Is it okay to get a tattoo while in DEP?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 01:24:52 -0400

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

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 10:22:54 -0400

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

SGT Ben Keen — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 13:31:54 -0400

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

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 14:38:14 -0400

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

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 19:35:30 -0400

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

SGT Christopher Hayden — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 23:03:57 -0400

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

Maj Walter Kilar — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 07:33:46 -0400

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

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 09:54:45 -0400

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

Sgt Dale Briggs — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 18:33:40 -0400

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

SPC Richard DiCristi — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 06:27:19 -0400

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

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 17:51:15 -0400

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

SFC Michael Hasbun — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 07:57:20 -0400

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.