Marines are now allowed to wear class rings in uniform

Marines can now wear their college or academy class rings with their uniforms, the service announced today. The new uniform regulation change is “effective immediately.”

The single uniform adjustment, announced in a Marine administrative notice released Aug. 28, allows Marines to wear their college or commissioning-source class rings in conjunction with wedding rings. 

According to the wider regulations under MCO 1020.34H, released in 2018, this means class rings can be worn with all issued uniforms, from everyday cammies to service and dress uniforms. 

“Inconspicuous rings are authorized for wear in uniform. When worn, only one ring is authorized per hand, except for wedding rings worn with engagement rings or college/commissioning-source class rings (when worn on the same finger they will count as one ring), and will be worn on the base of the finger close to the palm,” the Marine administrative notice says. “Rings will not be worn on the thumbs.”

Marine Corps uniform guidance allows jewelry, including rings, to be worn as long as they are inconspicuous, which the regulations define as “not readily noticed or seen.” For students at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, for example, their class rings are presented during Commissioning Week, which coincides with a student’s graduation. The rings are known for their thick band with a gemstone in the center and inscriptions.

As the wider guidance noted, commanders “may require the removal of all jewelry for safety/tactical reasons.”