Question regarding tattoo and tattoo policy of USMMA.

[KPpointer67]

Hi, I just recently received an appointment to attend the USMMA and I am extremely excited. I applied twice so this means a lot to me. Last year September my father, who really wanted me to attend the academy, passed away from cancer. Around the same time he passed i had made up my mind to get two tattoos, one on my ribs of his birthday and initials, the other a bible verse on my chest. I decided to wait until after I either did or did not receive an appointment to get the tattoo and in the mean time made sure to understand the policy that the academy has in regards to tattoos.

However, regardless of the policy I am a little hesitant to get the tattoo, although these tattoos are not in bad taste and are not visible when wearing summer whites I want to make sure that these will not be a problem when I reach indoc. My question is in your opinion/past experiences would these tattoos cause a problem for me? They do mean a lot and i would love to get them now but if its a bad idea then I'm all for waiting.

Thank you!

Also i know this question has been answered before in this forum, but I wanted to ask anyway to get a personal answer.

 

[5Day]

Wait until after you have spent some time at the SA so you can full appreciate the rules and policy.

 

[KPEngineer]

while likely not a problem, better to wait and be sure.

 

[cmakin]

Certainly not something to jeopardize one's career over. To be honest, I can't recall the old policy, not that it would matter. Our industry is one where tattoos are prevalent, long before the recent tattoo craze. I almost got one on a bender in Hong Kong during my Sea Year, but something kept me from going through with it. I still don't have any.

 

[KP2020Dad]

As long as the tattoo is within standards, it shouldn't be a problem. I know several Mids that have tats, including my DS. He honored me with a tattoo on his back prior to Indoc. (My two oldest kids got an anchor to honor my naval service.) He got another, over winter break, on his bicep. Tattoos are a very personal decision and no one can criticize for honoring your father. As a retired service member with multiple tattoos, I’ll offer this advice…One, double and triple check to make sure the tattoos do not fall outside of standards. Two, if you are going to do it, do it now so that it fully heals before you have to get in the pool (which you will do during indoc). Three, you’ve picked a few places that hurt the most…make sure that’s what you want. Good luck.

 

[1842]

When I went to the Citadel in 1986, you were prohibited from having a tattoo because the rationale was 'no identifying marks' and 'officers don't have tattoos'. Things have changed a lot. I remember one soccer player who had a tattoo on his leg and he had to use a white bandage to cover it outdoors on campus.

 

[RAC131]

As long as the tattoo is within standards, it shouldn't be a problem. I know several Mids that have tats, including my DS. He honored me with a tattoo on his back prior to Indoc. (My two oldest kids got an anchor to honor my naval service.) He got another, over winter break, on his bicep. Tattoos are a very personal decision and no one can criticize for honoring your father. As a retired service member with multiple tattoos, I’ll offer this advice…One, double and triple check to make sure the tattoos do not fall outside of standards. Two, if you are going to do it, do it now so that it fully heals before you have to get in the pool (which you will do during indoc). Three, you’ve picked a few places that hurt the most…make sure that’s what you want. Good luck.

As long as the tattoo is within standards, it shouldn't be a problem. I know several Mids that have tats, including my DS. He honored me with a tattoo on his back prior to Indoc. (My two oldest kids got an anchor to honor my naval service.) He got another, over winter break, on his bicep. Tattoos are a very personal decision and no one can criticize for honoring your father. As a retired service member with multiple tattoos, I’ll offer this advice…One, double and triple check to make sure the tattoos do not fall outside of standards. Two, if you are going to do it, do it now so that it fully heals before you have to get in the pool (which you will do during indoc). Three, you’ve picked a few places that hurt the most…make sure that’s what you want. Good luck.

Did your DS get the tattoo after the DODMERB exam? If so, did he have to let someone know before I-Day? Do all SA have the same rules?

 

[KP2020Dad]

Did your DS get the tattoo after the DODMERB exam? If so, did he have to let someone know before I-Day? Do all SA have the same rules?

Yes, he did get the tattoo after the DODMERB. He did not notify anyone and "took his chances." He felt that he was covered under the new regs. (This was his first "act" as an adult and had to live with the consequences) I have no idea about the other SAs. If your DS/DD/You want to get a tattoo prior to indoc, they/you better be sure that is what they want and it will be okay at their particular SA. Good luck.

 

[RAC131]

Yes, he did get the tattoo after the DODMERB. He did not notify anyone and "took his chances." He felt that he was covered under the new regs. (This was his first "act" as an adult and had to live with the consequences) I have no idea about the other SAs. If your DS/DD/You want to get a tattoo prior to indoc, they/you better be sure that is what they want and it will be okay at their particular SA. Good luck.

Thank you. Glad all went ok with your DS.

 

[kp2020mid]

Midshipmen have a variety of tattoos in a variety of places. As long as the khaki uniform covers the tattoo, you're fine (no sleeves, hand, finger, wrist, neck, face, head,etc)

 

[Jmoney457]

Kp follows the US Navy regs for tattoos. There is no specific policy for the school. You just have to fill out a form in naval science about the tattoo. Check the navy regs.