Cannot become an officer or warrant officer because of tattoos: What do you think?

When you made the choice to get the tattoos did you consider all of possible outcomes? All decisions have positive and negative consequences. Although you might not have known your choice could have resulted in a disqualification it doesn't change the fact it was. You made an uninformed choice and now you have to live with the outcome. Just because you think the regulation is BS doesn't make it BS. A tattoo is a choice. You made an arm length of choices and now are complaining that the standards of an organization that you voluntarily joined should be changed because the standard inconveniences you the individual. Do I think less of you because of a tattoo? No I don't. I strongly suspect there is more to this than what has been reported. But I do think you didn't think your decision through in regards to your career goals. If you were disqualified for another reason that you thought was BS do we change that too. Instead of posting on public media forums looking for support I suggest you seek remedy by researching the appropriate regulations thoroughly, construct a well written presentation, present it to a non-military authority (congress person) and seek to have the regulation changed. We serve the US Govt not the military. The regulation may not get changed during your career but at least you will know you did your Service a service. If you choose not to act, then you need to ask, Is this about you the individual or the greater good?

It’s funny that I joined the Army with a tattoo on my neck (grandfathered), the Army said that I’m good enough to serve.. I guess they meant only as a lower enlisted Soldier? I progressed through the ranks without having to remove it now after 9 years of service, I’m going through the process of removal because I’m aspiring to be a Warrant Officer and have been denied twice due to having it. Even though 50% has already been removed and the process would’ve been complete by the time I got commissioned!

I completely understand that conveying a professional appearance is important, but with all the changes happening now... I think we can revisit this issue. In my culture, warriors wear their tattoos as a mark of honor and pride. Warriors bear their ink... #whatsyourwarrior

Silly rule!

Rules are made by people who have nothing else to do on a Friday or Monday and get bored. I was on my third tour as a Command Master Chief and someone in the Bureau of Personel, Maybe the CNO, maybe the Chief of Personnel, Maybe some Yoeman who could not grow a "stash, IDK, decided the Command Personnel, Specifically CO, XO, and CMC, would not be allowed to wear mustaches.
Yes, the directive said specifically those three! Mustaches were now considered unprofessional!

I had been sprouting my Navy Regulation Mustache since they were first allowed in the '70s and yes, I was UPSET. But I shaved it off. (See my picture? that was during the prohibited period and when we took official pictures for USS Anzio (CG-68) My Wife had never seen me without my womb broom and was not happy either, but the winds in DC changed in a few months. As they always do. So relax, have a beer, and wait a week.

Back in the seventies almost never saw a senior NCO or officer with tats Army. We did count scars from Vietnam and hard training. With scars didn't need tats, My wife counted over twenty scars once. They had to present a professional appearance at all times, in uniform or at the pool.
Now sailors it was a requirement.

It seems to me that the objective should be to get the rule changed. I don't know what the procedure might be, or even if there is one. A petition? A letter writing campaign? The rule is in place for a reason. Maybe that reason no longer applies. Don't try to avoid the rules and don't expect higher-ups to by-pass them for you. Find out what the proper procedures are for changing the rules.

In an organization that wears a long sleeve uniform I can’t say that I agree

I've always believed tattoos should be carte blanche allowed, along with beards. I want someone looking at us and sh*tting their pants thinking we will consume their flesh, not like a bunch of baby faced Boy Scouts ready for our next merit badge.

The old "you are free to make choices, but you are not free of the consequences of those choices".

A friend of mine became a warrant and he has tattoos. But can't be seen in uniform. It's all about keeping within regulation.