Army announces temporary ACU boot policy — Black ICWB boots authorized with ACU in some zones

By U.S. Army Public AffairsNovember 14, 2006

WASHINGTON - The Army announced today that in certain geographic areas for the next six months the black Intermediate Cold Wet Boot (ICWB) will be authorized for wear with the Army Combat Uniform (ACU) in lieu of the tan ICWB, which is currently in short supply.

SGM Katrina Easley, the Branch Chief for Uniform Policy at Army G-1, Pentagon said that "the temporary policy affects Soldiers in cold regions of the continental United States, Korea, Europe, and Alaska."

The policy "will ease short-term demands and allow the supply system time to meet world-wide requirements," SGM Easley said.

The first version of the ICWB, a black boot fielded in the early 1990s, filled the void between the standard-issue leather combat boots and the extreme cold weather "Mickey Mouse" boots. All versions of the ICWB allow Soldiers' feet to breathe and keep warm while operating in cold, wet environments.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston said that suppliers are working to get the new tan ICWB fielded as soon as possible. He added that "we do not want Soldiers to suffer through the winter months with their summer, light-weight tan boots."

This temporary exception to policy is expected to last through April 2007 and allows Soldiers in the designated areas to wear the black ICWB with the ACU immediately.

For more information, contact LTC George Wright, Army Public Affairs at (703) 693-4987 or george.wright3@hqda.army.mil.