In terms of size of placement Marines are only prohibited from tattoos on their face, head, neck and hands, with the exception of one ring-like tattoo. Removing the ban on knee or elbow tattoos heralds the return of sleeves for Marines.
Both officers and enlisted can now tat themselves up as much as they want, as long as it's not on the face or neck. And hands may sport only one finger ring tattoo. The reason for the change is simple: recruiting and retention.
Army Tattoo Policy
It prohibits any tattoos on the head, face, neck, wrists, hands, or above the t-shirt collar. Essentially, any visible body tattoos are prohibited. The only exception is one ring tattoo per hand where a regular ring would lie.
Laser tattoo removal is your best option for getting rid of unwanted ink that violates the military standard. While the military will not pay for your removal, many laser clinics offer military discounts.
US Army tattoo policy 2022
Specifically, soldiers can now have one tattoo on each hand as long as it doesn't exceed 1 inch in length. They can have one tattoo — no larger than 2 inches — on the back of their neck. One, 1-inch tattoo is also allowed behind each ear.
If you're enlisting in the army and happen to have tattoos that are in violation of the army's tattoo policies, like the Navy, you may request a waiver from your recruiter. Chances are pretty good that a counseling session will be in order if it's approved, though.
Individuals with ADHD need a medical waiver to be able to enlist if they meet these points, with the branches — Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force — typically requiring that applicants be off medication for several months and prove that they can function without it to be considered for a waiver.
Marines are now even allowed to have sleeve tattoos as long as the sleeve doesn't extend past the wrist. What is this? Marines have the opportunity to receive waivers for cosmetic tattoos that cover up scars and other body disfigurements.
The Marines call this “espirit de corps.” Though tattoos are still allowed over broad swathes of a Marine's body, certain areas, specifically around the knees and elbows are off limits, thus disrupting the ability to blanket ink from armpit to wrist or groin to ankle.
Officers and officer candidates, however, were limited to four tattoos that were visible in the Marine Corps physical training uniform. Under the new standard all Marines will be allowed an unlimited number of tattoos, along with tattoos on the knees and elbows, heralding the long-sought return of sleeves.
As for body piercings, they are not authorized in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marines. Women are only allowed to have earrings, and men are not allowed body piercings of any kind. The rule extends to not only being in uniform, but also in civilian attire when in duty status or while in/aboard U.S. Military jurisdictions.
In addition to likely paying a premium for location, there's always the possibility of infection. That said, if you're newly graduated from boot camp, hold off on the tattoo until technical training.
Navy Tattoo Policy and Regulations
New regulations allow for unlimited tattoos on the legs, arms, neck, and even on the hands and behind the ears. The only places on the body that are off limits are the head, face, and scalp. Tattoos on the torso are also allowed, but they must not be visible underneath whites.
You can get a waiver, or you may not need one -- provided that the tattoo is not offensive in any way. Tattoos on the neck above your collar when you wear a regulation shirt, if it can be seen, is disqualifying. Tattoos anywhere that are racist, sexist or offensive in any way are disqualifying.
Kellie: Yeah, they are allowed. Now I would suggest that if you're looking to get a tattoo, be very judicious in where you place it, just because the image of the Academy in the FBI is extremely important. So just be judicious in your placement of your tattoo. Stephanie: Okay.
You CAN have a single tattoo on your neck, provided it's less than 1″ in diameter. You CAN have full sleeve tattoos. Hand tattoos, including ring tattoos, are also allowed. You CANNOT have tattoos on your head, face, ears, or scalp.
U.S. Army updates tattoo policy to allow some hand, ear and neck tattoos. The U.S. Army is updating its tattoo policy. According to a memorandum issued Wednesday from the Secretary of the Army, effective immediately, Army policy surrounding tattoos now allows some tattoos on the hand, ear and neck.
Also, you cannot smoke or drink alcohol. There is a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and tobacco products while in boot camp, which means if you are caught, you're out. You're done. No do-overs.
Getting That Morning Wake-Up Call
In military basic training, there's no such thing as sleeping in. You'll get up at 5 a.m. every single day. Waking up in the morning is an adjustment process that's the same for every single basic training class.
Female Marines have long been allowed to carry an umbrella — in their left hand so that they are still capable of saluting properly. Now, “all Marines are authorized to use small, black umbrellas with the dress and service uniforms during inclement weather,” according to the new regulations signed by Commandant.
Hair color, in reference to dyes, tints, bleaches and frostings, that result in natural colors are authorized. The hair color also must compliment the complexion of the Marine, and must not detract from professional appearance.
There are some basic rules you must follow (no longer than 3 inches, bulk of hair cannot exceed 2 inches…), you can use hair products and can grow your hair out to the maximum length (as long as it is graduated from zero) or shave it clean, your choice.
For the first time in nearly 15 years, Marines can have “sleeve tattoos” that cover most of their arms and legs under the latest revisions to the Marine Corps' tattoo policy, which was released on Friday.