No More Made-in-China Sneakers for Military Recruits

The Defense Department has decided that the running shoes worn by recruits won’t be made in China anymore.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) pushed language in the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act requiring the department to explore the availability of made-in-the-USA athletic shoes that comply with the Berry Amendment.

That decades-old provision requires that priority should be given to domestically made products when purchasing items with federal appropriations — which, for the Army, Navy and Air Force, amounts to about $80 per recruit.

The Pentagon had previously said that they couldn’t find any running shoes that met the Berry Amendment requirement.

In a Friday memo, though, acting Deputy Defense Secretary Christine Fox said that new recruits will have to use their shoe vouchers to buy American-footwear after New Balance and other manufacturers told the DoD that there are shoes with all-American components that can be bought.

Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Maine) was pushing for the rule as he has a New Balance factory in his district.

In a statement, Michaud called it “a tremendous victory for American manufacturers who, day-in and day-out, produce high-quality goods — like New Balance sneakers.”

“It only makes sense that we equip our country’s bravest men and women with products made by some of our country’s hardest working manufacturers,” he said. “Today’s decision is truly a win-win for everyone and is an example of the kind of action we can take to ensure we have the backs of American workers.”

There will be exceptions in the rule for recruits who need a different-fitting sneaker or different style for their running activity. Fox also ordered a DoD study of available footwear in relation to soldiers’ feet.

“If we can provide U.S.-made athletic shoes to our troops – and I believe we can – we should do so,” Levin said. “I’m pleased that the Defense Department has taken a significant step toward complying with the intent of Congress and the desires of the American people.”