WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Many U.S. Marines say "it's a huge insult" that a regulation prevents them from wearing KIA bracelets honoring their "fallen brothers."
Marine Corps commands from California to North Carolina to Japan are cracking down on troops wearing unauthorized bracelets commemorating comrades killed in action, and those troops are not happy, the Marine Corps Times reported Monday.
"I came from a unit that lost a lot of men," said Sgt. Darren Covington. "We wear the bracelets to remember our friends. It shouldn't be against Marine Corps regulations to remember your buddies ... especially when some guys are walking around here with flashy gold watches."
Marine Corps regulations ban the wearing of jewelry except for engagement and wedding rings and/or watches and chains that can be worn under T-shirts. In 1972, the Navy Secretary added a special exemption for POW/MIA bracelets, the Times reported.
Some commands have not enforced the ban on KIA bracelets -- even some senior officers supplement their uniform with them -- but other commands have reminded Marines they are prohibited.
The Washington Post said the Marine Corps Uniform Board is reviewing the issue.
"They are working the issue fairly aggressively," said a Marine Corps official who was not authorized to discuss the issue on the record. "We expect a resolution possibly by the end of the year."
One master gunnery sergeant at Quantico, Va., known as the "Crossroads of the Marine Corps," found the bracelet ban offensive.
"It's a huge insult," the Marine who wished to remain anonymous said. "These are our fallen brothers. This is how we show our respect."
