Tattoo Bans in the Military; Why?

Why? Because the military is not an equal opportunity employer. The military wants its soldiers to be cultural role models, in a sense. The way you can be discharged for adultery, for example.

Originally posted by Johnmike
Why? Because the military is not an equal opportunity employer. The military wants its soldiers to be cultural role models, in a sense. The way you can be discharged for adultery, for example.

No it has more to do with the military wants soldiers to be uniform. There is no individuality in the service. Thats why no one uses first names.

Originally posted by AMANNAMEDQUEST

Originally posted by Johnmike
Why? Because the military is not an equal opportunity employer. The military wants its soldiers to be cultural role models, in a sense. The way you can be discharged for adultery, for example.

No it has more to do with the military wants soldiers to be uniform. There is no individuality in the service. Thats why no one uses first names.

Friends

I think you're both correct here...as far as it goes.

During my tour (mid-to-late-60's)...first & foremost, the Marine Corp wanted killers...I doubt this basis has changed much.

Tattoos just never came up as an issue. In fact, among the enlisted ranks, tattoos with a military theme were common, maybe even quietly encouraged as a symbol of 'esprit de corp'.

The military is extremely conscious, and protective of it's public image...I believe this is the issue here with regard to large, garish body ink.

But make no mistake...if the # really hits the fan...you could be the 'Illustrated Man'...if you're prepared to pull the trigger, you'll find a branch willing to take you...gaurenteed!

Peace &
Good Fortune
OBE1

This whole topic makes me laugh. My uncle was a paratrooper and WWII vet, was on the first wave that landed at Normandy beach, earned two purple hearts and was nominated for a medal of valor for service above and beyond. He had a tattoo from every country that he visited during his three different tours spanning both Europe as well as the Pacific theatre. My grand dad was a sailor who served in Okinawa during WWII, he had tats up and down both forearms (one of a dancing hula gal he got in Haiwaii..lol) My best friend was an MP in the Marine Corps who served as guard to our air bases at El Toro, even drove the escort vehicle for the Secretary of the Navy when he would visit. He had more tatoos than one could count, some very gnarly looking and plainly visible.

Tattoos do NOT prevent a soldier from being excellent at what he or she does, remember some of the greatest warriors in history were tattooed (vikings, Celts, Roman legionaires, many Asian warriors) This is all just a poor example on how idiotic our military leadership and government decision makers have become. They dont mind sending our young men to fight and die in some awful war torn pit but they will punish you if you have a tattoo??? Pretty soon young people in the US will be so sick of the military and the B.S. hippocricy of our leaders that the military will be literally begging people to join their ranks (tats or not) just to fill the holes and keep enough warm bodies on staff.

Personally, I am a professional by day, I make an income that would rival many PHD's, and I have full sleeves and leg work and soon will begin my back piece. Nobody knows any different unless I choose to show them. You would be shocked, it is not just the gang member or the deviant element of society that are getting tattoos now. We are your doctors, your lawyers, your police and fire rescuers, society has progressed greatly and tattoos have become very mainstream and common place. What is it that so offends the "Do Gooders" about a person claiming their own individuality and marking themslves in a creative way? Why do people take such offense at something so minor? I love my ink, I have memorial work done, things that mark great memories in my life and people that I have loved, I have tats that have personal and hidden meanings that may not mean a thing to the outside eye but mean the world to me. Out of all the things in the world to measure or judge a man by I would look more toward his character, his temperament, his tendency for kindness and his honor before I would judge him by the lines of ink on his skin. It is no better than looking down upon a person for the color of their skin or the quality of the clothing that they can afford and placing a snap judgement against them. Good thing the old "Im holier than thou and better than you are" mentality will die off with the baby boomers and be replaced by a more open minded generation of people

Originally posted by Alpha Grey
Also......YOU WILL NEVER GET ACCEPTED FOR ANY SPECIAL FORCES, SEALS OR ANY OTHER ELITE FORCES EVER IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO (which is an identifying mark...like a scar) and identifying marks are a serious no-no when trying to join said units.

Maybe so with the US forces, but in the UK there are several sneaky beaky troops with tattoos (I have worked with at least two). As for scars, how can you be expected to do the job that these boys do without getting a few cuts? Many of this lot are covered in the things!

In the UK there there are more important considerations when selecting SF troops than some scribble they got on their arm when they were 16. An exeptional soldier will not be RTU'd because of atattoo in favour of someone without. As long as the tattoo can be covered by a T-shirt and is not particularly offensive to any ethnic or political group ( for obvious reasons), or does not specifically identify you as SF, there should not be a problem.

Originally posted by Realtruth
JackatMtn,

Correct if I am wrong, but when you the drill sergeant says on the first day, your ass is his he is not kidding. Once you have signed up you are bound by Military Laws and court not the Constitution.

You are property of Uncle Sam and no longer a civilian.

You body is completely 100% government property. The military can tell you to do what ever they want according to military laws and if you disobey, that is a whole different nightmarish can of worms.

That is true, but anyone who has served knows why this is the truth, The US Armed forces has to operate as one big entity with all pieces moving in the same direction, a massive team so to say.

The regulations issued are not to step on someone's individual rights, but rather to enable the melding of races, sex, cultures from every place in the country, for one specific goal.....

....The finest military in the world.

This cannot be accomplished without sacrifice,

(Servicemen and women sacrifice some of their individual rights from day one. Being in combat is not a requirement to show sacrifice, every single one does that for us when they raise their right hand and take the oath, we must never misunderstand that sacrifice.)

and those who have volunteered to protect our country understand that.

Well the military has a problem with extremist groups, and gangs, since they have lowered their recruiting standards to meet their quotas. There are numerous neo nazi's, Latin Kings, Crips, Bloods, Vice Lords, etc. enlisting.