"pouring Future floor wax on them, or, unofficial but strict base policy at Benning, dipping them in tar for two bucks a pair" Never heard of those methods, we had to use the old elbow grease and can-O-polish, there were some spray on stuff but they forbidden and they made the boot crack anyway. You could defiantly tell a properly shined boot vs one who tried one of those gimmicks. We had to iron the old OD Greens but were not allowed to use starch. But when the cammos came along we were told no more ironing, only for the Dress Greens. Oddly every time we got a 'cost of living' pay increase all the boot polish and brasso in the PX doubled :?