Has your military experience inspired you to get a tattoo?

Yes I did in remembrance of fallen brothers. Also the American flag with “This We’ll Defend” around it.

I had already wanted to get a tattoo before the military but now I have much more meaningful ink to lay because of the military

It did... Like the tattoo, my service has left an indelible mark upon myself.

All but one of my tats was done while I was in. Majority were done while in Okinawa. Out of them all only 2 don't deal with my service.

Yes but only because I wanted one for a long time and could never decide what I wanted. When I got it I made sure it was what I wanted and had to have significant meaning to me. When I graduated WOC's that's when I decided I knew what I wanted. My tat has my graduation date, with the class mascot (wolf) and signal flags and I've not regretted it for one moment. I might get another one some day or I might not but if I do it will again have to be important to me and not what everyone else has or is doing!

I am 37 years old, and I have 16 years time in service, and I have yet to get a tattoo. I do want a tattoo but it's not because of the Army. I have been a long time Roman history enthusiast since I was a young boy, especially the might of the Roman Legions. On my left upper army I want a tattoo that read, "SPQR" which means Senātus Populusque Rōmānus translated to "The Roman Senate & People", or "The Senate and People of Rome". It was also the mark of the Roman Legions to mark their Soldiers.

I have an American Eagle with Airborne Wings in the middle. Growing up as a Farm Kid in Nebraska, Airborne training and service was the craziest thing I had done in my life, so I decided to immortalize those wings on my right arm. Then after service in Iraq in 2003, I got an outline of the country of Iraq, with a Bronze Star Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Ribbon, and Combat Action Badge in the middle, with O.I.F. O3' under the map. I was initially leery of getting them, but once I got them, I'm glad I did....its a good conversation starter during the summer months, LOL. I've been considering getting a purple heart tattoo with my life date on it, just haven't gotten a chance to get it done yet. All and all, I don't regret getting them.....remember, most tattoos are for life, so don't get anything you aren't willing to live with.

With the latest version of AR 670-1 I am far less inclined to pursue any manner of body modification, given that whether or not something is deemed offensive or extremist is open to personal interpretation based on vague wording of what is or isn't appropriate and could effectively be punitive for administrative actions or UCMJ.

Getting a tattoo never crossed my mind, although many of my shipmates got them. I have no interest in judging those who do get them, they just aren't for me. I think of them as a form self mutilation rather than body art. The data noted above indicates that 64% of service members and veterans did not get a tattoo.

I did joke about it though when I was on active duty. I'd say that I had a certain private part of my reproductive package tattooed, and that under normal circumstance it looked like a tugboat but if I were to get excited in a certain way that it looked more like an aircraft carrier. This sometimes elicited a show-me response from women that I would meet.

Just for laughs as a civilian, I did get a henna tattoo in Mexico. I couldn't wait for it to wear off.

My time in the military has definitely contributed to each of my tattoo's. The first being in 1987 as a young Airman and then in 2008 during my deployment to Iraq. They reflect different times in my life and what I was experiencing. The older one is more comical and the newer one a reflection of being a warrior in combat zone. At least that is my take on them.