It was our final inspection before graduating from a three wee indoctrination course in U.S. Marine Corps history and traditions. A major was completing the review and was giving me the once over.
Having found no outward flaws with my uniform, he grabbed me my web belt, practically jerking me off my feet. He turned it inside out at the buckle.
There he found two dark fingerprints imbedded in the plating. It was the result of accidently and sloppily touching the back of the brass buckle with Brasso still on my finger tips.
He looked me square in the eyes and said, “It’s a good thing you fired expert with that rifle.”
Fortunately, I had used the head before falling out for inspection.
The Old Blog in the Desert 
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