Soldiers will wear old but comfortable boots in combat, says Army

AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Soldiers will still choose to wear their oldest, even worn-out, boots in combat if they feel comfortable in these, according to the Philippine Army.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said Thursday it was imperative for all soldiers to wear their most comfortable gear during combat compared to new ones which could give them unease.

Cabangbang issued the statement to counter what he described as ‘‘misconstrued’’ discourses on the Internet on the alleged inadequacy of equipment for soldiers in battle.

The online discourses came after a photo of a soldier deployed in Zamboanga City to help fight the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels showed him wearing old and worn-out boots.

‘‘Most soldiers use their ‘luckiest’ uniforms (and boots) before risking themselves in the line of unpredictable fires. If wearing their most tattered uniforms means coming out alive after a nerve-wrecking battle, then why not let them?’’ Cabangbang said.

Cabangbang explained that Army soldiers receive the so-called reenlistment clothing allowance (RCA) to enable them to buy new uniform and boots to replace old ones. He said the RCA is given either “in kind or in cash” upon a soldier’s reenlistment in the service.

The allowance in-cash is worth P8,281.85, while the in-kind is worth P4,084.00.

A soldier renews his “contract” or re-enlists in service every three years.