1. Note the source.
2. Note the quotes.
"Marines Declining Extra Body Armor"
"Many Marines, however, believe the politics of the issue eventually will make the plates mandatory."
"Marines said only three or four wore the plates after commanders distributed them last month and told them that use
was optional."
B.S.
In the Corps people do what they are told. Armour is not fashion. It is a part of the uniform, which the Corps tells you to wear.
3. Now this is the killer.
"Some Marines have chosen to wear the plates, particularly those in more vulnerable jobs such as Humvees turret gunners or those who frequently travel on roads plagued by roadside bombs.
Oh now Marines are choosing.
Now from another source that may be a bit more reliable we have the following quote.
"Marines leaving the wire wear chest and back SAPI plates, along with the new side plates. Groin protectors, collars and neck protectors are required at all times, in addition to ballistic eye protection and fire-retardant gloves. Marines manning machine guns in humvee turrets also wear ballistic protection for shoulders, arms and legs."
Marine linkThe sleeves are the issue regardless of what a Jackass from the AP writes.
ETA: Journalists makeup stuff all the time to make stories. The stories start with a little bit of truth and then the rest is to get a byline or sell newspapers.
ETAA: I stand by original statement.
Cliff Notes Verison
Some Marines are not wearing the sleeve armour because it gets in the way of killing people.