Regulations applicable to wearing optional combat boots

(a) In general Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Defense shall issue regulations requiring that any optional combat boots being sold at military exchanges be certified by the combat boot quality assurance program conducted by the relevant military service, to ensure combat boots meet uniform regulations regarding durability, quality, and uniform standards. (b) Waiver The Secretary of Defense may provide a military service a waiver for subsection (a) for 90 days until the combat boot quality assurance program is implemented. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) The term combat boot quality assurance program means the requirement in section 865(f) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Public Law 119–60; 10 U.S.C. 4811 note). (2) The term optional combat boots, with respect to a member of the Armed Forces, means combat boots not furnished to such member of the Armed Forces by the Secretary of Defense. (3) The term required uniform means a uniform a member of the Armed Forces is required to wear as a member of the Armed Forces.