The Marine Corps Combat Boot is making a comeback.
Marine officials announced Nov. 5 that leaders have decided not to make the Rugged All-Terrain boot mandatory across the service, reversing its previous decision to phase out the MCCB it was supposed to replace.
The change was directed by Commandant Gen. Robert Neller and detailed in Marine administrative message 558/15.
"The commandant wants to give Marines affordable, high-quality options," said Lt. Col. Eric Dent, Neller's spokesman.
Here's what you need to know.
New rules. Starting Oct. 1, 2016, the MCCB will become the Corps' standard issue seabag boot. Both the hot weather and temperate weather RAT boots will remain authorized as optional wear, providing flexibility based on operating environments.
RAT boot. The RAT boot, issued to deploying Marines since 2009, was to replace the MCCB as standard footwear. With rough-side-out leather, they have a reinforced heel and toe, and a wider platform than the MCCB.
There are two varieties of the boot: a temperate weather and a hot weather version, designed to be fast-drying and breathable, with vents in the arch and no side panel padding.
A heavy-duty nylon ankle strap replaced a leather one in 2014 to allow the boot to dry faster after Marines in the field complained that their boots remained water-logged too long. Gusseting connects the boot's tongue to its eyelets to help keep debris out. The RAT boot has an expected service life of two years.
Past delays. The MCCB was fielded in 2002. Some Marines have said the changeover to the RAT boot was wasteful, because since the legacy boots cost about a third as much. Marines also lost $31.07 from their annual clothing allowance because since the RAT boot was supposed to last longer.
This issue will be addressed by the Marine Corps Uniform Board, said Lt. Col. Robert Bailey, the product manager of infantry combat equipment at Marine Corps Systems Command. Prior to the announcement, the MCCB was to be "deemed obsolete" by 2016.
New Marines. The RAT boot became standard issue for officer candidates and recruits at depots and Officer Candidates School in 2015 after the service decided to phase out the MCCB.
New Marines will continue to receive RAT boots through the end of fiscal year 2016, after which recruits and officer candidates will begin getting the MCCB again.
A troubled history. The Corps rushed the RAT boot into service in 2006 after Marines operating in eastern Afghanistan found their standard combat boots were falling apart in the rough terrain. A requirement to purchase RAT boots produced by Danner for deploying Marines was approved in 2009.
In 2011, the Marine Corps awarded a contract to Bates Footwear to produce 105,000 pairs of the hot weather version. After 67,000 pairs of the Bates version were delivered, however, about 11 percent had to be recalled when deployed Marines said drainage outlets began falling off and stitches and soles started separating from the boot.
The Corps awarded a $2.4 million stop-gap contract to Danner for 18,000 pairs of RAT boots to alleviate the shortage.
Bates resolved the issues and resumed supplying RAT boots.
