Is it okay to get a tattoo while in DEP?

2020-06-14T01:24:52-04:00

I am currently in DEP, l ship out at the end of July. My family wants to get tattoos before I leave but I’m not sure if it will cause problems.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2020 10:22 AM

2020-06-14T10:22:54-04:00

From the Navy most regulations on tattoos have been done away with and tattoos have become ok but just to be safe if you go through with it no face or neck. Personally i would make sure it can be covered

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jun 14 at 2020 1:31 PM

2020-06-14T13:31:54-04:00

I would just make sure that you get in a place that can be covered whole in uniform such as your upper arm. I would also make sure you get it at least one month before you ship out so it can fully heal.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 14 at 2020 2:38 PM

2020-06-14T14:38:14-04:00

I would recommend waiting until you at least graduate Boot/basic. Getting fresh ink while in the entry process can complicate things.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 14 at 2020 7:35 PM

2020-06-14T19:35:30-04:00

Don't served 23 yrs- 0 tats. My 1st roomie who had dozens- said" Tats are the 1st thing folks can ID you by".

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jun 14 at 2020 11:03 PM

2020-06-14T23:03:57-04:00

You should change your MOS from 68W on here until you've actually become one.

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Jun 15 at 2020 7:33 AM

2020-06-15T07:33:46-04:00

Just because there is no rule against getting a tattoo while in DEP it does not mean that you should do it. Personal recommendation: wait until after graduating boot camp or advanced technical training before getting that tattoo. You might live to "ragret" it (reference to the "no ragrets" tattoo in the meme) if you, say, get injured in boot camp, or the tattoo gets infected before leaving for boot camp, or if the tattoo causes pain or discomfort affecting your performance in boot camp.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2020 9:54 AM

2020-06-15T09:54:45-04:00

How big is the tattoo and where? I would personally wait until you’ve graduated. You’re also in DEP and a month away from transfer. I would have done this prior to DEP or at least a few months before I left.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jun 16 at 2021 6:33 PM

2021-06-16T18:33:40-04:00

Why would you get a tat before boot? Really? Maybe you should PT more instead of thinking about something so irrelevant.

Response by SPC Richard DiCristi made Jun 17 at 2021 6:27 AM

2021-06-17T06:27:19-04:00

I never got any tats because I never saw anything that I liked that much to want on my body forever. The only time I thought about it was when we trained with some guys from the British Parachute Regiment at Ft. Ord CA, in 1981. Lots of them had some serious ink, but many had their blood type inked on one arm and then again on the opposite leg in case they got wounded. Many had done tours in Northern Ireland where IEDs were an issue at the time. Of course, many of them ended up in the Falklands the next year where things were a bit more intense.....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2021 5:51 PM

2021-10-20T17:51:15-04:00

Fresh tattoos are considered open wounds. Because each tattoo heals differently based on location, aftercare, and environmental factors, I would wait until completing training before getting a tattoo.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 5 at 2021 7:57 AM

2021-11-05T07:57:20-04:00

Absolutely.
PROTIP:You should get "Future CSM" across your chest. With a big ol rank insignia. The Drill Sergeants will be so impressed with your level of motivation that they'll give you special treatment.