letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

Good memories from long ago. The USAF gave me a sense of responsibility and the skills I needed to earn a very good living.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

I went thru Basic at Lackland AFB, San Antonio in the summer. It was hot and dusty with all you describe but AF training was not as intensive as Army basic.

pendennis

I was on drill teams from Junior ROTC, to Naval Reserve, to active duty Seabees. So, spit shining and razor sharp creases were always de rigeur. Blucher-type oxfords and black Corcoran jump boots were standards, and fairly easy to maintain as long as the base shine was never ruined. Black Kiwi, then Kiwi neutral, and finally Johnson's Glo Coat liquid wax with cotton balls. I still spit shine my oxfords, but only with Kiwi black. The other favorite shoe polish was Griffin.

I always sent cotton uniforms to the commercial laundry, and got heavy starch. Even soaking in a water/liquid starch mix, couldn't get them as well-done as a commercial steam press. The Navy was notorious for flimsy cotton tropical shirts, so we always wore Seafarer whites.

I notice that a lot of black uniform shoes are now permanent shine, or what is the Corfam (poromeric) finish. However, I can still spot a spit shine.

marine73 Loc: Modesto California

A lot of people grew up when they went into the military and some didn't

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Oh yes, I remember Ft. Jackson. I was inducted there in July of ‘66 also, but went through basic at Ft Bragg during the same period as you - probably just as hot 😩.

marine73 Loc: Modesto California

I also remember the fatigues with the seven buttons never had a pair with a zipper

BamaTexan Loc: Deep in the heart of Texas

I know how to shine shoes and I very well remember the 13 buttons on my Navy blues!