How long do tattoo waivers take?

John Aaron — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 12:14:39 -0400

I have never served, so I have no idea about this. I have been through meps, taken my asvab, and I'm good to go. The recruiter said it could take up to 60 days, and today is now day 67 (calender days i haven't hit 60 business days if it matters). The following weekend it will be 60 calendar days from when it got into the USAREC.

The tattoo is on the inside of my middle finger, and all it is, is six lines that makes a ruler. Is there something going on that I don't know/ supposed to know? Or am I just freaking out over nothing?

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2019 12:25 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 12:25:05 -0400

Best to just maintain contact with your Recruiter or the Station Commander. Is that the only waiver you are pending? Tattoo waivers can take a bit because of location and albeit a dumb rule, they do need to verify it isn't gang related and that can add some time to it as well. So stay in contact but be patient as best as you can. Don't read anything more into it at this point. Should have no issue getting it approved if that is all the tattoo is.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 4 at 2019 6:05 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 18:05:53 -0400

How long does ANYTHING in the Army take? Exactly as long as it needs to.

I know that is a horrible answer, but it honestly the most accurate. While there are generalities for every procedure, whether it is promotion, recruitment, retirement, mobilization, or just getting chow, there are also always individual variations. This is doubly true with waivers. Published timelines are (for the most part) guidelines. I wouldn't worry about it unless your recruiter starts worrying about it.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2019 12:01 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Apr 2019 00:01:03 -0400

My arm tattoo goes just at my wrist line and had to get it approved the day I shipped out last minute So I am unsure about the time line for a waiver submitted ahead of time. However, I had an Re code waiver go up the chain really fast and sat at the top for 60 business days until finally approved. It was stressful and annoying but I checked in with my recruiter 3 times a week (which sounds crazy but he appreciated it and had everyone in the office invested) but when I finally just took a breath and stopped obsessing, it was approved. It was 3 months total from when it was initially sent in. Good Luck

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2019 12:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 12:07:34 -0400

Must be something else holding you back or you’re not saying.

Response by Jon Dabz made Oct 22 at 2019 10:37 AM

Jon Dabz — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 10:37:37 -0400

I have tattoos on both of my hands. Just the top of my right hand but i have small tattoos on each finger of my left hand as well as on the back of my hand. None of them are gang related racist or offensive in any way. Does anyone know if a waiver would be possible???

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Sep 3 at 2020 4:30 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 16:30:28 -0400

Get it removed and you won’t have an issue.