WASHINGTON — Memorial bracelets have become a regular reminder that the country is at war. President Barack Obama wears one. Most soldiers wear them. So do a lot of Marines.
And that has turned into something of a problem.
Recently, the Marine Corps Times, which is not affiliated with the service, noticed that some commanders have been ordering Marines to remove their “KIA bracelets,” which are meant to honor fallen service members. The reason: The Marine Corps Uniform Regulations specifically prohibit the wearing of most jewelry.
At the Quantico base last week, home to about 6,700 military personnel, including many who have just returned from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Marines described their fury over the issue. Some noted that the bracelets are sometimes sold by the spouses of service members to pay for the costs of funerals and the needs of a mourning family.
The Marine Corps Uniform Board is revisiting the issue, and the expectation is that Marines will soon be able to wear the bracelets.
