I hated all the spit and polish BS and especially hated anything to do with parades and marching. I guess the professional pedestrians in the Army eat that shy*te up but as a proud member of the RCN my career long goal was to run the ragged line of being having the second worst shoe shine, the second longest hair, the second saltiest cap etc etc.
I knew I had beaten the system when on the practice for my change of command parade, the ultra pusser DI handed me a sword and said with very evident sincerity, “Sir, please don’t trip over it when you are walking my mates will never let me live it down!”