Matthew Griffin and Donald Lee were just two Army Rangers who did tours in Afghanistan and left the country thinking, “we should make flip flops and change this place.” And they did. In their own words, “Unapologetically, we make cool stuff in dangerous places.” Combat Flip Flops puts people to work in places damaged because of war and where people need jobs in order to avoid working for the bad guys.
Working at Combat Flip Flops isn’t a typical job. There’s no corner office. No water cooler. No break room. It’s more of a calling. A duty. A way of life. We’re creating a new path forward. A way to create jobs, fund women’s education and create change in some of the toughest places on the planet. Change that will last even longer than our shoes, which last a really long time.
Combat Flip Flops creates peaceful, forward-thinking opportunities for self-determined entrepreneurs affected by conflict. Our willingness to take bold risks, build community connections, and create distinct military-inspired designs communicate our, “Business, Not Bullets” approach – flipping the view on how wars are won. Through persistence, respect, and creativity, we empower the mindful consumer to buy products that encourage peace through trade. We’re a team with a passion for making cool sh1t* in dangerous places.
The company gives back and has a commitment to social change with a number of charities they support. Buying their products means helping put an Afghan girl into secondary school for a day and each Peacemaker Bangle or Coin Wrap sold clears three square meters of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) from areas suffering from war.
Aid Afghanistan for Education (AAE) provides education to marginalized Afghan women and girls over the age of ten who are denied access to a formal education. Currently serving 3,000 girls and 104 boys, AAE is guided by the indomitable spirit of Afghan women and children who, despite over 30 years of war and violence, are determined to build a bright and prosperous future for themselves and their families.
Mines Advisory Group (MAG) is an international organization that saves lives and builds futures by removing and destroying landmines and other weapons left in war torn countries. Since 1989, MAG has worked in over 35 countries and was co-laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997.
THE STATION FOUNDATION (TSF) is a non-government agency providing resources to help all members and families of the Special Operations Community attain the same elite performance in their personal lives that they enjoy in uniform. TSF offers a place where Special Operators and their families can stop, identify their values and “stay on track.” Participants return home committed to lives of clarity, purpose, and direction, developing the resiliency and confidence they need to thrive amid adversity.
We hope you like our flip flops, style, and approach to helping Afghanistan, Colombia, Laos and supporting our troops. We’ve grown from an idea to a globally recognized brand with a mission to create lasting change. As we push forward, we’ll continue communicating the positive impact your purchases make on the factory workers, their growing economy, and community. Want to learn more, get involved or share our story? Email us: social@combatflipflops.com *We’d say the real word, but Facebook policy prevents us from having a reasonable amount of Freedom of Speech