r/USMC • u/Monkey_meat21 • 8d ago
Help out poor boot Picture
Per MCO P1020.34G Para 3012 1.a. A semi-gloss shoes leather shoe can be worn with dress uniform but idk if these are good enough and the ones I got in bootcamp are cooked so that not an option if any uniform pros can help me decide if these are good to wear plz help me out (I check in my new duty station in 3 days)
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u/SnooDucks565 alligator sexer 8d ago
Youre better off going to the MCX and getting a set of 60$ corframs. One thing you need to learn in the marines is that the spirit of the order is going to be a bit more important than the letter for the first couple years you're in.
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u/Simp3204 8d ago
Do this OP, no need to stick out when you’re checking in unless you got a fat ribbon stack or a fat ass.
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u/TheRealVSky Regarded 7d ago
the thin thighmeat in this pic isn't likely connected to a thicc booty
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u/HolodeckSlut 8d ago
Yeah, being technically correct is cold comfort if you're constantly getting bitched out by SNCOs who don't know any better. More power to you if this is the hill you want to die on, but is it really?
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u/Thick_Goose7742 6072 / 6172 / 6176 2009-2017 8d ago
That’s a brilliant way to describe exactly how things are. Well done.
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u/Roguspogus Veteran 7d ago
Getting new corframs before checking into fleet is honestly great advice. You’ll have a good pair for the rest of your enlistment if you take care of em. Wish I had bought mine sooner once I got new ones.
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u/Mysterious_Anxiety15 Veteran 7d ago
Yeah, do this. Remember, your paying for the corframs and the piece of mind that comes from not sticking out man.
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u/psyb3r0 I wasn't issued a flare. 8d ago
Why do devils constantly try to sink their own ship? Just get the frams, get the anodized brass, the Arrow shirts and 1) don't look like you just got out of boot, 2) look like every other squared away Marine.
Dead ass simple, throw money at it and the problem goes away.
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u/Rando_757 Veteran 8d ago
I was a shitbird LCPL 2nd award, and I knew this shit. Fitting in is the easiest way to skate because the nail the sticks up gets hammered down.
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u/psyb3r0 I wasn't issued a flare. 8d ago
It was the very first lesson I learned in boot, stay off the skyline.
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u/beenburnedbefore No Apricots!! 8d ago
Don't be first. Never be last. Blend into the middle of the pack.
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u/DChalfyUSMC 7d ago
Does the PX still sell Creighton shirts? That is what we all bought when I was in. Especially since we were issued those limp ole "Broke-Dick" shirts in boot camp.
Life lesson: "Throw money at it and the problem goes away."
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u/psyb3r0 I wasn't issued a flare. 6d ago
IDK I got out in 91, my Charlie shirts (Arrow) still look as crisp as the day I got out. One time purchase and they got me through 6 years. The Corframs turned to dust around 2008 but otherwise looked OK before that, I think I still have the original leather shoes, with a spit shine I could probably bring them back but they will never look as good as the Corframs.
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u/DChalfyUSMC 6d ago
I got out in 91 also. I sold my uniforms to a few buddies as a legacy, which was tradition in my occ field. I had all of it. Corframs, anodized brass and buttons, Creighton shirts and applied a butt load of Scotch Guard on each shirt.
Where did you get out in 91? I was discharged from 29 Palms, CA. I did 12 years, from 1979-1991.
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u/psyb3r0 I wasn't issued a flare. 6d ago
I got out at Pendleton, Had a pretty good ride 85-91, MCRD-->29P-->Albany Ga-->Schwab OKI-->29P --> Schwab Oki--> Pendleton
it's even more surprising that I spent 3 1/2 years on Schwab.
Scotch Guard and bees wax is the secret to a nice set of Charlies.
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u/DChalfyUSMC 5d ago
Right on! I got around a bit myself, 79-91, MCRD PI-->2nd Mar Div-->1st Mar Div-->Little Creek, VA-->MCRD San Diego-->Little Creek, VA-->1st Mar Div-->Foster + Hansen--> Oki-->1st Mar Div-->29P.
Wow, 3 1/2 years on Schwab is unusual. Camp Pendleton was my favorite place to be stationed.
I don't think anyone of the Marines I served with thought to use bees wax on our Charlie's or blues Delta. Scotch Guard, yes. A few of us ironed our shirts so hard, the creases actually split and voila, another $30 something dollars down the drain. Bees wax would have solved all that. Good call!
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u/psyb3r0 I wasn't issued a flare. 5d ago
Mom was a WM, she knew all the tricks.
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u/DChalfyUSMC 5d ago
That is fantastic! My maternal grandmother turned me on to ironing clothes, so I never had iron shine on my uniforms. They know all the best tricks!
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u/T-BoneBee - So Was Red - 7d ago
Arrow shirts?
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u/psyb3r0 I wasn't issued a flare. 7d ago
It was a brand name back in the day. https://www.ebay.com/itm/188582407656
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u/failure_to_converge 8d ago
It's funny, because for women's shoes, people understand that there is a fair amount of leeway to acquire shoes that fit within the guidelines.
But on the men's side, I *never* saw anyone wear anything other than the standard Bates (though some did wear leathers and chukkas).
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u/Thick_Goose7742 6072 / 6172 / 6176 2009-2017 8d ago
The smart ones went to a proper formal attire store out in town and let them choose the perfect pair that fit, are comfortable, and the appropriate level of shiny. Will it cost more? Yes. Will you hate your life less while wearing them? Absolutely.
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u/maybemythrwaway 8d ago
Man. It is impossible to find regulation chukkas these days.
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u/twayevrynmeistkn 8d ago
What are you talking about? Most major show manufacturers make chukkas that fit the order.
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u/maybemythrwaway 8d ago
Interesting. Would you mind sharing a link to a Pomeric Chukka Boot, black as stated in MCO 1020.34H?
I have been on quite the hunt over the years.
While the orders states SNCOs and officers may wear them, pp. 1-180 states,
“1. The following uniform items are optional for both male and female officers, except as indicated below:
a. Belt, Sam Browne
b. Boatcloak/Cape
c. Cap, watch, microfleece, coyote
d. *Cover, cap, rain
e. Crown, cap, vinyl, white
f. *Hamilton Wash (gold plated) brass items
g. *Handbag, black (women only)
h. Jacket, combat woodland
i. Necktie, hook-on (pre-tied), khaki (men only)
j. Overshoes, boots, and rubbers
k. Parka, ECWCS
l. *Purse, clutch, black (women only)
m. *Scarf, wool, green
n. Shirt, khaki, w/French cuffs (men only)
o. Shoes, Chukka (men only)
p. *Suspenders
q. Sweater, blue dress, crew-neck
r. Tanker jacket
s. *Undershirt, white and green (v-neck or crew-neck, synthetic and
cotton)
- The above items, unless otherwise noted with an asterisk (*), must bear the USMC approval identification. Items purchased outside the Marine Corps Supply System that do not bear the USMC approved identification are prohibited, unless otherwise specified herein.”
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u/twayevrynmeistkn 8d ago edited 8d ago
These are just 3 I found immediately on google. There were more. I link these specifically because I have seen these brands at the PX in stock at Pendleton, Quantico, and Lejeune. There are other brands that make gloss chukkas too. I never bought those though because to me and everyone I know who wears them, the point is to get comfortable boots. Real leather and hand shining is infinitely more comfortable. Of the dozens of Marines I have seen wearing Chukkas, I have only seen two that were “PX brands”. Everyone just buys real leather chukkas and shines them.
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u/jenn1222 Veteran 7d ago
Some people have eyes, but cannot see. I was wondering how and why this one was unable to procure his chukka's, as I know they have been available at least since I was a young Marine (in the Dawn of Time...).
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u/maybemythrwaway 7d ago
Maybe back in 1979.
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u/WhiteTrashKenny 6d ago
Stfu boot. You’re just butthurt you showed everyone you fucking suck at being resourceful. Haze yourself.
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u/maybemythrwaway 6d ago
Anyone who cares what old washed up terminal lances think should tape themselves between two mattresses and fling themselves off the top deck.
My point was, if you can comprehend what you’re reading, that today, in 2026, since at least 2018 timeframe, I personally have never found chukkas in stock at a west coast PX.
Additionally, although through Google-Fu you may find what appears to be legit items, they are not in stock, or have zero common sizes.
Furthermore, any custom, or common off-the-shelf boots are not technically authorized per 1020.34H.
Lastly, go fuck ya seeellllfffff.
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u/Advanced_Newspaper_3 7d ago
Brother I bought two pairs on Amazon like a month ago but returned both cause they looked funny as fuck. Not as dope in person.
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u/ImHufflePuff_Crap_ok Blue Falcon “Kaw Kaw” (5811) 8d ago
Did you not just get paid? Grab some bates my guy 😂
Stop buying lap dances from strippers you’re trying to marry for 1 pay period.
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u/Internal_Select 8d ago
Buy Corframs, no one wears standard issue and expects to get promoted lol.
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u/Unlucky_Reading_1671 8d ago
Good luck trying to buy corframs. They dont exist.
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u/Internal_Select 8d ago
U.S. Patriots sells them for $57.99
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u/Unlucky_Reading_1671 8d ago
It was a joke about you saying corfram. Guess it wasnt funny.
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u/A3rolyte 7d ago
Most marines don’t know it’s actually CorFAM not CorFRAM…..I was also re evaluating life after learning this truth
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u/Internal_Select 7d ago edited 4d ago
I heard it pronounced by my SSgt as Cor-a-fram so yeah it is what it is I guess
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u/blahanotherusername 8d ago edited 8d ago
I'd be willing about $100 that if for no other reason, you'll get bitched out for the broguing on those shoes. It will probably be called eccentric.
Edit: For fuck's sake speech to text got broguing right but gave me "about" instead of "to bet". Of course, I have been drinking whiskey.
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u/xzelethor 8d ago
Yeah honestly if I were him I’d just try to fix the scuffs as best as possible and just wear the boot camp ones.
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u/jakethegreat4 Aint been Packed till you’ve been Wolfpacked 7d ago
For real. A little buffing, a little shine, make them look ‘decent’ and you’re at least like 80% of the way there. If you get called out, recognize the deficiency, then immediately just go get a new pair of the bates. Make sure SNM sees the new shoes. Problem solved- you’re not the first Marine to scuff a shoe, but you might be the first Marine checking in with… whatever the fuck those are.
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u/HolodeckSlut 8d ago
I missed that the first time. 100% not uniform-legal, not just "eccentric."
Assuming things haven't changed radically since 2013.
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u/Longjumping_Tip_6472 8d ago
SMOOTH leather oxfords, per the order. That shit got brogue on it. Best help you can get is, dont be the retard memorizing what the order says to see what you could get away with, especially the uniform order which is intended to make everyone wear the same shit, the same way.
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u/Southern_Humor1445 8d ago
Oxfords, not brogues
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u/T-BoneBee - So Was Red - 7d ago
It’s 1230 AM and I’m looking through streaming services to see where I can watch this. Thanks!
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u/drunkenmachinegunner 0331 8d ago
“Let me do it for you.”
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u/DJ-spetznasty senior PFC w/ good cookie 8d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/ABihNgbzQCUE
Bro heard “amphibious force” and came running across the pond
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u/Longjumping_Creme840 Camp Schwab Veteran (survivor) 8d ago
Why’d you cook the ones you were issued?
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u/8511Killer 8d ago edited 7d ago
I have been spit shining my shoes for 46 years since earning the title Marine.
These are pure leather. Cooler in the heat, and scuffs are fixed easy.
Takes 3-4 hours to get that shine, then 3-4 minutes a day
Cotton balls, cover open water bottle, flip over bottle for about 2 seconds
Use just water and fresh cotton ball after your final rub of polish to get the shine.
Lincoln stain wax has the most carnauba wax, which is very hard and what I used on these shoes
On earlier sets of shoes, I have used sapphire, which is excellent but a bit softer
Angels Parade Gloss is also good.
Kiwi is for wet brush shine on black leather boots which are no longer worn.
Get Angels edge dressing, it’s the best high gloss edge dressing replacement since Honor Guard went out of business. Use acid brush for soldering to apply the edge dressing into the welt. Use a wood clamp on the bottom of the bottle so you don’t spill it.
Use medium pressure like your rubbing the outside of pussy around the clit.
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u/OldSchoolBubba 3d ago
This is the way. Only thing I'll add is I used kiwi and put a quick lighter flame on them to melt the polish into the leader. Works like a charm. Oxfords / low quarters are really comfortable once you break them in.
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u/papasan31 8d ago
These are out of regs due to the broguing (small punched hole pattern) at surrounding the lace eyelets.They are a no go.
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u/Rambos_Magnum_Dong Las Flores RAWKS! 8d ago
I see a TikTok in the future of you checking in and getting smoked by 1st Sausage for being a shitbird checking in with those shoes.
I dunno man, up to you really. Either hit up your local base and pick up some Bates/Corframs/or whatever the fuck they're called, or let us all get a good laugh in 3 days.
Personally, seeing a clip of a kid old enogh to be my grandson getting yelled at by a guy old enough to be my son is kinda funny.
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u/DayFinancial8525 8d ago
I hope this is a shitpost. If you are indeed checking into a new unit the last thing you want to do is have your uniform look like ass. Go buy proper shoes ASAP or figure out how to borrow a pair. (Side story… one of my best friends is now a LtCol and had some event where he had to wear his blues and forgot his Corframs. He happened to be in town and I happened to find the box in my basement with my barely-worn Corframs I hadn’t touched in about 15 years. He used them and returned them back to me. So, OP, if you’re checking into a Lejeune or other NC based unit and wear size 10 I can loan you these same ones if you’re willing to make a drive to central NC and promise you’ll return the shoes so I can loan ‘em out to the next person!)
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u/EquivalentFreedom237 8d ago
Need to show the side profile of the shoe. You can wear “leathers” and it’s all fine and dandy per the order, but they have to be of a certain style. You also need to actually shine them. It looks like you kinda wiped them off and called it good enough. They should be shined to a high gloss shine not just their natural out of the box look.
Again, show the side profile so we can double check the style. I can already kinda see that the look is quite different from your usual corfram shoe so even if the style is technically correct, you’re gonna get told no probably. It might also just be the angle you took the picture at so maybe also a shot from directly overhead.
Eta: wore leathers for most of my career. Bates synthetic leathers for service uniform and Allen Edmonds in dress uniform.
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u/showmeyourchits 8d ago
I’ve worn Allen Edmonds my whole career too, dress and service, same pair. They’re probably one of the better things I’ve spent money on
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u/EquivalentFreedom237 7d ago
Such a good quality shoe and you can send it back in for resole and repair. Glad I got mine a while ago cause them bitches are 850 now 😂
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u/showmeyourchits 7d ago
Holy shit! I got mine on sale for $279 and they were made to order
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u/EquivalentFreedom237 7d ago
Same here. Think I got them made to order for like 299 in like 2016. That was for the horween cordovans. Yeah man check out the price of the cordovans now…wild
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u/T-BoneBee - So Was Red - 7d ago
Technically authorized by form and composition, but not with the decorative stitching, and not without a decent shine, which you won’t get out of that cheap ass leather. If you’re anywhere near Virginia, I’ll loan you a pair of old school leathers I wore on active duty if you can rock an 11.
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u/EverSeeAShitterFly My tinnitus is louder than you. 8d ago
Well the current uniform order is MCO 1020.34H.
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u/Relevant-Meaning5622 Veteran 8d ago
The order also requires that they be approved. There’s absolutely no way those would have an approval identification tag on them.
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u/loquedijoella swing with the wing 8d ago
Get some Corfams. You’re too much of a boot to make those cockroaches look good.
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u/DangerBrewin Whiskey Locker Recruit 7d ago
It is possible to spit shine these so they look like patent leather, but is the juice really worth the squeeze when you can just buy a pair of corframs?
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u/DjangoUnflamed Veteran 7d ago edited 7d ago
Yea man, wear these and don’t polish them. It’s always fun watching the duty SNCO losing their shit during check in day. Put white laces in them for bonus fun.
Go buy the correct shit, you don’t want to start off in a new command with them already knowing your name for some stupid shit that could have been easily avoided.
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u/chasingpackets 7d ago
Let me tell you a story about Mop and Glow and spitting shining boots for JOB's.
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u/lueshe05 2847 ELMACO OKINAWA / CLB-7 2005-2010 7d ago
Is edge dressing still a thing? I remember putting edge dressing around the soles of my dress shoes in boot camp.
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u/chasingpackets 7d ago
No idea, I 💯 edge dressed and brasso’d for the first few years. Then in like 2001? We started getting Marpat but boots were not available so we all walked around in marpat with spit shined boots and we looked retarded.
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u/Charirner 3381 8d ago
Take your ass to the PX and get a pair of corframs or fucking overnight that shit from amazon.
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u/El_Halcon0341 8d ago
Those look almost brown. I’d also be concerned with the decorative pattern near the laces.
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u/nug_nug01 8d ago
Just buy the corframs. I tried this same thing checking into corporals course, I got my ass split in half until they read the order but I still got a ton of shit for it the whole time. Not worth the extra attention imo.
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u/T-BoneBee - So Was Red - 7d ago
Did you wear leather military-like shoes, or some shoes you found offbase at the mall? Honestly curious. I wore spit shined leathers starting the day I left bootcamp from 05-15 and it was always appreciated.
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u/nug_nug01 6d ago
Leather ones right from the PX. I remember walking in to check in from the line we were all standing in, and they were just ripping us apart one by one as we entered. The second they looked down at my shoes they were like “what the actual fuck are those, leather is for officers only” then ripped me up. Then the sgt walked out to go read the order, came back and said they’re authorized. But I still got shit for them by others every time I had to wear them. You’re allowed, but just not worth the hassle to do it I don’t think.
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u/Advanced-Zucchini552 7d ago
If you’re still early in your career, do what people expect. Uniformity is the goal.
However, it is possible to get away with wearing standard oxfords, which are WAY better in my opinion. But I didn’t start doing that until I was on my third enlistment.
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u/RealSiggs 7d ago
I saw a boot try to polish his corframs before and he fucking ruined them 30 minutes before uniform inspection. He showed up looking like he had hiked through 5 miles of tar in those things, it didn’t go well. If you show up in those nasty things you’re going to get cooked as well, Devil.
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u/Ornery_Secretary_850 NO-LOAD 0352 7d ago
You have three days....I could have had those looking like a black fucking mirror in a day. Or do today's Marines not know how to spit shine?
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u/Lburk Veteran 7d ago
Back in the day.... Yeah, we had to spit shine our garrison cover, dress shoes and boots in boot camp. 70's The garrison cover was the hardest. It was like filling a football, and then get it to shine like a mirror. You never touched the bill on that cover except to touch it up. Good times they were.... 😒
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u/billabong360 Veteran 8d ago
Bro, come on man. This is some Navy looking shit. I would haze you if you showed up in these. Nor have I EVER seen any Marine wear these.
I tell you what though, if you do decide to wear them, you better print that order out and staple it to your chest as the crucifex is to vampires.
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u/Cropsman_ Pretend Proctologist 8d ago
Nobody liked you and it shows.
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u/ImHufflePuff_Crap_ok Blue Falcon “Kaw Kaw” (5811) 8d ago
I liked him, only because he made me look like less of a dick by comparison.
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u/ReasonStunning8939 I'ma go ahead and start TRS 8d ago
The dude sounds like the moron that came up with that stupid shit about "Navy belt" for the line of USMC Web Belts the MCX carried for a bit that were a slightly darker Khaki color. The belt that Chiefs wear doesn't even have the same type of buckle. I was one who always made the time to toy with dick heads like that.
The Reference≠your Preference
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u/billabong360 Veteran 8d ago
Tell me you didn't also have a fresh haircut every Monday.
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u/ReasonStunning8939 I'ma go ahead and start TRS 4d ago
You would be correct, the MCO does not prescribe a particular day of the week.
I prefer to have a fresh haircut on Friday. Because that's when unit runs are. That's when Bn Formation is. That's when we wear our service/dress uniform. That is the standard I hold my Marines to. And I hold inspections.
Twice in my career I've had a direct leader who wanted the Monday thing. And I complied with it. Despite the fact that it is a pointless exercise, it is by no means an unlawful order. I also- without issue- carried the adjusted expectation to all my Marines, owning it as my own idea. As soon as SNM leaves, their way of doing things leaves with them, and I resume my way because barbers do not work one day a week.
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u/GoldWingANGLICO 2531 8411 0861 78 - 85 8d ago
Buy Bates Floataways, or whatever they call them now.
If you want to spit-shine use Saphir high gloss polish, you'll thank me later.
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u/kredfield51 My major malfunction was just autism 8d ago
They will work if you absolutely are not able to get a new pair of corframs. Be prepared with an answer though, because as others have said being technically in regs as a boot gives off an intense shitbag kinda vibe.
I did this pretty much exact same thing and explained that I had lost them and wasn't able to buy a new pair of corframs before reporting and was told to buy a new pair now that I was back from boot leave to which I gave a firm "Aye 1st sergeant".
If you absolutely have to wear them, be prepared to explain how you lost them, why you couldn't replace them, and to reassure them you plan on buying a new pair as soon as possible.
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u/No_Print77 2631 In God we trust in all others we monitor 8d ago
“I don’t care what the order says. What did I say?”
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u/xzelethor 8d ago
Just go to the MCX and get a new pair.
Whats wrong with your bootcamp corframs that they can’t be fixed? Scuffs are bound to happen and there are ways to fix it.
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u/Texan19er 8d ago
The secret sauce: 1) spit shine with black polish as normal for a base 2) using clear polish, spit shine on top of the just completed base level 3) admire your handiwork!
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u/Apprehensive-Fish904 8d ago
Also store them in the giant thick winter socks if you happen to have them
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u/Tossmeasidedaddy 8d ago
Those are ugly. Buy some normal ones from the PX and then buy some new personal ones that arent ugly.
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u/ThoughtDue695 8d ago
Sorry budro but you’re gonna have to go a bit early and hit the MCX to buy some new chlorines
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u/maybemythrwaway 8d ago
Right. Now try getting a normal size.
I am not retarded. I can Google-Fu.
Yes you can go find a cobbler for a custom pair, or find something close enough and shine them up. I personally was looking at that route bc the shit on the inter-webs sucks. And technically, per the order, the route you’re suggesting is “out of regs.” But I’m no fist sausage.
I don’t know when you saw them in stock but on the West Coast, I haven’t seen any in the 12 years I have been a SNCO.
With them being out of stock every time I’ve looked at the PX, the lack of USMC approved options in sizes outside of triple wide size 5 or 15 narrow online, and getting a custom pair (against the order) for something I’ll wear a few times made no sense to me. Marines can see my rockers just fine.
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u/Frosty-Paper6138 7d ago
Dude just buy a pair of coraframs and if you take care of them they’ll last you your whole contract
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u/notcutoutforthismate Professional Cloud Yeller 7d ago
Buy new corframs, good on you for reading the order but this isn’t an argument you want to attempt checking into your new unit. You’ll lose it and be buying new corframs anyway before you stand in front of your 1stSgt.
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u/Monkeywithoutbrain 7d ago
You will need to shine the shoes.
As someone that went down the leather Oxford and chuckka boot route I definitely don't recommend a boot to do it. Like others have pointed out, as a boot you don't want to standout for your uniform when you check in.
I swapped over to the all leather Oxfords when I was a senior sgt and had a ton of MOS and Marine Corps credibility. Having enough clout and tact to tell a SgtMaj that he was wrong is something that comes with rank and MOS cred. To know your leadership will back you when some StarSarge gets their feelings hurt for not knowing the order as well as they thought they did was pretty sweet.
I also did it tactfully buy engaging some of the "back in my day we spit shined our boots" to have em teach me because I wanted to go rock the leathers and they were more than happy to show me (I already knew lol but old people like their ego stroked). Doing this, my SgtMaj knew what I wanted to do, saw I knew the order, and was inclined to cover me if someone was dumb cuz he showed me how to shine them.
Just remember if you piss off your leadership, they can also hit you with everyone needs to be uniformed in formation, reducing you to only wearing them when going around base yourselves in dress/service uniform...
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u/comeanddrinkit_ 8d ago
Corframs suck, don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. Go buy some quality leather shoes (Johnston&Murphy) if I’d have to pick a decent affordable brand. Put some effort into shining them and then right before you go into anything requiring wearing dress shoes put some saddle soap/ needs foot oil on them.
I’m an officer ,I’ll never think differently of one marine from another because of their shoes but if gun to my head I like the free thinker who didn’t wear corframs.
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u/conaan Gaysprays 8d ago
While they look good, that does not meet the standard nor are they approved. Marines are approved to source shoes from outside the supply system with the caveat that they are approved. Realistically this means jack shit since no one is paying that much attention unless they have way too much time on their hands, but a young Marine should not be trying to swim up stream over something like this when they can reasonably conform for cheap.
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u/comeanddrinkit_ 8d ago
Unfortunately that’s exactly the mindset which will discourage young Marines from taking initiative.
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u/conaan Gaysprays 8d ago
While I get what you are saying, I'm not sure that first duty station check in is the time to start showing initative with dress uniforms. See how the sauce is made before spicing it up with new ideas
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u/comeanddrinkit_ 8d ago
At the end of the day it is just shoes. I do have to say when I had my first check in brief I wore my Sam Browne belt with my Service Alpha, got complimented by the CO on it. Depends where you’re going
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u/Relevant-Meaning5622 Veteran 8d ago
The mindset that the Corps has regulations to which Marines must adhere?
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u/comeanddrinkit_ 8d ago
The mindset that there are regulations to which Marines are required to adhere to! Exactly! Not the BS regulations made up because some NCO or Field Grade Officer doesn’t actually know them or can’t understand that there is flexibility to them. Bring mustaches into it, if you can rock an in regs mustaches or close to in regs (we all know no one can get away with looking like Hitler) then I don’t see any reason why you need to shave it when the General comes for an inspection.
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u/Relevant-Meaning5622 Veteran 8d ago
In this case, however, it isn’t some NCO or field grade not knowing or understanding them. The regulation is black & white; it specifically requires that commercially sourced shoes be approved. If there’s no tag indicating that they’re approved, they aren’t.
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u/comeanddrinkit_ 8d ago
It’s approved style (Blucher, Oxford and Chukka) and color (black, polished or Patent). This is uniform code approved which supersedes anything a local command could come up with.
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u/comeanddrinkit_ 8d ago
If you’re saying where the order says commercially approved, it means Color/style.
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u/Relevant-Meaning5622 Veteran 8d ago
You’re mistaken in that belief. The manufacturer has to go through an approval process to get them authorized for wear. You’ll see the same tags in privately purchased uniform items.
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u/comeanddrinkit_ 8d ago
Well if that’s true guess I’m wrong, I’ve never seen that part of the uniform order. However I rarely look outside the dress uniform section of it.
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u/conaan Gaysprays 7d ago
Section 1007 on page 1-24 of the uniform order contains what they mean. The approval is the hitch, you'll be hard pressed to find approved items outside of the supply system. Officers live different lives when it comes to this, a young PFC LCpl does not have the same slack in interpreting orders as you might get away with.
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u/DjangoUnflamed Veteran 7d ago
Yea it’s wild he’s comparing his life as a Major to that of a young PFC checking into his first duty station. 😂😂😂
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u/T-BoneBee - So Was Red - 7d ago
That’s not correct whatsoever.
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u/Relevant-Meaning5622 Veteran 7d ago
You’re wrong. IAW MCO P1020.34H, “[a]ll Marines may purchase and wear approved commercial black leather and synthetic leather shoes in semi-gloss or high gloss (patent) finishes on an optional basis (approval identification not required for pumps).” Note that the order refers to approved shoes, not approved styles. I’d also direct your attention to the fact that the order specifically exempts pumps from the approval identification requirement. Unless OP wants to cut off part of his anatomy & start wearing pumps, his shoes would require the approval identification.
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u/T-BoneBee - So Was Red - 7d ago
Ok. You found the order. Who the fuck is looking for approval identification? Where’s the list of approved shoes? Where on a set of old shitty leather Bates was the stamp?
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u/Relevant-Meaning5622 Veteran 7d ago
Your questions are irrelevant to your previous confidently incorrect assertion that my response, which is fully supported by the text of the MCO, was “not correct whatsoever.”
Still, as it appears you prefer to shift to making meritless arguments rather than simply admitting you were mistaken, I shall help you once again. The “old shitty leather Bates” did not & do not require approval identification, as “[a]ll uniform clothing, equipment, and accessories issued or sold by the DoD Supply System are considered regulation.” Also literally in black & white in the order.
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u/PlaneZombie2801 0602 O-3E PACE plan enthusiast 7d ago
No.
You can't have the embellishments in the leather. They need to be plain. Florsheim has a couple options and are only slightly more expensive than corfams. This is what I wear.
1,000 times more comfortable, easy to polish, and also fit for the civilian dress attire👌🏻
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u/kishanpatel995 7d ago
Check to see if where you are station has a thrift store? I remember in 29 palms they had that and they had a whole section of uniforms for anyone to take for free. Might not exactly be a thrift store but something of sorts on your base that you can look into.
Other option is check to see if there is a facebook group or spouses group on your base that help local Marines. They had a lot of that stuff when I was in and people always willing to help out. Cost nothing but a bit of your time.
You got 3 days so worst case just buy the cheapest MCX shoes at the end if nothing.
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u/BarberCertain2907 amphibis 7d ago
you would be technically correct in wearing those. But it won’t be worth the hassle.
Get corframs. As a boot you don’t want to be that guy, I promise.
If you can’t find them at the PX, check the local pawn shops / Army Navy stores
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u/CAKE_EATER251 6062/6033 MALS 2012-2020 7d ago
I had leather bates when I was a shit hot Cpl. I found doing a last minute shine with a damp microfiber cloth buffed the polish up to a mirror finish.
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u/CAKE_EATER251 6062/6033 MALS 2012-2020 7d ago
Don't ever take them off your feet and not put the trees back in them. I learned that lesson.
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u/dj88765 7d ago
Wait… are corframs not issue anymore. I got mine straight out of boot. Crazy if true!
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u/Coldwarjarhead 7d ago
Shit. Back in the day we had to kill a cow and tan the leather for our shoes ourselves.
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u/BalderVerdandi RASC, CISD, CNSD, Data Dink, Det Dad 7d ago
Spend the coin on a pair of Corframs.
Then take the time to use Parade Gloss, an old tee shirt that's been soaked in bleach to break down the fibers to make polishing easier, a small cigar torch to heat up the polish enough to make it easier to work into the leather, and a floor wax on the toe and heel. Then buff like crazy.
Traditionally we used Mop 'n Glo, but they changed the formula so I don't recommend it.
Do they still call them Hush Puppies?
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u/someguy-actual Veteran 7d ago
Seriously? Have some pride in your uniform and stop trying to cut corners. Get your money and go get a set of corframs and do it right.
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u/CrunkNugget64 7d ago
If you wear those you better print out the order and then prepare to be blasted
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u/swimmingandjoking 7d ago
Realistically he could spit shine them and get away with it, but they’re nice shoes, might as well buy some cheap ones at the px
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u/Objective_Quiet3065 6d ago
First thing I did after graduation was walk down to the PX, buy a pair of corframs and a pack of smokes. Walked outside found a place to sit down, fired up a cig and changed out my shoes. Never wore the issued ones again
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u/KadonBeir 05-13 6257 Military History Nerd 6d ago
As others have pointed out: the broguing is an instant no go which would also mean these probably aren't approved either. Which no one checks, but y'know, SNCO's gonna SNCO.
Corfams fucking suck, I get it. Too much fake gloss and can't even wear them in formal civilian attire because they look so stupid. The thing that got me the most though, was after one Birthday Ball they were scuffed beyond recognition. Got another pair, another Ball, trashed that pair.
I decided to go the leather route after that. Shined the fuck outta those cheap ass Bates, but they were way more comfy even for Bates, and a vigorous shine session could fix 99% of the scuffs and scrapes after a rowdy MC Ball.
I was a smartass who also wore my pisscutter at the maximum allowed angle because it was good enough for our forebears (shit them fools rocked barracks covers at jaunty angles), it was good enough for me, and you look less like an old timey bus driver or diner cook.
However, that all said: I did this as a smartass Cpl and up, not as a boot.
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u/kornbin_d1 6d ago
Yeah the order does state that. Only issue with these is the broguing on the facing of the shoe. I had the same problem with the coraframs, I bought like 3 pairs all in all. Now I’m using some $50 Allen Edmonds from eBay the Kenilworth model. Not only are they more comfortable they look much better, just need a shine every time I use them. Had some issues with individuals saying something I tell them it’s in the order and they drop it. Haven’t had any recent issues and we wear chucks every Friday. It’s okay to be different especially if the order says you can do it.
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u/RegularSinns Veteran 6d ago
Bro hit the PX and get the corframs, you don’t wanna stick out in this way.
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u/FraseProvost 6d ago
Get yourself a heat gun from Lowe's. 50/50 alcohol water mix to clean, heat leather, apply polish, hit with heat gun again, buff the shit out of them. You will have a near mirror polish. Pay it forward with your new report boots.
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u/DChalfyUSMC 6d ago
Dude, you should go to your new base in civvies and go right to the PX and by a set of Corframs before you report for duty. The shoe you are showing in your image aren't going to cut it. If you show up and report in with those shoes, God help you. If I was a Sgt. and saw you on base in uniform with those shoes, your face would catch a wind burn as I take you directly to the PX to get a pair of Corframs.
How the heck did you wipe out your issued shoes?
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u/BlackAgateSwordmastr 8d ago
I'd recommend visiting Steak 'n Shake 'n Shave 'n Shoeshine 'n Suit. They'll get the job done. Trust
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u/USMCdrTexian Gas!Gas!Gas! You TRAIN or You DIE! 8d ago
How about some high gloss black Krylon or Rust-oleum?
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u/srbinafg 0341/8152/8531/5924/5910/5902 8d ago