Posted on Sep 24, 2014
Has your military experience inspired you to get a tattoo?
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36% of service members and veterans have tattoos, and more than half of them got their tattoos before deploying. Did you get a tattoo after you joined the military? What inspired you to get one or more?
Tattoos
Infographic
Art
Command Post
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 207
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I got a small tattoo when I first joined the Army. Now that I am retired I have been thinking a lot about getting more tattoos that are specific to my military service.
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MSG David Johnson
I was in the chair 24 hours from Desert Storm, a Viking. My wife and I both got Deployment tattoos in 2004, and 2006.
They may not be military related, but they were a short tradition.
I have a pattern for my back that was drawn up for me in Kuwait in 1991. It had depictions of stuff we had seen or done.
They may not be military related, but they were a short tradition.
I have a pattern for my back that was drawn up for me in Kuwait in 1991. It had depictions of stuff we had seen or done.
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The girls "Dezeray" and "London" on my triceps are the girls I fight for(God daughters). To give them the freedom they deserve to grow up with. "Aurora" is over my heart, being my daughter and closest TO my heart. I keep a rose on my forearm where I see it every day to remind myself that even though it is painful, and there will always be thorns; life, like the rose, is too beautiful and short lived to take for granted. All were added after I joined.
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PO1 John Miller
SPC (Join to see)
That's awesome about your daughter's name being over your heart. I would do the same thing for my own daughter (got the tat designed and everything, just need an artist to do the ink work) but I've already got a tat in that spot (a picture of Woody Woodpecker, lol).
That's awesome about your daughter's name being over your heart. I would do the same thing for my own daughter (got the tat designed and everything, just need an artist to do the ink work) but I've already got a tat in that spot (a picture of Woody Woodpecker, lol).
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I do not I want one but I have a few steps to make sure I do not regret the tattoo...
1. I have to design the tattoo (I have made several designs that I thought were cool)
2. I take that design and place in into a folder (hard copy or computer) and do not look at it for a month. (made it past this step)
3. After a month look at it and see if I think its still cool. If I do I place it back into a folder and do not look at it for at least 3 months.
4. Repeat step 2. (Made it past this step)
5. 3. After a month look at it and see if I think its still cool. If I do I place it back into a folder and do not look at it for at least 6 months. (Have not made it past this step)
6. Get tattoo.
My grandfather had two naked ladies he on his arms that my grandmother forced him to place dresses on when they got engaged (super old school Army).
1. I have to design the tattoo (I have made several designs that I thought were cool)
2. I take that design and place in into a folder (hard copy or computer) and do not look at it for a month. (made it past this step)
3. After a month look at it and see if I think its still cool. If I do I place it back into a folder and do not look at it for at least 3 months.
4. Repeat step 2. (Made it past this step)
5. 3. After a month look at it and see if I think its still cool. If I do I place it back into a folder and do not look at it for at least 6 months. (Have not made it past this step)
6. Get tattoo.
My grandfather had two naked ladies he on his arms that my grandmother forced him to place dresses on when they got engaged (super old school Army).
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SGT (Join to see)
My plan was to get a Phoenix after my divorce! I just need to get it done! I've been divorced for 4 years!
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PV2 (Join to see)
Thanks SFC (Join to see)! I think so too! Anyone who questions it is welcome to step in the ring with me! LOL
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HOOOAH!!! Heck yea!! I had some ink before I went in. However, the tat that has the most meaning to me is the tat I got just after I got my bar. It reads simply, "Soldier." No matter where my journey take me. No matter what my rank. No matter what my mission is.... I will always and forever remain an American Soldier.
I wish I had a picture to show.
(Also, it's with regs.)
I wish I had a picture to show.
(Also, it's with regs.)
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TSgt Daniel Wareham
I am working with a Tattoo Artist on getting mine first, only, and last Tattoo. It will celebrate my 20 years of Military Service, Pay homage to those who died during their service, and express my support for the Constitution.
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Yes, but not until I was about 9 years out of the service. Not much in to tats while in. But the last few years, with them becoming more mainstream, I felt it was a good time to get one.
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I got my 1st Tattoo at 17yo and have added a few over years. A couple are because of the military. I just need to get more.
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No. I have no issues with tatoos. Personally I'm too fickle with what I like in the moment.
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I'm covered in tattoos. I have both arm's sleeved my back and chest. Most of my tattoos are military related. unit crests, POW/MIA, Soldiers' cross, dog tags with my friends name who was lost in battle, airborne wings and the list goes on. I don't regret any of them. They all have a meaning for me. However when I left the military and went in to Law Enforcement I wore long sleeves all year in uniform till I made Invesrigator.
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