Posted on Aug 8, 2015
Can somebody tell me the Army's current tattoo policy?
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I wanted to re-enlist in the Marine Corps but they wouldn't let me because of a tattoo that I have. I got it while I was in and they said that it was perfectly fine and that there shouldn't be any problem re-enlisting. But when the time came they said that I couldn't.
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Tattoos
Tattoos
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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Unless You never read the news I figure you should be able to figure it out for yourself.
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The Army policy for tattoos was relaxed back in April. The basics are in the first link, and I am including a link which explains the changes to Army Regulation 670-1, which covers tattoos in Uniform, in more detail.
You can also look up the Regulation online.
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/04/10/army-regs-tattoos-uniforms/25576197/
http://www.army.mil/article/146268/Revised_uniform_policy_changes_rules_for_tattoos__wear_of_combat_uniform/
You can also look up the Regulation online.
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/04/10/army-regs-tattoos-uniforms/25576197/
http://www.army.mil/article/146268/Revised_uniform_policy_changes_rules_for_tattoos__wear_of_combat_uniform/
It's official: Army issues new tattoo rules
It's official: Soldiers can now get their arms, legs and most of their bodies covered in tattoos.
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LCDR (Join to see)
PVT Robert Gresham Thank you for that link. After reading that I have to say it's most obviously the content of the tattoo not the placement or the size. Which means it has been deemed that the confederate flag falls into the "offensive" category. Whether you agree with that or not, it looks like you either have to fight the decision (significantly harder most likely) or pay for a cover-up/conversion of the tattoo, or remove it. I would probably look at options to convert it since you mentioned elsewhere that 2000 dollars was the cost for removing. However if the price is similar it may still be worth it to have it removed unless you really like the new design.
Cpl Micah Wing
Cpl Micah Wing
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I you know if your denial is before or after the relaxation and tattoo policies occurred. also, I have no idea if the Confederate flag is considered offensive or not. It might be interpreted differently and may explain why you were given contradictory informatiion. I suggest talking to the JAG and get their reading on it. If they say its offensive and you want to remain or return to the Army, than get it removed. If they say its ok thn there should be no problem.
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It can't be of a certain size. I.E your hand must completely cover it. And it can not be in any way offensive.
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PO1 John Miller
Cpl Micah Wing
On a more serious note, I did look through the Army's latest tattoo policy and didn't see anything concrete about a tattoo of the Confederate Flag, but some politically correct douche bag would probably say it falls under "racist/extremist designs."
On a more serious note, I did look through the Army's latest tattoo policy and didn't see anything concrete about a tattoo of the Confederate Flag, but some politically correct douche bag would probably say it falls under "racist/extremist designs."
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SFC (Join to see)
Perhaps it doesn’t mean anything bad (I’m assuming you mean bad as in raciest, or extremist?), but it is the fag of a unified enemy of the United States of America. How would you look at a private of Palestinian heritage getting an Hamas flag tattooed on himself? Or a Swastika on the body of a soldier of Austrian decent? Or even an Iraqi soldier getting an ISIL flag tattooed on him/her self? Just food for thought.
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Capt Seid Waddell
SFC (Join to see), the difference of course is that the North and South have made peace with one another, and now it is simply a matter of historical and family interest.
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SFC (Join to see)
Capt Seid Waddell - Germany apologized for WWII also, but that doesn't mean the swastika an appropriate tattoo or t-shirt.
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Capt Seid Waddell
SFC (Join to see), Germany is a foreign country that is still separate from us while the Sates of the Confederacy are part of our country today - which makes a big difference IMHO.
We are all one country now, with a shared history that includes the late unpleasantness between the states.
Personally, I have far more of a problem with the liberal/progressives that handed our country its first military defeat in our history in Viet Nam, and who are busily trying to hand us another one in the GWOT.
Current traitors are more of a concern to me than those of a century and a half ago.
We are all one country now, with a shared history that includes the late unpleasantness between the states.
Personally, I have far more of a problem with the liberal/progressives that handed our country its first military defeat in our history in Viet Nam, and who are busily trying to hand us another one in the GWOT.
Current traitors are more of a concern to me than those of a century and a half ago.
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With the way things are now and how they are downsizing the military it seems like they won't allow many individuals to re-enlist and will use any excuse to get people out
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Who is "they" that said it would be completely fine? Tattoo regulations haven't always been fully enforced but they really haven't changed much.
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Cpl Micah Wing
It was my Commanding Officer, my Sergeant Major, and the base Commanding Officer and Sergeant Major
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LCDR (Join to see)
Cpl Micah Wing The reason I asked is if your chain of command (and it sure sounds like it) endorsed that tattoo before you got it, you have legitimate grounds to fight the decision on. If you already had it and asked if they thought it was ok, that's not quite the same.
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You need to talk with an Army recruiter. I was one back in 2014 policy changes often your recruiter will have to submit a tattoo review to MEPS. They will take pictures and do a tattoo form and submit it, they will not do this till you have completely transitioned. Due to some of the recent outrage with the confederate flag and the shooting in SC it may be harder than you think. But if you can get over you Might as well come over, promotion is much better in the Army.
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