Posted on Mar 31, 2014
Finishing tattoos the same as getting a new one?
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Last week, my BDE CSM hosted an NCOPD discussing the AR 670-1 updates. When we talked about the tattoo policy, and that no new tattoos can be acquired below the shorts and below the short sleeve of the summer IPFU, I asked if that included those die-hard ink getters who have an elaborate design that takes more than one sitting to complete. If the design is already there, and they go back to have it detailed, or colored in, does that count as a new tattoo, or still the same tattoo that is being completed. Once the CO takes a picture of it, documents it and uploads it, is anything after that considered new?
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Tattoos
Tattoos
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When the Marine Corps went through this a few years ago I knew a guy that was in the process of having his entire arms sleeved out in tribal. The outlines were there but they were not filled in yet. When he took pictures to have them documented he took a black sharpie and he and his buddies filled in the design. This way he had a picture with the "finished" look. He then proceeded to have the rest of his work filled in.
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Personally, I would say that if you have a preexisting tattoo and touch it up or have it filled in then that shouldn't count as a new tattoo. Now, what my personal opinion is and what the Army says are probably not the same thing. To be safe, I would say that if you want the tattoo filled in, you go get it done ASAP, PRIOR to the regulation being officially published. I have a feeling that once your CO does the memo and uploads a photo of the tattoo to your OMPF, then it very well could be considered a new tattoo if you get everything filled in. Its either that or you take the risk of UCMJ for violating the policy.
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SFC Vernon McNabb
MSG F,
Sometimes "getting it done" is easier said than, well, done. Some Soldiers out there have to schedule appointments to have so much work done, then have to reschedule for another appointment. I agree that Soldiers should get it done as soon as possible, but sometimes they are at the mercy of the artist rendering the tattoo.
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SFC (Join to see)
Well, you can call the tattoo artist up now to schedule the next available time, or find another artist too. Where there is a will, there is a way...
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SFC Vernon McNabb
SFC Tierney,
Good suggestion, but anybody with tats will tell you, "Not all artists are created equally". Artists vary as much as the tats, and not all artists can complete the work of another artist because their styles vary. That would be like saying Da Vinci could complete a Van Gogh.
Good suggestion, but anybody with tats will tell you, "Not all artists are created equally". Artists vary as much as the tats, and not all artists can complete the work of another artist because their styles vary. That would be like saying Da Vinci could complete a Van Gogh.
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SFC (Join to see)
I have tattoos as well and totally agree with you about that! I was lucky enough to get in with the artist I wanted to finish up my work before the new reg took effect. I will say that I wouldn't have wanted someone else to finish up the work that the original artist started.
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My understanding of the reg is that once it is documented any addition will be considered a new tattoo. This subjet is touchy for me as well as I want to touch up mine as well,
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CSM Michael Poll
I understand your argument, however, additions to a tatoo which is already documented will , (most Likely) be considered a new tatoo as the documentation will not show your additions. Understand what I am saying, I wish this was not fact but with experiance in such mattters this is the way it will be looked at
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I think it comes down to how you define "finishing up". I'm currently working on a tattoo of 3 Soldiers in Silhouette (below is a picture of one of them). The 3 figures wrap around my leg. Now, the work on this tattoo started in January, prior to the release of the new AR. I have 4 hours already into it with 2 more hours to go. The "finishing up" I have left isn't expanding the overall size of the tattoo (runs from my new to my ankle); it is just adding a background behind the figures and tightening up the bottom area where the figures are standing. And of course as a Veteran, it is easy for me to say all this because the new AR doesn't apply to me but I would say that if a service member is "finishing up" a tattoo that results in the addition to it's overall size, pushing it beyond the whole "no bigger than your hand" thing than yes, they are violating the AR and should be considered "new work". However, if the Service member has a tattoo and is "finishing it up" but just having the outline colored in, than the service member's tattoo should fall under the grandfathering rules.
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SPC Joshua Meadows
That might be one of the most awesome tattoos I've ever seen. Would love to see a photo once it's finished. I have 2 tattoos and I regret that neither of them are "military" related. I might have to start researching getting one.
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SFC Vernon McNabb
I have one tattoo that I got back in 1991. It's my wife's name on my upper left arm. Yes, still married (24 years). I joke with people that I am going to have "If I am lost or unconcious, please contact" above my wife's name, and her phone number below it.
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SGT Ben Keen
Congrats on serving the curse of a name tattoo! The only name that I have on me is one tattoo I have for CPT Chris Seifert. I have a pair of ID tags wrapped around my ankle below a battlefield cross in his honor. I purposely went with lower leg on that one because I try to keep my 15 tattoos hidden while in business attire and I roll my sleeves up to much but still wanted it somewhere where people can see it when I am not at work.
I say at the "if lost" information now while the door is open, you have a few weeks before the AR goes into effect I think ;).
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That is a great question and without a clarification from higher leaves you in a grey area; I would assume, but you know what that gets you, lol, that since the outline is already there, and you are only getting the details filled-in, then you should be ok, but then I am retired so, take that with a grain of salt lol!
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I know this has been said before (and yes, my comment is going to be slightly off topic, so hold your horses ye down-voters), but this whole tattoo policy is completely absurd. I "get" trying to appear more professional in appearance, but let's be honest, this is just a bit extreme. Tattoos are associated with military, and this sounds like some goon in an office (probably the same one who decided to be an idiot about ethic hair styles) had too much time on his hands, and nothing better to do.
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Tattoos are not outlawed, just having more than four the size of your hand (still awaiting guidance on whether that means on each appendage or total.) I wouldn't add detail that increases the surface area of the tattoo if it's pushing the size limits but color does not change the size. You will still need the photos updated if you change the tattoos, though.
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SFC Vernon McNabb
See, I asked my CSM the same question about adding detail or coloring in an existing tattoo, and he had no response. I am not talking about increasing the dimension, which if you are grandfathered in, would not matter the current size, just talking about adding detail within the existing boundaries. I agree with you that it should not matter, but then, who are we compared to the think-tank that come up with all the other rules in the new reg?
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SSG (Join to see)
Four is the total number of tatoos that can be seen below both elbows and knees cumulatively. Four on one appendage or a total of four on several appendages, four is the max number of tatoos.
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Well it could be viewed both ways. I would view it like this (playing devils advocate) Oh I see you have a new tattoo inside the lines of that other tattoo you had?! New ink is just that. new ink! Get them filled in or touched up once you leave the military to avoid putting yourself in a bad situation. Like I used to tell my company when I was a 1SG, If you have to ask if it is ok, or you have any doubt that it is OK then it's probably not OK.
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As a DI and having given this update review to several local units, it all comes down to the quantity and the size (not larger than the hand) not the number of colors or adding to the design. If the tatoo has been started and is outlined, the 'professional' thing to do would be to not leave it half finished. Coloring and details within the same tatoo which does not increase the overall size will not be an issue.
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http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/kentucky-guardsman-sues-tattoo-rules-23552865
Well, if this guy gets his wishes, everybody with tattoos can get paid for them...your thoughts?
Well, if this guy gets his wishes, everybody with tattoos can get paid for them...your thoughts?
ABC News reports on United States politics, crime, education, legal stories, celebrities, weather, the economy and more
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