9781422287774

CLOTHING 11

A soldier must take good care of his or her feet. As

part of their everyday training Royal Marines are made to march long distances (called “yomping”), which, at the end of a long day, can take a heavy toll on feet. Boots need to be comfortable and well looked after.

Footwear Most elite troops wear a pair of waterproof boots. Running or sports shoes are never worn, because they will not protect soldiers from the cold and wet. A soldier knows how important his or her boots are and will always look after them. A soldier’s boots will always be coated with wax or polish to keep them soft. It is vital that they are checked before using them. Broken seals, worn-out treads, cracked leather, and rotten stitching can all be a problem. Members of the elite forces know that if they look after their boots, their boots will look after them. Socks are another important item of footwear, and most soldiers wear two pairs on their feet for comfort and to prevent blisters. Whether they wear a thin pair and a thick pair, two thin pairs, or two thick pairs does not matter. The main thing is that the soldiers are comfortable with their footwear before undertaking any serious walking.