Posted on Sep 29, 2014
Do you have tattoos? Have they held you back so far?
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This subject always gets me fired up....
Do you have tattoos? have they held you back so far?
First let me put it out there, I have one sleeve on my left arm. They say we are grandfathered but yet I may be told no for Drill due to my tattoos....wait...but yet grandfathered...hmmm.... I don't see that as being grandfathered I see it as hanging something over my head that I only started doing after joining the Army. No I don't blame the army I have never been the type to point a finger for any of my short comings but with that being said if it does get denied because of that then I don't see how I am grandfathered I mean yeah im not getting kicked out but I would be getting told no when I know for a fact my packet is air tight! everything exceeded. I even went as far to include a short letter about my character and how serious I am about giving the army all I have and if the only reason I get told no is my tattoos I will immediately have them removed before proposed school date. either way I will not let anyone stop me from going to do this job and if that's what it takes then so be it. I understand the whole professionalism and the nine yards of why but My Tattoos DOES NOT define my leadership! I can shoot move and communicate with the best of them and I strive for greatness, hate mediocrity, and not afraid to fail at all.... so I guess my question is to you guys of uniform and ink,......
has your tattoos held you up yet or you have gotten a pass on due to them?
Do you have tattoos? have they held you back so far?
First let me put it out there, I have one sleeve on my left arm. They say we are grandfathered but yet I may be told no for Drill due to my tattoos....wait...but yet grandfathered...hmmm.... I don't see that as being grandfathered I see it as hanging something over my head that I only started doing after joining the Army. No I don't blame the army I have never been the type to point a finger for any of my short comings but with that being said if it does get denied because of that then I don't see how I am grandfathered I mean yeah im not getting kicked out but I would be getting told no when I know for a fact my packet is air tight! everything exceeded. I even went as far to include a short letter about my character and how serious I am about giving the army all I have and if the only reason I get told no is my tattoos I will immediately have them removed before proposed school date. either way I will not let anyone stop me from going to do this job and if that's what it takes then so be it. I understand the whole professionalism and the nine yards of why but My Tattoos DOES NOT define my leadership! I can shoot move and communicate with the best of them and I strive for greatness, hate mediocrity, and not afraid to fail at all.... so I guess my question is to you guys of uniform and ink,......
has your tattoos held you up yet or you have gotten a pass on due to them?
Posted in these groups: 
Tattoos
Tattoos
Posted 10 y ago
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For the benefit of us who have since retired, what is the "New" current policy?
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MSG (Join to see)
Direct from 670-1, sorry about the length but there is still more on it.
3.3. Tattoo, Branding, and Body Mutilation Policy
Note: This paragraph is punitive with regard to Soldiers. Violation by Soldiers may result in adverse administrative
action and/or charges under the provisions of the UCMJ.
a. Tattoos and brands are permanent markings that are difficult to reverse (in terms of financial cost, discomfort, and
effectiveness of removal techniques). Before obtaining either a tattoo or a brand, Soldiers should consider talking to
unit leaders to ensure that they understand the Army tattoo and brand policy. The words tattoo and brand are
interchangeable in regards to this policy.
b. The following types of tattoos or brands are prejudicial to good order and discipline and are, therefore, prohibited
anywhere on a Soldier’s body:
(1) Extremist. Extremist tattoos or brands are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies,
organizations, or activities. Extremist philosophies, organizations, and activities are those which advocate racial,
gender, or ethnic hatred or intolerance; advocate, create, or engage in illegal discrimination based on race, color,
gender, ethnicity, religion, or national origin; or advocate violence or other unlawful means of depriving individual
rights under the U.S. Constitution, and Federal or State law (see AR 600–20).
(2) Indecent. Indecent tattoos or brands are those that are grossly offensive to modesty, decency, propriety, or
professionalism.
(3) Sexist. Sexist tattoos or brands are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on
gender.
(4) Racist. Racist tattoos or brands are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on
race, ethnicity, or national origin.
c. Tattoos or brands, regardless of subject matter, are prohibited on certain areas of the body as follows:
(1) Soldiers are prohibited from having tattoos or brands on the head, face (except for permanent makeup, as
provided in paragraph 3–2b(2)), neck (anything above the t-shirt neck line to include on/inside the eyelids, mouth, and
ears), wrists, hands, or fingers. Accessing applicants must adhere to this same policy.
(2) Soldiers may have no more than four visible tattoos below the elbow (to the wrist bone) or below the knee. The
tattoos in these areas must be smaller than the size of the wearer’s hand with fingers extended and joined with the
thumb touching the base of the index finger. The total count of all tattoos in these areas may not exceed a total of four.
(a) A single tattoo is defined as one or multiple tattoos spaced apart that can still be covered by a circle with a
diameter of five inches. Tattoos spaced apart that cannot be covered by a circle with a diameter of five inches are
considered separate tattoos.
(b) A band tattoo is a tattoo that fully encircles the circumference of the body part. Band tattoos may be no more
than two inches in width. Each band tattoo counts as one authorized tattoo (see para 3–3c(2)). Soldiers may have a
total of one visible band tattoo on the body. The band tattoo may either be below one elbow (above the wrist bone) or
below one knee.
(c) A sleeve tattoo is a tattoo that is a very large tattoo or a collection of smaller tattoos that covers or almost covers
a person’s arm or leg. Sleeve tattoos are not authorized below the elbow or below the knee.
3.3. Tattoo, Branding, and Body Mutilation Policy
Note: This paragraph is punitive with regard to Soldiers. Violation by Soldiers may result in adverse administrative
action and/or charges under the provisions of the UCMJ.
a. Tattoos and brands are permanent markings that are difficult to reverse (in terms of financial cost, discomfort, and
effectiveness of removal techniques). Before obtaining either a tattoo or a brand, Soldiers should consider talking to
unit leaders to ensure that they understand the Army tattoo and brand policy. The words tattoo and brand are
interchangeable in regards to this policy.
b. The following types of tattoos or brands are prejudicial to good order and discipline and are, therefore, prohibited
anywhere on a Soldier’s body:
(1) Extremist. Extremist tattoos or brands are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies,
organizations, or activities. Extremist philosophies, organizations, and activities are those which advocate racial,
gender, or ethnic hatred or intolerance; advocate, create, or engage in illegal discrimination based on race, color,
gender, ethnicity, religion, or national origin; or advocate violence or other unlawful means of depriving individual
rights under the U.S. Constitution, and Federal or State law (see AR 600–20).
(2) Indecent. Indecent tattoos or brands are those that are grossly offensive to modesty, decency, propriety, or
professionalism.
(3) Sexist. Sexist tattoos or brands are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on
gender.
(4) Racist. Racist tattoos or brands are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on
race, ethnicity, or national origin.
c. Tattoos or brands, regardless of subject matter, are prohibited on certain areas of the body as follows:
(1) Soldiers are prohibited from having tattoos or brands on the head, face (except for permanent makeup, as
provided in paragraph 3–2b(2)), neck (anything above the t-shirt neck line to include on/inside the eyelids, mouth, and
ears), wrists, hands, or fingers. Accessing applicants must adhere to this same policy.
(2) Soldiers may have no more than four visible tattoos below the elbow (to the wrist bone) or below the knee. The
tattoos in these areas must be smaller than the size of the wearer’s hand with fingers extended and joined with the
thumb touching the base of the index finger. The total count of all tattoos in these areas may not exceed a total of four.
(a) A single tattoo is defined as one or multiple tattoos spaced apart that can still be covered by a circle with a
diameter of five inches. Tattoos spaced apart that cannot be covered by a circle with a diameter of five inches are
considered separate tattoos.
(b) A band tattoo is a tattoo that fully encircles the circumference of the body part. Band tattoos may be no more
than two inches in width. Each band tattoo counts as one authorized tattoo (see para 3–3c(2)). Soldiers may have a
total of one visible band tattoo on the body. The band tattoo may either be below one elbow (above the wrist bone) or
below one knee.
(c) A sleeve tattoo is a tattoo that is a very large tattoo or a collection of smaller tattoos that covers or almost covers
a person’s arm or leg. Sleeve tattoos are not authorized below the elbow or below the knee.
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I have them and continue to get them in the allowed hidden areas. When I retire I plan on inking up even more.
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SFC (Join to see)
A person having tattoos has nothing to do with their ability to perform their duties or is it attributed to their character as a person. We come from all walks of life with many different beliefs while it is my personal opinion that not allowing a Soldier to continue to serve, or progress in their career such as development through the Drill Sergeant Program is discriminatory.
There has to be a ligical approach such as not allowing tattoos in Visible areas that are not blaitantly offensive or extreme in nature, discriminatory, racistor or gang related. Ttatoos should be prohibitted below the wrist, on the neck, head, or face. This should be followed up by restrictions as to where Soldiers get inked such as only the Tattoo Parlors who are in good standing with the Department of Health and practice all approperiate sterilization aseptic techniques.
Whether the bassakwards policy makers realize it or not tattoos are part of our history in that as motorcycle club's it was our service members who took tattoos from the clandestine underground into the mainstream of today where it is acceptable everywhere by all classes of society!
There has to be a ligical approach such as not allowing tattoos in Visible areas that are not blaitantly offensive or extreme in nature, discriminatory, racistor or gang related. Ttatoos should be prohibitted below the wrist, on the neck, head, or face. This should be followed up by restrictions as to where Soldiers get inked such as only the Tattoo Parlors who are in good standing with the Department of Health and practice all approperiate sterilization aseptic techniques.
Whether the bassakwards policy makers realize it or not tattoos are part of our history in that as motorcycle club's it was our service members who took tattoos from the clandestine underground into the mainstream of today where it is acceptable everywhere by all classes of society!
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I have one on each upper arm. They are both fully covered by a T-shirt. Most people never even know I have them unless they happen to see me in the shower.
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