thedrifter
09-22-08, 07:00 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — The Marine Corps amplified its tattoo policy Sept. 4 by excluding Marines with sleeve tattoos from recruiting and Marine Security Guard duty.
This change comes a year and a half after Marine Administrative Message 198⁄07 announced that all Marines were prohibited from excessively inking their arms. The message defined a sleeve tattoo as a very large tattoo or collection of tattoos that covers or almost covers a persons entire arm or leg. A half sleeve or quarter sleeve that are visible to the eye when wearing standard physical training gear are also prohibited.
Marines possessing sleeves prior to April 1, 2007, were grandfathered or excused from the new policy.
The new message, MARADMIN 494⁄08, explains that Marines who were grandfathered by the previous message are no longer allowed to serve on the high profile stations, because those billets have a significant impact on public perception as they routinely interact with civilians, both at home and abroad.
‘‘High standards of professional military appearance remain a part of our Marine Corps heritage. We serve proudly in every region of the world, in peace and combat, fulfilling our role of America’s ambassadors and defenders of freedom,” said Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, in MARADMIN 014⁄07. ‘‘The eyes of America and the world continually focus upon us and expect that the Marine Corps will maintain the highest professional standards at all times.”
Grandfathered Marines already serving on recruiting duty are authorized to remain in that billet and will be allowed to submit their package to be a career recruiter, but according the message, ‘‘may not be favorably viewed but will be forwarded to the deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs for final judgment.”
The new regulation doesn’t exclude grandfathered Marines from serving as Marine combat instructors, drill instructors or Marine Corps Security Forces .
‘‘Just like our commitment to screen to find quality (and qualified) men and women to become Marines has been a constant over time, so is our process to identify, screen, and select Marines to become recruiters. Tattoos are merely one of the many considerations we examine in selecting Marines for assignment to recruiting duty,” Maj. Christian Devine, Marine Corps Recruiting Command public affairs officer.
According to the message, all tattoos continue to be subject to review to determine if the tattoo us contrary to our professional demeanor and the high standards American has come to expect of the Marine Corps which many include, but are not limited to any tattoo that is sexist, racist, vulgar, anti-American, anti-social, gang related or associated with any extremist group of organization. Excessive tattoos may adversely affect both retention and assignment to special duty.
‘‘Special duty assignments have always demanded that we not only provide the absolute best Marines, but that those Marine embody our highest standards, values and ideals. These Marines have always gone through a prudent screening process. In keeping with the spirit and intent of the guidance and directives set in 2007 regarding excessive tattoos, the recent MARADMIN was intended to amplify the guidance to make sure Marines who may be considering such assignments are aware. The reality is that the intent of last year’s guidance was already in place during screening, this MARADMIN just spelled it out,” said Maj. Shawn Haney, director of public affairs, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
The DC M&RA (MM) will review all questionable tattoos involving retention and assignment to special duty via the reenlistment, extension, lateral move or application for a commissioning or warrant officer program. The package will include a photograph and page 11 which grandfathered the tattoo, measurements of the size in inches, description of the location and explanation as to why the tattoo has been deemed questionable by the commander according to the new message.
This is not a change but a clarification of existing policies and screening practices. And we are not concerned at all, special duty assignments have and will continue to be filled with the most qualified Marines. We have always emphasized the attributes of military appearance and bearing while considering Marines who want to fill the assignments in which they will be representatives of the Marine Corps,” said Haney. ‘‘Basically, this amplifying MARADMIN is meant for those who will be seeking these assignments (future or follow-on). Those currently in the billets with grandfathered tattoos will not be affected.”
This change comes a year and a half after Marine Administrative Message 198⁄07 announced that all Marines were prohibited from excessively inking their arms. The message defined a sleeve tattoo as a very large tattoo or collection of tattoos that covers or almost covers a persons entire arm or leg. A half sleeve or quarter sleeve that are visible to the eye when wearing standard physical training gear are also prohibited.
Marines possessing sleeves prior to April 1, 2007, were grandfathered or excused from the new policy.
The new message, MARADMIN 494⁄08, explains that Marines who were grandfathered by the previous message are no longer allowed to serve on the high profile stations, because those billets have a significant impact on public perception as they routinely interact with civilians, both at home and abroad.
‘‘High standards of professional military appearance remain a part of our Marine Corps heritage. We serve proudly in every region of the world, in peace and combat, fulfilling our role of America’s ambassadors and defenders of freedom,” said Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, in MARADMIN 014⁄07. ‘‘The eyes of America and the world continually focus upon us and expect that the Marine Corps will maintain the highest professional standards at all times.”
Grandfathered Marines already serving on recruiting duty are authorized to remain in that billet and will be allowed to submit their package to be a career recruiter, but according the message, ‘‘may not be favorably viewed but will be forwarded to the deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs for final judgment.”
The new regulation doesn’t exclude grandfathered Marines from serving as Marine combat instructors, drill instructors or Marine Corps Security Forces .
‘‘Just like our commitment to screen to find quality (and qualified) men and women to become Marines has been a constant over time, so is our process to identify, screen, and select Marines to become recruiters. Tattoos are merely one of the many considerations we examine in selecting Marines for assignment to recruiting duty,” Maj. Christian Devine, Marine Corps Recruiting Command public affairs officer.
According to the message, all tattoos continue to be subject to review to determine if the tattoo us contrary to our professional demeanor and the high standards American has come to expect of the Marine Corps which many include, but are not limited to any tattoo that is sexist, racist, vulgar, anti-American, anti-social, gang related or associated with any extremist group of organization. Excessive tattoos may adversely affect both retention and assignment to special duty.
‘‘Special duty assignments have always demanded that we not only provide the absolute best Marines, but that those Marine embody our highest standards, values and ideals. These Marines have always gone through a prudent screening process. In keeping with the spirit and intent of the guidance and directives set in 2007 regarding excessive tattoos, the recent MARADMIN was intended to amplify the guidance to make sure Marines who may be considering such assignments are aware. The reality is that the intent of last year’s guidance was already in place during screening, this MARADMIN just spelled it out,” said Maj. Shawn Haney, director of public affairs, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
The DC M&RA (MM) will review all questionable tattoos involving retention and assignment to special duty via the reenlistment, extension, lateral move or application for a commissioning or warrant officer program. The package will include a photograph and page 11 which grandfathered the tattoo, measurements of the size in inches, description of the location and explanation as to why the tattoo has been deemed questionable by the commander according to the new message.
This is not a change but a clarification of existing policies and screening practices. And we are not concerned at all, special duty assignments have and will continue to be filled with the most qualified Marines. We have always emphasized the attributes of military appearance and bearing while considering Marines who want to fill the assignments in which they will be representatives of the Marine Corps,” said Haney. ‘‘Basically, this amplifying MARADMIN is meant for those who will be seeking these assignments (future or follow-on). Those currently in the billets with grandfathered tattoos will not be affected.”