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In recent years, these policies have been relaxed to increase the number of eligible recruits. But one thing that hasnt changed is soldiers and recruits are not allowed to have certain types of tattoos. Extremist, indecent, racist and sexist tattoos are not allowed. While there are exceptions on neck and hand tattoos, as well as what types of body art are permitted, overall there are plenty of ways to express yourself in the military branch.

Each branch of the military has their own tattoo policy, some stricter than others. You can read all about how the Coast Guard defines the above terms in their official memo announcing the new tattoo policy change. Similar to other branches of the military, the Coast Guard has very specific rules regarding the placement or location of tattoos. It seems as though the Coast Guard is keeping in step with the trend that’s being followed by all military branches. The purpose of this article is to give you the full details on the tattoo policies for each branch in 2021. In fact, you’d be surprised at how lenient military tattoo policies are becoming.
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Since the 1800's, each war has inspired its own tattoos, ranging from slogans against enemies to large American flags. Today, each branch of the military has its own rules and regulations about what sort of military tattoos, as well as content and placement for other tattoos worn by service members. The Army tattoo policy for 2021 is different from previous regulations that held commanding officers to higher physical appearance standards compared to enlisted soldiers. Because much of these policies are up for interpretation its always best to seek feedback from a recruiter directly.
The Coast Guard permits tattoos in certain places yet has restrictions on other parts of the body. We’re pretty sure that by now you have a pretty good idea of what the Coast Guard’s stance is on tattoos. And we certainly hope that you meet the requirements of the current tattoo policy in the Coast Guard. Coast Guard waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis and are decided by a commanding officer.
Different Branches Similar Policies
Likewise, tattoos that are deemed “offensive” might also not pass the sniff test. Because let’s face it, the diversity of tattoos are only limited to the imagination, so new cases pop up all the time that the Navy must deal with on the fly. In other words, they don’t want to miss out on true talent or dedicated men and women because of some ink. If you have loads of tattoos, big tattoos, loud tattoos, and pretty much anything in-between, the US Navy might be your best bet. Here are a few of these tattoos, and other common Coast Guard tattoos. The only exception is a small ring tattoo that can exist on each hand .

Hand tattoos are technically allowed, but as mentioned, they’re limited to one ring tattoo on one hand only. Marines can have tattoos anywhere other than their hands , and above the collarbone. You see, Commanders make recommendations for soldiers based on many considerations — so you likely won’t be rejected on account of your tattoos alone. These types of tattoos cannot be located anywhere on your body. With this in mind, it’s best not to have any ink on your wrists at all.
Drawing Exercises For Tattoo Artists
We employ a wide variety of writers who have actually served in every branch of the military, giving you a unique perspective on what you can expect when joining. Operation Military Kids was founded to be a resource for teens and young adults who are interested in joining the military, but don't know where to begin. Don’t be too surprised if you come across loads of Popeye-themed tattoos on Coasties young and old.
The Coast Guard is perfectly fine with these types of tattoos. Even today, nearly a century later, Airmen proudly wear this tattoo that embodies the aggressive, take-no-prisoners attitude of the Air Force at war. In fact, I would venture to guess that 90% of all Air Force tattoos somehow incorporate the famous wings overlapping a central star. The following unauthorized body markings are not allowed anywhere on the body, even when covered up by PTs.
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The military is struggling to find recruits right now, and the Army is no exception. With three months remaining in fiscal 2022, the service has only attained 40% of its enlisted recruiting goal, according to Army G-1 spokesperson Maj. Angel Tomko. The new report doesnt fully make clear, however, what the impact of clearer waivers would be now that rules have been substantially relaxed. In 2017, reported that 33 troops were denied re-enlistment packages over the course of a year due to their ink. There are restrictions regarding content of tattoos, but well get to that in a bit.
Members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry, or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part . Sometimes cosmetic tattoos are performed in order to correct certain medical conditions and therefore the Navy may grant a waiver. Additionally, the Navy may grant a waiver for cosmetic tattoos that were performed by a licensed medical professional. In order to qualify for a neck tattoo waiver, the ink may not touch the hairline or reach behind the ears. Yes, you can receive permission for a tattoo that is otherwise not allowed under the terms of the Navy tattoo policy. Airmen are allowed to have one full-band ring tattoo on one of the two hands.
Because of this, if you are looking for a fresh start so you can begin an active duty career, you might want to consider laser tattoo removal. If you’ve been following along, you should be a military tattoo policy pro by now. We’ve covered the new and updated tattoo policies for each of the armed services — the Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
The illustration is outlined in thin lines, contoured with dark gray shadows for depth and a more realistic appearance of these metal anchors. If the desire of choosing two anchors on both sides of the neck is for stability and direction, then these two tattoos are a good place to start. With a better understanding of what is and is not acceptable under the current Army tattoo policy, we can now look at more popular styles and trends in military tattoo design.
Check out our coast guard anchor selection for the very best in unique or custom handmade pieces from our shops. The Army Navy Coast Guard and Marine Corps allow finger ring tattoos one per hand. This black and gray tattoo of a sailing ship with its masts flying high and proud.
Each US military branch has its own appearance policies and tattoo policy that dictates the type, size, and location of allowable tattoos. However, all military tattoo policies are consistent regarding the content of allowed tattoos. Tattoos in the military cannot feature vulgarity, nudity, graphic violence, or any sentiments that could be considered racist, elitist, or anti-government. If the content of a military tattoo is in question, the decision is made by the soldiers commanding officer.