The Navy is reviewing whether service members violated Defense Department policy by wearing unofficial uniform patches with the words “Make Aircrew Great Again” when President Trump visited their ship in Japan.
The phrase on the patches — featuring a finger-pointing cartoon likeness of the president — is a play on his MAGA campaign slogan.
The military has dress codes and regulations against partisan political acts while in uniform.
“Navy leadership is currently reviewing this instance to ensure that the wearing of the patch does not violate DOD policy or regulations,” Navy spokesman Lt. Samuel Boyle said in a statement Tuesday.
Trump visited the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp on Tuesday before returning to Washington from four days in Japan.
Troops have long worn unofficial insignia — known as morale patches — that often contain humorous themes and are widely available for purchase online and in military supply stores, according to Stars and Stripes military news outlet.
Such patches are officially barred by uniform regulations, but may be approved by the service members’ chains of command.
It was not immediately clear whether the “Make Aircrew Great Again” patches had been approved by the sailors’ commanders. It also was unclear where the patches had been obtained, the newspaper said.
The same patches were previously seen on the uniforms of Navy airmen.
In July 2018, a helicopter crew chief was photographed by Stars and Stripes wearing the patch at Barking Sands Missile Range in Hawaii during Rim of the Pacific naval exercises.
And in 2017, the Pentagon shared an image on social media of a sailor wearing the same patch.
Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has reminded troops that the military is an apolitical institution and that their sworn oath is to the US Constitution.
Additionally, service members are banned under the 1939 Hatch Act from publicly supporting any candidates — including for president — or conducting other political activity while in uniform.
Troops also drew attention in December when Trump was observed autographing red “Make America Great Again” caps for Air Force personnel at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
The Air Force later determined the troops had not violated rules and had not worn the MAGA caps while in uniform.
“There is no rule against airmen bringing personal items to be signed by the president,” US Air Forces Europe said in a statement at the time.
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