Tattoo in ROTC

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cadet0063

5-Year Member
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Are there any additional policies for AROTC cadets concerning tattoos besides the Army policy?

I was thinking about getting a tattoo this summer, and I didn't know if I had to submit it for approval to my PMS. It's small and would comply with regulations.

I haven't been able to find information about this anywhere.
 
FWIW;
My son was also thinking about a tattoo. After asking some senior officers he met over spring break, he decided not to, he said its "pretty much an enlisted thing"
 
There are several threads that talk about tats. On the whole it is always one side vs the other. Basically though, most people agree that regarding tats it is better to wait.

If you want it now you will want it in a yr. I agree with what gojack's DS was told, especially in the AF, might be different in the Army. It is more an enlisted thing to do. Use that yr or do it over winter break, but 1st get the lay of the land before doing anything that will be with you until the day you die....theoretically.

OBTW do you know what is one of the biggest new businesses regarding growth? Tattoo removal.

That is true.
 
In today's fiscal climate, it's better to not give the Army ANY reason to get rid of you. I would hold off on the tattoo.
 
gojack said:
FWIW;
My son was also thinking about a tattoo. After asking some senior officers he met over spring break, he decided not to, he said its "pretty much an enlisted thing"
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Incredibly untrue statement.
 
I understand Nick's POV, especially G forbid an infection occurs. However, for me it is more about the fact that although tats are common among this age group (our DD has one on the arch of her foot...take a step in faith), it is still something my generation looks down upon.

Right or wrong, people form opinions on 1st impressions. The people you will be reviewed by are not your generation. They are my generation. They have as gojack stated an opinion formed that tats are an enlisted thing, not an officer thing.

Bullet jumped with the 82nd as AF ALO. Tats on their calf were common back at that time as a sign of pride. He wanted one. I agreed, but made him promise me he would not do it until he got back into the cockpit again. He agreed.

He does not have a tat. He got back into the community and realized it was different than one he just left.

Hence why I said wait. What is common among your peers right now, maybe uncommon among your peers in the future.

There are many officers with tats, but unless there is a specific reason to permanently ink yourself this summer just wait a little longer. I.E. our DD did hers on her 19th birthday. She waited a yr and decided she still wanted one.

Where do you intend to ink yourself? What is the design?

IOTW, are you going to put a tat that is tied in some form with the Army? Can you imagine if after 1 yr in AROTC you decide it is not for you, but now you placed an Army tat on your left shoulder last yr that will be there for the rest of your life....how do you think you will feel everyday with that reminder?

Probably regretting the decision to ink yourself.

Thus, why tat removal is a big business now.
 
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gojack said:
FWIW;
My son was also thinking about a tattoo. After asking some senior officers he met over spring break, he decided not to, he said its "pretty much a generational thing, and since "senior officers" are in the old generation, they don't get it."
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FIFY (Fixed It For You)

Being a part of that "older generation", I don't get it as well. Seems very much a "fad" and something kids do these do to be "cool" and show their pride by doing something a little rebellious (I do hope they also understand why I chuckle in thier face over that comment's irony: if everyone is getting one, is it really rebellious to join the crowd?) Well, wearing bell bottom jeans with flower power signs painted on them were "cool" in the 60s. so was having a polyester suit in the 70s. And don't get me started on the hair-dos in the 80s!

Want to get a tatoo? Go ahead. Please allow me to lay some money on the odds that sometime later, you'll most likely regret it.
 
scoutpilot said:
Incredibly untrue statement.
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I bet it's not untrue that the "senior officer" said it to the kid, though.

Especially if he was talking to a retired officer.

Plenty of young officers have tats. Even when I was in 10-15 years ago, it wasn't abnormal.
 
It isn't related to the Army. I'm planning on getting it on my chest. It's a Spartan quote, "Molon labe" in Greek, along with a Spartan helmet and crossed swords. The tattoo would probably be about the size of a fist.
 
That's a large tat.

I will say it again. what's the rush?

If you really want it. 1 yr from now you will still want it.

I would take this time and visit grandpa.

Ask him to show his chest. Take a long good hard look.

Notice he probably has man boobs. Notice his skin is saggy. Understand tats need touch ups...the colors will change over time.

Now think about how it will look when you are 40, 50, 60 or 70.

10 will get you 20 after looking at Grandpa's man boobs you will decide against the tat.

For me this is not only officer illusions, it is also about looking in the mirror at the age of 50+. Think about it Botox and plastic surgery exists to make 50 yr old people look like they are in their 30's.

Are you sure you won't be Grandpa in 50-60 yrs. I am betting grandpa didn't think when he was 18 he would have man boobs either.

Sexy now? Yes
Gross later on? Yes

Tats IMPO is short sighted. It is kids that get them. Adults tend to stay away unless the tat has true emotions...i.e.death.

JMPO, throw it in the garbage can
 
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Saw a picture my son posted of him and about 8 fellow LT Flight students standing on Panama Beach, there was not one of them that did not have a tattoo of some kind.

Will they regret it later, maybe.

Is it an enlisted thing, not anymore. Times could change again down the road, who knows.

The only advice I would give is to wait until you are start school and are contracted in ROTC before you get one. No reason to add anything to your Dodmerb file before you contract, get your contract signed first.
 
I'm already contracted and through DODMERB, so that isn't an issue. I was just wondering if there was any extra procedural stuff or paperwork I had to do.
 
cadet0063 said:
I'm already contracted and through DODMERB, so that isn't an issue. I was just wondering if there was any extra procedural stuff or paperwork I had to do.
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If you are already contracted, then at this point I would assume you just finished your MSI year . Why not simply ask one of the cadre at your school?
 
^Good idea.

My son got one during winter break his MS1 year, I don't think he talked to anyone, never submitted any paperwork. When he had his Flight Physical they just made a note of the tattoo. Every battalion is different, it would be a good idea to touch base with your Cadre, start with the MSGT, a quick email asking about it should be enough to get an answer.
 
Bullet said:
FIFY (Fixed It For You)

Being a part of that "older generation", I don't get it as well. Seems very much a "fad" and something kids do these do to be "cool" and show their pride by doing something a little rebellious (I do hope they also understand why I chuckle in thier face over that comment's irony: if everyone is getting one, is it really rebellious to join the crowd?) Well, wearing bell bottom jeans with flower power signs painted on them were "cool" in the 60s. so was having a polyester suit in the 70s. And don't get me started on the hair-dos in the 80s!

Want to get a tatoo? Go ahead. Please allow me to lay some money on the odds that sometime later, you'll most likely regret it.
Click to expand...

Getting tattoos is hardly a generational "fad". It has nothing to do with being rebellious in most cases, and that does show how out of touch certain generations are.
 
Pima said:
That's a large tat.

I would take this time and visit grandpa.

Ask him to show his chest. Take a long good hard look.

Notice he probably has man boobs. Notice his skin is saggy. Understand tats need touch ups...the colors will change over time.

Now think about how it will look when you are 40, 50, 60 or 70."


This is a mental image that will take some time to get out of my head... you've spoiled my dinner! :smile:
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I am sorry for spoiling your dinner, but honestly that was kind of my goal.

The visual image was to give the uck, yuck factor. When I was 18, I never thought that I would have crows feet, gray hair and crickety bones when I woke up in the a.m. during the winter at 48, but I do!

I just keep thinking why? Especially since it would be hidden everyday unless they are at the beach. Why get a tat when really the only person that will ever see it is you. Heck why not just buy stamp ons and call it a day?
 
I have seen so many tat misspellings (Infintry), ugly tats, super moto tats and just plain stupid tats in the Army within such as short period of time that I have decided to hold off on one for a while. While tattoos are actually common among the newer officer corps nowadays I would venture a guess that whatever the retired officer said was probably true in the past.

Best question to ask yourself is, would I want this tattoo on my body when I am 60 or 70?

As an aside, I went to my LDAC buddies base in-processing where he and a Major were the only officers there among a group of privates. Because of missed immunizations everyone had their ACU blouse off and I would say around 75% of those fresh AIT grads had visible tattoos. They are really really common.
 
sprog said:
I bet it's not untrue that the "senior officer" said it to the kid, though.

Especially if he was talking to a retired officer.

Plenty of young officers have tats. Even when I was in 10-15 years ago, it wasn't abnormal.
Click to expand...

DS went home with a roommate from college, DS and roommate were planning on getting tattoos...Roomies dad is a army colonel, dad took the boys hunting with some of his army friends. Tattoos were discussed and dismissed as an enlisted thing. Neither of the two got the tat.

BTW My suggestion was to wait until assigned to a unit, make a decision on something that permanent with a few more facts.
 
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Cadet0063 probably appreciates all the opinions and advice but has asked twice about AROTC policies.

cadet0063 said:
Are there any additional policies for AROTC cadets concerning tattoos besides the Army policy?

I was thinking about getting a tattoo this summer, and I didn't know if I had to submit it for approval to my PMS. It's small and would comply with regulations.

I haven't been able to find information about this anywhere.
Click to expand...

Best advice given has been to check with his Cadre.

Other than that, if no one has firm knowledge of standing policies it is probably best to let this one die off...
 
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