These Boots Are Made....

Do boots float? Do fairies wear boots?  As far as I know if you wear boots and you walk outdoors then your boots are on the ground.  In the last week I have heard, "Boots on the ground" too many times to count.  If you want to make a reference to deploying troops then just say so...no need to refer to these troops as boots on the ground.  It does not sound cool or make you sound like a West Point grad.  If you say it it makes you sound like a para militaristic, camo wearing  hick.