Tattoos
Tattoos
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I have 1 tattoo that passed the physical at MEPS. What are the rules and regulations regarding the addition of other tattoos?
Tattoos
Recruit
DA Pam 670-1
Reserves
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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Make sure it cannot be seen while in your class a's and you're good to go.
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The following is NOT allowed,
Extremist tattoos: According to the regulations, these are tattoos or brands "affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies, organizations, or activities." This would include tattoos that: feature philosophies, groups or activities that promote racial or gender intolerance; encourage discrimination based on numerous factors, including race, gender and religion; advocate violence or "other unlawful means of depriving individual rights under the U.S. Constitution, and Federal or State law."
Indecent tattoos: These include tattoos or brands that are "grossly offensive to modesty, decency, propriety, or professionalism." The Army's regulations do not provide examples of tattoos that would fall under these descriptions.
Sexist tattoos: These include tattoos and brands that "advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on gender," according to the regulations.
Racist tattoos: Tattoos or brands that "advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on race, ethnicity, or national origin" are not allowed.
tattoos and brands are not allowed on:
Your head
Your face
Your neck above the t-shirt line
Inside your eyelids, mouth or ears
Your wrists
Your hands
"permanent makeup," which includes tattoos used as permanent eyebrows or eyeliner, is allowed as long as it follows the Army's rules on makeup. Allow makeup only for women, and require the makeup to be "applied modestly and conservatively."
regulations advise speaking with a unit leader to make sure the tattoo that's envisioned will abide by Army rules. If a soldier with a disallowed tattoo or brand refuses to have it removed, then the commander is instructed to initiate administrative separation proceedings. Full details in AR 670-1
Extremist tattoos: According to the regulations, these are tattoos or brands "affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies, organizations, or activities." This would include tattoos that: feature philosophies, groups or activities that promote racial or gender intolerance; encourage discrimination based on numerous factors, including race, gender and religion; advocate violence or "other unlawful means of depriving individual rights under the U.S. Constitution, and Federal or State law."
Indecent tattoos: These include tattoos or brands that are "grossly offensive to modesty, decency, propriety, or professionalism." The Army's regulations do not provide examples of tattoos that would fall under these descriptions.
Sexist tattoos: These include tattoos and brands that "advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on gender," according to the regulations.
Racist tattoos: Tattoos or brands that "advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on race, ethnicity, or national origin" are not allowed.
tattoos and brands are not allowed on:
Your head
Your face
Your neck above the t-shirt line
Inside your eyelids, mouth or ears
Your wrists
Your hands
"permanent makeup," which includes tattoos used as permanent eyebrows or eyeliner, is allowed as long as it follows the Army's rules on makeup. Allow makeup only for women, and require the makeup to be "applied modestly and conservatively."
regulations advise speaking with a unit leader to make sure the tattoo that's envisioned will abide by Army rules. If a soldier with a disallowed tattoo or brand refuses to have it removed, then the commander is instructed to initiate administrative separation proceedings. Full details in AR 670-1
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If you are in the DEP, you should have been "advised" not to get any more tattoos until after you are on active duty. While it is not prohibited to get another tattoo, it is discouraged for several reasons:
1. Infections or still healing tattoos can delay your ship date if the MEPS doctor doesn't clear you to ship. This may require your service to cancel your existing contract and do another with a later ship date. You may lose the previous options/training if there are no vacancies available, and you will have to chose something else.
2. Your enlistment documents have to be updated with the new tattoo, and in some cases may require approval from your recruiter's commander that the tattoo is within policy.
3. The unlikely occurrence of contracting hepatitis or HIV, which will permanently disqualify you from military service.
4. The chance you unknowingly get a tattoo that is disqualifying.
In my many years in recruiting, I have seen all of these happen except #3, although #3 has happened for other obvious reasons.
1. Infections or still healing tattoos can delay your ship date if the MEPS doctor doesn't clear you to ship. This may require your service to cancel your existing contract and do another with a later ship date. You may lose the previous options/training if there are no vacancies available, and you will have to chose something else.
2. Your enlistment documents have to be updated with the new tattoo, and in some cases may require approval from your recruiter's commander that the tattoo is within policy.
3. The unlikely occurrence of contracting hepatitis or HIV, which will permanently disqualify you from military service.
4. The chance you unknowingly get a tattoo that is disqualifying.
In my many years in recruiting, I have seen all of these happen except #3, although #3 has happened for other obvious reasons.
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Suspended Profile
Fair point, certainly- in which case, I'd expect to see in the post "I asked my FSL and didn't hear for days and went in person and never saw them."
Lesson early on, ask your FLL first, always. Their company commander might have a policy others don't- or battalion, or brigade. DEP isn't the Army, they have rules that someone not a Recruiter simply doesn't know.
Lesson early on, ask your FLL first, always. Their company commander might have a policy others don't- or battalion, or brigade. DEP isn't the Army, they have rules that someone not a Recruiter simply doesn't know.
SGT(P) (Join to see)
SFC J Fullerton - I was but I recently switched to Regular Army, both times for me going through MEPS I didn't get briefed on any of this information coming in for Guard or Active Duty, the first time I heard about AKO was half way through BCT in 2014. I just don't want soldiers coming in ill informed to their resources.
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SFC J Fullerton
SGT(P) (Join to see) - Guard Soldiers released to enlist Active Duty aren't really in the DEP while they wait to ship AD. You are a member of your NG unit until your report date. There are still certain requirements, but Army recruiters (future soldier leaders) don't have to do the same mandatory pre-ship requirements with prior service that they have to do with the non-prior service DEPs. To be blunt, prior service enlistees don't get the same spoon feeding and hand holding as the DEPs because they are not new to military culture. I don't know what the Pre-BCT regulatory requirements are for the National Guard, I can only relate to the standards of USAREC. What you have described may be more reflective your initial enlistment experience with the NG, not that of the United States Army Recruiting Command.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
There isn't much difference from comparing notes with my battle buddies I went to BCT with other than their recruiters don't give much information other than the days needed to come in and when to be at the hotel
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