My introduction to aviation was also in UAS Chippies. Brakes were checked 'off' in the landing checklist. For crosswind landings we were taught the crabbed approach, holding the crab until the end of the hold off and then ruddering the a/c straight just before 3-point touchdown, with aileron input to keep the wings level.
But I remember a solo sortie when a crosswind had sprung up while I was away from the field (Church Fenton). When I called 'downwind' another voice, obviously an instructor, chipped in with: 'couple of notches of brake, Lima 52?' which I duly selected.
The UAS method seemed to work although these days I prefer the crossed controls/ wing down/ fuselage aligned with runway for flare and hold off for both nosewheel & taildraggers, especially on narrow strips.
Ah, the whiff of cordite on 'contact!' . . .