I just made MSgt & want to be a 1st Sgt. I have both my arms tattooed. Will I get denied?

Shouldn't be if they are out of sight

No.

No.....I start 1st Sgt training this fall...more to come if you want to Facebook IM me at your discretion.....Cheers and all the best -- KT out!

I know I am chiming in a little late, first off Congrats on MSgt, Secondly, I retired in 08 and I am sure things have changed but at that time the AF was desperate for Shirts. Press forward with your dreams, I doubt that the ink will hold you back but if it does, another route to go is PCS and try at new station. The PCS thing may happen depending upon how deep your base is on MSgt's in your career field - Best of Luck to you

You have to be vectored under DSD to become a shirt, so it's on your leadership to decide if they would vector you. If you're out of regs "25%" of the exposed body part I personally can't we how you would be allowed to be a shirt, for shirts are supposed to enforce regs and you would be out of regs. Personally start with taking to your leadership and see if they'll vector you.

I heard that the tattoo policy is being phased out July 1st?! Not sure if it is accurate, I do not have tattoos but worth looking into.

My two cents: If you are within the regulation, instruction or policy, and or you are grandfathered in, you should have no issues. Lead by example, do as I say and not as I do, may not be your case if you are good at your job. Tattoos as something the services have not been able to pin point or at least stay on target for more than a few years at the time, while one reg is running, then people get new tattoos, and then the regulation changes and then they are out of regulation. In order for this not to happen again, the armed service would need to ban tattoos altogether. Not happening. Again, as long as you are good at your job, and take care of your subordinates, it shouldn't be an issue as to how many tattoos you have. I knew a very influential, top notch 1SG (Army) with both full sleeves. (Probably he created some envy from those who wanted to be like him). Tattoos now a days are part of the military culture, they are more significant that before; they just don't represent service, but sometimes represent a memorial for fallen buddies. This is something that does not need more fixing. If it is not vulgar, racist, sexist, or any of the -ists, they should just leave it that.

Congrats on the promotion , but to be quite frank you may not be eligible under current regulations. That being said I would still try and apply for the position. If you are denied and it means that much to you they do have techniques to remove tattoos and that's always an option. Quite honestly I don't know how that works other than that uses lights/lasers to nullify the die and I'm not sure how it works with darker skin. What I'm saying is, go for it, if denied ask what they would like to see an order for you to fill that position. If it comes down to tattoos or promotion you decide what's more important. So you can 1) stay in retire at the rank you're at and the position you hold now 2) get promoted because that's what they choose to do with you 3) Fork up the money to remove the tattoos and do that 4) take it as a sign that it's time to look for an exit strategy and your next step in life .... So go for and see what happens and have the contingency plans worked out in your head in advance. This way you're not disappointment just move to phase 2 phase 3 etc. ... I think your biggest disappointment would be not to try .

I would also like to share my personal views on tattoos, I'm not all that fond of them but I'm also not against them. My body is free of ink, but I have never looked down on anyone who has them and I also understand when guys in the unit or guys you serve with in combat, commemorate their experience/s and bonding with one. I'm surprised in fact that it isn't required after a combat tour :) but for me no ink I tell my kids it so when the bank cameras zoom in on me they have less information to ID me with after the robbery :).

If I were you, and I were interested in future advancement, I'd work on writing skills and ignore the tattoo issue.

Why would you be denied? I am not sure what the Air Force policy is for tattoos while already serving, but it should not be a problem.