Lacing of shoes in the military is slightly different from civilian shoes as there are combat situations to take into account. Normally, shoes are laced by a simple back and forward motion with the uppermost lace showing as straight across forming a neat lacing. In the military, however, there is always a danger of wounds, which require the quick removal of boots. In this case, the cross lacing is a hindrance to the removal of boots. Military lacing requires just one layer of lacing that can be easily and quickly slit with a knife or scalpel.

Start the lacing at the bottom of the eyelets and pass the lace through on the top so that the lace goes down inside the boot on both sides. Take the right side lace and pull it through and pass it up to the first eyelet, then push it from the inside to the outside.

Loop the lace on the left side on the inside and bring it up to the outside, then pass it over to the right side and poke it through to the inside of the boot. Pass the leading end of the lace now and loop it up to the next eyelet on that same side. Then, push the lace through the eyelet from beneath, looping it over to the left side and pushing it into the corresponding eyelet on the opposite side.

Loop the lace on the left side on the inside and bring it up to the outside. Then, pass it over to the right side and poke it through to the inside of the boot. Pass the leading end of the lace now and loop it up to the next eyelet on that same side, then push the lace through the eyelet from beneath looping it over to the left side and pushing it into the corresponding eyelet on the opposite side.

Repeat this process by looping the lace inside the eyelets and up so that the lace lies on the top as it passes to the other side of the mouth. Ensure that there is enough lace protruding to complete the process.

Continue this process until the boot is laced all the way with just the one top layer of laces across the boot. Once the boot is laced all the way, pull both ends of the lace and tie it off. The knotted part of the lace should then be tucked inside the boot, so it is out of the way.