Navy’s new tattoo policy
The Navy Times reports that service has decided to make their tattoo policy a recruiting tool, apparently. I’ve been waiting to see if it was an April Fool’s joke, but apparently not;
The new rules, announced Thursday and taking effect April 30, will allow sailors to:
Have multiple or large tattoos below the elbow or knee, including the wrists and hands, effectively allowing sleeve tattoos that can be seen even while wearing short sleeve uniforms.
Have one tattoo on their neck, which includes behind the ear, and it may not exceed 1 inch in length or height in either or both directions.
Sailors with visible tattoos will now be eligible for recruiting duty or leading recruits at boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. These tough assignments often give sailors a leg up to make rank.[…]
“In addition, tattoos that symbolize affiliation with gangs, supremacist or extremist groups, or advocate illegal drug use are prohibited — waivers will not be given for tattoos with prohibited content,” the service said.
The updated tattoo policy does not apply to Marines, even ones serving at Navy commands, according to a spokesman for Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller. The Marines are easing their tattoo rules but do not allow sleeves, which would be visible with short-sleeved uniforms like PT uniforms.
My body is beautiful enough the way it was given to me, so I’ve never felt the need to adorn it, but I guess if that stuff is important to you, the Navy is the place to go. Thanks to Chip for the link.
Category: Navy
Just. Freaking. No.
I was kind of not surprised.
I mean who ELSE has a long and varied history of getting tattoos from all over the 7 seas?
The most important part of this is that those forearm anchors are finally good to go again!
http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/popeye/images/3/3b/Oh_Popeye.png/revision/20141228234731
Duffle Blog???
Or WTF OVER!
When I was at the USCG Marine Law Enforcement Academy in Charleston, SC last year it was almost impossible to enoucnter a Coastie(enlisted or officer) without full sleeves on both arms. Place looked like an ink convention.
Navy = winning!
(you may never see that from me ever again.)
Bet this is going to lead to a few interesting discussions in the “goat locker”.
For all of our tattooed, and soon to be tattooed, Navy brethren out there.
Next step will be Queequeg applying to enlist and getting a waiver because he’s all “Naval” and all.
Well, the tattoo artists in PI will get a lot of business soon.
Did somebody mention desperate to make recruiting numbers? Nothing says military bearing more than a neck tattoo so way to go my beloved USN. Jonn, I don’t have any tattoos either. You know why? Because I’m a rebel.
Good. Now if we can bring back beards and dungarees they will start looking like sailors again and (hopefully) start acting like sailors.
I sailed with several old timers on merchant ships who still wear dungaree work uniforms on deck. They practically wear nothing else, even ashore.
Tattoos on the arms is one thing, but stuff on the neck to me just screams unprofessional and a little trashy.