Posted on Jan 26, 2016
Confederate flag tattoo stops man from joining Marines
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The Marine Corps confirmed that a man was told his tattoo of a Confederate flag made him ineligible to join the Marines because it violates the service’s policy on body ink.
“These Confederate flag tattoos have been denied in the past,” said Capt. Dustin Pratico, a spokesman for the 8th Recruiting District. “It’s a not new thing. This isn’t the first time that it’s ever happened. This is just one of the times it happened to catch media attention.”
The story was first reported on Jan. 20 by the Little Rock TV station KARK 4. Pratico confirmed that Anthony Bauswell made a “verbal commitment” to join the Marine Corps on Jan. 18 at a recruiting station in Conway, Arkansas. A staff noncommissioned officer in charge then interviewed Bauswell as part of the recruiting process.
“These Confederate flag tattoos have been denied in the past,” said Capt. Dustin Pratico, a spokesman for the 8th Recruiting District. “It’s a not new thing. This isn’t the first time that it’s ever happened. This is just one of the times it happened to catch media attention.”
The story was first reported on Jan. 20 by the Little Rock TV station KARK 4. Pratico confirmed that Anthony Bauswell made a “verbal commitment” to join the Marine Corps on Jan. 18 at a recruiting station in Conway, Arkansas. A staff noncommissioned officer in charge then interviewed Bauswell as part of the recruiting process.
Confederate flag tattoo stops man from joining Marines
Posted from armytimes.comPosted in these groups: 
Marines
Marines
Posted >1 y ago
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL I looked at the Marine Corps' tattoo policy. The Marine Corps’ tattoo policy bans “anything that can be viewed as prejudice, racist, sexist or offensive".
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Decisions we make have consequences. I've also heard other stories of prospective recruits being told not to get tats being the Corps was hard on that before graduating.
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That is interesting SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL that Anthony Bauswell was told his tattoo of a Confederate flag made him ineligible to join the Marines because it violates the service’s policy on body ink.
Thanks CPT (Join to see) for posting Marine Corps’ tattoo policy bans “anything that can be viewed as prejudice, racist, sexist or offensive." I looked at the tattoo and it didn't seem patently offensive since the tattooed words were "southern pride." and the Stars and Bars is still part of several United States state flags - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi all retain elements of the stars and bars flag .
I thought the tattoo policy had been changed last year so that tattoos were permitted. It appears that there is not a change to DoD policy on tattoos. It would make sense for each Service to have the same standard. the only way that would happen is if DoD issues a clarifying change to policy or retains the previous non-tattoo, body piercing,etc. Unfortunately that train left the station when Army changed its policy.
Thanks CPT (Join to see) for posting Marine Corps’ tattoo policy bans “anything that can be viewed as prejudice, racist, sexist or offensive." I looked at the tattoo and it didn't seem patently offensive since the tattooed words were "southern pride." and the Stars and Bars is still part of several United States state flags - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi all retain elements of the stars and bars flag .
I thought the tattoo policy had been changed last year so that tattoos were permitted. It appears that there is not a change to DoD policy on tattoos. It would make sense for each Service to have the same standard. the only way that would happen is if DoD issues a clarifying change to policy or retains the previous non-tattoo, body piercing,etc. Unfortunately that train left the station when Army changed its policy.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
LTC Stephen F. I am confused on this one, I know the Army is going back and forth. I think the DOD needs one standard for all, this is confusing "Yes or No" is what it comes down to make a standard for all the Armed Forces.
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LTC Stephen F.
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL - I concur it would make sense for DoD to establish a uniform policy of tattoos, body piercing, etc. Unfortunately that train seems to have already left the station since Army changed its policy.
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