Maori Warrior: You no like my tattoo?.................
Posted on 04/03/2014 9:48:49 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
If you want to sign on the dotted line to serve Uncle Sam in the Army, it’s going to get a lot harder to make the cut.
By the end of April, new recruits will be held to the Army’s new grooming standards–which include stricter rules on tattoos.
“Tattoos are cool thing today, 70-80% of people who come into our office have tattoos. I’ve seen 15-year-olds with tattoos,” said Sergeant First Class Robert Black with the Army Recruiting Command in Norfolk, who says these new policies will cut down on the number of enlisted they can take.
If you have a sleeve tattoo–you are eliminated.
If you have a tattoo on the face, neck, head, hands or fingers–forget about it.
If you have ink below the elbow or below the knee, you are limited to 4 tattoos, none bigger than the size of your hand.
“We have over 50 future soldiers in waiting, holding for basic training, and as of right now, 30% would not be able to qualify based on those standards,” said SFC Black.
The Army is allowing those new recruits already under contract, as well as current active duty soldiers, to be grandfathered in under the old rules—but if any of those enlisted soldiers want to try and get their commission to become an officer, they would be barred if their tattoos don’t match the new policy.
“A situation like that would definitely be disheartening to someone who wanted to be an officer and now the tattoo policy is going to stop them from being able to do it, but once again, they have to adapt to the situation to go forward,” said SFC Black.
According to the Sergeant Major of the Army, who came up with the new standards, it is all meant to keep up a more professional peacetime force.
Buggery is OK. Tattoos are not. This civilization is demented.
Better to have dedicated soldiers with tatoos than incompetent civilian leaders without tatoos. Just saying.
the on set of the ‘peacetime army’ .....
actually I would not mind seeing a slowing of tatoo insanity ,
it’s now gone beyond the pale . What’s wrong with the way God created you ? Can some creepy tat artist improve on that? Really? What with the obsession of being a tat ass ?
I do not carry a single tat and never will .
Watch for a run on tattoos to avoid the military if there is ever another draft.
Conformity and control. It’s an admission that the US armed forces have neither. And three not everyone admires the lack of self control or your taste in body art. Keep it to yourself.
In the mean time, I wish I had invested in tattoo removal technology. At least two local dermatology centers are advertising removing “unsightly” tattoos. Big business for them.
You make a great point. Some will proactively get tatoos to avoid the rush, just in case.
Just a reminder to those who think tattoos are cool, most of us out here think it’s disgusting.
Specializing in name removal no doubt. ;)
Tattoos have been a part of the military lifestyle for thousands of years.....................
Former Navy guy says, “I served with WWII vets who were their own art museums. 80% of skin covered with colorful tatoos, but unseen when fully dressed.
When in uniform, their upper left chests were virtually covered with little colorful pieces of ribbon. Some were striped with little clusters, some were PURPLE!!, and one was light blue with a field of stars.
I think the tattoos didn’t interfere with the doing of their duty, some “Above and beyond the call of duty.”
***peacetime force***
This is the reason. It is all about spit and polish while in garrison. Peactime military is nothing but rules, regulations, inspections, and training. Nothing new or unique this time.
Only smoke-free homo vegan atheists need apply
Yet just earlier this week there were articles about relaxing hair codes in the military! I guess it just depends on ‘who’ it offends.
Should a draft occur, the tattoo regulations will be waived for draft eligibility.
I’m with you.
Maori Warrior: You no like my tattoo?.................
special exemptions form these “stringent “ rules...will be made for the newly transgendered Im certain!
Ditto. And IMO, there’s a big difference between getting a Unit Tattoo, and a full sleeve dedicated to your favorite metal band.
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.