What are no goes for a tattoo socially?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 09:32:56 -0500

In looking to get a tattoo to cover up a group of scars on my upper right arm. I was wondering what is considered a no go socially. I know the basic regulations but avoiding social dont's would help too.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2020 9:40 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 09:40:28 -0500

I don't know what would be a go/no-go socially within the USMC, but figure out the design you want and then wait a year, a full year before getting it inked. This policy has save me from getting countless dumb tattoos that I would have been regretting for a while now. To be clear, I am not advocating against tattoos, nor do I think that they are dumb, I do believe that things that I perceive as cool today may not the same tomorrow.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Jan 24 at 2020 9:51 AM

SGT Robert Pryor — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 09:51:34 -0500

If I had to choose between scars and a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling, I'd take the scars any day. Besides, I think scars on a Marine would look far better than any tattoo. But it's your body, hence your call.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jan 24 at 2020 11:19 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 11:19:50 -0500

Do the self assessment test. Take a look at the design and ask yourself it it would look tacky on someone else. If the answer is yes, move on to a different design.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2020 12:20 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 12:20:41 -0500

For me, as a person that has Zero tattoos, but is a person that enjoys (OPT) other people tattoo's. haha. This is a complete individual decision. In my opinion as long as you dont have face and neck and head tattoos, who cares. I look at it this way, if for whatever reason you are in the Army long enough and have been given the duty to inform next of kin the absolute worst possible news you can give someone, the death of their loved one. Do you want to show up on someones doorstep with tattoos all over your hands and neck and face area?? Other than that do what you feel you will be confortable with playing with your grandchildren in your yard.

Response by SPC Stewart Smith made Jan 24 at 2020 12:44 PM

SPC Stewart Smith — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 12:44:47 -0500

Don't: Get a swastika
Do: Get a Lionel Richie wearing a "where's waldo" outfit saying "Hello is it me you're looking for?"

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2020 4:34 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 16:34:53 -0500

Thank you all for your input. I'm not the most socially conscious person so I figured I could get good help here.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Jan 25 at 2020 9:44 AM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 09:44:12 -0500

If you weren't born with any...I wouldn't do it.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made Jan 26 at 2020 3:31 PM

PO1 John Meyer, CPC — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 15:31:51 -0500

I've been tattooed three times; one is a cover up. Here's my advise...

1. DO NOT and I repeat, DO NOT put anyone's name in your tattoo.
If it's a family member (mom, dad, sibling, etc.), that's OK. My uncle did that. He put his wife's name. Years later, she's his ex-wife. A little later, he remarries and gets a cover up.

2. It must have personal meaning ONLY to you.
My favorite tattoo is my second tattoo; it's a Chinese dragon. It represents my time in Asia, which was the best 6 years of my military career and life. Well... that and I'm half Asian (Filipino). If you're going to do this and you're not sure what to get like I was with my first one, go to a tattoo place and look in their book to get some ideas. If nothing jumps out at you, then it's best you get nothing. Also, do an image search on the internet to get some ideas. Don't copy; that's like cheating on a test. Just look around for some ideas. If you find something, then bring it to a tattoo artist and let them know you want something like what you found. They're artists, after all. Give them some ideas of what you want and let them design something for you if you can't find anything. That's what I did for my cover up and I love it. It's uniquely mine and was even featured in a tattoo magazine by my artist.

3. Go in sober.
I know that should be a no brainier, but that's how I got my first mistake. I wasn't sloppy drunk, but I had a few beers and my judgement wasn't at 100%. My first tattoo was a Navy based one, but it still had no deep meaning for me as I was not thinking of a military career at the time. All I thought was... that looks kinda cool. I'll get that one. ID-10-T.

4. Would you want your mother to see it?
There's the #1 test right there. If you'd be too ashamed to show your mother your tattoo, then you need to rethink what you're getting, if you get anything at all. That little bit of advise would have saved me from my first one.

5. Location, location, location.
I know you said it would be on your upper right arm, but just like with real estate, location is a big deal. If you can help it, I wouldn't get one longer than would be covered by a short sleeve shirt. That's how all mine are. They're on both of my deltoids, so they're easy to cover with just a short sleeve shirt. That and the sun does serious damage to tattoos. The sun breaks down the ink in your skin and it will look awful if exposed to the sun too much. That why some people's exposed tattoos look like a 3rd grader did them over time.

6. Touch it up.
If you're going to get something, be sure to go back to the same artist about 1 year later and get it touched up, if you can. That will keep it looking good for a longer period of time. My last tattoo artist told me that. That's why my cover up looks better than my dragon because I couldn't go back to Singapore to get a touch up done, but I did for the cover up.

All in all... just make 100% sure you really want to do this. It's much more painful to have a tattoo removed than it is to get one.