Questions

Kayla613

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Feb 18, 2019
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My mother and I were planning on getting matching tattoos for my 18 birthday but we are worried I will not get accepted to the academy if I do so. I could not find information online so if anyone has any idea please help! Thank you
 
I'm sure there are rules for size and placement. Every other branch has them so why not CGA. Do not get a tattoo until you understand those rules. My personal recommendation is not to get one until you've graduated and spent sometime in the real culture. You and Mom can do it then.
 
@kinnem...GREAT advice. I would second that. I know tats are allowed but there restrictions on cadets that are not on AD Coasties, so be careful and make sure before you do it. There is ALWAYS time after!!!
 
Slow down there high speed ....

My son had some classmates who thought it would be cool to get Citadel tattoos over Thanksgiving furlough - it didn't go well for them once it was found out ... USCGA is no Citadel but I suspect the same might hold true
 
From the USCGA Cadet Regulations "Cadets must meet Coast Guard grooming standards at all times. These standards are set forth in the Coast Guard Uniform Regulations, COMDINST M1020.6 (series) and the Tattoo, Body Marking, Body Piercing, and Mutilation Policy, COMDINST 1000.1 (series)."
You can google those specific regulations. Many cadets get tattoos while at the Academy, but I will agree with others...you might want to wait.
 
Tattoos are pretty common here. Basically, keep them off of anywhere below the wrist bone or above the collar (in a v-neck undershirt) and nothing offensive (gangs, alcohol, sex, etc.). Having a tattoo alone won't preclude you from Admission or even be looked at unfavorably, but definitely do your own research and refer to the most up to date policies and regulations. There are not different tattoo requirements placed on us than any other Coast Guardsman.

All of that said, I would still recommend waiting until you're here for the sole reason that if for some strange reason the policy changed between the time you get it and the time you're coming to the Academy and yours was all of a sudden not allowed, you'd be out of luck. If you're in service when the policy changes, you get grandfathered in. The odds that this happens are slim to none, but the risk is pretty big if it does.
 
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