Tattoos

[LadyDiamondMC]

Hello,

I was wondering I was on another site and a person was asking about tattoos. Does anyone happen to know what the offical policy is on them when enlisting? I have looked through previous threads and haven't seen anything. Thought this might be good for some future wannabes to know.

[CAS3]

You can have tattos before entering the service however, they can not be crude, gang related or antisematic (sp).
When in the Marine Corps, you are the property of the US goverment and can be fined for gettting a tat although it doesn't happen often.You learn that you don't want to have them showing when in uniform.
I have three one I got in service!!

[DevilPup2004]

Okay, so, at that other forum... a Sergeant of Marines did research that the wannabe in question should have done, and found a copy of the recent revisions to the Marine Corps tattoo policy. That Sergeant of Marines posted the link, even providing a link for the wannabe to download Adobe Acrobat Reader so he could access the publication, and then advised him on what he needs to do with the knowledge he now has. Other Marines advised him, as well.

And you aren't happy with that?

[thedrifter]

Thank You DevilPup2004....for your help.....

Cas......Thanks......

It has been talked about on this forum too already......

http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3879&highlight=Tattoos



The Drifter

[CAS3]

You go Devilpup...ruff ruff!!!!!

[LadyDiamondMC]

Actually I was posting it here for those that don't go to that site I actually spend more time here then over there. And thought maybe there could be something posted here for people. As on that site there has been posted many times that no recruiters ever frequent that site and some do here from time to time. I never said anything about not finding the posts over there unhelpful.

[thedrifter]

Marine Corps Body Art (Tattoo) Policy

The Marine Corps takes a conservative approach to personal appearance. Uniform regulations stress that personal appearance is to be conservative and commensurate with the high standards traditionally associated with the Marine Corps. No eccentricities in dress or appearance are permitted because they detract from uniformity and team identity.

Per MCBUL 1020.34 of 16 may 96, the Marine Corps uniform regulation is changed to prohibit tattoos or brands on the neck and the head. In other areas of the body, tattoos or brands that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Marine Corps are also prohibited. Tattoos, body piercing, and non-dental tooth crowns are identified as body art and commanders are tasked with upholding current regulations regarding eccentric appearance.

Four criteria will be used to evaluate tattoos and brands to see if they comply with Marine Corps standards. These criteria are content, location, size, and effect of associating the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps uniform with the tattoo or brand.

Content. Every tattoo and brand will be viewed to determine if it is representative of gang, racist, sexist, drug, or other prohibited activity. These types of tattoos and brands are prohibited.

Location. Tattoos and brands are prohibited on the head and neck. If they are visible on the arms or legs in the service "C" uniform, they are prohibited.

Size. Tattoos and brands will be evaluated on their size and color. Large and colorful tattoos and brands, especially on the arms and legs will be screened to determine if they are eccentric or project a non-conservative personal appearance. Tattoos and brands that are eccentric or project a non-conservative personal appearance are prohibited.

Association with the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps uniform. All tattoos and brands will be evaluated on the cost that they would have on morale, the maintenance of good order and discipline, leadership potential, and public perception. Marines that possess tattoos and brands that are not in keeping with the standards and traditions of the Marine Corps will be required to have the tattoo(s) removed at their own expense.


Above Information Courtesy of the United States Marine Corps

TheDrifter

[thedrifter]

Recent updates as to the policy regarding tattoos......

You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in order to view it, as it's in PDF format. You can download the free reader at http://www.adobe.com

The document is located here: Lastest Update
https://web.mcrc.usmc.mil/SECTION/RE/NEW%20WEB/FROST%20CALLS/FC_%20FY/ALL%20FROST%20CALLS/FC022-03.PDF

The document is located here:

https://web.mcrc.usmc.mil/SECTION/RE/NEW%20WEB/FROST%20CALLS/FC_%20FY/ALL%20FROST%20CALLS/FC017-02.PDF



The Drifter

[wrbones]

http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3183&highlight=tattoos

http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5170&highlight=tattoo

http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3183&highlight=tattoo

[triggerhappy]

ok, I know all bout the policy, poeple are always asking round my parts... you cant have any gang or anti things, must be above your cuffs and below your coller (forgive me if I spelled that wrong) and from what Im told you dont want any that you would see in uniform. take it easy guys.

Semper Fi 'til I die...

[top1371]

That policy is all nice... but lets talk real world.

I just retired in Nov 02, and in 21 years, I have never seen anyone take too much heat for a tatoo. I have a tatoo that is on my forearm and shows in the short sleeve shirt. No problems. I had a friend that had two completly sleeved biker style tatooed arms clear down to the wrists. No problem... well he thought it was the reason he got passed for Gy a few times.. looked terrible in Charlies.... but he did make Gy.

Sure if you show up with some crazy tat, like a eyeball on your forehead you will be in trouble. I wouldnt reccommend getting any tats till after boot.

I dont want to steer anyone the wrong way, but just want to tell it the way it really is.

Some regs make you wonder... like a Marine can not wear a baseball cap or cowboy hat indoors off duty in civilian clothes....

On another note, the company I work for now does not allow tatoos... so I am stuck wearing a long sleve shirt year round. Glad I have air conditioning and work in an office, what a twist!
Semper Fi,

Top

[BGMFH]

Personally, I wonder what counts as "non-conservative or eccentric personal appearance" for tattoos.

My buddies and I are all either in an armed service or, in my case, trying to make it to PI. We saw a guy with a tattoo that looked like scars from where he had his angel wings cut off, and were thinking about going as a group to get something similar...

Would this be a problem when I get to the Island?
Afterwards?

[wrbones]

BGMFH,

I wouldn't recommend gettin' any tats til ya get thru MCRD.

You've been given some good info here. Read and heed. Make up yer own mind. Yer a big boy now, and yer gonna have a go at bein' a Marine. Time to use a little initiative and think for yerself.

You want to get the tat and then if things go wrong, ya wanta spread the blame around a bit. Thing is, if you get the tat, yer the one stuck with whatever the consequences will be. No one else will be sittin' under the needle with ya, son. Whatever ya do will be yer decision.

[Barry]

I was told that my tattoo (a joker) might be a problem. My recruiter said that the general(?) at Parris Island personally looks at tattoos and judges them 'worthy'. It seems mine may mean something "being a clown and all."

My advise is to wait. There are great tattooist around military bases and they compete for prices.

[CPLRapoza]

barry< I went to PI and the General does not come around and personally look at the tatoos

[sgtnorm48]

my daughter left for pi memorial day after a ten month wait an several laser treatments because of a tatoo on the back of her neck.the recruiter let her enlist and get sworn in and get a waiver from the captain ,but when it was time to ship they all back pedaled because they heard the commanding general at pi was anti tatoo.now with the new rules instated on june 6th it`ll be even tuffer.

[Barry]

I knew that, the thing they thought they would have a problem with was getting it approved. Turns out a Cpt. looked at it and said "Hmm That's odd, what's it mean" Have no problems with it at the moment.

[firstsgtmike]

sgtnorm48

She was straightforward, was granted a waiver, and WAS SWORN IN (signed a contract between her and the Marine Corps.)

Unless fraud can be proved on her part, she has a contract that is binding upon the Marine Corps AND her. Both have an option not to renew the contract. Until that time, it is enforceable by both parties.

Neither the recruit, nor the Commandant can say, but I didn't see, didn't know, wasn't aware, didn't think, or whatever.

As for hyper-sensitivity towards future applicants, the Commanding General at PI or SD, still must follow the orders of our Commandant. If they have a problem with something, let them take it up with him.

The Oath of Enlistment was accepted in his name, not theirs.

[Sixguns]

The tatto policy is changing however some portions are the same. Any tattoo on the head or neck (above the t-shirt collar) requires a waiver for shipping to training. Additionally, all tattoos are photographed and examined for racial, offensive, drug and gang-related content.

The CGs at both MCRDs report to the CG, Marine Corps Recruiting Command. CG, MCRC presents policy changes to CMC for approval. Now, although the CGs do not walk around MCRD inspecting tattoos, they do review all waivers and photographs of applicants with them. A waiver is either granted or not based on the "acceptability" of the tattoo. One last thing. If you had a tattoo when you joined the Dep, it's noted in your medical records. If you got one after you Depped, it's not. That means you need a tattoo waiver BEFORE you ship to recruit training. Again, getting a tattoo can change your eligibility to become a Marine. There will be plenty of opportunities to get ink done after you earn the title Marine.


SIXGUNS

[Patrick8605]

I don't see the need in tatoos but... To everyone there own. I could understand if it was something like USMC or something with meaning, but thats just my opinion.

[Kalbo]

Wait to you get to pumped and have liberty in Singapore. There's a world reknowed tattoo shop there, the name is "Johnny Two Thumbs". Here's a link:

http://www.johnny2thumbtattoostudio.com

Have a couple Singapore Slings before you go (lol).

Semper Fi,
Bill "Kalbo" Long

[3BadgeMarine]

:) Hey good buddies! 3 Badge is back on board,'Johnny two thumbs' Singapore!,nothing like getting ya 'Hash' marks tatoo'd on ya Arm.Aye JR

[thedrifter]

Issue Date: July 07, 2003

Recruiting is skin deep
For the Marine Corps, less is more when it comes to body art on would-be leathernecks

By Gordon Lubold
Times staff writer

He was a recruiter’s dream — fit, motivated and ready to go green. Solid morals, no past criminal offenses and no history of drug use. Enough college credit to qualify him for meritorious promotion at boot camp.
The applicant had all the attributes the Corps wants in a future Marine, said the New York recruiter who screened him for possible enlistment this past winter. But there was a problem the recruiter’s commanders couldn’t accept: ink, and too much of it.

None of the tattoos was too large or offensive, the recruiter said. But the would-be recruit had seven of them and, these days, that’s too many for the Corps.

Once the subject of a negative stereotype, tattoos — and more extreme forms of body modification — are finding broader acceptance in mainstream society. Tattoos long have been a part of military culture, but Marine recruiters who go “kneecap to kneecap” with today’s youth are finding them more tattooed than ever.

Working an average of 70 hours a week, recruiters continue to make mission, finding enough would-be Marines to keep the Corps on an eight-year run of making quota. But as society increasingly embraces tattoos, recruiters said the Corps is toughening its criteria, making it harder for them to find and sign qualified applicants.

The New York recruiter said he turns away about one applicant a month for tattoo-related reasons. His recruiting substation has rejected about two dozen would-be Marines since October. This at a time when it seems everyone has a tattoo, the recruiter said.

“I’m seeing grandmothers with them, mothers, but kids especially,” the recruiter said.

“We see this as being a big issue because it severely affects how many people we can recruit,” he said. “You are potentially disqualifying a lot of people who are otherwise qualified.”

A matter of interpretation

The Corps’ policy regarding body modification is part of Marine Corps Order P1020.34, which also addresses personal-appearance issues. That policy has been revised and fine-tuned in recent years in response to developments in youth culture. In general, tattoos or brands on the neck and head are prohibited. On other areas of the body, the order states, “tattoos or brands that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Marine Corps are also prohibited.”

Most applicants aren’t walking into recruiting offices already inked with offensive tattoos such as swastikas or other inflammatory images, recruiters said. Instead, most questions that arise while screening would-be recruits stem from the size, location or number of tattoos on an individual.

Such difficulties are more common in the Eastern Recruiting Region, where recruiters say a stricter interpretation of the tattoo policy is enforced. In some cases, applicants cross the Mississippi River (which is the boundary dividing much of the two recruiting regions) and enlist in the Western Recruiting Region.

Marine Corps Recruiting Command officials at Quantico, Va., said they don’t track how many potential Marines are disqualified at the recruiting substation level. But in interviews with a dozen recruiters, officers involved in recruiting and would-be Marines, the word is that the Corps — and the Eastern Recruiting Region in particular — is looking for comparatively clean-skinned recruits.

Command officials said there is no difference in the way the tattoo policy is interpreted between the Eastern and Western regions. In fact, both recruit depots discharged the same number of recruits for tattoos — 25 in each region — during fiscal 2001, said Lt. Col. Stephen Wittle, who heads enlisted recruiting operations for Recruiting Command.

“This really kind of confirms that both regions have the same evaluating process,” he said.

But recruiters interviewed said that while the number of recruits discharged at the depot level may be similar, it does not reflect the number of applicants disqualified long before they set foot on the yellow footprints at recruit training.

And, at the least, region-level oversight of tattoos may well be stricter in the Eastern Recruiting Region, based on a comparison of tattoo-waiver requests submitted to the commanding general in each region.

Since October, Eastern region recruiting stations sent more than 500 tattoo-waiver requests on behalf of potential recruits with questionable tattoos — whether for size, number or subject matter — to Brig. Gen. Joseph McMenamin, commander of the Eastern Recruiting Region.

While the command approved about 87 percent of those requests, the number submitted is more than three times the number of requests submitted to the commanding general of the Western Recruiting Region. That command, led by Maj. Gen. Jan Huly, had reviewed 144 tattoo-waiver requests as of June 12 and approved 118 of them, or about 82 percent.

“McMenamin holds the line a little tighter on things,” said one Marine officer familiar with the way the Eastern region interprets and enforces tattoo policy and who asked not to be identified.

McMenamin did not provide comment about the tattoo-policy issue, but his assistant chief of staff, Lt. Col. Michael Bowersox, said the command is not being too restrictive in its interpretation.

“If a tattoo is determined to be not within standard, it’s clearly out of the standard,” Bowersox said in a telephone interview from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. “We generally give the benefit of the doubt to the kid.”

The point is to maintain good order, discipline and a professional standard for the Corps, Bowersox said.

“We’re not saying we don’t want applicants or recruits with tattoos,” he said. “We’re not saying that at all.”

But when an applicant’s tattoos cross the line, they cross the line, he said.

“If a recruiter disagrees with it, too bad,” he said. “We have a policy we have to enforce.”

Exceeding the threshold established by Recruiting Command “is not necessarily a bar for enlistment,” Wittle said, “but a point of reference where it is reasonable to question whether an applicant meets the standard.”

Go West, young man

Some recruiters, who find otherwise qualified Marines who have been stymied by the tattoo policy, are skirting the issue and finding ways to bring them into the fold — even if it means turning the would-be Marine over to another recruiter.

The Marine officer familiar with the Eastern region said he is aware of several instances in which East Coast recruiters disqualified an applicant because of tattoo issues, only to recommend that the individual go to a state in the Western region to enlist.

The recruiter from New York saw it happen. He submitted a waiver request for his applicant with seven tattoos, but the waiver was denied.

Instead of losing the potential recruit, or letting Army recruiters get him, the recruiter called a fellow Marine at a recruiting station in Louisiana, who gladly enlisted the applicant.

“The applicant bought a bus ticket, got to Louisiana and enlisted in the Marine Corps,” the recruiter said. “I know it happened because he sent us a letter from boot camp thanking us for all the help.”

Based on what he’s seen in his own region and heard from recruiters back East, one Western-region recruiter agreed that an enlistee might have better luck in his territory.

As soon as he mentions the word “tattoos” to recruiter buddies in the Eastern region, he gets an earful, he said. He sees a distinct difference between the working tattoo policy in the Eastern region versus the one he uses in the West.

“The first reaction I get when I [ask] is, ‘It’s a nightmare,’” he said. “They’re getting stricter here, but they’re not as strict as they are there.”

He cited a recent example. In June, recruiting officials reviewed the case of a potential enlistee who had initials and Japanese writing tattooed on his back in characters 8 to 10 inches tall. The officer who reviewed the case told the recruiter “that’s not a big deal,” the recruiter said.

Other would-be Marines rejected by the system aren’t going West, however — they’re taking their fight to Congress.

continued.........

[thedrifter]

Every month, the Corps receives hundreds of “congressional inquiries,” letters written by members of Congress on behalf of their constituents. The letters concern awards, records, discharges, benefits and other issues. Since October, Marine Corps Recruiting Command has received 16 inquiries from lawmakers questioning the Corps’ tattoo policy — nine relating to issues in the Western region and seven in the Eastern region, according to Maj. Dave Griesmer, a command spokesman at Quantico.

Clarifying the regs

Recruiting Command issued new guidance June 9 to help recruiters better interpret the Corps’ tattoo policy. In clarifying the policy, it issued four guidelines that are to be used in determining an enlistment candidate’s tattoos — location, size, content and number. Recruiters also have a new screening form to be used in conjunction with the criteria.

The guidelines include:

• Waivers likely will not be granted for any tattoo above the neck area, defined in the guidelines as any portion above the collarbone in the front, or above the first cervical vertebrae in the back.

• Combined tattoo coverage on a particular body part cannot exceed one-quarter of the total size of that body part. So for instance, if someone has two tattoos on his leg, those tattoos together cannot cover more than a quarter of the leg.

• Tattoos that are exposed while wearing the short-sleeve khaki shirt must be no larger than the individual’s hand.

• The recruiting region’s commanding general will review any applicant who has more than four tattoos on his body, regardless of the location of those tattoos.

Recruiting Command officials said the policy, which they consider straightforward already, will be made clearer when a new booklet is issued this fall to recruiters. That booklet will amplify the guidance on tattoos and body piercing by providing examples of acceptable and unacceptable body markings, with Internet links to sites that help recruiters evaluate the content of a tattoo.

There may be a perception among recruiters that the tattoo policy is being interpreted differently between the two recruiting regions, said one former recruiting region commanding general, but that perception may be born of their frustration with the Corpswide policy.

“It becomes very disheartening that you have to go back out on the street and find another contract,” said retired Brig. Gen. Stephen Cheney, who ended his career two years ago as the Eastern region’s commander.

Cheney said the difference in the number of waiver requests between the two recruiting regions is curious. But Cheney, who still lives near MCRD Parris Island and is close to McMenamin, said the general likely is doing the right thing.

“He knows what’s good for the Marine Corps,” Cheney said.

Sticking to heritage

Charles Moskos, a professor of sociology at Northwestern University in Chicago who specializes in military matters, said the Corps is right to stick to its guns.

“By being out of step with prevailing fashions, the Corps stays in step with its unique military heritage,” Moskos said. “Marines are expected to be Marines first, not trendy youth. The image of Marines being different and better than the typical young person helps recruitment in the long term.”

That said, society looks at tattoos differently now. William Strauss, a consultant to the military and co-author of the book “Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation,” believes tattoos represent something far different than they did even a decade ago.

What once symbolized rebellion and disrespect for authority now means something else, he said. Strauss believes there is what he calls a “renorming,” a recalibration of attitudes, and tattoos are part of it.

“They’re not intended to shock adults [or] to show the person is an outcast or a ‘goth’ or a punk,” he said. “That’s a change.”

Strauss’ work has been used extensively by Marine Corps Recruiting Command in the development of marketing strategies and advertisements meant to connect with today’s youth.

“Some lines are being drawn about what’s acceptable and what’s not,” said Strauss. “To the extent that people have tattoos or piercings, it’s not an attitude of ‘so there,’ it just looks nice.”


http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/archivepaper.php?f=0-MARINEPAPER-1972984.php


The Drifter
:marine:

[R_Konieczko]

This answered a lot of questions I had concerning getting some ink done while a Marine. However I still have one problem:

I plan on getting one peice done for sure, above my heart. My major concern is that the peice would be viewed as somehow offensive. I plan on getting an Iron Cross with my family name designed into it.

It should be noted taht I'm not allowing myself to "wear" this ink until I've earned the right to do so, though. So odds are it will be a long while before I'm comfortable enough to say "Yea.. I deserve it."

[Seeley]

Well I'm pretty sure that I'll be okay to go. I just want to get an Eagle Globe and Anchor in olive drab on my left pectoral over my heart. That should suffice for a while anyway. (After recruit training graduation of course).

[2ndplacesucks]

I have been waiting for my tatoo waiver for a couple of days know to be honest I am a little worried, I have eight tattoos. none on my neck or head, none are gang related, or show any predjice, but the one I am most worried I have a farily large dragon on my rib cage-it is a crome color, and I haven't finished it for the reason it is too big. this suspence is killing me but I still do my PT with my recurters, and on my own, I want nothing more right now than to be a marine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[2ndplacesucks]

what uniforme is the service "C"?

[acts837]

green trousers and short sleeve shirt

[Caesar Augustus]

What is the obsession with getting tatoo's. I understand getting Marine Corps tatoo's but dragons and other wierd stuff, I never understood the purpose or fun in getting them

[2ndplacesucks]

My friend is well known in the u.s. in more than 4 tatoo magiznes. His work is all custome done free hand, plus they are kinda addictve if you like a little pain, for pleasure

[CAS3]

Caesar....
It is a little addictive...I have 3 and want another one...
None of which are weird. I dont have a USMC one either. And only when I wear a skirt can you see one of them.
IMO, it is artwork. When I die, I won't be ashamed to have the mortitian looking at me!

[leroy8541]

I have several tattoos, got em all in the corps, don't regret any of em except when I put my ex's name on one big mistake.

[2ndplacesucks]

that sucks when you put any girls name except you mom's
one of my buddies old girls had her ex's last name on the small
of her back in pretty big letters, she covered it up with a huge all black trible......... it was ugly .............!!!!

[Caesar Augustus]

Yea I understand getting Marine Corps tats. Why in the world would you enjoy pain. Thats morbid. I guess its artwork. Its just that some of the people that my mom see's in her hospital with a bunch of random tats usually say that they got them in their younger stupid days. I'm in no way saying that you're stupid. Only tat I will/would get would be a Marine one.

2cndplace..
You're not one of those people that slit their wrist, wears all black, with lots of black lipstick and eyeshadow are you. Sorry if thats stereotypical but in down here the only people that say that they think pain is pleasurful are goths.

[Sparrowhawk]

Originally posted by CAS3
...I have 3 and want another one...
...only when I wear a skirt can you see one of them.
IMO, it is artwork. When I die, I won't be ashamed to have the mortitian looking at me!

I want to see it!

I have a tattoo on my butt that says, "Turn to the other side."

[2ndplacesucks]

CEASAR AUGUSTUS,

I am not a goth, mabey a little crazy (some say) but I never wore black lipstick or all black ecpt..... at a fruneral........
I don't slit my wrists or none of that s#%t, but tats are pain that are addictive but it is rewarding in a sence that you are going to have this for the rest of your life no matter what you get or what it means to you.


sargent, sparrowhawk.

that is a good saying for your butt,

I once thought of getting one on my but that says
"EXIT ONLY" never did. hahahahaha

[2ndplacesucks]

thank you firstsgtmike.

[weatherwarrior]

I have a power point show I can e-mail any one who wants good gouge on the Marine Corps classification of tattoos. Just e-mail me and I will send it

[weatherwarrior]

I have a power point show I can e-mail any one who wants good gouge on the Marine Corps classification of tattoos. Just e-mail me and I will send it

[fulmetaljackass]

I got the tattoos visible on my legs and barbed wire around my wrist while I was in the Marine Corps. After I got out, I got one on my inner forearm. Despite the fact that a couple of the DI's who made me a Marine have more tattoos on their arms than I have on my entire body, I can't get back in. I also heard from another recruiter at the RSS here that a kid with his name tattooed on his forearm was disqualified from enlisting. My point? Don't get any d!&n tattoos, and if you do, make sure they're not visible in even pt gear!

[Sixguns]

CAS it's not your tattoos that are weird, just the person they are on!!!

Sixguns

[reddog4950]

Tattoo's are acceptable as long as your uniform covers them, them are the rules once you are in. It was different years ago , but due to Hepatitis C claims from Nam vets were denied because they may have caught it from the tattoo's needles instead of blood to blood contact the Corps now checks you for it coming in and when you get discharged also.
Reddog4950

[cmbell]

I got six tattoos while I was in the Corps. 3 of them are very visible in the class c uniform and in pt gear. I am currently tring to get into the reserves from IRR. The prior service recruiter is trying to get me in on a waiver. All I say is if I get back in great, but if I dont at least I tried.

My advise to anyone in the Corps or just going in Dont get tats they can hurt you in the future...


cmbell

[cmbell]

What they do see althought is pictures of each tattoo and what the meaning is to you for each particular tattoo, plus an explanation as to why you got the tattoo. It's really a lot of bull, but apparently now is necessary.

I like all my tattoo art, but it's really becoming a problem. Plus just FYI you have to sign a document stating that you won't get any more tats for your term of duty.

[toomuchmoto]

i've gotten 8 tattoo's since i joined, to bring me to an even 10, i've found that no one really cares as long as they arent' visible in uniform, or eccentric. Any tattoo that is visible needs to be "approved".

[junker316]

Here is my 2 cents worth... Every Tat has a meaning. Even if it is that you just like the Picture. But you will have to grow old with it and maybe get it redone a couple of times before you go to rest. I personally find nothing wrong with Tats. I don't care if it's a Southern Flag, A number, A pair of dice, or any other pic. Political Idiots are just trying to make everything harder to do for those that " don't fit the mold ". Just because some-one out there may think that Tats are " stupid " doesn't mean that getting a pic of your Dead best friend with the dates on it is stupid to you. Getting your child's name tatted on your body may be because you love them just that much. As for putting any-one's name on your body make sure that you have place either above it or below it for something else. But anyway for some reason Tats are now concidered not politcally correct. Maybe they should have thought about that before having thousands of Tattooed Military Members now in Jeopardy for future contracts. I watched as a great Marine was given walking papers after 14 years of service because he had a Tat of his family on his back. He got this tat years before this Regulation came out.

[LittleDevilDog]

Political Correctness.. it's an evil thing.

Nice post, Junker. It's a shame.

[The Sandman]

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but.... Political Correctness is a noose around our country's neck with lawyers and politicians waiting to kick the blocks out from under us.

[mchicosky]

I went up to my local recruiters office because i have been wanting to join the Corps since i could remember. I was all pumped up and ready to actually move forward with my life and do something i have always wanted. I went in to talk to him. Extemely cool to talk to we got through all the questions and i told him i made a 75 on my asvab already he told me that by what he can see i would make a great MARINE. Then he asked me if i had any tattoos and i told him i had one on my lower neck. He looked at it and then it was like a 360 on how he changed towards me. Sorry theres nothing i can do with you was exactly what he said. I told him i would do anything. He told me all he can tell me is that he could'nt do anything with me. Well after i left i went to a removal place and they informed me that after it was said and done with its gonna cost me about six thousand to get it completely removed. The thing that really sucks is that if i was wearings BDU's or Dress blues or any Uniform you could not see it. Tell me what yall think. Anything would help

[CrazyBrave83]

Research the actual articles on the regulations, and if you're still in the clear, bring the documents (or copies thereof) to the Recruiting station and be like "Listen, let's stop dancing here, I'm meeting regulations and if it means a bit more paperwork for you, I'm sorry."

If he doesn't go for it, bring it up to the NCOIC or even higher. Just make sure you're in the right before you make a move, hardcharger.

EDIT: Or you guys could always just use temporary tattoos, like the one in my user pic...:)

[mchicosky]

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c167/mchicosky/Mine032-1.jpg

this is it with my shirt on.... But like i said with a collard shirt you csnt even see it. He told me anything above the vertebrae is out of regulations. Where do i research all the regualtions???

[CrazyBrave83]

Couldn't tell you for sure, but I'm pretty sure that ink is not regulation. That doesn't mean you can't aim for a waiver. Discuss it with some other RS if you have the option, or just go up the ladder. You'll find someone who's willing to listen and less focused on just the numbers.

[JWG]

Do the paperwork and charter stuff first, etc. If you can't find it in regulations to help you.. the question then lies..

Is $6,000 enough to stop you from earning that title of Marine? I've not met any Marines so far that has said it wasn't the best thing they've done in their life. Just saying.. $6,000 is money lost.. but the TITLE OF MARINE is NEVER taken from you.. and NO ONE can take it from you.

Best of luck, bro!

[mchicosky]

they pretty much told me that they wont even bother with a waiver cause it will not be approved. Thanks so much guys for the input. If anyone else knows what i could try im open for whatever. Another thing where could i find out what the speech level on the hearing test to enlist is. What is passing and what is waivable

[The Sandman]

laser removal?

[JWG]

laser removal?

Yea, that's what I would do. I mean, if you have the money and you truly want to earn the Title of Marine, DO IT!

No one can ever take that Title away from you, and it will change you forever.

Good luck on your decision, Michael.

[Brooklyn]

mchicosky, I was just approved for a tattoo waiver yesterday, so I know a bit about this.

I have a tattoo on my upper back also. My recruiter had me take my shirt off and he then put an ink pen on my top vertabrae. My tattoo was right on it, so they let it go. But I also had/have my name on my neck. I had 4 treatments with a Laser to have that one removed. It's not completely gone. It looks like someone wrote on my neck with a marker and then came along with a wet towel and smeared it. My recruiter also had me put on one of the uniform shirts ( not sure which class ) to see what the tattoos look like.

According to regulations I am disqualified, but as someone said before, "there's a waiver for almost anything", so don't give up.

[mchicosky]

can anyone tell me where i can do research on regulations on hearing

[jennifer]

Well you rules are you ain't supposed to be able to see em in PT uniform. Green Skivee and Green Shorts. Good Luck on your decision there. It will be a hard one but hope you do what's good for you. http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c167/mchicosky/Mine032-1.jpg

this is it with my shirt on.... But like i said with a collard shirt you csnt even see it. He told me anything above the vertebrae is out of regulations. Where do i research all the regualtions???