What is the Air Force Policy on officers getting tattoos after being commissioned seeing as they prefer non-tatted applicants?

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 21:40:11 -0400

I am currently in the process of an interservice transfer to Active Air Force Officer from Enlisted Marine. As a Marine, i've thought about getting at least two tattoos. However, I've always wanted to be a pilot so I held off getting them. I'm not married to the idea of getting one so if it's not appropriate I won't be too broken up about it. Any informal rules about this in addition to official AF regs?

Response by SPC James Harsh made Jun 7 at 2016 10:05 PM

SPC James Harsh — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 22:05:16 -0400

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member - I can't answer specifically whether or not tattoos would put your career in jeopardy. It may be better to wait until you've settled into where your planning on heading. As for getting tattoos 'while in' from what I've seen it shouldn't be something that requires extra attention, such as during the healing time if a person got a big tattoo on their back they would still have to ruck and not get a profile.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 7 at 2016 10:10 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 22:10:08 -0400

I'm sure some AF types will have a "reg" input. You can consider some analysis on your own. Are there much tats in the O-4 and above community? If not, you have to realize you'll be younger and visibly different. If your orientation, dedication, and ability to get a clue are in good shape, you don't offer up a reason to be cast aside because you have tats and likely most won't. However, if there is an aspect to you a piece of the CoC isn't thrilled in, the tats can become an amplifier in their mind. You see an axiom of leadership is it's a good idea to help people along until they give you reason to help set them aside. So my take is having tats in your case ranges from neutral at best and then downhill from there.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 8 at 2016 12:04 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 00:04:41 -0400

When I was in tattoos visible while in any uniform were not allowed at all; this seems to have changed. See http://www.afoats.af.mil/ots/documents/afi36-2903.pdf Page 22.

Although tattoos are now allowed, I don't think they would be good for your career.

afi36-2903.pdf

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Response by CDR Terry Boles made Jun 8 at 2016 9:49 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 09:49:24 -0400

To tat or not to tat, that is your question. Just wait and see what the climate is. As an officer you are a lot more visible than you think!

Response by Maj Matt Hylton made Jun 8 at 2016 11:41 AM

Maj Matt Hylton — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 11:41:57 -0400

There are written rules on what is allowed, but everything I've experienced/seen over the past 15 years = as long as it isn't visible in ANY uniform (i.e. PT uniform), no one will care (for officers). If you have something visible while wearing short sleeves (lower arm), while that might meet the regs, is generally frowned upon for officers. If you have something on your lower arm (a few people I know do/did when they were in), you were generally OK if you wore your ABU/flight suit sleeves down or long sleeve blues.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jun 8 at 2016 5:04 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 17:04:09 -0400

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member I think as others have suggested it might not hurt to wait until you are commissioned into the AF, complete any training, and arrive at yr first duty station before you make any moves. You could then check out others in your peer group, rank and age, what the command climate is for tats and the AF culture and regs. You don't want to inadvertently get off on the wrong foot with the AF. Best wishes in your AF career.