It was customary for soldiers of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to “break in” their standard combat boots.
“There were not many people who actually had to carry packs and equipment long distances who didn’t have to bash these boots in to make sure they didn’t hurt their feet,” said Heston Russell, a former special forces operative and now-veteran advocate.
“We were literally getting our boots, soaking them in the bathtub, and smacking them with hammers,” he told The Epoch Times, saying it took five years before a “boot review” was finally kick-started.
Russell says this seemingly small issue is an insight into long-running, endemic problems in the Australian armed forces, which have now spilled over into large multi-billion dollar projects….