New Army Tattoo Policy

The new army tattoo policy has been spreading around like wildfire! It's been pissing off pretty much everyone I know. I can see limiting certain tattoos especially ones on the neck, face and other places where they may show while in uniform. Tattoos and military service have a long history though, and this new rule really puts some limits on some very qualified soldiers that were looking to make the army a career. A friend of mine that worked with me in ComSec while in Germany had the following to say...

"Fuck me! I mean, if ever I got so blatantly screwed by the military this one definitely takes the cake. So I had this plan to work on a warrant officer packet when I got back. However, since I have tattoos in a "sleeve" I can no longer request for a commission, be it OCS or WOCS. I didn't realize that my ink could be so detrimental to how I fucking lead Soldiers, much less do my fucking job. The Army makes all these strides to try and keep itself relevant to society, but then shoots itself in the foot by trying to promote this "professional soldier" ideology"

I have to agree with him completely. He's a great soldier, I have nothing but good things to say about him, his work ethic, and his professionalism.

On another sad note...there are a lot of guys who have memorialized friends and fellow soldiers that they have lost by getting tattoos in their honor. Depending on where the tattoo is located in the wrong place, they may have their future options in the army limited.

• For those of you who don't know here are some of the rules:
• Forbid tattoos on the head, face, neck, hands, fingers and wrists.
• Allow no more than four hand-size tattoos below the elbow and knee.
• Prohibit sleeve tattoos that cover a person’s entire arm.
• Ban sexist, racist, indecent or extremist tattoos.
• Bar enlisted soldiers from requesting commissions as officers if they have tattoos that violate the new policies.
• Require commanders to document any tattoos that violate the new rules among current soldiers.
• Order commanders to check their soldiers for new tattoos every year

You can read more info about this from the News Tribune...the local newspaper of Tacoma near Ft. Lewis.