Indeed because you were in for 24 years and your feet were conditioned AND you had good broken in boots etc., you mever needed moleskin.
The difference here is the suddenly on foot all day and night ‘prepper’ won’t have that prior conditioning. Moleskin can work wonders for the Noob.
And that is why I have it now. My wife is not big on walking long distances. Her idea of a long walk is a huge mall.
On another subject; have you been to the camping section in stores lately? Notice all the “luxury” items? If you buy all the crap they sell you’ll be carrying a ton of weight. Who needs a special metal stick for hotdogs of marshmallows? Makes one wonder how people survived camping in the past. When I camp I prioritize. Water, food, hygiene. Everything else is a luxury.