Posted on Sep 9, 2021
SSG Staff Operations And Training Specialist
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Sooo aside from my previous question about my husband going 11B active army, He is loyal to the Marine Corps (understandable). He got out a few years back with an Honorable Discharge. He tried to go back in but the Recruiter he spoke with told him that his tattoos were out of the Regs. The unit he was in had documented the tattoos on Page 11’s and then lost the paperwork. He is having a lot of difficulty adjusting to the Army way of life, Especially the Army Reserves. He would do ANYTHING to be back in the Corps. I am just trying to get an definitive answer on whether or not he cannot go back to The Marines. The Marine Corps reserves is not an option for him. He is either Active or nothing at all as far as the Marines go.
Posted in these groups: B04bb539 MarinesArmysgt SGTX1461 Infantryman
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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My question is, if he would do ANYTHING to rejoin the Marines, why is a tattoo stopping him? Why isn't it important enough for him to get his tattoo removed?
If his rank will be an issue, and the USMC will almost certainly reduce his rank to what it was when he left, why isn't he willing to join the USMCR if it will help get his foot in the door? Especially since at his rank High Year Tenure will be an upcoming issue? When someone says they will do anything, but they won't do that, it means they won't really do "anything" just something that's easy enough to grasp without much work

It sounds like he is unhappy with the civilian life. I suggest getting involved with a mission focused Veteran Volunteer group like Team Rubicon, or Wounded Warrior Project. It's not an uncommon story... Vets leave the service and nothing is quite like it was, they feel lost without that same "it" they had before.

There's a very real likelihood that your spouse is unable or unwilling to do what it takes to reintegrate into his previous service status. Even if he does, he will probably be upset that "its not like it used to be". Then he will be stuck on Active Duty in a Corps that he no longer recognizes or wants to be a part of.
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SPC Kevin Ford
SPC Kevin Ford
3 y
SFC (Join to see) This is excellent advice. Even if they are grandfathered in, those tattoos will be an albatross around his neck for his entire time in the USMC. It would be like having a permanent shaving profile; every new unit he goes to, every Marine that doesn't know him he comes across will be looking at him sideways.

If he really wants to get in an have a positive experience, get rid of the things are will make him stand out in a bad way.
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Cpl Vic Burk
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If it was documented on page 11 it is still there in his service record book. When he was discharged (or released from active duty) his book was forwarded to where they keep the permanent records.
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SSG Staff Operations And Training Specialist
SSG (Join to see)
3 y
How do we get in contact with those people?
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Cpl Vic Burk
Cpl Vic Burk
3 y
That's a good question. I would start at MEPS and see if they can get hold of his records. It seems that the recruiter would have some insight on this. Unless they are brand new to the recruiting field this shouldn't be their first rodeo with a retread. MEPS would probably have to send a request to Headquarters Marine Corps to start the process. I am only speculating but that is where I would start.
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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SSG (Join to see) Here is the tattoo policy. The tattoos were documented by the Marine Corps and the paperwork was lost?

https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Docs/TattooPolicy_Booklet.pdf
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SSG Staff Operations And Training Specialist
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