Wearing Danners and Magnums when on class A

[Bomber for Life]

Does anyone know how I would go about being authorized to wear either Danners or Magmums while being on Class A?

I know that you have to see a MO at NDMC and have a med chit written up normally, but you have to be on a minimum 90 Day Class B or reg force to go to see a MO. Thus, the problem. Is getting a chit written up from my civy doctor enough? The MKII's kill my feet as I have really bad feet and knees. Or is the Amry just screwing everyone that isn't full time. Also if authorised do they pay for the boots?

Anyhelp would be good.

 

[S McKee]

So many people are wearing so many different types of boots nowadays I would just wear your Danners or Magnums and forget about it. Just as long as they're black nobody will probably even question you.

 

[Bomber for Life]

In my unit they will. There has got to be a legit way to do this. Maybe I'll just get a Dr. Note. Thats got to be just as good.

 

[chrisf]

New soles on the old boots could be a viable and cheaper option...

 

[Fundy Gunner]

One easy way to get around this whole issue is to go to your civy doctor and get a doctor's note that says that the issued boots are bad for your feet.  Then go to your QM and tell them you need an alternative boot.  Suggest the Magnum or another brand but realize that before your QM is going to spend money to get special boots they have a choice.  They have the choice to issue you the all-weather boots or special orthotics for your feet.  

Now we know that orthotics are expensive but it's really up to your QM but go with the note in hand and put a little pressure.  Remember they're your legs and knees and you know when it hurts.

Listen I have the same problem and knowing the QM and a little pressure I got the Magnums.

One place you might run into a problem is on a course.  Remember everyone is supposed to be the same and if your boots aren't issued you may have no choice until you get a DND doctor's note to wear the crap black boots.

Good Luck

 

[PhilB]

Sort of off on a tangent I have a chit from an MO that says "Member is authorized to wear specialized footwear due to medical/operational reasons". Can I translate this chit into the army buying my magnums?

 

[HollywoodHitman]

If you were issued boots and do not wear them, and you get injured wearing boots that you are not medically authorized to wear, the military will not cover you.

 

[S McKee]

If you were issued boots and do not wear them, and you get injured wearing boots that you are not medically authorized to wear, the military will not cover you.

Could you explain that?

 

[Bomber for Life]

Could you explain that?

What it means is that the Army is not liable for any foot injury/ long term injury you get if you are wearing non issued boots, unless you are authorised to wear them. Basically, without a chit from an MO to wear Danners, Magnums, you are waiving any rights if you get a certain injury in the ankle/foot area that would require you to be on long term disability and get a pension from the army.

Which essentially is why I am looking to see if there is a way for a Class A reservist to get a Med chit from an MO without being on class B or reg force.

 

[KevinB]

Bomb ask your unit...

Basically without a referal from Physio to a specialist (which won't happen on Class A) and until the Podiatrist assesses your feet and recommends you for other footwear.

I am grandfathered under the old system (I had a Podiatrist sign off on my feet in '95) so I can keep having the Army buy my footwear (note: I was buying them myself since the first time - but the new boot policy requires I have proff the CF buys them so the taxpayer is ponying up for my boots again).

From how it was recently explained to me is you go to the MIR - the MO and Medic make an assessment - to send you to physio.
Physio then tries a succession of items to fit your problems - the last step (short of medical category) is Danner/Hi-tech's/Civilian Pattern Boots.

Insoles, Orethotics, Boot Resole etc are all before.
(9/10 resoling with the softer and flat soled Vibram will solve the issues)


As I alluded to above I would suggest you ask your unit (TSM or BSM) and see if they will accept a "Doctor's Note" from your civy doctor as authorisation enough.  In theory the recent policy - as amplified by a number of comments in LFWA and 1CMBG routine orders - would not accept that and that due to that no Class A reservists should have non-issue boots - but I am sure common sence will prevail.

Cheers

 

[PhilB]

So if I have the chit I mentioned above then do i just need to go into clothing stores? How do I go about having the army buy the boots. Im fine buying the boots myself as I am allowed to wear them however may as well try and get the army to pony up the dough

 

[KevinB]

Phil - the Military refered Podetrist has made the determination you need aftermarket boots?  The you go over with the paperwork (A LOT more than a chit) to Base Clothing and work it out - get a PO for boots from Mark's Work Warehouse or whereever they do it from these days.

Keep in mind - for reservists on Class B or C this can backfire, and they release you from your contract as being medically unfit...

 

[Bomber]

Just remember, that so long as you are in the "field" CANLANDGEN 003/98 still applies, ignore all the parts of it that go on talking about non issued kit making us look like a substandard army, I figure crappy kit would do this better than "idiosyncratic kit" (right from the Order) would.  But I digress, Anyway, down towards the end, it says that you may wear black goretex boots in the field, and here is the key term, until a suitable substitution is acquired.  It makes no mention of what "suitable" might be, and so far, I haven't found one on my clothing docks, I guess short of the old Prospectors.  Anyway, again I have to recommend getting the Bates M9 assault line, available from US CAV.

 

[Bomber]

I really recommed the Sole insoles at Marks Work Warehouse.  If you do get magnums, then great, but if not, get the soles.

 

[jswift872]

ok, I got magnums and i wore them on parade tonight ( i wasn't fully aware of chit's and such) but they said I need a chit to wear them in garrison (thursday night) so does that mean I can wear them on weekend ex's without chits, because I see a few of the people in my unit wear them, and I know they don't have chits. I think I'm gonna try to get a chit though, because the issued ones are doing more harm then good to my knees.

 

[kyleg]

J-Swift: depending on your unit, the higher-ups may just turn a blind eye when it comes to non-issue boots in the field. As for garrison nights, stick to the MkIII. It's not like you're humping a ruck and going on recce patrols around your armoury, I'm sure you can tough it out for a few hours once a week. That said, getting a chit to wear non-issue boots can't hurt, especially if your CSM decides he doesn't like anything other than what Her Majesty gave you, garrison or field.

Cheers,
Pinky

 

[jswift872]

Alright, thanks Pinky, tonight I'm going to wear them and hope that nothing is said, because we're doing section attacks this weekend. 

 

[kyleg]

Alright, thanks Pinky, tonight I'm going to wear them and hope that nothing is said, because we're doing section attacks this weekend. 

Maybe I wasn't clear. I meant DON'T wear non-issue boots to the armoury for evening training, but (depending on your unit) you could probably get away with them in the field. My suggestion that you get a chit was because you don't want the uniform nazis coming down on you for wearing unauthorized boots in the field, it was not suggested so that you'd be allowed to wear them on parade as well. You're SUPPOSED to be uncomfortable on parade  ;D

Cheers,
Pinky

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Why don't you guys quit guessing and just go ask your C of C, what is allowed to be worn and under what circumstances? This is a question for your bosses not army.ca.

 

[jswift872]

Why don't you guys quit guessing and just go ask your C of C, what is allowed to be worn and under what circumstances? This is a question for your bosses not army.ca.

done, and I had a wonderful foot experience this weekend filled with no blisters and shin splints...thanks