Military Tattoo Culture and Regulations
Introduction
Tattoos in the military are nothing new. For decades and even longer body art has been on display in one way or another by those in the armed forces. In the present day however regulations that have been placed upon what type of ink an enlisted man or woman can sport have changed the landscape of the military. The tattoo culture dates back as far as ancient Egypt, and has been carried forth to the present era. While it used to be used a a means of identifying soldiers and their exploits, now it is a much more individualistic expression that has gained a great deal of attention. The regulations of the military were once quite lax when considering the prominence of tattoos, but as of late have become quite strict.
Rules for Tattoos by Military Branch
Each branch of the military has their own rules for tattoos and what is allowed, but several of them are similar. A few of those rules include:
1) The tattoos cannot denote gang-affiliations, hate speech, or any other form of socially unacceptable images or jargon. (Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy)
2) No ink is permitted on the head, neck, or hands. (Marines, Air Force, Navy)
3) Tattoos must be able to covered by the individual's uniform. (Marines, Army, Air Force, Navy)
Conclusion
It is possible obtain a waiver for a tattoo under special circumstances, such as a tribal tattoo that denotes cultural heritage, but in all other cases tattoos must adhere to the basic rules in order for the candidate to be considered for service. The military has a long history of tattoo culture dating back centuries, but in the modern era the desire is to show a more professional front that does not include an overabundance of body art.
