Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Uncle Sam might not want you (Army deems most unqualified to serve)
Wichita Eagle ^ | 3/13/06 | PAULINE JELINEK

Posted on 03/16/2006 5:19:05 PM PST by Libloather

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-65 next last
To: Lunatic Fringe
The military checks your criminal record, so that's not the reason.

Does that also include juvenile records? It'll be hard to convince me that a 17 year old festooned with tatoos doesn't have gang tendencies even though he hasn't been convicted.

21 posted on 03/16/2006 6:02:56 PM PST by fso301
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Sarajevo
It does no such thing. It only brings a visual opinion of a soldier. You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

I know I shouldn't but I still do. If I see a gold toothed 17 year old festooned with tatoos, my first inclination is not to think what a fine display of body art.

22 posted on 03/16/2006 6:09:29 PM PST by fso301
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: SFC Chromey
Tatoos are dirty looking and disgusting. Worst thing you can do.
I cannot understand why people want to look like a damn Hells angel and whats up with this chopper thing.
Its the same as clean cut kids wanting act like and dress like a gang bangers.
Grow up people and quit trying to emulate dysfunctional parts of our society.
23 posted on 03/16/2006 6:13:47 PM PST by Roverman2K
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: gondramB
Wow, the only people in my extended family who have tattoos are veterans - it's weird that current regulations would exclude them.

WTF? Do they have them on their FACES or something? If they are the traditional military tatoos on the upper arms, shoulder, or torso, then they are not "excluded by current regulations."

On the other hand, if they look like this guy, then frankly they deserve to be excluded.


24 posted on 03/16/2006 6:17:24 PM PST by FreedomCalls (It's the "Statue of Liberty," not the "Statue of Security.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Lunatic Fringe

Have you served?


25 posted on 03/16/2006 6:19:39 PM PST by johniegrad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: fso301
Wrong you are! Of the 35 men in my platoon, at least 20 had tattoos and were nothing but the fiercest Constitutionists. Surprising to say many were college grads before we deployed.

I'm still amazed they got through college without losing their hard core, no-slack edge.

(However I will NOT speak about the population in general, most of whom are nothing but oxygen wasters.)
26 posted on 03/16/2006 6:23:59 PM PST by SFC Chromey (We are at war with Islamofascism)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Lunatic Fringe
Really, tatoos make you a criminal?

Never heard of what is called a "Jail House Tattoo" have you?

27 posted on 03/16/2006 6:41:28 PM PST by org.whodat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: johniegrad

Yes, six years in the U.S. Navy... and if you don't have a tatoo, you're not a sailor.


28 posted on 03/16/2006 6:43:12 PM PST by Lunatic Fringe (Olfrygt: the nagging fear of being unable to find beer while out of town.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: Lunatic Fringe
The ban on tattoos is kind of silly.

In 1943 while just out of bootcamp San Diego USNTS I had a tattoo of a pair of crossed Prep Flags tattooed on my right, middle, top side of my right arm signifying I was a Signalman Striker, I was proud of being chosen to attend the Navy's class "A" school and qualify to be a Signalman on a ship of the U.S.Navy which I did and was on board this ship for two years and three invasions(Asiatic Pacific Fleet)as what was considered at the time as being a member of an elite group known as the "Eyes of the Fleet" that really inpressed a 17 year old West Texas kid who had only been on one train and that was to get to California to get in the Navy.

Anyway twenty-four years later I applied for duty with the U.S. Border patrol(the second time I was allowed to be interviewed)due to the fact I had passed the entrance exam the second time after almost three years of waiting(red tape)and during the interview I was told I would be required to have this tattoo removed if I was accepted as I could be identified by illegals and could not do any undercover work.

Now here is this old station chief(who had been in the Patrol for 45 years)with an eagle emblazoned on his right upper arm in very bold art in a beautiful dark blue with all the attendant trimmings that go with eagle tattooes.

He noticed I was looking at his tattoo and he remarked to his interview helper as an aside(another old grizzled chief)that he was planning to have it removed after 45 years as he was told to do by his superiors, I just smiled and was rejected anyhow because I was too old although that was not allowed to be used to reject an applicant.

Their reason for my rejection was I just wasn't what they were looking for!

Now that reason was not on the table for argument and was plain enough so I never tried the third time!

You know after awhile even the hard-headed ones finally get the message and give up don't they?

Just think of what might have been the outcome of WW2 if the Navy had been that picky when I tried to join up(of course I am only kidding, it might even have been over sooner).

29 posted on 03/16/2006 6:46:01 PM PST by VOYAGER
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: org.whodat
Never heard of what is called a "Jail House Tattoo" have you?

Never heard of what is called a causal fallacy, have you?

30 posted on 03/16/2006 6:47:43 PM PST by Lunatic Fringe (Olfrygt: the nagging fear of being unable to find beer while out of town.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: FreedomCalls

"WTF? Do they have them on their FACES or something? If they are the traditional military tatoos on the upper arms, shoulder, or torso, then they are not "excluded by current regulations.""

Nope the family tattoos (at least the ones I've seen) like a Navy symbol or "mother."

The article, though, made it sound like a tattoo was enough for rejection.


31 posted on 03/16/2006 6:49:32 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: VOYAGER
during the interview I was told I would be required to have this tattoo removed if I was accepted as I could be identified by illegals and could not do any undercover work.

Well, that's a very logical reason.

32 posted on 03/16/2006 6:49:50 PM PST by Lunatic Fringe (Olfrygt: the nagging fear of being unable to find beer while out of town.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Lunatic Fringe
Yes, six years in the U.S. Navy... and if you don't have a tatoo, you're not a sailor.

False. Johniegrad, , USN 1979-1987, no 'toos. NRMC PortsVA 1979-1983, USNH RoosRds PR 1983-86, NRMC PortsVa 1986-7.

33 posted on 03/16/2006 7:00:01 PM PST by johniegrad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Lunatic Fringe
Well, that's a very logical reason.

It certainly made sense to me and I had already made up my mind to have it removed but not before final acceptance which would be allowed such as if you were told to lose a specific amount of body weight, this happened to a DPS trooper who was told he had to lose 45lbs. then he would meet their weight criteria!

He told them to shove it he wasn't going to diet and exercise that much for any job opportunity and that he already had a good job!

34 posted on 03/16/2006 7:05:48 PM PST by VOYAGER
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: gondramB
The article, though, made it sound like a tattoo was enough for rejection.

If the tattoo can be covered by an ordinary long-sleeve shirt, then it is OK. The new change is that they are allowing tattoos on the back of the neck which show when wearing a shirt as well. Anchors, the Marine Insignia, or "Mother" on the upper arm are still allowed (and always have been).

35 posted on 03/16/2006 7:14:52 PM PST by FreedomCalls (It's the "Statue of Liberty," not the "Statue of Security.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: FreedomCalls

Aha, thank you.


36 posted on 03/16/2006 7:21:41 PM PST by gondramB (Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Lunatic Fringe

My husband (a boomer) also has the belief that a tatoo is a warning sign and often flags people who have been in jail at some time in their lives.

This may no longer be true of the new generation, but a lot of older men still go use old truths to judge younger people.

For myself, it is against my religion to desecrate the body given to you by God. Even pierced ears are considered pagan and a rejection of God.

I don't think I know any young people who still believe that. But then a lot of them have been raised to be pagans.


37 posted on 03/16/2006 7:51:18 PM PST by patriciaruth (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1562436/posts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: patriciaruth

OK. Have you taken your medication today?


38 posted on 03/16/2006 8:31:14 PM PST by Lunatic Fringe (Olfrygt: the nagging fear of being unable to find beer while out of town.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Lunatic Fringe

That was a stupid comment to make. She was calmly explaining her point of view, and you had to get personal.


39 posted on 03/16/2006 8:43:12 PM PST by Scotsman will be Free
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Arthalion; BobS; VOYAGER; Lunatic Fringe; Eagle Eye; philetus; johniegrad
He also told me that recruiters are increasingly looking the other way when it comes to obesity (truthfully, he was ranting about it). I was told that many guys are getting into basic who wouldn't have even been looked at 10 years ago. The assumption is that they'll either lose the weight quick, or they'll just quit.

Well, my reservist (IRR) brother worked very hard to get into shape for deployment to Iraq, worried he wouldn't make the cut, only to find he was in the upper portion of his group--and one of the younger ones, in his mid-30s. He said they were taking just about anyone.

There's the story of the 70-year-old retired Army colonel called-up and sent to Afghanistan, plus the other septuagenarian who was nearly arrested for ignoring the recall notices, figuring they must be a mistake since they were sent to his current residence--an assisted-living facility! Well, they were serious, though he was allowed to go home after the physical. :-)

40 posted on 03/16/2006 8:47:06 PM PST by Gondring (I'll give up my right to die when hell freezes over my dead body!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-65 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson