[gabbaman]

Looks like the Navy is looking to follow suit. This week's edition of Navy times says "Navy on verge of nixing barefoot sports shoes". However, this is the part of the article I found interesting: The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center and Center for Personal and Professional Development reviewed medical literature and found insufficient evidence either to support or refute the safety of barefoot run*ning shoes. It noted, however, that the footwear strengthens muscles in the foot’s arch, reduces exces*sive pronation — when the foot strikes the ground while tilted either inward or outward — and encourages lighter landings with each stride. The review also cited problems. For example, the footwear requires greater demand on foot and lower leg muscles, increasing the risk for injury if these muscles are not ade*quately trained. Well, no kidding. You shouldn't use any piece of equipment unless you're properly trained on it. You shouldn't use any equipment in the gym unless you're properly trained. Would you forbid Sailors from working out with weights because they "might" get injured from improper use ? The whole thing is ridiculous. Also, this caught my eye: In the next few weeks, a Navy*wide message is expected to expand a policy that already bars Vibram FiveFingers... There is no prohibition that I'm aware of against using these shoes with the PT uniform. I specifically contacted the Uniform program office and asked that question. The reply I got was "The Navy has no policy regarding the use of these shoes with the PTU".