Quote Originally Posted by Highlander31 View Post
In basic, I watched the guy in the next bunk set fire to his boot while trying to melt the paste into the leather with a lighter. Left a mark on the toe of the boot. When the DI saw it, he politely explained (as only a DI can) the error of the particular recruit's polishing method.
I knew Marines that would do the same thing; i.e. - placing a lit flame underneath a tin of Kiwi polish, allowing the polish to actually melt into a liquid, then apply the liquified polish to their boots - too messy, and a waste of time. When I was on active-duty in the Marine Corps, I never understood it. I always saw it has taking precious time away from the actual 'polishing', and just seemed superfluous.

Semper Fidelis,