• Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?

    Go here:

    Edit Account Details and Profile

Boots to OCS

BroskiOCS

Well-Known Member
Hey everyone....I'm a prior and should be heading to OCS before the end of the year (waiting on FINSEL). I plan on just purchasing all new items during the uniform/item issue while at OCS. The only exception (aside from the required items to bring) is that I want to buy a new pair of black boots to break in between now and when I ship out. I want to make sure that I show up with something that will be approved. I've attached a picture from my uniform shop showing the boots they carry. The 360 ST seems like the standard issue. 490 ST is far more comfortable but still says it's ashore and shipboard approved. I assume that the 800 ST may not be authorized. I plan to buy the 490 ST if someone on here had insight on whether these would be ok. Breaking in new boots can be one of the worst experiences especially if it includes a strenous PT regimen. Any ideas on how strict they are at OTC with bringing boots? Thanks guys.
 

Attachments

  • 20190712_144343.jpg
    20190712_144343.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 190

AROBLES93

Underdog
Hey everyone....I'm a prior and should be heading to OCS before the end of the year (waiting on FINSEL). I plan on just purchasing all new items during the uniform/item issue while at OCS. The only exception (aside from the required items to bring) is that I want to buy a new pair of black boots to break in between now and when I ship out. I want to make sure that I show up with something that will be approved. I've attached a picture from my uniform shop showing the boots they carry. The 360 ST seems like the standard issue. 490 ST is far more comfortable but still says it's ashore and shipboard approved. I assume that the 800 ST may not be authorized. I plan to buy the 490 ST if someone on here had insight on whether these would be ok. Breaking in new boots can be one of the worst experiences especially if it includes a strenous PT regimen. Any ideas on how strict they are at OTC with bringing boots? Thanks guys.
Great question,
Didn’t really think about that but breaking a new pair of boots is definitely painful.
I actually have newer flight deck boots i’m Breaking in right now so hopefully they’re okay with these
 

BroskiOCS

Well-Known Member
Great question,
Didn’t really think about that but breaking a new pair of boots is definitely painful.
I actually have newer flight deck boots i’m Breaking in right now so hopefully they’re okay with these
Yeah man....my OIC mentioned those flight deck ones. He said they are super comfy. I don't know if you are a prior but those 360 ST ones are the standard ones issued in boot camp I believe. Seriously the worst piece of garbage ever invented. Super heavy and extremely stiff when you first buy them.
 

AROBLES93

Underdog
Yeah man....my OIC mentioned those flight deck ones. He said they are super comfy. I don't know if you are a prior but those 360 ST ones are the standard ones issued in boot camp I believe. Seriously the worst piece of garbage ever invented. Super heavy and extremely stiff when you first buy them.
Yeah, I’m active duty actually breaking them in right now on the flight line haha
Yeah I really hope they allow it. If not whatever I guess I’ll have a grip of blisters haha
 

BroskiOCS

Well-Known Member
Yeah they are achilles destroyers man. I'm on shore duty now so I'm rocking the tan boots. I have a pair of black boots lying around but don't want to have them turned down for having a couple scratches.
 

AULANI

Well-Known Member
It seems like what they'll accept in regards to footwear is changing all the time. When I was there in 2018 the senior class basically told me what stuff I could keep and what wasn't authorized. I don't want to tell you "you're good with those..." and then when you show up they tell you something different. If you are worried abut blisters just wear two pairs of socks.
 

BroskiOCS

Well-Known Member
It seems like what they'll accept in regards to footwear is changing all the time. When I was there in 2018 the senior class basically told me what stuff I could keep and what wasn't authorized. I don't want to tell you "you're good with those..." and then when you show up they tell you something different. If you are worried abut blisters just wear two pairs of socks.
Yeah the two sock method would be my last resort. My feet get TORE up with new boots no matter how many socks I have on. Ill probably just go with the shitty standard issue. That way I know they'll be accepted. Got a couple months (at least) to wear them to work to break them in pretty decent. Thanks for the info!
 

SilverSierra

Future SWO
This idea ran across my mind as well. However, because I was not sure which model(s) would be acceptable, and because I am less and less financially secure as my class date approaches; I am planning on investing more on two pair of running shoes.
Instead, I have been breaking in my feet. I hike often and just retired my steel toe Marine Corps boots I was issued for RIMPAC 2010 (yeah, a while ago.) My feet are pretty hardy, but I still see it as best to build up callouses and sore bones now while I have time to baby and properly recover them.

Note: is this my personal approach; I do not suggest anyone else try this who is not a properly experienced grunt with brutish tendencies.
 

BroskiOCS

Well-Known Member
This idea ran across my mind as well. However, because I was not sure which model(s) would be acceptable, and because I am less and less financially secure as my class date approaches; I am planning on investing more on two pair of running shoes.
Instead, I have been breaking in my feet. I hike often and just retired my steel toe Marine Corps boots I was issued for RIMPAC 2010 (yeah, a while ago.) My feet are pretty hardy, but I still see it as best to build up callouses and sore bones now while I have time to baby and properly recover them.

Note: is this my personal approach; I do not suggest anyone else try this who is not a properly experienced grunt with brutish tendencies.
I think I have my EGA boots laying around somewhere (greenside Corpsman) Hah. But let me tell you....these boots you get issued at OCS are straight from the depths of hell. I ended up buying the lower end standard issue ones to break in. I can't even wear them for a solid week at my admin position without my feet getting fucked. I just rotate between those and the tan boots that are also authorized in our Type III canmies.
 

Newdecca

Member
Hey everyone....I'm a prior and should be heading to OCS before the end of the year (waiting on FINSEL). I plan on just purchasing all new items during the uniform/item issue while at OCS. The only exception (aside from the required items to bring) is that I want to buy a new pair of black boots to break in between now and when I ship out. I want to make sure that I show up with something that will be approved. I've attached a picture from my uniform shop showing the boots they carry. The 360 ST seems like the standard issue. 490 ST is far more comfortable but still says it's ashore and shipboard approved. I assume that the 800 ST may not be authorized. I plan to buy the 490 ST if someone on here had insight on whether these would be ok. Breaking in new boots can be one of the worst experiences especially if it includes a strenous PT regimen. Any ideas on how strict they are at OTC with bringing boots? Thanks guys.

I recently graduated OCS. They issue 360 as well as a Bates equivalent. You can purchase the 490 from the NEX there when you get the opportunity to go. You'd only be in this situation if your size was unavailable and needed to be special order.

About the 400, there were a few priors with flight deck boots but we believe they just got lucky during the indoc week and the staff never sweat them about it afterward.
 

BroskiOCS

Well-Known Member
I recently graduated OCS. They issue 360 as well as a Bates equivalent. You can purchase the 490 from the NEX there when you get the opportunity to go. You'd only be in this situation if your size was unavailable and needed to be special order.

About the 400, there were a few priors with flight deck boots but we believe they just got lucky during the indoc week and the staff never sweat them about it afterward.
Awesome, man. Thanks for the info. I ended up just getting a new pair of the 360 to break in. Seems like I made the safe choice. Gotta another month to break them in prior to my report date so they should be good. Definitely getting the flight deck boots after OCS.
 

Ty Corfield

New Member
Hey everyone....I'm a prior and should be heading to OCS before the end of the year (waiting on FINSEL). I plan on just purchasing all new items during the uniform/item issue while at OCS. The only exception (aside from the required items to bring) is that I want to buy a new pair of black boots to break in between now and when I ship out. I want to make sure that I show up with something that will be approved. I've attached a picture from my uniform shop showing the boots they carry. The 360 ST seems like the standard issue. 490 ST is far more comfortable but still says it's ashore and shipboard approved. I assume that the 800 ST may not be authorized. I plan to buy the 490 ST if someone on here had insight on whether these would be ok. Breaking in new boots can be one of the worst experiences especially if it includes a strenous PT regimen. Any ideas on how strict they are at OTC with bringing boots? Thanks guys.
Any recent graduates have updated insight on this? Are they being picky about which boots you can wear, or can you buy a type more comfortable than the standard issued pair?
 

Hokie2021

Well-Known Member
Is it recommended to shine your boots prior to OCS? If so, to what extent would you go? I could see how a finely shined toe might go unappreciated.
 
Top