Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia

Figure 27–2. Brass buckle
(3) How worn. The buckle is attached to the end of the black web belt with the brass tip and is worn with service
and dress uniforms.
27–3. Boots, combat, leather, black
a. Type. The combat boots are clothing bag issue items.
b. Description. The issue boot is made of black leather with a deep lug tread sole made of vulcanized rubber, a
removable cushioned insert, a closed-loop speed lace system, and a leather padded collar. Soldiers are required to
possess two pairs of issue (specification) boots.
c. How worn.
(1) The boots are laced diagonally with black laces, with the excess lace tucked into the top of the boot under the
bloused trousers or slacks, or wrapped around the top of the boot. Metal cleats and side tabs are not authorized for
wear except by honor guards and ceremonial units in the performance of ceremonial duties. When metal cleats and side
tabs are authorized for wear, commanders will furnish them to soldiers at no cost. Sewn-in or laced-in zipper inserts
are not authorized.
(2) A vulcanized rubber sole is the only outsole material that currently meets the need for durability and traction on
surfaces. Other materials (that may be of a lighter weight) may have significant problems in these areas.
(3) Only soldiers authorized to wear the tan, green, or maroon berets, those assigned to Air Assault coded positions,
and MPs performing MP duties may wear bloused (tucked-in or by the use of blousing rubbers/bands) trousers or
slacks with black leather combat boots. When trousers or slacks are bloused, personnel will not wrap them around the
leg so tightly so as to present a pegged appearance. When the trousers or slacks are bloused properly, the bloused
portion of the trousers or slacks should not extend below the third eyelet from the top of the boot. Soldiers will not
blouse boots so that the bloused portion extends down to the ankle area of the boot.
d. Optional boots.
(1) As an option, soldiers may wear commercial boots of a design similar to that of the standard issue combat boot,
8 to 10 inches in height. The boots must be made of black leather, with a plain or capped toe, and have a black,
vulcanized rubber outsole. Boots made of either patent leather or poromeric are not authorized. Soldiers may wear
optional boots in lieu of the standard issue black combat boot; however, they do not replace issue boots as a mandatory
possession item.
(2) Personnel are authorized to wear the green or black Army jungle boot in lieu of the standard issue black combat
boot. No other canvas and leather boot is authorized for wear. The green jungle boot is no longer available for
purchase; therefore, personnel may wear this boot only as long as it is serviceable. Personnel may not wear the black or
green jungle boot in formation, unless authorized by the commander. A vulcanized rubber sole is the only outsole
material that currently meets the need for durability and traction on surfaces. Other materials (that may be of a lighter
weight) may have significant problems in these areas.
(3) Optional boots are not authorized for wear when the commander issues and prescribes standard organizational
footwear for safety or environmental reasons (such as insulated boots or safety shoes). Personnel may wear specialty
boots authorized for wear by specific groups of soldiers, such as the tanker boot, only if the commander authorizes
such wear. Soldiers may not wear optional boots in formation when uniformity in appearance is required.
(4) Soldiers are not authorized to wear any boot with the brand name “Hi-Tech,” or any other boot deemed to have
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