Harry's Army Surplus Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Military’

More than just a cool fashion trend, dog tags are an important means of identification for military members. Before uniformly printed tags started showing up in the United States around the 1900′s, soldiers would print their own identification on paper or other items worn on the body to assist in identifying them in case of the unthinkable. Dog tags have two main purposes; identification of fallen soldiers, and important medical information in case the soldier is unable to speak or unconscious. Nowadays, tags usually follow a five line format:

1. Last Name
2. First Name, Initial
3. Social Security/Service Number
4. Blood Type
5. Religious Preference

Dog tags are a great way to express yourself even if you are not in the military. Favorite quotes, beliefs, song lyrics, or anniversaries are just a few of the things being printed on tags. Harry’s Army Surplus offers personalized dog tags. Four lines with 16 characters per line, letters, numbers, and the symbols - , . / with the option to add silencers on a ball chain with smaller second chain. Your imagination is the limit on what you can print. If you are in the Metro-Detroit area, you may choose to pick up your tags in store. Order some dog tags and express yourself today!

The military parachute bag is one of our most popular military bags. It’s great for travel and transporting heavy items because of the heavy duty materials.  The heavyweight canvas makes this

parachute cargo bag extremely durable. Good for packing more than just parachutes, this bag measures 24″ X 15″ X 13″ and can fit all sorts of goodies. The reinforced web handles go from top to bottom and

the full length zipper is covered by a snap flap. This bag can withstand most anything you throw at it. This parachute bag is available in olive drab, black, navy, and coyote.

Buy your bag online at Harry’s Army Surplus in Metro-Detroit or online!

Ever wonder what a Jungle Boot is and how they came to be used?  Here’s the scoop:

Before WW II, the United States armed forces fought in a number of battles in jungle terrain.  Jungle conditions involve constant exposure to water, sand, heat, insects, and infections and soldiers were not equipped to deal with this type of environment..  Boots were needed to be lightweight, durable, and quick drying.

Jungle Boot

The first jungle boots were made of canvas and rubber, used in the South Pacific during World War II. The first jungle boot went into production in 1942, to try to meet the needs for soldiers fighting in the pacific. It had a canvas upper and an attached tongue that kept out mud and insects. The ribbed rubber sole had good traction while a removable fabric insole kept the feet away from the rubber. At a later date, “panama sole” and “ridge sole” variations of the jungle boot were made.

The original jungle boot was lightweight and kept the feet and lower legs comfortable. It was easily cleaned and dried. However, it offered little support, causing soldiers to complain about of aching arches. The high canvas tops chafed at the legs, so it was common for soldiers to fold them over or cut them off. The boots were better than the standard military combat boot but still needed some improvements.

Since the 40′s, the jungle boot has come a long way. quality and fit have been majorly improved as well as cushion and support.  While jungle boots have been retired amongst American military personnel, they continue to be a popular choice for army personnel across the world.  Jungle boots have even resurfaced as a popular fashion item.  They are often referred to as “broes” and “brogaines.”

First issued to U.S. soldiers during the Korean War, Mickey Mouse boots are designed for combat and protect against water and extreme cold. A wool lining and multiple layers of rubber serve as the insulation. Their most distinguishable visible features are their big size. Reminded of the well known cartoon character, G.I.s joked they were wearing Mickey Mouse’s shoes. The rubber was tinted white to camouflage with snow.

Mickey Mouse Boots

That incarnation of a cold weather boot came from the previous “shoepac” design of World War II. These were also white, but not as thick or durable – they were intended as an outer layer for shoes.  Shoepacs didn’t stand up to the extreme cold of the winter of 1951 in Korea, when temperatures plunged far below their average, and army tents offered insufficient protection. At a time when soldiers were wearing their sleeping bags during the daytime to keep from freezing, Mickey Mouse boots were highly valued as a major improvement over the protection offered by ordinary leather boots covered in shoepacs.

Since this 8 inch rubber boot isn’t ventilated at all, the wearer’s sweat collects quickly when they’re active. People wearing mickey mouse boots are advised to change their sweaty socks frequently to avoid the cold that can accompany wet socks. Back in the days before Thinsulate insulation, soldiers saw this as only a minor inconvenience considering how warm their feet remained. The boots prevented frostbite even at -20 or -40 degrees Fahrenheit; a layer of air trapped between two layers of rubber acts as a very efficient insulator. This is similar to the way that a double paned window works. In fact, you’ll notice that these boots have a valve on the side. The valve is used to prevent damage at higher altitude. Since mickey mouse boots are sealed rubber, the altitude would lead to air expansion between the layers of the boot and that could cause constriction on the feet as well as damage to the boot.

Many generations of military personnel have continued to wear Mickey Mouse extreme cold weather boots. Now they’re available in black as well as white. In recent years, many working people have used these boots as work boots because of the great value compared to other winter cold weather boots.  They’re also very popular amongst ice fishing aficionados for their ability to protect against heat loss from a day spent standing on ice.  Through Army Surplus stores like Harry’s Army Surplus the average outdoor adventurist, ice fishing enthusiast or working person can buy military issue Mickey Mouse boots.