In November of 2007 I was a USMC recruit, and these were the 'go-fasters' (our term for sneakers) i was issued. i think i can help clear up some of the mixed reviews here by letting you know something; these were the sneakers issued to FLAT FOOTED recruits, which lends credence to those reviewers who thought they were odd and uncomfortable. i'm pretty sure these were built for the flat footed individual in mind, and that being said these were the best, most comfortable sneakers i've ever owned.