Black boots that spit shine or brown suede boots that you clean, what is your preference?

COL Lee Flemming — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 06:24:26 -0400

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 13 at 2016 6:27 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 06:27:19 -0400

Black boots you spit shine, looks more professional. Brown suede o.k. for the field.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Sep 13 at 2016 6:30 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 06:30:00 -0400

I never had a choice. It was black boots and shoes that needed to be shined (although corafram dress shoes were on the scene) and brass not anodized. I suspect the suede boots are easy to care for as is the brass.

My oldest son graduated from Parris Island about 6 years ago and had no Kiwi polish or Brasso in his gear. No need for it any longer. As Mr. Dylan said, Oh the times they are a changin'.

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Sep 13 at 2016 6:48 AM

CPT Tom Monahan — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 06:48:19 -0400

Field boots are to blend in with the field. Toy Soldiers' spit and polish is what Class As bring out.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Sep 13 at 2016 7:31 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 07:31:34 -0400

Spit shine. Sorry old school COL Lee Flemming One place you could separate those that cared and those that did not

Response by LtCol J W made Sep 13 at 2016 8:36 AM

LtCol J W — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:36:28 -0400

All during WW II, the Marine Corps troops wore roughout field shoes with canvas leggings. Shining during combat was not necessary. same in Korea until we went North to Chosin and switched to Mickey Mouse boots (rubber shoe paks). Then went to smooth leather black boots which necessitated shining. Military leaders should reailze that shiny boots a re a waste of time and energy. Keep boots in roughout leather for combat, work, etc. Shined shoes for service uniform. Simple

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Sep 13 at 2016 8:45 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:45:46 -0400

Boots with black toes you have to shine. I say this because my absolute favorite boots were the green canvas jungle boot fom the Vietnam era. I still have my pair to this day while the black all leather ones have long gone on to wherever old boots go.

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Sep 13 at 2016 8:54 AM

SSgt David Tedrow — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:54:52 -0400

Black boots.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Sep 13 at 2016 9:40 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 09:40:36 -0400

Well sir, I think the black boots shine to a high finish looked great. The tan boots are okay, I take mine to the car wash every so often. Real good and clean after that.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 9:54 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 09:54:44 -0400

At least tuck in the boot laces. But seriously, it's a tough call for me. I miss (but don't miss) shining my boots to a mirror shine. What I certainly don't miss is standing in formation in the hot sun in black boots where my feet are baking more than normal.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 10:15 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:15:30 -0400

Miss the days of shining boots and starching uniforms. At least it showed which Soldiers actually showed pride in their uniform.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 10:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:27:25 -0400

Black boots all day.

Response by SFC George Smith made Sep 13 at 2016 10:31 AM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 10:31:10 -0400

Sorry I'm Old School with Pressed Uniforms and Spit shined worked great in Garrison... and we Has "Funky Grungys" for the Boonies...

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 13 at 2016 11:01 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 11:01:39 -0400

COL Lee Flemming, I used to love my polished and spit shined black boots.
So professional!
In fact, I still spit shine my civilian boots and shoes!
-My Best, Margaret

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2016 11:04 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 11:04:29 -0400

Why not use WWII styled brown polished boots? Shining boots and pressing uniforms instills discipline.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 13 at 2016 12:03 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 12:03:19 -0400

I personally love my brown boots. Whenever I got my brown boots dirty, it made me think of all the Marines who came before me and all the dirt they got on their boots. I'm not fond of the black boots because it made me think they were more for show than getting dirty and accomplishing missions.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 13 at 2016 12:06 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 12:06:34 -0400

I prefer comfortable boots, warm and dry, in good repair. Dry socks too. Soldiers live on their feet and die when they fail them.

Response by SSG Wally Lawver made Sep 13 at 2016 12:25 PM

SSG Wally Lawver — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 12:25:50 -0400

black boots(polishing) and irons (on the cammies) and Brasso for the brass,,,,instills discipline and pride

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Sep 13 at 2016 3:11 PM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 15:11:16 -0400

Repel ropes, TUCK THOSE LACES IN!

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Sep 13 at 2016 4:18 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 16:18:50 -0400

I liked the look of spit shinned boots. I hated leather lustered jump boots it looked ridiculous. Nothing wrong with the tan desert boots, except the fact that so many commercial variations detract from uniformity. Now 670-1 covers which brands are authorized and which or not. Really? How about just an Uncle Sam issued hot weather and cold weather tan suede boot and leave it at that.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Sep 13 at 2016 4:29 PM

PO3 David Fries — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 16:29:59 -0400

I liked my black boots, but hated shining them. I never got a chance to wear the Browns.

Response by Sgt Tammy Wallace made Sep 13 at 2016 7:29 PM

Sgt Tammy Wallace — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 19:29:39 -0400

black boots that spit shine

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Sep 13 at 2016 9:34 PM

1SG Al Brown — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 21:34:54 -0400

Spit shine black boots at first formation, then over to the truck to put on the "other pair" for work details. Spit shine for last formation. Did that 10,000 times. Deployed twice in black and twice in suede. The black boots turned to suede in 93-94 Somalia. I vote both.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Sep 18 at 2018 7:31 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 19:31:05 -0400

I only knew black boots,breaking starch,George Washington blouse,old style platoon bay barracks so short story long,spit shine.

Response by SFC Harry H. made Nov 20 at 2018 3:20 PM

SFC Harry H. — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 15:20:24 -0500

What I prefer is the Soldier wearing the OCP's in the picture, fix his dam shoe laces!!! LOL!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2018 3:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 15:30:36 -0500

I like the looks of a good spit shined boot, but I will say the brown suede were much more comfortable.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 20 at 2018 3:38 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 15:38:35 -0500

COL Lee Flemming Now that I slowly read your query Colonel, I did spit shine the rough out, leather bottoms of the two buckle boots pictured. That was just an eary version of the Suede boots in the photo posted.

They were a nuisance to hand-carry to Guard Mount, the Kiwi polish would be cracking by the time I arrived at the Ft Knox’s School Troops CDR’s office for Colonel’s orderly duty the next day after winning Supernumerary for the 4th or 5th time. What boring days those were!