Polished look: The new patent leather shoe.

Photo by Pte Shannon Joyce, Army newspaper

Changes that you just have to wear

By Cpl Damian Shovell

SPIT polishing, synonymous for decades with all things military, is heading the same way as the creases in your cams.

From January 1, looking sharp became easier with the introduction of patent leather shoes and a new polyester uniform raincoat.

Lt-Col Nick Stanton, SO1 Equipment Management, said the introductions were facilitated by ACPEC and approved by CA last August.

Both items are now available in clothing stores for existing personnel using UMA while Recruits and Officer Cadets will receive them as initial free issue.

Priced at $46, the new shoes are cheaper than the old $65.55 buffed leather shoes and the $117 raincoats’ replacement is priced at $18.36.

Part of the cost-saving is brought by Air Force having also introduced the shoe on January 1, which has increased DMO purchasing power.

The Navy has decided not to adopt the new shoes. Although some are sure to shed a tear at the further demise of spit-polishing, one who won’t is joint RSM Ceremonial ADF WO1 Bill Degenaro, a strong advocate of patent leather shoes.

“Anything that looks smart and lets you get on with the job with the least amount of effort sounds good to me,” he said.

Existing stock of both items is still available with no deadline for ceasing the use of the buffed shoe to take place, as it will be allowed to fade out of circulation through wear-out.

However, the old raincoat will be removed from official dress on December 1, 2006, and remaining surplus stock is currently being sold at $50 each.