Full sleeve tattoos, are you for or against all military personnel being "allowed" to have them?

Another positive thing about tattoos, if all tattoos are documented in your service file, they can be used as identification of your body if you are killed in combat and your dog tags are missing.

I see no problem with tats. They've been a tradition in the Navy since Noah was a mess crank.

The army already had rules governing tattoos. Not bellow the wrist or above the neck that could be seen above the collar of your shirt. If you had tats that could be seen when wearing pt's or short sleeve dress shirt then they needed to be in good taste (no naked ladies, raise stuff, etc.). Those rules were good enough and the only reason anyone tried to change them is because one, they have to leave their mark somehow so they feel importantant. And two, I think it was a way to kick out all the crap sacks that came in during the troop surge that should never have been allowed in in the first place. So yeah, sleeves should be allowed. And the ay will loose a lot of good soldiers if they keep messing with this tattoo nonsense, not to mention all the good recruits that won't come in if they try messing with the tattoo regs again.

I have never desired to have a full-sleeve tat, but I also have no issue with anyone that does. As long as when one is in their respective service branch's dress uniform it can be covered by the long sleeve shirt, it should be authorized IMO.

Honestly, I have never understood what all of the fuss is about. The Army as an organization tells you what you can and can't do. This is nothing new, yet people get all bent out of shape when policies are tightened, or when they are relaxed.

For my money, the Army and its senior leaders can do what they want. They make decisions after careful study (at least I like to think so, even though a few of those decisions don't seem to fit that narrative) and implement them. Soldiers can bellyache about it - also nothing new - but they can either get with the program, lodge their concerns through appropriate channels, or get out and do as they please. If Soldiers vote with their feet, leadership will notice.
Where the Army runs into trouble is when it reverses itself, leaving many in the lurch.

This tattoo issue has definitely taken on a life of its own. Tattoos on military members is also nothing new; back in the day it was a kind of right of passage. But I can't help but notice that when the policy was relaxed at the height of the Iraq War, large numbers of Soldiers went nuts running out to get ink done. I don't really think that made the Army a better or worse organization, but it cost the Soldiers plenty, both monitarily and in the perception of future employers who might not think your giant tattoo of a mountain of skulls fits the image they want to project.

Soldiers are not hurt because the Army won't let them cover their arms like a canvas. If you want to do whatever you please, you are in the wrong line of work.

As a leader, it is my job to enforce the standards. Whether or not I agree with them.

In the bees our company master chief has full sleeves. I'd say 98% of the battalion has visible tattoos. It's always been that way. No one asks about you getting tattoos, people get pin ups and beer mugs. It's just a part of the tradition, and I don't see it changing anytime soon.

Why should the military care if anyone gets a tattoo? You aren't destroying gov't property, just giving it a paint job with artistic touch.
Tattoos have been around since long before man ever started sailing on the seas.

One or two tattoos here or there isn't the issue. As a leader you have to take in consideration ones ability to understand moderation. A leader has to understand how unprofessional one looks with too many tattoos. Yes sleeves are big now but back in the day so were high top fades and acid wash jeans.

Tattoos and the military are a time tested tradition. Also, tats are becoming a lot more main stream.

I look at it this way. If you have to do something that requires formal dress, wear long sleeves.

I have a full sleeve tattoo, and my command authorized it! As far as them banning tattoos, good luck lol. To many members have them and will continue to get them. They are a recognized statement of service haha.