Tattooed Leaders

[Gunny2862]

Lisabob,

At the time I retired from the Corps, those with previous Tats were grandfathered in but could get no new tats that showed while wearing boxers and a T-shirt(My last command actually had the medical staff do an inventory for the members record book). Sorry I don't have the reference and am not that worried about it.

 

Those without previous tats were counseled against them but the prohibition ran towards any that would be visible when wearing boxers and a T-Shirt.

 

I am unaware of Tattoo prohibitions for any other Service except that I believe that, In General Officers aren't to have tats that show when wearing boxers and a T-shirt. And that belief is not backed by viewing any regulation but by observed practice.

 

I also understand that the Service Academies frown on Tats and that having one MIGHT be a discriminator between two otherwise equal candidates. But haven't seen that codified - if anyone does know of a reference for this I would like to have it, thanks in advance.

 

I don't see any issues with Scout Leaders having Tattoos but as always think the character and personality of the individual are what should get billing over this issue.

[scoutldr]

This is the Navy's current policy, issued circa 2003:

 

® Personal appearance. Because it is impossible to provide examples of every appropriate or unacceptable hairstyle or of "conservative" or "eccentric" grooming and personal appearance, the good judgement of leaders at all levels is key to enforcement of Navy grooming policy. Therefore, hair/grooming/personal appearance while in uniform shall present a neat, professional appearance.

 

(a) Tattoos/body art/brands. No tattoos/body art/brands on the head, face, neck, or scalp. Tattoos/body art/brands elsewhere on the body that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Navy are prohibited. For example, tattoos/body art/brands that are excessive, obscene, sexually explicit or advocate or symbolize sex, gender, racial, religious, ethnic or national origin discrimination are prohibited. In addition, tattoos/body art/brands that advocate or symbolize gang affiliation, supremacist or extremist groups, or drug use are prohibited. Tattoos/body art/brands will not be visible through uniform clothing. Waivers may be requested for prior service and existing tattoos from the Chief of Naval Operations.

 

(a) Mutilation. Intentional body mutilation, piercing, branding/intentional scarring that are excessive or eccentric are prohibited. Some examples are:

 

(1) a split or forked tongue;

 

(2) foreign objects inserted under the skin to create a design or pattern;

 

(3) enlarged or stretched out holes in the ears (other than a normal piercing).

 

(4) intentional scarring that appears on the neck, face, or scalp. Waivers may be requested for prior service and existing body mutilation, piercing, branding/intentional scarring from the Chief of Naval Operations.

 

(a) Dental ornamentation. The use of gold, platinum or other veneers or caps for purposes of ornamentation are prohibited. Teeth, whether natural, capped or veneer, will not be ornamented with designs, jewels, initials, etc. Waivers may be requested for prior service and existing dental ornamentation from the chief of naval operations (n09bu)."

 

The above policy guidance will also be included in the civilian clothing policy, article 7101.

 

PS: Since Naval Academy students are considered active duty Naval Officers with the rank of "Midshipman", I believe this same regulation would apply to them, as well. Those who cannot comply with the regulation would probably not be eligible for an appointment.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

[John-in-KC]

Gunny and Lisa,

 

Army had a policy from sometime in the 90s... no tatoos below the rolled BDU shirt or below the issue underpants (Army issues briefs from Defense Logistics Agency).

 

Right now, as I understand things, Company/Battery/Troop commanders are responsible for looking at their Troopers and making calls. Administrative management tools available include Bars to Re-Enlistment and Suspension of Favorable Personnel Actions (aka 'flags'). That means no awards, promotions, schools and such.

 

Army has had a long-standing policy against inflaming comments, art, etc. Part of it is a response to KKK, some to neo-Nazism. Many tatoos will fly, but a Trooper would be told something like "Specialist Smith, those marks are prejuidicial to good order and discipline. Remove them by XXX date, or I shall have to bar your from re-enlistment."

 

There'll be some documentation of the order to remove the tatoo.(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

[Horizon]

There is one more Tattoo provision for recruits - that is that the tat can not be offensive or gang related. That results in some local Asian language specialists being asked to translate some tats to ensure that they do not say something "bad."

 

Of course, the wearer is not always completely clued in on the meaning - nor is the artist!

 

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,194732,00.html

[scottmphoto]

The only times that I have ever thought about getting a tattoo was when I made Eagle and thought about getting the badge tattooed on my chest and another when I was granted my Vigil Honor with a red Vigil arrow on my left forearm so that when I put my arm across my chest, the arrow would be pointing over my right shoulder.

 

 

 

[SWScouter]

Well, I don't have any tattoos, but the add just showed me how to meet people at TattooLovers.com. Ooh ya!(This message has been edited by SWScouter)

[Basementdweller]

Have a dad in the Pack with Adults only rated tat. The Pack leadership asked him to keep it covered while at scouting events. We also have a leader with a family portrait tattooed on his back. The first time I ever saw a baby with a beard.ROFL

 

 

[GernBlansten]

My son is Type1 diabetic. Getting him to wear any type of Medic Alert is futile. I've threaten to have it tattooed to his left wrist. He called my bluff. So I went down to the local tat shoppe and asked them. They said they wouldn't do it, but others might. Seems in Colorado, with parental consent you can get a tat at 14.

So I decided to order a custom temporary tat online with the medic alert emblem. Had to order 1000 of them. They last about a week. He wears them when I demand he puts one on. But if I don't, they just fade away. I might sell the remainder on Ebay.

[ASM915]

Gern,

I work at a local hospital that has a regional heart center. A couple of years ago we had a patient in the open heart unit that had a chest tat that we couldn't make out. After surgery, and we woke him up in the ICU, we asked him what the tat was. He started laughing and told us he threatend to have "NO CPR" tatted on his chest. His brother dared him, and he did it. True story. Good thing he had bypass before he arrested.

[evmori]

What is gonna be hilarious is when all these tattooed individuals end up in nursing homes with their wrinkled up bodies! Imagine what all those tats will look like then!

[SctDad]

As for the Army policies on tats. The last one that was put out was along these lines.

 

Tatoos should not be seen when the soldier is wearing the Class A uniform. including anything above the neck.

 

As for the gang related tatoos, they are supposed to get tehm covered before the recruiter lets them sign the papers. Same thing for the tats of ladies. There are many tatoos of ladies dressed in bikinis.

 

My personal opinion is, if they are distasteful and obscene, they should be able to be covered with the uniform. Example. If there is a questional tat on the forearm, consider asking the parent to get a long sleeve uniform shirt. We must remember, at a time of great difficulty, when we ask for volunteers, we should be careful about how we go about making comments on things like tattoos.

[packsaddle]

BSA doesn't really care, I think. But the CO might.

Personally, as a biologist, I dislike any form of mutilation. Yesterday I saw a tattoo parlor, I think it was in Carbondale, IL, that was titled, "Blood Born". I kept thinking to myself...they left off the 'e'. And the word, 'disease'.

[theysawyoucomin']

Nope I did not get the tattoo and I do not wish that I had. I could get one tomorrow and I could even afford it this time.

 

 

As far as the Asian meaning stuff.

There was a sitcom where two guys were commenting in one's new tattoo. The marked man said, "It means FIRE and STRENGTH" about that time the take out delivery chinese boy enters and says "No it not mean that, it means when two men love each other, you are the woman"

 

I thought it was funny as all get out not because of the Asian or love preference but just because there is a heck of alot of Americans that could be sold a bill of goods because they don't know the language.

 

Similar to, "I am a jellyroll". If that were even true. I was about two weeks old at the time, so I don't have a clue.

[Trevorum]

As an anthropologist, I find tattoos, the reasons why people get them, and other peoples attitudes about them, completely fascinating. Humans are endlessly inventive when it comes to bodily adornment. And whatever one person does to adorn their body, other people are bound to find mystifying or perhaps even repulsive.

 

Recently, The Harris Poll conducted a survey aboout tattoos in America. Among the interesting findings: currently, 14 percent of us sport a tattoo and 84% of those do not regret it. The full results are at

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=868

 

 

[GernBlansten]

When I see a girl sporting an Asian symbol, I always ask her what she thinks it means. Always something poetic or breathy. I then tell her I spent my childhood in China and that symbol means "Beef with Broccoli". What a way to get a reaction.