Getting the Boot

Air Force Chief of Staff Michael Moseley is fired up about improvements to the Air Force’s battle dress uniforms. Of particular interest, he said today, is the decision to give female airmen their own, specially designed boot. For the first time, it will not be simply a scaled-down version of the men’s combat boot. While this may sound trivial, Moseley says it is not. When female security forces and Office of Special Investigations agents work 16 hour days on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, properly fitting gear is very important. Improvements to the utility uniform are in the pipeline as well. Recent combat experiences show the need for many additional pockets. The existing BDU’s pockets are frequently covered up, and hence useless, when the now-omnipresent body armor is worn. Airmen operating out of vehicles also need different pockets, Moseley noted.