How many of you have service tattoos? And what are your thoughts on them?

I have some ideas in mind for tattoos but have yet to go under the needle.

20 years USN zero tattoos. Not that I wouldn't I just have not found one that I want forever.

In my twenty-five years of service, I've did without, because I was never born with any.

I think they are a time honored tradition. Serves as a reminder of the struggles gone through. I have one and most of the guys I work with have them too.

I have a simple USMC bulldog tattoo on my forearm. I’ve had it for almost 30 years now. Sure, it’s faded and smudged but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve found over the years that service tattoos are a great icebreaker and conversation piece. Especially when they are seen by people who have never served. Sure, I’ve ran into some people who hate the military and showed me their disgust but for the most part, all of the comments I’ve gotten over the years have been positive. The younger crowd really likes them.

I have the 3rd ID Marne Division Bull Dog with the 1SG insignia on his helmet and I absolutely love that soldiers are expressing their patriotism through tat's.

I have dolphins (submarine qualified) because I am forever a submariner. I knew a lot of guys that got some stupid tattoos. I'm sure they regret them now but if that's what someone wants to do then it's their body.

My brother has four or five tattoos that he got while in the Navy from 1957 ~ 1961. They've faded and some are hard to tell what they are. During my years in the U.S.A.F., 1965 ~ 1992, they had regulations against tattoos although I don't recall a single instance where anyone was disciplined for having one. Those who did concealed them pretty well.

Having seen the badly faded tattoos on my Uncles and other Vets who served in WW2, I was never tempted to get them. OTOH, I'm not at all critical of those who do. I'm neither for nor against tattoos. It's a personal choice and I've seen some amazing service related tattoos.

I never got a tattoo of any kind. My philosophy about that is: "If God wants me to have a tattoo, He will give me another scar!"

You don’t put bumper stickers on a Ferrari.