Tattoo Keeps Man Out Of U.S. Air Force Basic Training

[Rocky C]

Tattoo keeps man out of U.S. Air Force basic training

<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By Jessica A. York
Vallejo Times-Herald




<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> var requestedWidth = 0; </SCRIPT>
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').styl e.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').styl e.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } </SCRIPT>BENICIA — It wasn't a sexy half-naked lounging lady. It doesn't say "Mom."
Josh Parker's months-old tattoo just says his first name, in Hebrew, a language he said he admires.
But those six inches of lettering running across his right biceps were enough to bar him from entering the U.S. Air Force on Monday under a policy instituted just last week for those not fully enrolled in the service.
Parker, 18, was called to his recruitment office Monday morning, the day he was scheduled to report for basic training, for a review of the tattoo.
"They said, 'Can you salute me?' and they were just like, Oh, Parker said of his surprising turn in luck.

Bags packed and good-byes wished, Parker found himself shocked and alone when he was told his tattoo now meant a "no go" for the Air Force.
"They didn't know what to say or to do," Parker added. "I'm just kind of confused about why they couldn't have contacted me over the weekend."
Parker joined the Air Force's delayed entry program in March, and he has been waiting since graduating from Benicia High School for a job to open up in the special forces division.

"There are no tattoos (allowed) on the right arm or the hands — that's the modification," said Christa D'Andrea, chief of public affairs for Air Force Recruiting Services in San Antonio. "(It is) in an effort to keep up the military image."
The recruiting policy was adjusted when Air Force
physical training outfits — the ones members exercise in — were designated as official uniforms for the military branch.


The short sleeves of physical training outfits reveal arm tattoos, particularly when a salute is being executed, recruiters told Parker.
The former policy allowed for tattoos that covered no more than 25 percent of the skin — a regulation Parker had strictly complied with, and even had measured and documented the same day the policy was instituted, he said.

D'Andrea said she does not think the tattoo policy change will affect recruitment. Based on the first week of the modified policy, though, D'Andrea is forecasting the barring of about 15 delayed entry program recruits a week, she said. Recruits as far advanced as basic training could be affected, but not those beyond that point, she said.
Each case will be looked at individually, D'Andrea said, and recruits will be able to re-enter the program at the point they left off if they choose to remove their tattoos.

Parker's parents were upset Monday after hearing the news. Parker said he did not yet know what he will do next — remove the tattoo or consider another military branch.
"Everything he's been training for, working for, preparing for — it's all shot," said Parker's dad, Kevin. "He's given a year of his life waiting on this thing — not going to college in the fall (and) passed up on some jobs."

[Integrity57]

That's ****ing retarded, I joined the Navy with both of my forearms covered in tattoos and only had to get a waiver and explain the meaning behind them. I finished my right sleeve while I was still in and was never *****ed at about my tattoos by any Chief, Warrant Officer or Officer. The only comments I ever heard about my tattoos were compliments on how well done they were. That kid should join the Navy, he could still be in a Special Operations Rating and probably do the same thing he wanted to do in the Air Force. God forbid you have a tattoo if you want to volunteer for military service and serve your country.

[Lupo22]

The short sleeves of physical training outfits reveal arm tattoos, particularly when a salute is being executed, recruiters told Parker.



The Air Force salutes in PT gear?? :sick:

[josephd]

The Air Force salutes in PT gear?? :sick:
LOL....I was thinking the exact same thing

[boomer56328]

I'm getting sick of all these stupid tattoo policies. They say it is to keep up the image of the military. That is retarded and they have a way different image of the military than I do I guess. Even the Marine Corps policy has gone to far in my mind.

[Lupo22]

I totally agree. Especially the Corps.

[GSEMarine94]

The Air Force salutes in PT gear?? :sick:
As does the Army

[BlknGld0311]

I got my 9th tatt after the policy was enforced. Our unit left for a seventh month stint to Ramadi right before, and we were informed that we had an extension for the tattoo policy for a month after we returned. That's when I got it.

Maybe this is me being Naiive, but is this a small attempt by the Air Force to say "Hey, we have tougher policies than the Corps!"? A way of one-upping us?

Naw, maybe not. That's just paranoid thought.

Maybe I'm right. Who knows. I love this tattoo drama that's been going on in recent years.

[gwamo1]

I also agree that the tattoo policies are getting alittle out of hand. Honestly, is their a reason to care that much?

[oldtop]

The Air Force salutes ?? :sick:

Fixed it for ya.

[jinelson]

We must be politically correct and in lock step with the Obama administration at all times. My God do you know how offensive that tat would be to our ememies and we cant tolerate that. Maybe he can get it modified to Ala Akbar in arabic and everything will be fine. They may even give him a medal or make him an officer.

Jim

[echo3oscar1833]

I think the tattoo policies have gone overboard to say the least. Tattoos are apart of our tradition, just as it is with the other branches. I would def say its more of a tradition in the Corps, and Navy however. What happened to the day when Tattoos where a sense of pride, to have, a badge of honor to speak of. I have 4, if I ever decided to go back in I would have to have one of them removed, its not offensive in nature. It actually says Semper Fi, however its on my neck under my adams apple.:evilgrin:

[usmcfreak05]

This hole tattoo policy stuff is a bunch of crap because they say its aimed toward recuriters and drill instructers but yet marines and people in general are still going to get tattoos. I am stillin getting my sleeve done no matter what though. the rumer mill says the tattoo MARADMIN is gonna get lifted once the new commadont takes place because he has a sleeve. but everything is to involved with politics and they dont even care what anyone says.

[GSEMarine94]

I think the tattoo policies have gone overboard to say the least. Tattoos are apart of our tradition, just as it is with the other branches. I would def say its more of a tradition in the Corps, and Navy however. What happened to the day when Tattoos where a sense of pride, to have, a badge of honor to speak of. I have 4, if I ever decided to go back in I would have to have one of them removed, its not offensive in nature. It actually says Semper Fi, however its on my neck under my adams apple.:evilgrin:

Damn Echo that had to hurt. All of mine (3) are on my back and couldn't imagine getting one there. :scared:

[echo3oscar1833]

Damn Echo that had to hurt. All of mine (3) are on my back and couldn't imagine getting one there. :scared:

Hurts less than one would think :D

[hussaf]

I've heard ridiculous rumors about Marine tattoo rules...especially for officer candidates. Stupid. I hope they relax the rules like usmcfreak was saying.

BTW, the Army salutes in PT gear as well. And if you ever find yourself in an Army school, Marines have to follow suit. They also sing in formation while marching. Trust me, its all much gayer than it sounds (and I realize it sounds pretty gay). Hooooah, Sarn't!"

[BlknGld0311]

This hole tattoo policy stuff is a bunch of crap because they say its aimed toward recuriters and drill instructers but yet marines and people in general are still going to get tattoos. I am stillin getting my sleeve done no matter what though. the rumer mill says the tattoo MARADMIN is gonna get lifted once the new commadont takes place because he has a sleeve. but everything is to involved with politics and they dont even care what anyone says.



Please learn how to spell, first off.

Second, I'll bet a third of my months' pay that no General Officer has a sleeve tattoo. I've been around MANNNNY of them since I've been here, and I def. saw none of that.

I'd sure like to know who runs YOUR rumor mill. They're full of crap

[GSEMarine94]

Hurts less than one would think :D

Especially after a few "pain killers." :beer:

[Carmine91]

I have 4 tattoos and i have to get a waiver for 2 of them because there on my hands but i never expected to have to do that. When i think about Marines i always think of some badas$ motherfvcker with sleeves. I never thought that i might not be able to get into the Marines because of some tattoos.

[echo3oscar1833]

I have 4 tattoos and i have to get a waiver for 2 of them because there on my hands but i never expected to have to do that. When i think about Marines i always think of some badas$ motherfvcker with sleeves. I never thought that i might not be able to get into the Marines because of some tattoos.

That's why I always tell people to wait, I didn't get any of mine until I got out of the Corps. Semper :thumbup:

[Hotel4341]

BTW, the Army salutes in PT gear as well. And if you ever find yourself in an Army school, Marines have to follow suit.

Thank G-d this didn't happen at Meade. The only salute I would have given an officer if I were in PT gear would be the one finger variation.

[William Hardy]

First off let's address the saluting...you were making fun of it...Why?? The Army and Air Force call it a PT uniform. They may salute uncovered and therefore saluting in a PT uniform makes sense. I...

[mjhpgh]

The Air Force salutes in PT gear?? :sick:
It is a new change .

There was a female on the news here in Pittsburgh with the same problem.They are going to let her ship after reviewing her case.

[Integrity57]

Aye Gunny, some folks I meet expect me to be some kind of hardass with at least some sort of criminal record because of my tattoos but are surprised that I have manners (I credit my dad for teaching me good manners early on in life) and am pretty easy going. But it's the stigma that comes with having tattoos, especially if they're larger tattoos or if you have a half or full-sleeve. And then there's the public perception that comes with certain designs, like spider webs on your elbow, celtic crosses, black widows, etc. I have spider webs on my right elbow but I've never been to jail and I'm not some thug. I got them because it was a design I liked and it fits/works well on the elbow which is a difficult spot to tattoo, and it hurts like hell haha. But this conservatism will eventually turn away alot of potential servicemen and women which the top brass will only realize too late and damage a military tradition that has been around almost as long as any of the branches. Here's a link to a good blog post about tattoos and the military although is Army oriented it still helps relate the ties between military service and tattoos: http://cruelkev2.blogspot.com/2009/09/tattoos-and-army.html

[Zulu 36]

I just read that the Air Force is scrapping their whole new tattoo policy and is starting over. Anyone in AF DEP with tats that were waivered is OK to ship.

http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=71300&catid=2

[egbutler1]

My arm is sleeved out the Corps had no problem with it. I pretty sure they changed the tat policy after i got out but this is retarded! GD Chair Force!

[dtsetzer]

They have changed the policy, all I really know about it is they don't want sleeves, and obviously no hand or neck tattoos. I really think it depends on your command as well, I've heard of Marines getting **** for getting a tattoo that's visible in pt gear. I've gotten 8 tattoos since I enlisted, two of which are on my forearms, as well as both triceps and the inside of my left bicep. I haven't heard a word about them, course that could be partly because I'm a nasty Reservist ;)

[Rocky C]

Thank you Gunny :thumbup:. <br />
67 Tattoos ( 2 Full Sleeves, 2 Chest Plates and 2 Neck Pieces ). <br />
<br />
Semper Fi, <br />
Rocky

[beebekp]

The ridiculous tattoo policy was one of the main reasons I chose to leave the Corps after 10 years. Tattoos and the Corps are a tradition and go together like peanut butter n jelly. As a young Marine I couldn't wait to get the Eagle, Globe and Anchor prominantly inked on my forearm where everyone could see it! soon after I added a portrait of Saint Patrick on my other forearm. 8 years later when I was denied for an officer program (MECEP and WO) for the 5th time and was told by a senior Officer in my command, "Ken, when is the last time you saw a commisioned officer with visible tattoos?" I knew it was time to move on.. I even caused a stir back in 2003 when I wrote an article in the Marine Corps times about it.. had my email blown up both good and bad for that one.. hahaha

Now, I'm fully sleeved and serving proudly with several Marines at my department on the civilian front..

Semper Fi.