[Libloather]

[Lunatic Fringe]

The ban on tatoos is kind of silly.

[Arthalion]

AFAIK, the tatoo regs have been relaxed a bit over the last few years. According to my BIL, tats are permitted as long as they aren't visible when in uniform, and if they don't promote gang ties or criminal activity.

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.

[digger48]

Can they bring their own body armor?

[gondramB]

" As for that fashionable "body art" that the military still calls a tattoo, having one is grounds for rejection, too."

Wow, the only people in my extended family who have tattoos are veterans - it's weird that current regulations would exclude them. They have to drop that rule if they ever institute a draft or everybody who wants to dodge will get ink.

[fso301]

Based on the 20-40 year old I know with trendy tatoos, I'd speculate the presence of a tatoo strongly indicates political party preference.

[BobS]

It's variable. I lost 25 pounds and the laziness gene in basic. They sent me to about 1.5 years TDY to tech schools. I got my 1st college degree with night school (cheap!:))

So now I get up as early as in basic training without the garbage can lids. With "gotta fix this now" pay LOL!

[caisson71]

Not only does the Army want certain undesirables, not everyone deserves to serve in the Army.

[D-Chivas]

Tattoos are disgusting. Trashy. It's impossible to watch the NCAA Men's Basketball tourney because of this.

[School of Rational Thought]

tatoos? Wouldn't that mean these folks would be easily led? While they may not be leaders, everyone cannot be a leader.