The 'SS' symbol stands for Scout Snipers.
Yes, and the photo at Post #52 makes clear that the double-lightning-bolt “SS” symbol was used by the Marine Corps in the past, and maybe still is being used elsewhere today.
I think it's obvious these ten Marines need to be cut some slack. They didn't know.
The problem is **WHY** they didn't know.
After all, that symbol is already right on the Marine Corps list of inappropriate symbols, linked here: http://www.yuma.usmc.mil/services/eo/documents/tattoos.ppt
Again, it looks like the Marines handled this appropriately. I'm guessing somebody will quickly come up with a “cool looking” Scout Sniper symbol which everybody will like to replace the “SS” symbols now in use or which have been used in the past.
Maybe two S-shaped snakes coiled around a crescent moon, one crushing it and the other eating it, with the words “two centuries of taking the fight to the shores of Tripoli” underneath?
Nah, that would be too politically incorrect and would antagonize too many of our allies...