Soft-shoe shuffle

I’M ASTONISHED troops are doing drill in trainers because of foot health issues (Mail).

I was a drill instructor for the RAF in the Fifties and trained thousands of recruits without anyone suffering with their feet. People were used to walking in those days, and the boots had thick soles and were polished to a supple fit.

If they go in for the soft-shoe shuffle with trainers, it will be more like the corps de ballet than a military unit.

RON WHISTON, Sutton Coldfield, W. Mids.