Posted on Mar 4, 2015
New SMA learns tattoo policy is still an issue, is it?
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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/
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/03/04/sma-dan-dailey-army-tattoo-policy-jblm-visit/24377435/
Tattoos
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DA Pam 670-1
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 28
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SPC Joshua H.
I agree. When I got out there was a lot of talks about changing the regs on tats and I felt it was stupid at that time, and still feel it is. Keep tats above wrist, and below the t-shirt neck line and you're fine. I think 90% of the public these days expect soldiers to have tattoos, and if you can easily hide them in your Class As, why should it really matter?
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CPT Zachary Brooks
Or by counter point, do those same regulations replace the heart and character shown by those willing to give up everything for others?
CPT Michael Barden
CPT Michael Barden
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CPT Zachary Brooks
CPT Michael Barden I see your point. I just wish the standards on things such as tattoos and the height/weight policies could be more lenient for the qualities of a soldier that really matter: Self sacrifice, willingness to fight, ability to count on them, etc.
Sad state of affairs really when someone who meets all the standards can join solely to pay back school loans with a lack of will to fight, while a hardcore soldier that is there for all the right reasons can be held back because he inked his body to honor his fallen brothers.
Sad state of affairs really when someone who meets all the standards can join solely to pay back school loans with a lack of will to fight, while a hardcore soldier that is there for all the right reasons can be held back because he inked his body to honor his fallen brothers.
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SSG (Join to see)
I reject the notion that a tattooed warrior is an unprofessional warrior. I understand that there is still a perception by some that tattoo's are something gentlemen and women don't have... however that's at best an obsolete observation that belongs in a different century.
Holding onto this outdated perception prevents the Army from enlisting a lot of quality recruits and caused many quality soldiers to leave the service. We seem strong enough to do away with outdated concepts about women and gays serving in the military... why can't we do the same with tattoo's?
Holding onto this outdated perception prevents the Army from enlisting a lot of quality recruits and caused many quality soldiers to leave the service. We seem strong enough to do away with outdated concepts about women and gays serving in the military... why can't we do the same with tattoo's?
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
CSM (Join to see) Definitely! And if we were confined to our bases, or didn't have to have recruiters, I wouldn't bother debating the issue at all.
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CSM (Join to see)
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
You can bronze a pile of shit but underneath it's still a pile of shit. The American people know exactly what it's military force does, majority of them actually think we are all just Infantry. My reference by no means implies that I think our military is a pile of shit.
You can bronze a pile of shit but underneath it's still a pile of shit. The American people know exactly what it's military force does, majority of them actually think we are all just Infantry. My reference by no means implies that I think our military is a pile of shit.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
CSM (Join to see) Now now. When Recruiter Bob goes into talk to soccer mom Sally about little Johnny, aged 17, joining the USMC, is she going to be more receptive to someone who is "clean cut" or "rough & tumble?"
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CSM (Join to see)
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
I was a recruiter, first you have to track down that baby's mama. When you do finally track her down you probably have to wait until the kid is 18 anyway, regardless of how wholesome you look.
I was a recruiter, first you have to track down that baby's mama. When you do finally track her down you probably have to wait until the kid is 18 anyway, regardless of how wholesome you look.
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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.
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.
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SGT Jim Z.
SGM Billy Herrington I do not have tattoos and your policy is of common sense and logic therefore, the Army will not adopt it. I have seen very successful people who are respected in their professional fields working out in the gym and showing tattoos and no I do not think they are any less professional.
Personally I just wish the Army would spend this much time on things that matter like funding training and taking care of Soldiers.
Personally I just wish the Army would spend this much time on things that matter like funding training and taking care of Soldiers.
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PO3 (Join to see)
SGM Billy Herrington, I agree with you 100%! (Unfortunately, SGT Jim Z. may have a point regarding common sense and the Army not adopting a policy like the one you describe, lol...)
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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.
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SPC Christopher Smith
SSG Zachary Vrba I assume there is some disapproval of what I have said, but I was honestly shocked that the SMA cared enough to want to hear the truth from the junior enlisted mouth rather than pass it off as a small group of people complaining. If you haven't heard a single conversation in your unit about how bad the tattoo policy is, then no one in that unit has tattoos and could care less.
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SPC Christopher Smith
SSG Zachary Vrba I apologize, when I use "..." it usually has a negative meaning.
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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.
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.
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SGM Mikel Dawson
PO3 Mike Glade, I just got home and popped a Carlsberg, and almost abused some beer when I read your response! Yea, I've heard that one before. Maybe the new SMA can break trough the wall.
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CSM (Join to see)
I am really encouraged to hear the new SMA is even considering making a change because it means he is listening to the rank and file comments - WOW! I have to take back a comment I made in another post about him drinking the kool aid.
I don't have nay tattoos, but a lot of my men did, and most all of them looked good. Some were full color sleeves, and although I liked the way they looked, I have to agree it did not present a professional appearance when wearing a short sleeve shirt. I could care less what shows in PTs.
I don't have nay tattoos, but a lot of my men did, and most all of them looked good. Some were full color sleeves, and although I liked the way they looked, I have to agree it did not present a professional appearance when wearing a short sleeve shirt. I could care less what shows in PTs.
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SSG (Join to see)
SIR I like the way that you put it and I wish that the army would not of changed the reg to allow tats on the neck and hands we should go back to nothing in class A's
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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.
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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.
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