Do you have tattoos? Have they held you back so far?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 15:59:59 -0400

This subject always gets me fired up....

Do you have tattoos? have they held you back so far?

First let me put it out there, I have one sleeve on my left arm. They say we are grandfathered but yet I may be told no for Drill due to my tattoos....wait...but yet grandfathered...hmmm.... I don't see that as being grandfathered I see it as hanging something over my head that I only started doing after joining the Army. No I don't blame the army I have never been the type to point a finger for any of my short comings but with that being said if it does get denied because of that then I don't see how I am grandfathered I mean yeah im not getting kicked out but I would be getting told no when I know for a fact my packet is air tight! everything exceeded. I even went as far to include a short letter about my character and how serious I am about giving the army all I have and if the only reason I get told no is my tattoos I will immediately have them removed before proposed school date. either way I will not let anyone stop me from going to do this job and if that's what it takes then so be it. I understand the whole professionalism and the nine yards of why but My Tattoos DOES NOT define my leadership! I can shoot move and communicate with the best of them and I strive for greatness, hate mediocrity, and not afraid to fail at all.... so I guess my question is to you guys of uniform and ink,......

has your tattoos held you up yet or you have gotten a pass on due to them?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 7 at 2014 4:36 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 04:36:55 -0500

For the benefit of us who have since retired, what is the "New" current policy?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2014 5:57 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 05:57:17 -0500

I have them and continue to get them in the allowed hidden areas. When I retire I plan on inking up even more.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 5:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 17:16:52 -0400

I know this post is quite a bit old and hopefully since posting this you have attended school because SMA Dailey rescinded the tattoo policy. During my time as a DSL I only witnessed 3 candidates get dropped for tattoos and it was because they were viewed as being offensive. Before the candidate was released from the program they asked several people if they would see the Tattoo as offensive and the different Soldiers all said it was seen as offensive.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 10:24 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 10:24:51 -0500

I have one on each upper arm. They are both fully covered by a T-shirt. Most people never even know I have them unless they happen to see me in the shower.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2018 7:03 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 19:03:36 -0500

I understand why you're frustrate, and I agree the tattoo policy is not the Armys best work. But, the Army has always been picky about who they select for drill and recruiting. Even during the surge they had the corporal recruiters and SGT drills, they were still picky about who they hired for those jobs. Good luck to you and I hope you get the job you want.