I think this is a good thing, but I realize many of you may disagree, would love to get your take on this.
Army Tattoo Regulations Are Set To Change, And Soldiers Aren’t Happy
“We’re just waiting for the secretary to sign,” Chandler told the 4th Combat Brigade Team, 10th Mountain Division, as reported by the military newspaper Stars and Stripes.
The changes will cover everything from uniform colors, ponytail styles and fingernail length (for females: no fake nails, add-ons, or extensions). But the rule that has gotten the most people up in arms concerns tattoos.
“Under the new policy, new recruits will not be allowed to have tattoos that show below the elbows and knees or above the neckline,” writes Stars and Stripes reporter Josh Smith. “Current soldiers may be grandfathered in, but all soldiers will still be barred from having any tattoos that are racist, sexist or extremist.”
Welcome aboard could always be placed in a discrete area.
I thought that was already the standard when I was in the Marine Corps from 79 to 82, – i.e. no tattoos that are visible when in uniform. And uniforms included short sleeve shirts during warm weather, though I suppose that allowed for tattoos below the knees.
I’m not sure when that changed, but I work as a civilian contractor alongside sailors now, and a handful have tattoos on their forearms, but I don’t consider those to be anywhere near cream of the crop.
And anyone considering a NECK tattoo might as well have it say, “I’m not getting the job, am I?”
So I guess I’m okay with the change.
Tattoo regulations for the Navy have gotten more and more strict over the years. In 2006 they came out with the policy that the Army just did, and it had gradually been building up to that. The Armed Forces don’t want their face to the public to be tattooed people. You can’t say some are ok and some aren’t so they are all unwanted in the eyes of the services.
I personally agree with the policy, but I also like a good tatted up body….on the right person. See, it’s in the eye of the beholder and you can’t say some are ok and some aren’t.
If the only areas that are off limits are from the neck up, elbows & knees down that still leaves plenty of canvas for the ink enthusiasts out there who also want to serve their country.
Good. I’m glad.
There is something strange about someone who feels the need to cover huge portions of their own flesh in garish cartoons. I think maybe some connections aren’t firing properly. Just saying.
It seems to me to be a matter of the younger “folks” (just being presidential) living for today and not giving much thought to the future. “Hey Grandma, what’s that all over your arm and neck?!!?”
It comes from the prisons. It’s the first thing the cops talk about on the radio while identifying a troublesome character. It’s ugly — particularly on women. Seepage into the mainstream is one the byproducts of liberalism, along with freakish piercings. It’s a darned shame because some of the ones who do this are likeable and not criminals.
Good on the military for cracking down.
OMG, yes! That reminds me when my (ex-)friend got married, I was the best man. And I told him that girl was nothing but trouble, she was so loud and uncouth and basically trailer trash.
At the wedding she walked down the aisle and her wedding dress revealed this huge ugly tattoo on her back! I could hardly contain myself, I just had to stand there and smile and be the best man. But even though I got this guy a great job he never talks to me anymore because she won’t let him.
Cathode…What??? You don’t like the hoops stretching my ear lobes???? JK
Wonder where those came from (those things on the ears)?
A few years ago I decided to forget all this, and get into the Christmas spirit. Went shopping for gifts and I came across a kid working in a store. The bottom of his ear was missing and you could see how the infection traveled into his cheek. The perils of being trendy. I felt sorry for him — scars of liberal smog.
P.S. To all those here who served, THANK YOU!
The USMC began enforcing this again about 4 years ago. My son enlisted & his 2 friends with visible tattoos were not allowed to join. They were accepted into the Army at the time. I have to say, the USMC missed out on 2 very good recruits. We did not allow our children to get tattoos until they were out on their own. At the time we made it about the money, but honestly it was about postponing the act as long as possible. So far, no tattoos. Oorah!
Send my regards, thanks, and a hearty Semper Fi! to your warrior son.
Cracking down on tattoos in the Armed Forces is a good thing. The Corp came out several years ago forbiding tattoos below the sleeve length of the short sleeved shirt. The inking has gone way overboard. They aren’t just cute little characters or the service emblem anymore. I see sailors when I go aboard ship when they are wearing their Summer White uniform, which is the shirt sleeve shirt and white trousers and white hat. I it is so deheartening to see both male and female sailors with arms completely cover down to their wrists with tattoos. On the upper arm, fine, but when it gets to the extent it is at now, it’s is time to stop. Our military members wear their short sleeve uniform on liberty overseas in the summer, I can’t imagine what the people of the host country think of our men and women in uniform when they see that.
I think it makes sense ESPECIALLY for military forces, to have no tattoos because tattoos are identifiers (think: the Nazis tattooed concentration camp prisoners). What if you’re a soldier who needs to blend in with another culture? Or are undercover and taken prisoner? Or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and taken prisoner? Would you want something identifying you as an American or the name of your loved one or fill-in-the-blank-with-whatever-is-important-to-you so clearly visible?
What worries me about the regulation phrasing though is this:
“Current soldiers may be grandfathered in, but all soldiers will still be barred from having any tattoos that are racist, sexist or extremist.”
In O’s admin “extremist” will mean a Gadsen flag or Christian tattoo. He doesn’t want loyal patriots or Christians in “his” army: He wants yes-men (and women).
Hey, do you think someone could do the same thing for cops? I’m really tired of seeing these guys with the shaved heads and tattoos all over their arms. They look no different than the thugs out there.
Tammy, not only were visible Tattoos against Army Regulations but also Female Soldiers were Banned from having “Buzz Cut” hair styles.
Both Regulations became obsolete when the Clinton’s assumed Power.
If I was able to take a bullet in my body for 25 years, I should be able to decorate it as I pleased. For areas that would show in uniform and detract from uniform appearance, no problem. But the rest should be personal choice.So if a female trooper wants to tatoo a pic of her wife in a bikini, will that be deemed sexist? Thank God I retired.
And in other physical appearance news; Miss Philippines won the Miss World contest Saturday night. Megan Young, 23, became the first Miss Philippines to win Miss World. She was born in the U.S. and moved to the Philippines at age 10. I’m curious as to how Filipinos view her victory. Anyway, Congrats Megan!
http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/28/world/miss-world-2013/index.html