EGA Tattoo - Anchors Inboard or So I thought? [Archive] - Marine Corps

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tsage

05-23-09, 08:47 PM

So after 20 Years I plan on honoring the corps, my service and my fellow Marine Corps brothers by finally adding my own personalized EGA tattoo. Maybe some of the old SALTS could tell me why I see so many EGA tattoos placed on arms with the anchor not facing inboard?

It's been a long time but I was taught "Anchors Inboard" or so I thought? So can someone explain this to me, I must be missing something or there are hundreds of Marines with Tattoos facing the wrong direction.

If the EGA is on the Right arm what direction should the EGA be facing?

Anchor forward i.e. Inboard?

Anchor towards the back? If so why?

Isrowei

05-23-09, 09:02 PM

I'm not sure if there is a proper protocol for a single anchor.. unless you wanted to take your cue from the cover insignia?

As for the "anchors inboard" advice, that's how you determine proper direction on the Alpha blouse (blue or service) collar insignia. Those opposing collar anchors should be oriented inboard toward each other.

ecfree

05-23-09, 09:10 PM

Nordicfalken

01-05-10, 06:16 PM

Talk to an old GunnySgt (works in the Pentagon). He says it faces inboard if it is not within the Marine Corps Seal. The emblem on the cover faces to the left (as you look at it) because it is directly over the center of the body. I just got mine on my right forearm and I faced it inboard. I'm not a sheep.

sparkie

01-05-10, 06:48 PM

I was too drunk to remember, I'll hafta go look.

jetdoc

01-05-10, 09:07 PM

Never mind.

firedog974

01-05-10, 09:12 PM

I don't know. I have an EGA on my left pec (or man-boob now), right over my heart. The anchor is facing outboard. I was a wee drunk at the time....I hope ya'll don't find out I am out of regs....I like my EGA over my heart, where it belongs!

echo3oscar1833

01-05-10, 11:57 PM

devilbones

01-07-10, 06:07 AM

I want to see some pics of people with the anchors backwards.

Apache

01-07-10, 06:33 AM

Are you certian you want those Pic's ?

limestoneman

01-07-10, 08:44 AM

This is what happens when Marines drink and get tattoos. One Marine had an EGA tattoo on his shoulder, anchor and eagle facing outboard and he said "He's watching my back!"

firedog974

01-07-10, 08:53 AM

Your a turd, and out of regs 50 mountian climbers, ready begin. :D

What can I say. You just can't fix nasty!:beer:

jetdoc

01-10-10, 07:52 AM

My anchor isn't backwards, but it is an interesting topic.

http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4734&d=1184533360

Assaultdog0351

01-12-10, 10:23 AM

Always inboard...I always learned always on the left arm as well

Danny C Smith

01-21-10, 04:49 PM

Same here,
Always left and inboard.
Got mine on the left shoulder the day after I graduated boot.
Oct. 10, 86.
My Mother picked it out actually.:thumbup:
Mom is the bomb.
Got it in a side street shop in S.D. just off of Broadway.
Big biker type dude called C.C.
He free handed it, no pattern.
Said,"I done a million of these son, just sit still"
And I did.:evilgrin:
It is still a bad azz tat BTW:usmc:

Smitty out.

karen8857

01-21-10, 07:29 PM

I got mine last year and it took me from the time I went in (June 64) to May 2009. Damn proud of it.

Sempher Fi

Espo21

02-10-10, 04:20 PM

Hi there, I came across this website while looking for eagle, globe, and anchor tattoo ideas. I already have U.S.M.C. running down my left tricep but I want the eagle, globe, and anchor. However, I want it inside my right bicep as I have an Okinawan half sleeve on my left and other stuff on the outer right as well a Joe Capobianco back piece on my back. He's one of the best in the world, google him if you don't believe me. Anyway, I have an appt. scheduled in April with him. I was going to get it inside my bicep and I never knew there was a dispute since you guys are arguing about UNIFORM REGS. This is a tattoo and I never knew there was such a debate haha. Please let me know your opinions as I am quite interested in what you all have to say. So please let me know if you think tattoos should go by uniform regs and your opinions of the eagle, globe, and anchor inside my bicep with the anchor pointing to the left (as on the seal) thanks.

Espo21

02-10-10, 04:31 PM

I forgot to add that on another blog a MSGT. stated anchors are only in, when two are being displayed, such as on a uniform (my point) and that all other times it should be pointed to the left, like a singular picture/tattoo.

Rocky C

02-10-10, 05:25 PM

I know Joe Capobianco as well as All the other Top Artists in the World and On the Tattoo Tours.

I've been Inked by most of them.

Tell Joe what you want and he will know.
It's not the First EGA he has done.

Good Luck.

Semper Fi,
Rocky

FistFu68

02-10-10, 07:48 PM

:evilgrin: Used the Stencil that we put on our UTES on top of My Right hand my Trigger Squeezing Hand that was 1970 :usmc: :iwo:

walkytalky82

03-26-11, 09:39 PM

Bottom or top of left forearm?

Seattlefungus

04-13-11, 01:39 AM

This thread reminds me of an old joke.
A drunk old gal goes in and wants a pair of Elvis tattoos on the top of each thigh. On the right, Young Elvis. On the left, Old Elvis. The artist does his work and says "There you are" She looks at them and says. "WTF they look nothing like the King!" They argue about it for a while. The artist is getting afraid she won't pay so says "How about he settle this by having the next person walking by and judging?" She says "Sure, I'll go for that, but if person doesn't say they look like Elvis, I'm not paying!" They grab the next person passing by. He's an old drunk. But he's agreeable to judging. She drops her pants so he can examine the tattoos. First he looks right, then left. Then back and forth a few times. He finally stood up and said "Well, I don't know about the two on the thighs, but the one in the middle looks like Willie Nelson"

haebyungdae

04-13-11, 03:45 AM

I would say if you are planning on getting one on the forearm, then it would be dependent on how the tattoo is positioned when your arms are at their natural position. If the tattoo runs front and back when your arms are relaxed then I would say that the anchor should be forward because for the most part anchors are located at the bow of a ship. That's no rule, but makes sense; maybe I think too much into things though...

MattMudd

07-18-14, 11:02 AM

So after a couple days of research this is what I came up with.

I think something of note and possible discussion here. A few people have made comment on the Eagle Globe and Anchor tattoos and proper placement of the Anchor. So here's some food for thought. The original EGA from 1776 was a fouled anchor tangled in rope with an eagle resting on the anchor and 13 6 pointed stars above it (representing the original 13 states and freedom). All buttons showed the anchor pointing to the left (if looking at it). The same design is used as the buttons on the dress uniforms. In 1954 Commandant, General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr changed the design to from the crested eagle to the bald eagle and the ribbon "Semper Fidelis): Which is not on the uniform pieces. Also the OFFICIAL EGA includes a scarlet background encircled with a blue band bearing the phrases "Department of the Navy" above and "United States Marine Corps" below in white letters, the whole edged in a gold rope rim. I doubt any Marine is going to include the "Men's" Department of the Navy on their tattoo"
My Thoughts:
Thus: If tattooing the current Marine Corps EGA with ribbon containing Semper Fidelis The Anchor ALWAYS faces left regardless of where you place it. An EGA with anchors right with the Semper Fidelis ribbon is not on anything in the Marines. If tattooing the uniform Style EGA: NO RIBBON (which is actually a different design from enlisted to officer so make sure you Enlisted dress uniform includes Cuba and Officer dress does not: more research needed) and you are getting two then the EGA should be placed inboard IF you are in fact going for a uniform style tattoo. If your EGA is a part of a design or sleeve then personal preference is yours but you should never get a single EGA with anchor to right especially if it contains the Semper Fidelis Ribbon
If you are overly worried about it just get the tattoo on your left arm.

ChuckH

07-18-14, 01:16 PM

Your answering a thread that is over 3 years old....

MORTON

03-29-16, 08:32 AM

I know this is rather old, however, I came across this a feel that I must comment. If you are getting an EGA on your RIGHT bicep, regardless if you are getting 1,2 or 10 EGA's on your body the ANCHOR must ALWAYS face INBOARD towards the heart. If you look at your dress blues which way is the anchor facing? Exactly. Again it does not matter how many EGA's you plan on getting but if the EGA you get is on the RIGHT side of your body, then, the ANCHOR needs to face INBOARD. I have seen Marines with the EGA on their right arm with the EGA facing outboard and it looks retarded as it would look retarded on any uniform item.. If you want to get the EGA as in the seal then get it on your left arm. if you want the standard tattoo worthy EGA and you want it on your right arm then make sure your anchor is facing inboard. This isn't an opinion but rather a fact, look at your highest dress uniform.. If you are one of the ones that has an EGA on the right side of your body and the anchor is facing outboard, you are wrong..

-Morton

Semper Fi