Posted on Mar 4, 2015
New SMA learns tattoo policy is still an issue, is it?
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Just read the new SMA got a shock learning the current tattoo policy is not a solved issue. I understand the Army wants to be PC, but come on, we all know tats don't make a good or bad service member. I really think he needs to conduct another survey and get this issue put to bed.
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/03/04/sma-dan-dailey-army-tattoo-policy-jblm-visit/24377435/
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/03/04/sma-dan-dailey-army-tattoo-policy-jblm-visit/24377435/
Tattoos
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DA Pam 670-1
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 28
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First, Let me say I have no tattoos or piercings...
It is good (great) the new SMA is relooking the new/changed policy (and other things in 670-1).
I, personally, could care less how many tattoos a Soldier has. My only redlines (today) are these. You should be not able to see them in uniform, at least the in combat uniform or class A.
But, since I am older.. the standard (albeit unwritten) I was raised with, was you should not be able to see a tattoo in the class B.
I think most agree, no neck, face, hands, fingers..., but the class B might be a harder sell.
My vote would be all OK, so long as you can't see it in the class B...
It is good (great) the new SMA is relooking the new/changed policy (and other things in 670-1).
I, personally, could care less how many tattoos a Soldier has. My only redlines (today) are these. You should be not able to see them in uniform, at least the in combat uniform or class A.
But, since I am older.. the standard (albeit unwritten) I was raised with, was you should not be able to see a tattoo in the class B.
I think most agree, no neck, face, hands, fingers..., but the class B might be a harder sell.
My vote would be all OK, so long as you can't see it in the class B...
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I've always felt this issue was absurd. Just because someoen has a tattoo does not mean they are unprofessional. I've seen this to be true in the civilian world.
Because I have tattoos, I was called into my PL's and then CO's office to "document" what I had.
When I was hired as a teacher, I asked my new boss if he would like me to the tattoo on my forearm covered. He asked me if it was of a naked hula girl. I told him no. His reply, "I don't care then."
This really should be a non-issue.
Because I have tattoos, I was called into my PL's and then CO's office to "document" what I had.
When I was hired as a teacher, I asked my new boss if he would like me to the tattoo on my forearm covered. He asked me if it was of a naked hula girl. I told him no. His reply, "I don't care then."
This really should be a non-issue.
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SGM Mikel Dawson
CPL Brendan Hayes, If you'd told me it was a naked hula girl, I'd have asked if I could watch her dance. Seems like your new boss had a clear mind and the right idea!
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CPL Brendan Hayes
SGM Mikel Dawson, that was the attitude of my platoon sergeants (one of whom did have a hula girl tattoo), thus the trip to the PL and CO.
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http://www.rediviva.sav.sk/55i4/143.pdf
OBJECTIVES: Piercing and tattoos are promoted by fashion and the media and are becoming
more and more popular, especially among young people. The number of young adults acquiring body modification has increased in recent years. Different studies showed a correlation between body modification and self-harm behaviors. The present study investigates the correlation between piercing and tattoo and different psychological and personality disorders.
RESULTS: The statistical analysis of acquired results showed a significant correlation between body modifications and psychological and personality disorder and psychopathologies.
OBJECTIVES: Piercing and tattoos are promoted by fashion and the media and are becoming
more and more popular, especially among young people. The number of young adults acquiring body modification has increased in recent years. Different studies showed a correlation between body modification and self-harm behaviors. The present study investigates the correlation between piercing and tattoo and different psychological and personality disorders.
RESULTS: The statistical analysis of acquired results showed a significant correlation between body modifications and psychological and personality disorder and psychopathologies.
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CPO (Join to see)
Stephens (2003), examining risk behaviors in 550 subjects with tattoos (21 year old adolescents) enlisted in the U.S. Navy and the Air Force, found out that tattooed individuals were more likely to abuse alcohol, smoke, drugs and to drive under alcohol influence.
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CPO (Join to see)
Subjects with piercings or tattoos showed a high frequency of deviant behaviors such as drug use, alcohol abuse, reckless driving, preventing wounds from healing, health deterioration, unusual sexual practices and desire to self harm. The study indicated that people with tattoos are characterized by the use of substances, alcohol abuse, reckless driving, unusual sex while people with piercings seem to be more engaged in preventing wounds from healing, worse health conditions, drugs abuse and self-harm.
Deschesnes et al (2006), Stirn et al (2006), Suris et al (2007), Brooks et al (2003) confirmed the frequent use of substances and other unsafe behaviors in people with piercings and tattoos. Roberts et al (2002) have shown that tattooing were significantly associated with use of substances, unusual sex, violent attitudes and problems in school such as truancy. Even Stephens et al (2003) confirmed the presence of risky behaviors such as smoking, use of controlled substances, alcohol and reckless driving in the military with tattoos. The same results were obtained by Braithwaite et al (2001) on a prison population of 860 inmates with tattoos
Deschesnes et al (2006), Stirn et al (2006), Suris et al (2007), Brooks et al (2003) confirmed the frequent use of substances and other unsafe behaviors in people with piercings and tattoos. Roberts et al (2002) have shown that tattooing were significantly associated with use of substances, unusual sex, violent attitudes and problems in school such as truancy. Even Stephens et al (2003) confirmed the presence of risky behaviors such as smoking, use of controlled substances, alcohol and reckless driving in the military with tattoos. The same results were obtained by Braithwaite et al (2001) on a prison population of 860 inmates with tattoos
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I had an E-7 who had a Viking tattooed on his chest. The Commander and I had to take pictures and write statements it was not racially or gang related/motivated since Vikings were a symbol of white supremacists. The E-7 was 2nd generation Norwegian-American and his name was Jorgenson and he was the nicest man you ever came across - too much PC bull shit.
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CPO (Join to see)
Am I reading this correctly? His tattoo was "a symbol of white supremacists" but it is PC BS that you had to document that he was not a white supremacist....?
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CSM (Join to see)
I think you're turning the words around and reading into it what you want. Word comes down that anyone who had any racial or gang related tattoos had to be identified and face UCMJ for them - this was back around 2005-2006. My point is I had a Soldier whose grandparents were born in Norway and immigrated to the US, a Soldier who spoke Norwegian, a Soldier whose name was Jorgenson, a person whose heritage was Viking and puts a Viking on his chest where you can only see it in the shower. His tattoo was a symbol of his heritage.
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How terrible. I hope that they don't decide to waste more time and money trying to "address" this issue. It's a social difference of opinion, there will never be a point where everyone agrees on tattoos. I personally don't see why the military culture, who made tattoo culture what it is today, needs to keep coming back to this every other year. After I go indef next year I will be less stressed, but still think they need to lay this to rest.
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TATTOOS are just art, and as long as service never army using this art form to express themselves in an obviously offensive or negative way... What does it matter?.. Let's say nothing on the hands, neck or face... Because ultimately the image we should always be worried about is the one when we're in duty uniform....
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It's the same debate in my current profession. Except, in Law Enforcement, the old guys sitting behind a desk are more understanding. And my forearm tattoo is out in front of God and all creation, in short sleeve uniforms.
I'm pretty sure the Military doesn't go as short sleeved as they did in the 90's to 9/11/01. So, why is this truly becoming a problem?
I'm pretty sure the Military doesn't go as short sleeved as they did in the 90's to 9/11/01. So, why is this truly becoming a problem?
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My only response for the tattoo regs is that its okay to be poked in the butt that's 100% acceptable but having a tattoo is unprofessional.
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