New SMA learns tattoo policy is still an issue, is it?

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:52:44 -0500

Just read the new SMA got a shock learning the current tattoo policy is not a solved issue. I understand the Army wants to be PC, but come on, we all know tats don't make a good or bad service member. I really think he needs to conduct another survey and get this issue put to bed.

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/03/04/sma-dan-dailey-army-tattoo-policy-jblm-visit/24377435/

New SMA to take serious look at Army tattoo policy

When Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey fielded questions from a group of soldiers, it didn't take long for the Army's tattoo policy to come up.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 4 at 2015 9:53 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:53:26 -0500

As long as it does not interfere with readiness or the wear of the uniform, what is the issue?

Is this just too terrifying?

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Mar 4 at 2015 10:02 PM

SGT Jim Z. — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 22:02:20 -0500

I agree tattoos do not define good from bad and I am tired of the debate. My only real issue with tattoos are ones that distract from the professionalism we are representatives of and I know there are very successful business people with tattoos. The key is when to reveal them and when not reveal them.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 4 at 2015 10:03 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 22:03:16 -0500

First off, I have tattoos. I like tattoos. That said, this is the question I have to ask:

"Do VISIBLE tattoos present a Professional image?"

I cannot, in good faith, say yes.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2015 10:04 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 22:04:14 -0500

3 words "Force Reduction Tool"

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2015 10:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 22:58:54 -0500

I personally do not have tattoos but I believe a person should have the right to choose.

I know many great Soldiers with Tattoos and if they want to make a big deal about and take all these pictures and force them to be uploaded to IPERMS then Senior Leaders at the DC level shall have to sleep in the bed they make.

How is this not seen as an EO Complaint?

I mean seriously, many TEAM Guys have Tattoos. Who shall do their dirty work if all of them leave?

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Mar 5 at 2015 12:19 AM

SGM Billy Herrington — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 00:19:18 -0500

I have tattoos. My wife in my profile picture has them as well. We get them in concealed areas as that is our preference.

That being said. I don't feel that it makes you less professional, however, many do, which is a shame. In PT's it's unprofessional? Really?

How about this. Nothing on the neck or hands (those that have them are grandfathered) if you have anything that shows below the short sleeves of the class B uniform you must wear a long sleeve shirt or class A's.

Is that so hard? You choose to get tattoo sleeves you understand in the summer life will suck.

I give less than a damn about the APFU and tattoos. I'm sure I look like the epitome of what you don't want to look like when running. Spit, snot, and other bodily fluids dripping since I've giving my all.

I guess I just to make too much sense.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 5 at 2015 12:24 AM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 00:24:10 -0500

I agree... But I am also old school.

I believe you should Not be able to see any tattoos while in Class A or the Combat Uniform. I was also raised with the idea that you can have tattoos so long as they can't be seen in the Class B. I am OK with the anything in PT gear.

Tattoos are the neck, hands, etc are a No Go in my opinion.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Mar 5 at 2015 12:31 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 00:31:45 -0500

A SMA who wants to make policy change based on grass root information rather than senior level brown nosers, and personal pet peeves, I am actually shocked.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2015 12:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 00:46:57 -0500

SMA of the Army learns tattoo policy is still an issue? Really? Where has he been hiding the past few months? As a SSG I've been seeing it's an issue since the change in the regulation.

Response by SPC Lukas Jones made Mar 5 at 2015 1:04 AM

SPC Lukas Jones — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 01:04:01 -0500

I feel that a service wide opinion survey would more accurately acess this situation rather than a handful of visits around the Army. As a reservist with tattoos and aspirations to continue a career in the military, I don't want this to be a factor in my advancement. Fact is that the only time my tattoos are showing is when I am in PT gear or out of uniform. And yes, had I known this would be such an issue, I would have my tattoos in less conspicuous placings.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2015 8:34 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 08:34:31 -0500

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Mar 5 at 2015 10:20 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 10:20:03 -0500

I think this says it all

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2015 10:33 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 10:33:03 -0500

I'm in agreement with a lot of the other people replying as in my opinion tattoos do not make or break a professional. I can understand arguments banning face tattoos, but if a tattoo is in a place that would normally be covered by the ACU or ASU then I don't see a problem. This mindset is clearly at odds with the leaderships however, so I truly do hope that the new SMA does something about this.

Response by CW3 Craig Linghor made Mar 5 at 2015 11:16 AM

CW3 Craig Linghor — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 11:16:24 -0500

Tattoos only became an issue when the army needed a discriminator to decrease the force. I saw this happen during the 1990s Clinton drawdown. Nothing new here. When they need you to step in front of a bullet be sure they'll give you a waiver for your tattoo.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2015 11:33 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 11:33:31 -0500

I don't want a medic with tattoos to perform aid on me said no one ever!!!! I don't want the finance clerk to fix my papers said no one ever. I don't want that Apache gun fighter to get me out of a pickle said no one ever. I have a lot none below the wrist bone or above the colar bone. However I'm greatful to have been grandfathered in with the new policy. BUT we need to give it a break. As long as it's not obscene, racist, extremist or gender degrading let it go. We need to get the VA hospitals fix but we are here talking about ink.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2015 1:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 13:20:54 -0500

My only response for the tattoo regs is that its okay to be poked in the butt that's 100% acceptable but having a tattoo is unprofessional.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2015 4:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:50:55 -0500

It's the same debate in my current profession. Except, in Law Enforcement, the old guys sitting behind a desk are more understanding. And my forearm tattoo is out in front of God and all creation, in short sleeve uniforms.

I'm pretty sure the Military doesn't go as short sleeved as they did in the 90's to 9/11/01. So, why is this truly becoming a problem?

Response by Cpl Bo Dronet made Mar 6 at 2015 8:09 AM

Cpl Bo Dronet — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 08:09:39 -0500

Tattoos have been in the military since the beginning often a right of passage. It doesn't change the person and PC be damned!

Response by SFC Walt Littleton made Mar 6 at 2015 8:29 AM

SFC Walt Littleton — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 08:29:59 -0500

I did my 20 and have watched this crazy stuff go on all the time. We lost a ton of good soldiers when the Army needed to downsize and they did it with the Army Overweight Program. To save face the rank and file stated a Russian General had stated that th US Army was fat and lazy. Yea OK!

Tats? The military made them mainstream. WWII you went to basic, got your tat and off to war. SMH

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Mar 6 at 2015 8:35 AM

SPC David Shaffer — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 08:35:52 -0500

I think they make these issues to take people's minds off of the other issues. A form of misdirection. Most people will worry about the issues that directly apply to themselves before they will look at the big picture.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 3:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 15:37:35 -0500

TATTOOS are just art, and as long as service never army using this art form to express themselves in an obviously offensive or negative way... What does it matter?.. Let's say nothing on the hands, neck or face... Because ultimately the image we should always be worried about is the one when we're in duty uniform....

Response by SSgt Robert Clark made Mar 6 at 2015 10:08 PM

SSgt Robert Clark — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 22:08:12 -0500

I don't have one tat on my body, and quite frankly I don't understand why it's even an issue. If someone wants to get them, so what. My only concern would be troops go to a good shop, one that is clean and equipment is clean.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2015 10:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 22:13:55 -0500

How terrible. I hope that they don't decide to waste more time and money trying to "address" this issue. It's a social difference of opinion, there will never be a point where everyone agrees on tattoos. I personally don't see why the military culture, who made tattoo culture what it is today, needs to keep coming back to this every other year. After I go indef next year I will be less stressed, but still think they need to lay this to rest.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 2:15 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 02:15:14 -0500

I had an E-7 who had a Viking tattooed on his chest. The Commander and I had to take pictures and write statements it was not racially or gang related/motivated since Vikings were a symbol of white supremacists. The E-7 was 2nd generation Norwegian-American and his name was Jorgenson and he was the nicest man you ever came across - too much PC bull shit.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 4:04 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 04:04:03 -0500

This Soldier looks much more professional without tattoos.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 19 at 2015 7:29 AM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 07:29:53 -0400

http://www.rediviva.sav.sk/55i4/143.pdf
OBJECTIVES: Piercing and tattoos are promoted by fashion and the media and are becoming
more and more popular, especially among young people. The number of young adults acquiring body modification has increased in recent years. Different studies showed a correlation between body modification and self-harm behaviors. The present study investigates the correlation between piercing and tattoo and different psychological and personality disorders.

RESULTS: The statistical analysis of acquired results showed a significant correlation between body modifications and psychological and personality disorder and psychopathologies.

Response by CPL Brendan Hayes made Mar 19 at 2015 7:46 AM

CPL Brendan Hayes — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 07:46:58 -0400

I've always felt this issue was absurd. Just because someoen has a tattoo does not mean they are unprofessional. I've seen this to be true in the civilian world.

Because I have tattoos, I was called into my PL's and then CO's office to "document" what I had.

When I was hired as a teacher, I asked my new boss if he would like me to the tattoo on my forearm covered. He asked me if it was of a naked hula girl. I told him no. His reply, "I don't care then."

This really should be a non-issue.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 19 at 2015 12:07 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 12:07:37 -0400

First, Let me say I have no tattoos or piercings...

It is good (great) the new SMA is relooking the new/changed policy (and other things in 670-1).

I, personally, could care less how many tattoos a Soldier has. My only redlines (today) are these. You should be not able to see them in uniform, at least the in combat uniform or class A.

But, since I am older.. the standard (albeit unwritten) I was raised with, was you should not be able to see a tattoo in the class B.

I think most agree, no neck, face, hands, fingers..., but the class B might be a harder sell.

My vote would be all OK, so long as you can't see it in the class B...