Army Tattoo Policy; IRR To Warrant Officer

SGT Alex Gould — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 14:31:21 -0500

I served 4 years in the 82nd (07-11) and my service and fellow paratroopers encouraged my single tattoo to grow to an entire sleeve. I got out in 2011 and have been in the IRR since. Recently I put together my warrant officer (153A) packet and went to many different recruiters to try and schedule my SIFT and flight physical. They all had the same response. I am ineligible because my tattoos violate the new tattoo standard and the Army is not accepting waivers anymore.

My question(s) is this. Is there anything else that you can think of that I can do right now to get my SIFT and flight physical scheduled? Also, with the new SMA and the new Army Times article on the tattoo policy, do you think the policy will change? If so, when do you think the change will take effect?

Any advice on my issue is greatly appreciated.

Respectfully,
Alex

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 9:41 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 21:41:44 -0500

SGT Alex Gould, it does make sense that the Army would not be accepting waivers anymore, especially as we are downsizing. I think there is a chance the SMA will encourage a change to the tattoo policy, but how long that might take? Nobody can say. I would guess that it's going to be a while, a pretty long while, before that policy changes. That's unfortunate, and your "case" proves that. Good luck with your warrant packet!!

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Jul 31 at 2017 5:57 PM

PVT Mark Zehner — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 17:57:03 -0400

I think if we are going to be accepting of homosexuals and transgenders and all other forms then the tattoo should be the least of the military's worries

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2022 2:18 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 14:18:15 -0400

See if they have a grandfather clause that takes precedence?