Had a pair of boots worn only for guard duty inspection, made col. orderly 18 times in a row, got exempt from all guard duty by col., then made E-5 a month later and had to pull Sgt. of the guard.
“...had to pull Sgt. of the guard.”
But you got to carry a 1911 instead of an M-14. That was worth something!
Cheeser!! ;)
A small amount of rubbing alcohol (capful) poured in a Kiwi can full of tapwater and a cotton tee shirt made for an especially glossy mirror shine.
In later years Kiwi shoe polish cans arrived at the PX with a hole punched in the lid, and a piece of clear tape over it. What wizardry was this, could only surmise that production had moved offshore shipping or air regulations played a role. Or something. Good stuff. Expensive, too. Cans got smaller, like everything else.
Also makes a pretty decent wood stain I’m told.
LOL
I was with a small Marine detachment on Aberdeen Proving Grounds Army Base for my MOS training.
One night I forgot that I had guard duty and was reminded about 5 minutes before inspection by the Army OD. I ran like the dickens through grass and mud and got there just as they were calling everybody to attention.
I had mud up over my ankles on my boots. That night I guarded an armory that was about 8 miles out of nowhere.