148                                 U.S. MARINES IN THE PERSIAN OULF, 1990-1991


frequently acquired commercially made desert boots from catalogs. However,
quantities of desert boots began arriving in late January. First issues went to
Task Forces Shepherd, Grizzly, and Taro. The rationale was that the Marines
of Task Force Shepherd deserved the boot because of the length of time they had
spent as the division's forward element. General Myatt felt that the Marines of
Task Forces Taro and Grizzly needed the boots for their long desert march.
Complete issue of the desert boot to the entire division occurred following its
return from Kuwait.
    Other items typical of Marine dress include the regulation tan web trouser
belt with its brass open buckle and the khaki green tee shirt. The web belt
proved durable, yet some Marines preferred belts made from nylon parachute
straps. In one instance, a staff noncommissioned officer in the 1st Battalion, 7th
Marines, wore a parachute cord around the waist in combination with two cloth
straps as a sort of field expedient suspenders.
    Non-standard dress never gained   official sanction. In September 1990
General Boomer stated his position that every I MEF Marine and sailor needed
assurance that the frame of reference for himself and for unit discipline had not
changed simply by virtue of serving under the unique circumstances of Saudi
Arabia. He saw "squared away uniforms"     and well-kept appearances as a
demonstration that Marines were taking care of themselves. Dress and ap-
pearance acted as an outward indicator of unit morale and discipline. Yet,
General Boomer recognized that conditions varied from one unit to another and
he allowed commanders the flexibility to authorize "temporary deviations due
to unusual circumstances.'   Those deviations that occurred remained within
parameters established by General Boomer or resulted   from the "unusual
circumstances" inherent in a lengthy field campaign.