I proudly get to wear a few hats. And they're all "American made".
The first is as a dad and a husband. That one is the most important.
The second is as the guy who owns the largest police news outlet in the world. We are blessed to do some incredible work with the Trump administration - and anyone who follows me knows where I stand in my Christian, conservative, America-first values.
The third is the hat of a guy who runs a company that Fox News called "America's most patriotic marketing agency". We work with every kind of business you can imagine - but they all have one thing in common: they put America-first.
That's why my perspective here might throw some people for a bit of a loop.
After years of over-reliance on foreign-made goods, President Donald Trump is wise to prioritize domestic production and manufacturing through his Made in America agenda. While broader short-term adjustments are a necessary reality for long-term success, the military should be spared any physical or financial costs.
Unfortunately, recent legislation called the Better Outfitting Our Troops, or BOOTS Act, would unfairly burden the warfighter. Under consideration as part of the annual defense authorization, the bill requires all combat boots worn by U.S. service members to be entirely manufactured in the United States using American-sourced materials.
The idea sounds good, but a look below the surface reveals major problems.
Worse, rumors abound that the White House is contemplating executive action that could have similar unintended consequences. This action is expected to be even more far-reaching than BOOTS and extend domestic sourcing to all textile-based products for all federal agency purchases, as well as the stores on military bases where troops purchase the majority of their footwear, including combat boots.
Here are three reasons this well-intended initiative could lead to unforeseen consequences.
Higher Costs for Our Troops
It sounds counterintuitive to civilians, but most service members pay for their combat boots out of pocket. A junior enlisted service member with a pay grade of E-1 receives $2,319 per month in basic pay, or less than $30,000 annually. They are already facing increasing costs of living and a uniform allowance that doesn't go as far as it used to.
Right now, domestically produced combat footwear is up to 30%-50% more expensive, and that’s with foreign competition in the mix holding prices down. A typical pair of combat boots can cost as much as $399.
Since troops are buying most of their own combat boots, further saddling them with the costs of more expensive equipment is the last thing they need. Given that our warfighters often purchase multiple pairs each year, further price increases can have a real impact on members of the military trying to raise a family on minimal pay.
Restricting Warfighter Freedom of Choice
Like the Michelin slogan about “so much riding on your tires”, footwear is one of the most critical pieces of the military uniform. Without durable, reliable, and comfortable boots, everything else becomes more complicated.
Warfighters pick the boots that meet their specific physiological and physical needs, regardless of their place of manufacture. Often, they are purchased to replace the standard-issue pair, which is a regular occurrence during grueling daily training. Sometimes they are returned due to poor quality issues.
Why should government mandates get in between soldiers and their uniform of choice? Prohibiting warfighters from purchasing the boots they want, even when they do so using their own funds, breaks with decades of precedent and restricts the freedom of choice our warfighters take up arms to protect.
Reduced Military Readiness
Prioritizing military readiness, as the Trump Administration has wisely chosen to do, requires top-notch equipment. Not only are the correct combat boots key to ensuring top physical fitness requirements, but they also prevent unnecessary setbacks. Improper footwear is one of the most common causes of injury in the military.
Even more concerning, according to DoD data, it would take nearly a decade to stand up the manufacturing necessary for sourcing only domestic boots for the military. That means ten long years with our warfighter readiness compromised. According to DoD, footwear manufacturers are currently only able to build 525,000 combat boots each year, which is half the estimated demand during peacetime. In the event of an armed conflict, that number spikes up immediately and quickly.
To be sure, re-shoring domestic production of military equipment is a laudable goal. Rather than arbitrary and unworkable mandates, a more suitable approach would be to increase DPA funds. These resources provide federal agencies with the authority to fund projects and incentivize private companies to produce goods and materials critical to national defense. Additional DPA financial support could help ensure that U.S. manufacturers can meet the demand for compliant equipment without compromising on quality or availability or restricting what members of the military hold so dearly - freedom of choice.
Just as the White House prioritized ensuring that members of the military didn’t miss a paycheck during the government shutdown, they are smart to apply a similar sensible approach to military equipment. Even well-intentioned initiatives can carry unintended consequences, and those fighting on the front lines should not be the ones paying the price.
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