Not all biceps are created equal: First look at Army's rolled sleeves

Spc. Pedro Estrada takes a selfie of his uniform with rolled sleeves. He is a 91A Abrams tank system matainer with 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalary Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigace Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (Photo: Courtesy Pedro Estrada)

The US Army’s trial period of rolling sleeves is underway, with photos already delighting soldiers all over the internet.

The trial -which is scheduled to continue until June 26th- has so far been met with many positive reviews and could lead to further wear-rule changes, according to Military Times. If the changes do go through, “future guidance, if any, would be disseminated through routine command networks and via the [website] with augmentation through Army social media and command information networks,” said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Jerry Pionk, who answered in inquiry placed by the Army Times.

Those who are nearly halfway to military retirement (yes, it’s been over 10 years) who remember how to roll the sleeves on the Army’s old Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) will be surprised to learn that the practice of rolling the sleeves “camo-side out” was ditched in favor of the method adopted by the US Marines, which leaves the inside of the uniform facing out. As far as how high it should sit above the elbow or how tight the roll should be, units at Fort Hood (where the trial is being conducted) are being given “localized guidance.”

Spc. Cortne K. Mitchell from 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, with Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey (left) and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley (right). Mitchell helped kick off rolled sleeves June 16 at Fort hood. (Photo: Army photo)

The Army will be taking feedback from the Fort Hood trials into consideration before considering any permanent changes, which will ultimately be funnelled to SMA Dan Dailey, who says that Chief of Staff General Mark Milley will make the final decision- though the General is receptive to direct soldier feedback.

“I am always interested in hearing from Soldiers,” Milley said in a written statement to Army Times. “I frequently receive email directly from Soldiers and I answer them directly back. My email is in the global address book that Soldiers have access to.”

Soldiers seem pretty happy about the situation, with comments ranging from how awesome it will look to the fact that soldiers will want to frequent the gym more in order to fill out any gap left between their arm and sleeve.

While there is no word on when the final decision on rolled sleeves will be made, Army Times reports that SMA Dailey says it should be a fairly quick process- much like black socks and earbuds during PT.

“There is no major change in uniform, no procurement. This is a quick policy change,” Dailey said.

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