Which of these soldiers has tattoos?

2014-05-01T23:04:56-04:00

Warfighters, sound off. Tell me this one doesnt hit you in the gut.

Which of these patriots and Americans has tattoos? (referring to the picture)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2014 11:13 PM

2014-05-01T23:13:43-04:00

SPC Walden,
I think this is a cheap play on emotion to go over a topic like tattoos. How many of these Soldiers were on the overweight program or had ART-15s pending. Hell I could bring up a lot of topics that people the fallen may have been a part of. If you have a good argument you don't have to work through cheap tricks to try and pull at the heart strings.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made May 1 at 2014 11:29 PM

2014-05-01T23:29:14-04:00

I think the tattoo issue is coming up because Garrison mode is becoming reality. The Army is taking this time of draw down to create a certain image. When the surge was in full effect felonies were waived in certain cases to boost numbers. Now that the boosting numbers is not the issue, the Army can regroup and sift out standards that don't meet it's new garrison image. I take the point that tatoos don't hinder, nor reflect a leaders ability. But this is the standard that is now desired by the brass. In the immortal words of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, "Suck it up."

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 1 at 2014 11:43 PM

2014-05-01T23:43:00-04:00

If I were to hazard a guess I would have to say somewhere between none of them and all of them. But my question is this did it matter to their leadership if they had tattoos or not? I would say no. Having a tattoo or two doesn't make you a bad soldier/leader; it is what is in your heart that makes you what you are. Tattoos shouldn't matter, they have been more or less of a military tradition for generations, yet now it has become a decision maker for leadership as to whether someone can lead because they have a tattoo that can be seen. I call bullshit on this idea. Anyone can lead if it is in them to do so. Save your prejudices and judgments that really matter.

Response by LTC Michael Boyd made May 2 at 2014 12:07 AM

2014-05-02T00:07:22-04:00

From the information provided, which is a question of tattoo's and a picture of what looks to be Arlington Cemetery, my response would have to unequivocally be "WHO CARE'S!" Obviously these warrior's paid the ultimate price for freedom and the American way of life. My personal opinion is that as long as the tattoo falls within the guidelines of published regulations (such as Army Regulation AR 670-1), anyone serving in the Armed Forces of this country can have any type of body art they desire.
I have one tattoo that I designed myself because I wanted something that no one else had - and to this day, I have seen MANY tattoo's of the Superman symbol, but none morphed with "Old Glory" running through it as I have mine. AR 670-1, at the time, stated that as long as the tattoo was not visible while wearing the Dress Uniform (Army Green then; Army Blue now), then the tattoo was authorized.
I also have two ear piercing's in the left ear, and a piercing in each nipple. When I was showering after Physical Training one morning, I walked by my First Sergeant who stopped me and proceeded to tell me that I couldn't have those nipple piercing's and to take them out. I responded that if he can show me in AR 670-1 where it says that I can not have them, I would take them out. He couldn't and I didn't.
It is ALWAYS good to check into regulations before taking action of any sort. Just my $0.02.