With the summer heat on, soldiers might want to roll up their sleeves to keep themselves cool though regulations are preventing them from doing so. They don’t have to worry any further. As of the 28th of June 2016, a memorandum signed by Lt. Gen. James C. McConville, deputy chief of staff, G-1, commanders may authorize their troops to roll up their sleeves.

In news report published by the U.S. Army, this new policy covers the universal camouflage pattern, operational camouflage pattern and Operation Enduring Freedom camouflage-pattern ACUs. The sleeves can be rolled up according to the following instructions:

The sleeves will be rolled above the elbow, right-side out with the camouflage pattern showing. They should be rolled no more than three inches above the elbow, according to the memo, and this method will be used primarily in garrison.

Apart from that, sleeves may be opened and cuffed inward above the wrist on the forearm during field training exercises and is called the “Delta or SF Roll.” There will be no time restrictions in the policy and commanders are given the leeway on the duration of how sleeves can remain rolled up. Commanders based in tropical areas may allow sleeves to be rolled up year-round.

The U.S. Army have ordered soldiers to keep their sleeves down when the BDU (Battle Dress Uniform) was replaced by the ACU (Army Combat Uniform) in 2006, to the consternation of those who have been used to rolling up their sleeves with the BDU before. The U.S. Marine Corps allow their troops to roll up their sleeves.

For airsoft players doing U.S. Army impressions for their loadout might want to learn how the sleeves are rolled. Here is a video how it is done:

The new policy was welcomed throughout the branch with only a minority not agreeing to it.