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Can You Join The Military With Hand Tattoos

Major Revision To Ar 670

Air Force Allows Hand Tattoos Now

AR 670-1, Para 33. Tattoo, branding, and body mutilation policy Released 25 May 2017

Note. This paragraph is punitive with regard to Soldiers. Violation by Soldiers may result in adverse administrative action and/or charges under the provisions of the UCMJ.

a. Tattoos and brands are permanent markings that are difficult to reverse . Before obtaining either a tattoo or a brand, Soldiers should consider talking to unit leadersto ensure that they understand the Army tattoo and brand policy. The words tattooand brand are interchangeable in regards to this policy.

b. The following types of tattoos or brands are prejudicial to good order anddiscipline and are, therefore, prohibited anywhere on a Soldiers body:

Extremist. Extremist tattoos or brands are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies, organizations, or activities. Extremist philosophies, organizations, and activities are those which advocate racial, gender,or ethnic hatred or intolerance advocate, create, or engage in illegal discrimination based on race, color, gender, ethnicity, religion, or national origin or advocate violence or other unlawful means of depriving individual rights under the U.S. Constitution, and Federal or State law .

Indecent. Indecent tattoos or brands are those that are grossly offensive to modesty, decency, propriety, or professionalism.

Sexist. Sexist tattoos or brands are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on gender.

How Long Will I Serve

Enlistedpositions typically require an initial service commitment of four years, but positions involving longer-term training may involve five- or six-year obligations.

Officerpositions typically require an initial service commitment of three to five years, but positions involving longer-term training may involve longer service obligations.

What Tattoos Are Not Allowed In The Coast Guard

Location. Location. Location.

Similar to other branches of the military, the Coast Guard has very specific rules regarding the placement or location of tattoos.

No tattoos or brands are authorized anywhere on the head, scalp, face, and neck.

Otherwise, as far as location of tattoos go, your body is your canvas.

As for content of individual or groups of tattoos, the Coast Guard is particular about what they authorize and what is non-negotiable.

A Coast Guardsman cannot wear any tattoo that promotes:

  • Racism/discrimination
  • Sexual explicitness

You can read all about how the Coast Guard defines the above terms in their official memo announcing the new tattoo policy change.

But before we move on, the Coast Guard does offer guidance in the form of an image collage as to what type of tattoo designs are not authorized .

Coasties are also not authorized to have any body mutilations, also known as intentional alterations and / or modifications to a members body .

Body Piercings are also prohibited, with the exception of women who may have small studded earrings.

As described in the Coast Guards latest uniform regulations, no piercing shall be made through the ear, nose, tongue, chin, eyebrow, or any other body part that would be visible while in any uniform.

This prohibition applies to male and female members alike and is specifically intended to limit the less than military appearance associated with vacant holes in the face and other exposed areas of the body.

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Can I Join The Navy With Hand Tattoos

Hand and neck tattoos are allowed in the Navy. Neck tattoos were recently added to the acceptable list of Navy tattoos so long as they are below one inch in diameter. Tattoos behind the ear are also permitted as long as the ink is not touching the ear directly. The same is true of the head, scalp, and ears.

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Space Force Tattoo Policy 2022

Military Tattoo Policy When Joining a Branch of the Military

The U.S. Space Force, the countrys newest military service branch, allows tattoos on the chest and back , arms, legs, and feet, according to its official policy.

Chest and back tattoos cannot be visible through any uniform or visible while wearing an open collar uniform. One tattoo on the neck or behind the ear is allowed, but it cant exceed 1 inch in any direction. Neck tattoos also cant be located on the front of the neck.

The approved location of a neck tattoo for the U.S. Space Force is shown.

Ring tattoos are limited “to a single band, no more than 3/8 of an inch in width, below the knuckle and above the finger joint on one or both hands.” Only one ring tattoo is allowed per hand, the policy states. Tattoos elsewhere on the hand are not allowed.

There are no other size or placement limitations on tattoos as long as they are in accordance with the official policy.

This story was reported from Cincinnati.

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What Is The Army Tattoo Policy

  • It is an Army policy that a service member may not have tattoos visible on their hands, neck, face, or head. Additionally, the tattoo must be in good taste and not offensive to the uniform.
  • Just because you have a tattoo doesnt mean you wont be accepted into the military. However, if your tattoo violates Army guidelines, it may prevent you from joining. If this happens to you, contact your recruiter for more information about how to apply for a waiver.

I Have Piercings Can I Still Join

Some body piercings will stop you joining, or re-joining:

  • Piercings that change the way you look, like a 4mm flesh tunnel or larger ones

For health and safety reasons, you will need to take off all jewellery before any physical activity in the application process. Once you have joined the Army, you will be told the rules for wearing body jewellery when on and off duty.

NEXT STEPS

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Are Army Officers Allowed To Have Tattoos

Yes, officers of the Army can still have tattoos.

The Army tattoo policy for 2021 is different from previous regulations that held commanding officers to higher physical appearance standards compared to enlisted soldiers.

The new policy basically holds officers to the same rules as enlisted soldiers when it comes to tattoos.

Commanding officers are also responsible for determining if a soldier under their watch gets a new tattoo that is deemed offensive.

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Laser Tattoo Removal Can Give You A Fresh Start

US ARMY TATTOO POLICY, TATTOO WAIVER PROCESS AND INSIGHTS OCT 2021

If you are considering enlisting in any branch of the armed forces, and you have tattoos that you think could pose a problem, laser tattoo removal could be just what you need. Using the latest technology, we can work on your tattoo safely, quickly, and effectively.

We understand that it is a bummer to have a prohibited tattoo and want to enlist in the military. Fortunately, with the advanced technology available today, even a tattoo doesnt have to be forever and there is still a chance for you to enlist!

Your recruiter might have mentioned that you can get a waiver for your tattoo. While waivers are possible in some circumstances, you do not want to hang your entire career on the hope that you will get one. Whats more, even if you do get a waiver, you cannot be sure that the offending tattoo will not sabotage your career by hindering future promotions.

Keep in mind that tattoo removal can take some time, and may require more than one treatment session. As such, you should be diligent to plan accordingly when it comes to scheduling your tattoo removal treatment. Dont wait until the week before you are supposed to visit the Military Entrance Processing Station . Rather, schedule your consultation as soon as you can, and we can help you get started on the road to establishing your military career.

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Adapting To The New Army Tattoo Policy For 2021

The Army tattoo policy is a constant revolving door.

Therefore, soldiers with tattoos that were previously compliant to military policies yet have since been deemed inappropriate can get grandfathered in.

Regardless, it is impossible to have a tattoo on the face or head grandfathered because these locations on the body were never authorized in the military.

Army soldiers are inspected routinely for new body art as well as other regulations of its grooming standards.

Attempting to hide or cover up tattoos in violation of the policy is a bad idea and will inevitably end up with disciplinary action.

Before obtaining a tattoo it is recommended that soldiers , speak to a unit leader/recruiting coordinator to ensure the ink falls within acceptable standards.

Space Force Tattoo Regulations

As of the writing of this article, we were unable to locate a tattoo policy for the U.S. Space Force, the sixth and newest branch of the military.

Even though we found guidance on Space Force uniforms and insignia, we advise you to speak with a recruiter and become familiar with the Air Force tattoo policy as the Space Force is situated within the Air Force.

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Army Policy On Tattoos Has Changed For The Better

Posted by Lark Tattoo,

SMA explains Armys new tattoo policy

Under the Armys new tattoo policy, soldiers will be able to have ink on their arms and legs as long as it isnt visible in the Army Service Uniform.

This means sleeves are once again authorized as long as they dont extend past the wrist, Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey told Army Times.

As long as its not visible in the Army uniform thats the spirit of what we went after, he said.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno announced the upcoming policy change Wednesday afternoon at the Association of the United States Army conference in Huntsville, Alabama.

The more lenient tattoo rules are based on input from soldiers, Odierno said.

Society is changing its view of tattoos, and we have to change along with that, Odierno said. It makes sense. Soldiers have grown up in an era when tattoos are much more acceptable and we have to change along with that.

After many Army Times readers questioned the validity of the news because it was announced on April Fools Day Dailey stressed on Wednesday evening that the policy change is real.

We didnt pick April Fools Day. Its real, he said. I have a copy of the AR 670-1 update here.

Soldiers are still not allowed to have tattoos on their neck, head, face, wrists or hands. The exception is a ring tattoo on each hand, Dailey said.

Also banned are tattoos that are sexist, racist, extremist and derogatory, he said.

April 2 comes quick, Dailey said.

What About Tattoos After You Are Enlisted

Can You Have Hand Tattoos In The Navy
  • Once youre enlisted, its important to be careful about the type of tattoo you get. You cant get a tattoo that violates any of the rules above or that would be deemed inappropriate if you get a tattoo while in the military. It will be covered with makeup or temporary tattoos.
  • A tattoo is a form of body modification in which human skin is altered by inserting ink beneath the epidermis through puncture wounds on the skin. The process of tattooing involves using needles to inject ink into the dermis layer of skin, which results in pigment-filled pigmented tissue in the subcutaneous layer. Tattooing is a form of body modification that serves no medical purpose. There are various types of tattoos, such as Japanese-style tattoos, western-style tattoos, and tribal tattoos.

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Options For Recruits Looking For A Fresh Start

As mentioned, tattoo rules vary by military branch. No matter branch you hope to join, tattoos on the face, neck, and hands are highly regulated . Covering up a face, neck, or hand tattoo will usually not be an option. Most recruits with these tattoos or other tattoos such as sleeve tattoos, tattoos with sexist or extremist messages, and other tattoos that radically alter their personal appearance will benefit from visiting a tattoo removal clinic.

Will The Army Pay To Remove Tattoos

The Army will not pay to remove existing tattoos prior to joining the military branch.

The only way you could get compensation for tattoo removal from the U.S. government is if the Army tattoo policy changed after you enlisted.

For example, if a commanding officer determined your tattoo violates its policy, you could request funding for the removal.

However, those circumstances happen infrequently in the U.S. Army.

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Joining The Military Or Aspiring To Be Promoted Your Tattoos Could Have An Impact

Each US military branch has its own appearance policies and tattoo policy that dictates the type, size, and location of allowable tattoos. However, all military tattoo policies are consistent regarding the content of allowed tattoos. Tattoos in the military cannot feature vulgarity, nudity, graphic violence, or any sentiments that could be considered racist, elitist, or anti-government. If the content of a military tattoo is in question, the decision is made by the soldiers commanding officer.

I Have Adhd Can I Join The Army

Explaining the Army tattoo policy

Yes. Previously ADD or ADHD was automatically disqualifying, but today it is only disqualifying if the applicant has been treated with ADD/ADHD medicine within the previous year or if they display obvious signs of the condition. If you are concerned about ADHD medical prescriptions, talk to your recruiter about potential options.

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What Tattoos Are Allowed In The Marines

There are restrictions regarding content of tattoos, but well get to that in a bit.

  • Sleeve tattoos are now allowed but cannot fall below the wrist.
  • Band tattoos are permitted.
  • Tattoos are not allowed above the collar bone and cannot be seen above the uniformed fitted T-shirt.

Hand tattoos are prohibited in the Marines, with the exception of a single band tattoo on the finger.

They can have a single band tattoo of no more than 3/8 of an inch in width on one finger.

Us Army Tattoo Policy 2022

Specifically, soldiers can now have one tattoo on each hand as long as it doesnt exceed 1 inch in length. They can have one tattoo no larger than 2 inches on the back of their neck. One, 1-inch tattoo is also allowed behind each ear.

Additionally, tattoos between fingers are OK as long as the designs “cannot be seen when the fingers are closed,” officials said. The Army already allows tattoos on soldiers arms and legs as long as they do not become visible above the collar.

Face tattoos are prohibited, and soldiers are not allowed to cover up tattoos with bandages or wrappings to comply with the policy, officials said. Tattoo designs must not contain any “offensive, extremist or hateful words or images.”

FILE IMAGE – U.S. Army Col. Scott D. Wilkinson delivers a message to members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division prior to their departure for Europe on July 6, 2022, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty

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Amid Recruiting Crunch Army Approves Small Hand Ear And Neck Tattoos For Soldiers

WACO, Texas – U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth on Thursday issued a new policy allowing soldiers to have small tattoos on their hands, ears and necks.

The Army Times reports the U.S. military is struggling to find recruits right now. With three months remaining in fiscal 2022, the U.S. Army has only attained 40 percent of its enlisted recruiting goal.

The following tattoos are now authorized for Army soldiers:

  • One visible tattoo on each hand smaller than one inch in measurement. This tattoo cannot be on the fingers, though one ring tattoo per hand is okay, as are an unlimited number of tattoos between the fingers, as long as they are not visible when the fingers are closed.
  • One tattoo on the back of a soldiers neck, less than two inches in measurement.
  • One tattoo behind each ear, no larger than one inch in measurement and not extending beyond the ear lobe.

READ THE U.S. ARMYS MEMORANDUM ON SOLDIER TATTOOS:

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Tattoos And The Military: The Dos And Donts If You Want To Join The Service

Can You Join The Army With Tattoos

A lot of people have tattoos, and our reasons for getting them range from acknowledging meaningful, life-changing moments to a weekend bender in L.A., New York, or Miami that ends up at an ink shop. Its your body and you can put whatever you want wherever you want. Right? Well, that depends on your future plans. Pay attention to what comes next if you plan to join the military after high school or college or if youre already in the armed services.

This next line is tough for me to get out, but your mama was right: Think before you ink. Each of the armed services has different regulations that change on a continuing basis. If youre already in the service, your existing tattoos are grandfathered in, but the doesnt mean they cant hurt your chances at a promotion. Also, new tattoos have to meet the stricter requirements, which leads to my next point.

If you tend to make rash decisions after drinking, make sure at least one of your buddies has your back. You might want to pick someone big enough to deter you from making stupid things that involve a tattoo shop. Anything thats going to follow you to the grave deserves deliberate intention, so if you hanker for body art, plan it out and go to a reputable place that understands military regulations. Dont drink then ink.

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Your Simple Guide To Military Tattoo Policies For 2021

No military regulation has been more closely watchedand more frequently changedthan the dos and donts of tattoos. Last week, the Marine Corps revised its policy, allowing the sleeve tattoo and also permitting officers more than four tattoos visible in uniform. Both officers and enlisted can now tat themselves up as much as they want, as long as its not on the face or neck. And hands may sport only one finger ring tattoo. The reason for the change is simple: recruiting and retention. Nearly half of young adults have tattoos, and many have several. The new Marine Corps Bulletin 1020 emphasizes balance between decorum and practicality: The American people expect Marines to be disciplined, physically fit, and ready to accomplish any mission. They also expect Marines to represent the nation they are sworn to protect.

The new policy, the bulletin goes on to say, ensures that the Marine Corps maintains its ties to the society it represents and removes all barriers to entry for those members of society wishing to join its ranks.

With the new Marine Corps policy, the service branches regulations on tattoos are now nearly identical. If youre curious about these rulesand the slight variations among themheres an updated comprehensive guide:

All five major branches of service agree that there must be no tattoos on these body parts:

Neck: The Navy is the only branch to allow a single neck tattoo. One neck tattoo, no larger than 1-inch in diameter, is permitted.

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