In a decision that feels so 1990s, the U.S. Marine Corp is allowing women to choose whether they wear hosiery with their long skirts. The announcement may sound strange for those of us outside the military and might interest both military and civilian students.

A spokesperson admits, “Within the spirit of common sense, our Uniform Board recommended a change to the policy that required women to wear hosiery with skirts. Hosiery is now optional." The message looks like what it is: a military communication. With what appears to be a typewriter font, the message uses no pronoun and scarcely an actor, for example, “Effective immediately, the wear of hosiery with skirts is optional.” The numbering, which we also see in legal briefs, is odd, with paragraphs lined up as though they have equal weight and no relation to one another. I wonder how this message was distributed.

Although we encourage business communicators to explain the reason for changes, I find this one a bit defensive and obvious: “When hosiery is not worn, shoe liners or no-show socks will be to be worn [sic] for hygienic purposes and to avoid abrasions or blisters caused by direct contact and rubbing between the foot and shoe.” For color guidance, no explanation is given and perhaps none is needed: “Hose, when worn, should harmonize with the natural skin tone of the individual.” Maybe “blend” would be a better word choice?

The Marines are the last to cave to such lax standards. In 2022, the Air Force made hosiery optional for women and softened other rules, such as allowing scalp tattoos (for men only, which seems inconsistent to me). In 2021, the Navy changed its standards (with photos!) in 2021. Students may enjoy comparing these messages.

The Navy photos, at right, look funny to me, something out of a 1960s Sears catalog. But they use “flesh tone” for color, which seems a better choice than “harmonizing.” I find the message format—showing a series of entire “deleted” policies and then the “added” policies—inefficient and confusing. A better choice would be simply showing the revised text highlighted or in another color (not necessarily flesh tone). Students will have other ideas.