In a Newsweek opinion piece, Air Force Reserve Col. Josh McConkey argues the BOOTS Act should boost U.S. boot production without blocking allied gear when U.S. boots fail. He cites Marines’ boot failures in Norway, where some used Norwegian M77 boots to continue training.
The Newsweek report he cites said Marines training in Norway ahead of NATO’s Cold Response 2026 exercise reported holes forming, soles separating and freezing water entering their boots. Some Marines were pulled from training, and post-exercise inspections found hundreds of additional deficiencies in the same boot model. The Norwegian M77 boots had been developed decades ago for the country’s military environment.
The BOOTS Act would require optional combat boots worn by U.S. service members to be made entirely in the United States with U.S.-sourced materials; supporters say it would strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce foreign-supply dependence. McConkey says commanders need a clear path to use trusted allies’ equipment when U.S. gear falls short in specialized environments. He notes current law already requires boot-quality assurance covering durability, quality, operating environments and biomechanics. U.S. forces obtained local footwear through an established Host Nation Support mechanism.
