Being Grandfathered in to the new tattoo bans, doesn't carry over between Active Duty, and National Guard/Reserve.

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 04:57:51 -0400

Do you think that the ban on tattoos should affect prior service enlistments?

My intention when I enlisted in High School, was to do my initial enlistment in the National Guard, and then once i'd graduated college, finish my tour, ETS, and reenlist into active duty. This has been my plan from the get go. I've got a little over a year left on my National Guard contract, so I started trying to get in touch with an Active Duty recruiter to get the groundwork set up, and figure out what the process was I'd have to go through.

He informed me that I'm ineligible to Enlist into the Active Component, because my tattoos violate AR 670-1. Even though I've had them for 5 years, and am "Grandfathered In" to the system before the changes. I asked around, and this is apparently going to affect Active duty soldiers looking to switch to Guard status after their enlistment period as well.

Is anyone here an active duty recruiter who could tell me if there's a way around this problem? a waiver of some sorts for prior service?

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 16 at 2014 3:08 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 15:08:58 -0400

Reading through AR670-1 I haven't seen anything stating that a tattoo would stop someone from going NG to AD. I saw the part that said Enlisted with certain tattoos couldn't be selected for OCS or WOC though. I would ask the recruiter to point you to the part of the AR or DAPAM that states you are ineligible based on your tattoos. It could just be a misunderstanding on the recruiter's side of things or maybe I missed something myself.

Edit: After saving my first reply to your question I went back and read it again. I was assuming that you were just going to stay on the enlisted side of the house. If you are going after your commission than maybe that falls under that part of the reg that states about Soldiers trying to go to OCS. Either way, keep us informed on the out come. I for one would like to know how things turn out for you.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made May 18 at 2015 9:03 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Mon, 18 May 2015 21:03:25 -0400

I thought as long as you were in the Army, you were grandfathered. I know they changed that to allow enlisted to complete officer programs and commission. I would ask him to show you that or talk with another recruiter.

Response by CPT Dion Francis made Jul 4 at 2016 8:00 PM

CPT Dion Francis — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 20:00:08 -0400

No tattoos that violate the standards.

Response by SGT Steve Burczyk made Sep 10 at 2017 8:37 PM

SGT Steve Burczyk — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 20:37:16 -0400

Have you considered getting the tatoos removed by a Dermitologist with laser treatments in order to be within regulations for enlistment.