Do tattoos really define you as a bad Soldier?

Fair points, all.<div><br></div><div>I'm just pissed I'm stuck here in Korea. If I was back in America (where I wouldn't be worried about hepatitis) I would finish my sleeve time now. I've got about a handspace of blank space on my left forearm, and it's going to look really goofy for the next two years.</div>

<p>SPC St.Andrew, I have not read all the posts in regard to your question/assumption. So I will offer you this...... </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>SMA Chandler (to my knowledge) has never said that "tattoos define you as a bad Soldier". It is in his opinion as well as many people that certain tattoos in certain places on ones body create an unprofessional look (again not an unprofessional person). I have tattoos as well, however because I had the same view as SMA Chandler (way before he was the SMA)&nbsp;while getting mine, none of&nbsp;mine are visible when wearing the Class B uniform.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He has never said that tattoos (in general)&nbsp;are bad, on the contrary if you ever get the chance to talk to him (as I have) he has a son that has sleeves but this still doesn't change his outlook as far as the professional apperance goes.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>You have to understand a little more in depth then just thinking about yourself. It is his overall responsiblity to provide the best guidance and leadership that he can for our Army. And just like when you were growing up your parents did the same. While you may not have liked some of the things your parents did or made you do, as you grow older you will appreciate those things (I have anyways). This is an attempt by the SMA to&nbsp; help our Army show the American people and the whole world&nbsp;that we are professionals. Most of the people that will ever judge you in life will not know you. They will see you and immediately judge you based off of what you look like. The haircut generally tips them off that you are either military or in some cases people have even asked if I was a police officer (mostly when open carrying a pistol). So they assume you are military based of your haircut and then begin to judge you on the rest of your apperance. Tattoos may in their eyes distract from a professional apperance. I have read so much complaining on here about this "new" policy that it is getting old quickly.</p>

I think that those in the National Guard and Reserve are going to have an extremely hard time enforcing the new policy. With the way that units are trying to retain as many soldiers as possible to stay relevant and not lose force structure I don't see a whole lot of Tattoo related discharges from this side of the house. That all being said I also have ink on my forearms and I on one side see the Army's point reducing the force for one but also because if you give a Soldier an inch someone will take a mile and then use the very reg you are trying to enforce against you. Some of the 670-1 changes are crazy, not in the sense that they are unreasonable, but the very fact that the Army had spell it out. Such as the part about not altering you teeth. I am sure some SM had fangs or sharpen their teeth to points and then when they got in trouble for it, pointed to the 670-1 and said "there is nothing in here that says I can't". I am very glad that they tightened the Hair standards.

<p>Bad soldier no not truely. To me if you have tattoos on your neck or hands then you are indeed just that UNPROFESSIONAL. You don't represent the military in a good way when people see this.&nbsp;People assume you look like someone who wants to be rapper, gang member or inmate(said for sleeves, etc&nbsp;too). I say this and yes&nbsp;I do have tattoos. I have both arms sleeved, big one on my chest, side and back, along with my lower legs done. But I can cover them all up when in ASU's. Also when I get out I can wear a long sleeve shirt and pants to cover them up for another profession. How many Judges, Cops, Lawyers, CEO's of Fortune 500 business have&nbsp;you see with tattoos on their necks? Sure pro athletes have them all over their body. But lately even some of them catch flak for it for sending the wrong message. </p><p><br></p><p>Yes tattoos have been a part of the military they was always abled to be covered when in Dress uniform. They wasn't seen on the neck or hands. Even then in the 50's and 60's tattoos was looked at as a bad thing. Only&nbsp;inmates and&nbsp;bikers&nbsp;had them along with soldiers. </p>

It's matter of where and what are the tattoos. You SHOULD NOT have any face tattoos in the Army. Neck and Hands: very simple. You want to stay in, remove them; if not, thank you for your service, I will always be here for you sister or brother.<div>This what the Army is going for and it might change as it always do.&nbsp;<div>Now remember, THIS IS NOT APPROVED YET. So before we jump the gun and start going all crazy about regulations, let's all wait and see what happens.&nbsp;</div><div>I'm currently in Recruiting school and we have people, including myself, that have tattoos in arms and legs that can be see in short sleeves and shorts. I made it to the screening process for the school and so did my peers.</div><div>&nbsp;I have see a lot of Recruiters already that have tattoos like this before I came to USAREC and in the few months I was in my station before the course and they are very successful Recruiters and some of the most intelligent and knowledgeable NCO's I have met in my almost 9 yrs in the Army.&nbsp;</div><div>I have also met SNCO's, SGM's and Officers in my old unit and other units in Korea with full sleeves tattoos and this didn't took away from them being outstanding leaders. Even a old CSM(RET) from my old Division in Kansas have tattoos in his lower arms</div></div><div>The Era of judging because you have tattoos is long gone.</div><div>13 yrs of war memories can be told just by looking at some soldiers, marines, sailors and airmens arms and legs.</div><div>My opinion, feel free to agree or disagree.</div>

I feel that is a military staple. My own are representative of the two Soldiers that I lost. For the SMA to say they are unprofessional is somewhat unprofessional in my opinion and if he&nbsp;truly feels that way&nbsp;I think he may be "of" the Army but not "in" the Army.&nbsp;

Just saying I would bet that at least 90% probably way more of our SF force has tattoo's and sleeves and all that, I know the reg won't be enforced with them and by all means shouldn't but your saying the soldiers who have these tattoo's don't need to be in the army? Those ones do. On the hand and above the neck got it and agree they shouldn't be visible in our uniforms minus the IPFU, pt's while they are one of our uniforms they aren't for wear out and about so that in my opinion should be the exception.<br>

<p>It is not whether tattoos define the Soldier or not. It is about the appearance of being a professional. Society as a whole will never agree to anything, even less to what is "looking professional", what is "adequate", and "respect".</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Example: would you freely accept financial advice and invest your money from a guy with expanded holes in his ears, a surgically split tongue, a Mike Tyson tribal tattoo in his face, wearing flip flops when he goes to your house to discuss your financial future?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

This is crap. We shouldn't be judged by the art on our arms, but by the content of our character. I swear I have heard something like this before.... Just can't put my finger on it.<br>

Tattoos are acceptable along as they are not extreme. We recently had an IG Inspection and one of the inspectors had tattoos of women (fully clothed) on both sides of his neck. Is that professional? Is it really necessary? I don't agree with people who state that tattoos are forms of expression or statements. What good is a tattoo that you yourself can't see? Defeats the purpose. Tattoos on hands, fingers, necks, and other places that can't be covered just look unprofessional. It's like saying I don't need to wear a suit as a politician or a CEO. I just wish people would stop trying to get organizations to accept them, it's the other way around. We all have to make compromises.&nbsp;