Lance Corp. Carlos Villa of San Diego gives Martin Dunn a lesson about a 240 Bravo gun mounted on top of a light armored vehicle during opening ceremonies for Marine Week in St. Louis on June 20, 2011. Marines will have demonstrations and participate in numerous events throughout the St. Louis area to showcase their branch of the military service. UPI/Bill Greenblatt | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- More than two years after the Marine Corps instated a uniform rule prohibiting Marines from rolling their sleeves, the Commandant has reversed course.

Starting March 9, at the transition into summer uniforms, sleeves can again be rolled up in non-combat areas.


In a message posted on the Facebook page belonging to Bonnie Amos, the wife of Marine Corps Commandant James Amos, Gen. Amos explained the reason for the switch.

"As we have travelled throughout our Corps, many of you have let us know how important your identity as a Marine is to you and the Marines you lead," Amos wrote.

"I can't tell you how many times we have been asked the persistent question 'Commandant, are we ever going to return to SLEEVES UP?' I've thought a lot about this over the past 2.5 years; I realize that it's important to you. Sleeves up clearly and visually sets us apart." "WE HEAR YOU MARINES!"

But a blog post from Military Spouse magazine web editor Erin Whitehead, a Marine Corps wife and echoing sentiments hinted at by Bonnie Amos, illuminated the real push behind the change.

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"Thank you Marine Corps!," she wrote in a breathless post extolling the virtues of "bicep day." "Thank you for making this spouse happy with the news that biceps tightly wrapped in that signature fabric will be making their return soon."

"Thank you for bringing back a time-honored tradition that has made me, for one night at least, forget all of the frustrations that can sometimes come with being married to one of the few, the proud. Thank you for listening to your Marines. Thank you. Just. Thank you." Ooh. Freaking. Rah."

[MARADMIN] [Facebook of Bonnie Amos, First Lady of the Marine Corps] [Military Spouse]

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