I'm just curious about the new tattoo policy, I've read in some place that all tattoos below the elbow or knee not allowed, bu I've also read that 4 tattoos no bigger the size of your hand are allowed below the elbow. So which one is? I'm planning to get a tattoo right where my elbow joint is and it'll slightly go below my elbow like 1-2 inches. I was just curious will this hurt me in anyway down the line since I'm doing ROTC and will it DQ me in anyway. I don't want to pay money to get a tattoo then just have it removed. Thanks for your answers guys.
New Tattoo Policy and ROTC?
- Thread starter Lpshrtr
- Start date
-Bull-
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2009
- Messages
- 1,431
read AR 670-1 and you'll get the exact answer.
From AR 670-1
Tattoos are "cool," BUT send a message - good or bad. Perhaps enlighten person don't care if a cadet or 2LT has a tatoo or not, but not everyone is enlightened.
Pima
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2007
- Messages
- 13,900
Every year this topic becomes a heated one. Member really did put it the best here. tats are something people have very strong feelings about on both sides. You take the risk of the non-enlighten person having a first impression you don't want. Think about it long and hard whether the cost is worth it, and I am not talking just the bucks.
I didn't want to go there, but as a senior officer my initial impression of anybody with visible tattoo(s) when wearing T-shirt and shorts is not favorable.
I guess I am not an enlighten person
k2rider
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
- 719
+12,347,000 to MemberLG....and I feel the same way in regards to men with earrings or anybody with peircings in their eyebrow, lip or nose!!
Enlightened would not be the word I would use. Maybe "progressive thinker"...
Full disclosure: Mon son is an MS-III and has a tattoo on his left side rib cage area. He always wanted a tattoo and wants more. Although I like the *design* of his tattoo, I'm still not a fan of tattoos...period!
Enlightened would not be the word I would use. Maybe "progressive thinker"...
Full disclosure: Mon son is an MS-III and has a tattoo on his left side rib cage area. He always wanted a tattoo and wants more. Although I like the *design* of his tattoo, I'm still not a fan of tattoos...period!
Pima
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 2007
- Messages
- 13,900
Lpshrtr
Are you getting a clue that although your generation is enlightened and think tats are cool, this is a 50-50 shot.
The older generation, aka CoC might not be on the same page as you.
Our DD has a Tat. It is religious...take a step in faith on the arch of her foot. I hate that she did it, but accept the fact it is her body.
~ Just waiting until she is 40 and the tat shrivels because skin does that. 18 it is cool, and nobody tells you that it will need touching up, 25 and no touch up it is not looking as cool. 35 People are trying to figure out what the original tat looked like. 45 you are telling them what it was. 65 Grandkids are frightened by the shriveled skin and the freaky thing on your body that looks like a blob
~ I will also put it out there sometimes it is not enlightenment, sometimes it is a religious issue. In the Jewish belief it is a sin to tattoo your body.
I say this all the time...go and look at Grandpa/ma's skin that will be yours. Go and look at the folks, that will be yours.
I will also say I think tats are like a pendulum. My generation don't have tats because of what I just mentioned. Your generation thinks its cool. Your kids generation will probably be like mine....ewee uck yuck and never want a tat
Are you getting a clue that although your generation is enlightened and think tats are cool, this is a 50-50 shot.
The older generation, aka CoC might not be on the same page as you.
Our DD has a Tat. It is religious...take a step in faith on the arch of her foot. I hate that she did it, but accept the fact it is her body.
~ Just waiting until she is 40 and the tat shrivels because skin does that. 18 it is cool, and nobody tells you that it will need touching up, 25 and no touch up it is not looking as cool. 35 People are trying to figure out what the original tat looked like. 45 you are telling them what it was. 65 Grandkids are frightened by the shriveled skin and the freaky thing on your body that looks like a blob
~ I will also put it out there sometimes it is not enlightenment, sometimes it is a religious issue. In the Jewish belief it is a sin to tattoo your body.
I say this all the time...go and look at Grandpa/ma's skin that will be yours. Go and look at the folks, that will be yours.
I will also say I think tats are like a pendulum. My generation don't have tats because of what I just mentioned. Your generation thinks its cool. Your kids generation will probably be like mine....ewee uck yuck and never want a tat
I have a couple of tattoos, but they're above my elbow and covered by my uniform. If I learned nothing else in four years of enlistment it's that perception defines reality. With all the people in the military who can negatively impact your career based on a poor first impression, there's no reason to paint a target on yourself.
Yeah I totally feel all the older guys in this forum, I'm not a huge fan of visible tattoos which is why I decided I'm not gonna go through all the hassle of getting a tattoo that could make it harder to reach my career goal, I have one tattoo and it's on my thigh it's very small and I got it there because I know in today's society people are judged by how they look at first, so I put some thought into it and getting a tattoo that I'd be unhappy with 1. Because it'd have to be smaller than what I want and 2. it looks unprofessional in PT uniform or any short sleeve shirt for that matter. So I'm just getting it on the shoulder joint instead so no one will really ever see it. It's not within any questionable boundries so there you go guys haha. Just felt I should drop my opinion in case anyone else has questions and are just searching on google they could come across this thread and read up a little. I like body ink to be honest as long as it's in good taste and not visible. You have to be creative to hide good body art.
Just in case anyone was curious or didn't already know
Current army tattoo policy only allows 4 tattoos below the elbows and/or knees and they have to be smaller than your hand with your fingers together but extended with your thumb touching the side of your hand (like a pimp slap) so you can have a combo of any but the limit is 4 like 2 leg 2 forearms, 1 leg 3 forearms etc. if you have questions about a neck tattoo, 1. Don't do it, 2. See 1 and save yourself the hassle honestly. No vulgarity or anything offensive, no face tattoos, sleeves are also unacceptable. Half sleeves are in a gray area I suggest to NOT to check out. These rules all apply to ENLISTED, OCS CANIDATES, ROTC CADETS, pretty much everyone no exceptions.
Just in case anyone was curious or didn't already know
Current army tattoo policy only allows 4 tattoos below the elbows and/or knees and they have to be smaller than your hand with your fingers together but extended with your thumb touching the side of your hand (like a pimp slap) so you can have a combo of any but the limit is 4 like 2 leg 2 forearms, 1 leg 3 forearms etc. if you have questions about a neck tattoo, 1. Don't do it, 2. See 1 and save yourself the hassle honestly. No vulgarity or anything offensive, no face tattoos, sleeves are also unacceptable. Half sleeves are in a gray area I suggest to NOT to check out. These rules all apply to ENLISTED, OCS CANIDATES, ROTC CADETS, pretty much everyone no exceptions.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2010
- Messages
- 2,242
I guess I am not an enlighten person
Apparently I wasn't either.
Tattoos do send a message. The message I received was... Visible tattoo = Poor judgement.
My ROTC battalion has already started cataloging tattoos, and I'm pretty sure others will start to follow if they haven't already. My advice is, play it safe. Looking at the way draw-downs are happening, the advice about not painting a bulls eye on your back is very true.