Tattoos after DoDMERB physical exam

[theophrastus94]

I had my DoDMERB physical today and currently have no tattoos. I have been thinking about getting a tattoo that would not be visible in PT gear and would not be related to race, religion, etc. Would that be allowed as long as I sent pictures to the Naval Academy? Or since I have already had my exam, would that be seen as a bad thing?

[Christcorp]

Why would u do that? I have nothing against tats, but being it permanent and you've gone 17+ years without one, why can't you wait? I won't say any more about it other than it makes absolutely no sense. It's not like u must get it now or it will no longer be available.

[flieger83]

I'm going to agree with CC (Mike)...
(Gee...what's new with that?)

I advise my JROTC cadets almost daily on tat's...the BEST answer is: WAIT WAIT WAIT...there's no rush. If you want some design, you can get it AFTER you get "insert Academy/ROTC/Enlist here" what you want. THEN you can ask the expert on the scene to show you what is and is not acceptable.

There's no rush...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

[nick4060]

I got my first tattoo between sophomore and junior years. It was after DoDMERB. Its not visible in any military uniform and its not offensive. No one asked any questions or gave me any trouble about it. But I was in ROTC, maybe the academies are more picky about tats.

[EDelahanty]

Not race, not religion...hmmm....Are you going traditional with a heart and an arrow and "Mom" engraved in the middle? If you really want to make a favorable impression why not go big and have the Constitution of the Unites States tattooed on your torso? Just make sure to leave room for amendments. But don't overcommit. If you have an anchor tattoo but later change your mind and go Army you may come in for some abuse.

[Hurricane12]

Here's what you need to know about tattoos at the Naval Academy:

-DO NOT GET A TATTOO BEFORE GOING TO USNA IF YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN CLEARED BY DODMERB.
-DO NOT GET A TATTOO AT USNA.
-PROBABLY DON'T GET A TATTOO IMMEDIATELY AFTER GRADUATING.


...That about covers it. Sorry for yelling.

[theophrastus94]

Thank you guys very much. You're all correct there is no reason I have to have it. I'll just wait until I know if I've even gotten into the USNA to decide if I will get the tattoo.

[Luigi59]

Although the tattoo will be noted on your DODMERB physical exam, I'm not sure that any "DQ" (from a non-admissible tattoo) that may result would be initiated by DODMERB, whether or not it was there when you took the physical or it appeared later.

Each military branch has their own policy for tattoos - location, size, content, etc, as well as the policy for enforcement of their regulations.

I'm pretty sure there is no "DODMERB standard" for tattoos or other body alterations (branding, piercing, etc) like there is for other medical conditions. (but not 100% sure)

The advice given by others was good regardless - get one after you get there if you are so inclined. Many do.

[Bullet]

My $0.02, take it for what it is worth.

Kids want to get tats because it is the "In thing" to do. Besides, everyone's getting them, what is the big deal?

Well, here's the big deal. You want to go to an Academy. You want to earn a Commission. Ultimately, you want to serve your country as a LEADER. Leaders don't do something because it's "cool". Leaders don't follow the herd mentality. Leaders don't worry about "fitting in by showing your pride in something, permanently". Leaders worry about leading. THAT is the image you want the world to see, not your tat.

Ask yourself, when I finally get out and want that nice, well paid professional position, what do you think the guy / gal interviewing you is going to think about that tattoo? And please, none of those "well, it's hidden under my clothes" arguments. To me, that simply says "yeah, I'm not that comfortable showing this to the world, so I got one that I can cover it up easily." That just tells me you know it is slightly wrong, but you did it anyway.

The younger generation also likes to smoke a little weed once in a while. It's not that big a deal to society anymore. Everyone is doing it, even your friends. I mean, what's the harm, right? THAT is another test on whether you want to be a leader or a follower. And please, don't start going down that "well, one is illegal, and the other is not" path. We all know that unless you're growing your own, or carrying a hefty bag full of it, most law officials won't go out of their way to arrest you for it (unless you're involved in another illegal situation at the time, and in that case you have other thing to worry about). Thousands of folks smoke that stuff everyday, knowing their chances of getting in trouble with the law are practically nil. It's cracking under peer pressure that is the real test here, and leaders don't allow that to happen to themselves.

You want a tattoo? Wait until you've DONE something unique that you can be proud of for the rest of your life (participating in the Olympics may be an example). JOINING the military? Nothing special about that, thousands of kids get Academy appointments every year.

Tattoos have become pretty standard and standard for a lot in the military. Which to me smacks of "herd mentality" in the ranks. Pretty hard to be the leader when you're quick to run out and be a follower. Be a leader instead by your actions, not by the ink you got on your shoulder blade.

[nick4060]

Originally Posted by Bullet

My $0.02, take it for what it is worth.

Kids want to get tats because it is the "In thing" to do. Besides, everyone's getting them, what is the big deal?

Well, here's the big deal. You want to go to an Academy. You want to earn a Commission. Ultimately, you want to serve your country as a LEADER. Leaders don't do something because it's "cool". Leaders don't follow the herd mentality. Leaders don't worry about "fitting in by showing your pride in something, permanently". Leaders worry about leading. THAT is the image you want the world to see, not your tat.

Ask yourself, when I finally get out and want that nice, well paid professional position, what do you think the guy / gal interviewing you is going to think about that tattoo? And please, none of those "well, it's hidden under my clothes" arguments. To me, that simply says "yeah, I'm not that comfortable showing this to the world, so I got one that I can cover it up easily." That just tells me you know it is slightly wrong, but you did it anyway.

The younger generation also likes to smoke a little weed once in a while. It's not that big a deal to society anymore. Everyone is doing it, even your friends. I mean, what's the harm, right? THAT is another test on whether you want to be a leader or a follower. And please, don't start going down that "well, one is illegal, and the other is not" path. We all know that unless you're growing your own, or carrying a hefty bag full of it, most law officials won't go out of their way to arrest you for it (unless you're involved in another illegal situation at the time, and in that case you have other thing to worry about). Thousands of folks smoke that stuff everyday, knowing their chances of getting in trouble with the law are practically nil. It's cracking under peer pressure that is the real test here, and leaders don't allow that to happen to themselves.

You want a tattoo? Wait until you've DONE something unique that you can be proud of for the rest of your life (participating in the Olympics may be an example). JOINING the military? Nothing special about that, thousands of kids get Academy appointments every year.

Tattoos have become pretty standard and standard for a lot in the military. Which to me smacks of "herd mentality" in the ranks. Pretty hard to be the leader when you're quick to run out and be a follower. Be a leader instead by your actions, not by the ink you got on your shoulder blade.

Its not my intention to start an argument here or derail the thread from the OP's question, but I feel you are making some pretty broad generalizations about young people and tattoos.

I know a lot of people who've gotten them to "follow the herd" as you say. They usually ended up regretting it later. But I also know a lot of people who, like myself, got them for extremely personal reasons that they never intend to share with "the herd".

I don't believe you must "wait until you've DONE something unique" to get a tattoo. Sometimes, unique things (good or bad) simply HAPPEN to you in life. And everyone has their own way of remembering it. As long as its not against regs, I don't see anything wrong with it.

Again, i'm not trying to start an argument. I just hope you understand that not everyone goes out to get a tattoo to "fit in".

But back to the OP, it looks like Hurricane12 answered your question. If the Academy says no, don't do it.