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Soldiers told new rules governing tattoos, grooming standards on the way
Stars and Stripes ^ | 9/22/2013 | Josh Smith

Posted on 09/22/2013 4:11:26 PM PDT by markomalley

In the works for more than a year, strict new rules governing things like tattoos and grooming for soldiers have been approved by the Secretary of the Army and are only awaiting a final signature, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler said Saturday.

Speaking to troops at bases in eastern Afghanistan, Chandler said Secretary John McHugh has approved but not yet officially put his name to the changes to Army Regulation 670-1.

“We’re just waiting for the secretary to sign,” Chandler said during a town hall meeting with soldiers from the 4th Combat Brigade Team, 10th Mountain Division, at Forward Operating Base Gamberi. He made similar remarks to troops at FOB Fenty in Jalalabad.

The regulations cover things such as tattoos, grooming, and uniforms and apply only to soldiers. Other branches of the military have their own grooming and appearance rules.

Chandler said he expects the changes to become policy in 30 to 60 days.

Media reports last year identified potential changes to rules governing things such make-up and fingernail polish, hair styles, body piercings, and the length of sideburns, among other items. Chandler, however, only confirmed changes to the policy on tattoos.

Under the new policy, new recruits will not be allowed to have tattoos that show below the elbows and knees or above the neckline, Chandler told troops. Current soldiers may be grandfathered in, but all soldiers will still be barred from having any tattoos that are racist, sexist or extremist.

Once the rules are implemented, soldiers will sit down with their unit leaders and “self identify” each tattoo. Soldiers will be required to pay for the removal of any tattoo that violates the policy, Chandler said.

While some soldiers at the meeting asked whether the Army will ever allow more visible tattoos, Chandler said it is a matter of maintaining a uniform look and sacrificing for the sake of the force.

When a soldier gets a tattoo that contains an curse word on the side of his neck, “I question ‘Why there?’ Are you trying to stand out?” Chandler said.

He said the Army wants soldiers to stand out, but because of their achievements, not because of the way they look.

In addition to the changes to the regulations, Chandler said officials will be separating many of the more specific policies in Army Regulation 670-1 and placing them in a Department of the Army pamphlet, which will make it clearer for troops to understand, as well as make it easier for future changes to be made.

On a separate note, Chandler also told troops that the new Army combat uniforms will likely be phased in starting eight to nine months from now. The uniform will feature different colors for different environments, but the pattern will be very similar to the mottled “multicam” currently used in Afghanistan under the designation “Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern.”


TOPICS: Extended News; Government
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To: markomalley

Will there a policy on certain, uh, intimate piercings?


21 posted on 09/22/2013 4:37:26 PM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: Straight Vermonter

Same thing happened to hubby the first time he saw that. He could not quit talking about it for days.


22 posted on 09/22/2013 4:38:25 PM PDT by Tammy8 ( ~Secure the border and deport all illegals- do it now! ~ Support our Troops!~)
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To: markomalley

I suppose I should be glad to hear of some tightening tattoo restrictions, clamping down on the whole raggedy, prison-gang thug look, which is so counter to the kind of adult appearance and comportment I always tended to associate with the services. But, since the whole faggotization of the military, I just can’t seem to particularly give a damn anymore, regarding anything to do with the services.


23 posted on 09/22/2013 4:40:25 PM PDT by greene66
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To: markomalley

Rainbow and Lambda tattoos permitted, but crosses will be banned.


24 posted on 09/22/2013 4:47:12 PM PDT by PAR35
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To: markomalley

They threw the standards wide freakin’ open when they were desperate for people, now they’re telling them “thanks anyway.”

The hypocrisy here is borderline ridiculous.


25 posted on 09/22/2013 4:55:12 PM PDT by Future Snake Eater (CrossFit.com)
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To: markomalley

So does that mean if there is ever another draft, all the dodgers have to do is run out and get a racist or sexist tattoo? Gee that’s sure a lot easier than fleeing to Canada....


26 posted on 09/22/2013 4:56:19 PM PDT by apillar
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To: Straight Vermonter
I was at a subway restaurant a week or so ago and saw a pregnant soldier in uniform.

It was a woman, right?

27 posted on 09/22/2013 4:59:54 PM PDT by verga (Lasciante ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate.)
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To: xzins

I don’t knowwww... I think you’re right! No LOL


28 posted on 09/22/2013 5:01:07 PM PDT by Shimmer1 (Every time a liberal gets pissed off an angel gets their wings.)
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To: Straight Vermonter

First time you’ve ever seen that???? wow. You don’t get out to many bases, do you?


29 posted on 09/22/2013 5:02:26 PM PDT by Shimmer1 (Every time a liberal gets pissed off an angel gets their wings.)
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To: xzins

Sooooo ...a new tattoos meaning is subject to interpretation? A tattoo with Christian Cross, or the Gadsen flag might be deemed extreme.


30 posted on 09/22/2013 5:04:08 PM PDT by PhiloBedo (You gotta roll with the punches and get with what's real.)
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To: Shimmer1

We don’t have any bases in VT.


31 posted on 09/22/2013 5:07:55 PM PDT by Straight Vermonter (Posting from deep behind the Maple Curtain)
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To: markomalley

The Army is bankrupt, broken, and hollowed out, and they’re worried about tattoos.


32 posted on 09/22/2013 5:08:10 PM PDT by Timber Rattler (Just say NO! to RINOS and the GOP-E)
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To: verga
It was a woman, right?

Yes, it was in fact a woman.

33 posted on 09/22/2013 5:10:03 PM PDT by Straight Vermonter (Posting from deep behind the Maple Curtain)
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To: Rebelbase; tumblindice
"By far the most creative tattoo ever."

I dunno. I'm kind of partial to this one:


34 posted on 09/22/2013 5:12:10 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
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To: PhiloBedo

“extremist” is in the mind of those who get to do the interpreting.

Some lesbo air force major thought her First Sergeant was extremist for not wanting to persecute those who object to gay marriage.

So, a tattoo of Muffy & Buffy would be ok.

A tattoo of a man and woman before an altar would be extremist.


35 posted on 09/22/2013 5:12:24 PM PDT by xzins ( Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who truly support our troops pray for victory!)
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To: Future Snake Eater

You are assuming the standards will be tougher??

Why??
36 posted on 09/22/2013 5:13:08 PM PDT by GeronL
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To: markomalley
“The uniform will feature different colors for different environments ...”

Like that Navy commercial where you see five sailors (two female and three male) wearing different color fatigues so that together it resembles the gay rainbow flag. Truly disgusting.

37 posted on 09/22/2013 5:14:50 PM PDT by Flavious_Maximus
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To: Joe 6-pack

That’s a good one too!


38 posted on 09/22/2013 5:16:38 PM PDT by Rebelbase (Tagline: (optional, printed after your name on post))
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To: xzins

Odd.

No mention of gang tats being forbidden.


39 posted on 09/22/2013 5:18:39 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statemet of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: Flavious_Maximus

“Like that Navy commercial where you see five sailors (two female and three male) wearing different color fatigues so that together it resembles the gay rainbow flag. Truly disgusting.”

You mean the “global force for good”?


40 posted on 09/22/2013 5:24:34 PM PDT by Stormdog (A rifle transforms one from subject to Citizen)
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