TACOMA, Wash. — Mark Watson, a local teacher and recently retired Army colonel, was surprised to learn that the black, cheaply-made veteran ball caps denoting branch, wartime service, and military medals were not mandatory, sources report.

“It was the strangest thing,” said Watson. “A few weeks after my discharge I still hadn’t received it in the mail. I figured there might be some confusion because maybe my records were out of order, and they wanted to get it right before sewing everything on.”

Watson explained that he called his transition officer after several months and asked when he could expect to receive the headgear so he could begin to use the military facilities on-post, according to those familiar with the situation.