Cannot become an officer or warrant officer because of tattoos: What do you think?

Take it off.

I agree with the policy. If you want tattoos then place them where they are not seen. Period. If you want to become a WO, then have them removed. As a WO, you must be above the standard which includes appearance. No matter where you go whether in the military or civilian world your appearance is a reflection on that organization. Tattoos in the professional world don't cut it. That's just the way it is.

My Dad regrets his arms full of tattoos. However in the manly man Army of the 40s through 60s, it did not keep him from making Warrant. But it also taught me to never get a tat that couldn't be covered by a short sleeve shirt. Yeah, I've got my Airborne tattoo.

I have a tattoo on my shoulder blade, my ears have been pierced, I had a pony tail for many years, and feel an officer should be a cut above everyone else. Want to go officer? Get the tats removed...

I know as a Cadet at the Air Force Academy you would lose your appointment if you got some ink while a Cadet. However there were prior service guys there that had tats before receiving their appointments and were giving waivers. Seemed like a double standard to me. Also these days I think you can get them removed fairly easy. I don't see the correlation between tats and being a poor leader. At a junior level it might help establish a common bond with the troops and at a senior lever I've never seen a a 3 star shirtless at a senate hearing. Personally I'd rather see a 3 star with some bullet holes and some ink. That guy has been places and seen a thing or two.

A rule that's totally past being worth anything I have tattoos I'm an army and police veteran I have a marketing degree and I work with the Wounded Warriors Project! So many jobs are rejected from me because of my tattoos!

You weren't screwed out of anything it was never yours to begin with it was never offered to you it was never an option to you it was the standard before you came in the service it's the standard while you're in the service and you don't meet the standard nothing to be upset about it just is.

You can't work at most McDonald's with a face tattoo, that does not mean you can't make a hell of a egg McMuffin

I agree with your position that having a tattoo in itself does not equal anything specific about performance.. Tattoos are not indicative in anyway shape or form a performance or capability...

But the simple fact is the powers to be have decided that the male haircut standard, the female earring policy, the current tattoo policy is visual professional standard for appearance category. You may not agree with it but it is what it is

Its waiverable. I have 4 fellow 11Bs with sleeves who are headed to WOC School next month. All are going rotary wing.

I was accepted to Annapolis, but was told before I arrive, my tattoos had to be gone... so, I had them removed by laser... In the end, it didn't matter, because I received a medical separation.

Which do you want more? Tattoo or Warrant? Laser removal can get rid of Tat. Or you can regret and blame the military. Complaining isn't going to change it. I past the FAST and the physical and sent packet to Rucker. Got declined because I was going to be 30 days past the age limit to start flight school. Wish I would have started the process a few months earlier. I went through OCS back before the college requirement. You want something bad enough you do what you gotta do to achieve what you want.