest of my career—especially in Afghanistan. Keep up the great work with your website.
DTS
Pete
Thank you! It’s funny, like you, I read Eagle and Gung-Ho magazines growing up. I’ve also read your books and highly recommend them to others as well. Keep up the great work you do!
-Eric
Good read. Thanks for posting.
You just brought back the memories of the 75th RGR students wearing blownout black jungles during winter classes of Ranger School ’91/’92! Black wool sock, white liner socks, new black jungle boot with padding on the top.
Those Rocky Socks are a blast from the past. I remember wearing them with green jungles around the 88-90 time frame.
Can we talk about the RDF Gpre-tex boot from about the same time? Great boot by itself, but you could size up to fit the sock-like liner and have it too big without the liner, or you could size the boot to your feet without the liner and have a great waterproof boot.