Boots
By National standards, any black uniform boot will do; no construction or hiking boots. Beyond the uniform requirement, they can be black jungle boots, black tactical/police boots, or black lace up military boots (other than tanker boots), however here at Squadron 153 cadets are highly encouraged to wear full leather boots, so as to provide the best possible ankle support in the field. That being said, it is understood that kids' feet grow and as such constantly buying an expensive full leather boots like the Corcoran jump boot (below) can be financially straining. So unless your cadet is constantly performing a high visibility mission necessitating such thing, skip it.
The basics: an all black boot, eight inches or higher, with a sturdy soul, and black laces (side zippers are okay, but no front zippers -- we don't wear firefighter station boots)
Below are some of my personal favorites, but I've got to warn you they do tend to be a little pricier. For even more advice on boots please see the PDF titled "Boot Selection for the Civil Air Patrol Uniform Post 2015:" by Capt Brian Cole, CAP (our deputy squadron commander) at the bottom of the page.
Corcoran jump boots - my personal favorite; wore them when I was cadet both in CAP and Army JROTC. These boots take a shine like no other!
US Patriot Tactical $159.99
LA Police Gear, Inc. $108.99
Anchortex $115.85 - $138.85; and honestly they have a nice quality assortment of CAP compliant black military boots.
Altama (or other brands like McRae) speed lace, all leather, combat boots are another classic favorite from the days of BDUs.
Another good Altma (or like) boot is their black speed lace jungle boot.
I initially returned to service wearing these. They're a good boot but I ended up feeling nostalgic and broke down and got a pair of Corcorans (Airborne!); I'll use these as field boots.
The Belleville 700 Waterproof Duty Boot. It's an eight inch boot with Vibram soul and GORE-TEX lining.
Always have your boots shined!
The only time where we relax on this is when we are in the field and away from the public eye. If you don't know how to shine leather then ask a fellow cadet whose boots look good or look it up online -- in fact here's three quick videos to get you started.
How to: Shine Shoes (the Old Guard way, taking it to a whole other level)
How to spit shine shoes (using a heat gun, something which I occasionally use myself)
HOW TO SHINE MILITARY BOOTS! 2019 (cotton balls, water, and a little lighter action)
Blouse them boots airman!
For ABUs you're going to need blousing bands for the pant legs of your trousers. Blousing bands come in various forms: all metal, elastic bands with metal hooks, or various widths of elastic bands with Velcro closures, but they all accomplish the same thing -- pant leg which is tucked in at or just below the top of the boot.
Blousing bands are one of those items available for you to purchase at the JFTB Los Alamitos Exchange. Depicted to the right are two different types of blousing bands. A company named Tabs, even produces an elastic band with Velcro fasteners.
Blousing your boots properly gives your uniform this appearance:
Here's a quick video on two ways you can blouse your boots. Honestly, I either do it the first way or I tuck my pant leg Army style.
How to blouse your boots two ways.
Now some people blouse their boots to where the bloused pant leg is just above the boot (just be sure not to allow your socks to be visible) and others bring it down below the top of the boot. If you're one who does the later, just remember that when bloused, the trousers should not extend below the third eyelet from the top of the boot.