What will happen if I get a face tattoo while still active duty army?

Very few reputable tattoo shops will even consider doing a face/hand/neck tattoo on someone who isn’t already almost completely covered because the stigma is that strong.

Why are you trying to fuck up the rest of your life to get out of an unpleasant situation now? If you do it and then refuse to remove it you will not end up with an honorable discharge. That makes all your education benefits go away. Then you have no education, less than honorable discharge and a facial tattoo. No civilian employer will want to mess with that! You will destroy your future earning potential too. Stick it out. Honor your contract. Once you ETS with you honorable discharge, then get a facial tattoo if you still want to be stupid. That way at least you will only be fighting one thing that will make employers not want to hire you instead of many things.

Seriously? I suggest you think a little more long term. Yes a face tattoo will likely get you out but not after some time. If you hate the military that much, you will find a face tattoo will not help you as a civilian either. There are plenty of places that will not hire you with that on your face. Tough it out, do your time and get out responsibly. Life after the military will be better as well

As with most questions on RP, your commander will determine your fate. AR 670-1 Chapter three has your answer. Ctrl F on the document and you can find the following:

Commanders will ensure that Soldiers understand the tattoo policy. If a Soldier has any tattoo or brand that is prohibited under paragraph 3–3b, has any tattoo or brand that is not authorized (such as a tattoo or brand on the face or head or a tattoo on the neck or hand that is not grandfathered), or acquires any new tattoo or brand in violation of paragraph 3–3c, his/her commander will— (1) Counsel the Soldier in writing.

Provide the Soldier with no less than a period of 15 calendar days to seek medical and/or legal advice, fully consider all available options, and respond to the counseling, in writing, by informing the commander that he/she will appeal the finding that the tattoo or brand is in violation of policy, pursue medical procedure(s) to have the tattoo or brand removed (or changed, if applicable), or not have the tattoo or brand removed (or changed, if applicable). (b) If the Soldier elects to have the tattoo or brand removed, the commander will counsel the Soldier on a plan for scheduling the medical procedure(s). Soldiers will receive a reasonable amount of time to schedule the necessary medical procedure(s) and pay for such procedure(s) (if not available at a military treatment facility). If the Soldier declines to have the tattoo or brand removed, the commander will counsel the Soldier in writing.

Enjoy the rest of the contract knowing that your can go to college and use your E5 BAH for all the tats you want...just saying with 1200-1500 you can get alot of work done!!!

I am old school. I think the Army command has gone nuts. Many of us served with some really fine warriors that had ink. I would want them covering my back any day. But the Army command is about having pretty toy soldiers. I find this no different that 75 years ago when black soldiers were seen as inferior b/c of the color of their skin. My unit worked with the SEALs in Iraq 2004-2005. Their one full bird was covered from neck to feet with ink. He also smoked a cigar. A true warrior. To the Army, he is not worthy to wear the uniform. Maybe it's some of those sitting in the Pentagon & behind the company commander's desk who are not worthy enough to wear the uniform.

Un-F*** yourself please...