When I was in the US Army they would issue you a Class A jacket with really dull buttons on it and any badges or medals you earned that were issued would be dull as well. But if you were willing to purchase your own medals and replace the buttons on your Class A jacket you could get something called Sta-Bright medals and buttons. You were not allowed to mix issued dull looking medals, badges and buttons with Sta-Bright ones but most of went the Sta-Bright route as it meant you never had to polish them again. Well sort of, they did need to wiped with a cloth to remove finger prints but all in all it was a quick and easy task and definitely never required polish. Ah, the good ole days.