The arrival of spring in the Marine Corps is not measured by cherry blossoms or rising temperatures alone. It’s marked by the annual rolling of uniform sleeves, a ritual as predictable as the Cyber Awareness Challenge.

On Sunday — as daylight saving time took effect in the United States — Marines around the world folded back the sleeves of their combat utility uniforms, signaling the transition to warmer months.

The tradition, long ingrained in the Corps’ culture, is a visible shift that separates the service from its sister branches, which keep their sleeves down year-round. The change applies only to Marines in garrison environments; those in operational or deployed settings continue to wear sleeves down for protection.

The ritual, however, does not always proceed on schedule. Last year, Marines stationed in Japan and South Korea were granted a reprieve when an unseasonably cold spring delayed the transition for several weeks. This year, the practice has resumed as planned.

A stop-motion video posted Saturday on Marine Corps Installations Pacific’s Facebook page humorously reminded Marines of the importance of the practice. The video shows a lance corporal dozing off as his blouse autonomously removes itself from a hanger and rolls up its sleeves. “Sleeves up doesn’t happen by magic – put in the work,” the post read. “Roll ‘em tight, look sharp.”

Despite its seemingly simple nature, the process of rolling sleeves is governed by strict standards. Folds must be crisp and even, with the camouflage pattern properly aligned. Achieving the perfect roll is often a matter of pride and practice.

Rolling sleeves up and down has been a part of Marine life for decades, with one notable interruption. In 2011, then-Commandant Gen. James Amos ordered sleeves to remain down throughout the year, citing uniformity and protection from the elements. The decision was met with widespread resistance from Marines who viewed the sleeve roll as a symbol of tradition and discipline. The policy was reversed in 2014.