Tattoo While in AROTC

[Reapplicantagain2025]

Howdy, I was wondering if anyone can shed some personal experience on getting a tattoo while in Army ROTC (paper work, location, size, literally anything you could think of). I talked with my military instructor and he said that it must fall within regulation and that was really it. For greater context, I was hoping to get a tattoo on my mid/upper thigh and it would be roughly 4 inch length (knee to hip) and roughly 8 inches across. I also plan on getting it in black ink and it won't be considered offensive.

 

[kinnem]

They key is whether it's going to show in PT gear. Check the regs. Google 'Army Tattoo Policy'.

 

[SOG-SA]

I suggest a full-body ink tribute to the genius that is Bob Ross.

Happy trees (and their little friends) covering 90% of your skin. Bonus points given for a nod to distant snow-covered mountains in the distance,, and babbling brooks in the foreground.

With that said......

Be 100% positive about what you want on your body, for eternity...and read, then adhere,, to the Army regulations, to the letter.

I'm a fan of ink...and have several tats...but NONE are visible while wearing professional attire (inclusive of my old active duty uniforms). That kept me out of trouble during AD, and didn't stand in my way, with respect to employment, after retirement.

 

[Jarhead713]

I've got one on my ribs, plan to get one on my collar bone this summer, and have plans for half a sleeve sometime next semester.

Just make sure you're in regs and you'll be fine. Usually they just have you disclose it to DoDMERB saying "hey I got this tattoo."

Make sure it doesn't go past your wrists, or above your t shirt collar and you'll be fine. Also (this should be obvious) make sure it's not extremist, racist, homophobic, or anything that would reflect badly on the Army.

 

[lsuraeru]

I've got one on my ribs, plan to get one on my collar bone this summer, and have plans for half a sleeve sometime next semester.

Just make sure you're in regs and you'll be fine. Usually they just have you disclose it to DoDMERB saying "hey I got this tattoo."

Make sure it doesn't go past your wrists, or above your t shirt collar and you'll be fine. Also (this should be obvious) make sure it's not extremist, racist, homophobic, or anything that would reflect badly on the Army.

I was looking the other day at the Army regs, and I noticed it said no sleeves. Does that mean no sleeves at all on the arm? Or can it be down to the elbow, but not below it? The wording was a bit confusing to me on the regulations document.