As Congress undertakes the annual task of drafting the National Defense Authorization Act, the United States Footwear Manufacturers Association (USFMA) is using the occasion to push for a protectionist measure that would shield the organization from competition at the expense of US servicemembers. Called the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, the legislation would forbid members of the armed forces from wearing so-called “optional” combat boots—footwear not standard-issued by the military but still authorized for wear as part of the uniform—that are made overseas.

In short, the measure would deny servicemembers the ability to find boots that best fit their feet so US manufacturers can make a few extra bucks. And if anyone thinks this assessment is overly harsh, that’s pretty much how the armed forces themselves see it. As a Marine Corps representative recently stated at the Modern Day Marine military equipment and technology expo, the military is facing a “legislative battle pushed forward by an aggressive lobby that has shown its willingness to put profits ahead of the warfighter.”

The alarm over the BOOTS Act is easy to understand. Last year, the Marine Corps found quality problems so severe that nearly 25 percent of inspected US-made boots were returned to manufacturers.

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