Does anyone think the Air Force will follow the Army's decision in now allowing full sleeve tattoos?

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 03:05:00 -0400

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 4 at 2015 3:08 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 03:08:02 -0400

I think ALL branches will follow suit. Tats are becoming more accepted in normal society and the military is slowly starting to "catch up."

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 4 at 2015 3:36 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 03:36:05 -0400

I wouldn't hold my breath on it. Air Force has always kept their noses just a little higher than the rest of us.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 5:01 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 05:01:41 -0400

I'd be surprised if the Air Force follows suit. You have such a different culture from the rest of us, and I can't picture full sleeves being part of it.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 5:25 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 05:25:22 -0400

They may allow sleeves, but if they do, I see them requiring them to be covered will in uniform.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jun 4 at 2015 7:16 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 07:16:39 -0400

I could see it being a remote possibility, but not likely based on the fact the sleeves wouldn't be able to be concealed/covered when wearing the PT Shirt or Short Sleeve Blue Shirt.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 10:42 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 10:42:11 -0400

Eventually. They Military and Air Force may change slower than society, but eventually when they can't meet recruiting and retention numbers they will be forced to change.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Jun 4 at 2015 10:58 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 10:58:39 -0400

Not anytime soon. We seem to be going the route of making standards more strict.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 4 at 2015 12:10 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 12:10:47 -0400

I think the reason the Army cut sling in 1948, was so the Army Air Corps could do whatever they wanted in these types of matters...since they became the Air Forces has continued to whatever they wanted.

Response by SrA Erin Hood made Jun 4 at 2015 4:43 PM

SrA Erin Hood — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 16:43:19 -0400

Personally, I would hope not.

Although I do love art, and support a person's right to do as they ought (including tattoos and body modifications), I myself have no tattoos.

I just don't think that such a policy would reinforce the highest level of standards for active duty Air Force members.

Perhaps it would be interesting for the Air Force to conduct a branch-wide survey of all its members and see what the real consensus is compared to the standing policy.

Members are citizens with rights too, but Mission, Standards and Doctrine are what sets a branch apart form the others.