Tattoos as a Naval Officer

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NavyMid7864

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Im sure this topic has come up, but what is the stigma around tattoos as a Naval Officer? Im currently in NROTC and am considering getting one on my chest or shoulder, but was worried about it being slightly visible. I've been told not to put something on my forearm just because of the fact that it doesn't look professional. What are your thoughts?
 
Just read the regs and make sure you conform. Personally, I would wait until you see which warfare community you join and what fits in with the culture. Regardless of what the regs say, my personal view is that no ink should be visible when you are in uniform. Otherwise, you would not be “uniform”
 
My advice, is to Google the subject, reading forum responses. Or searching the well-covered discussion that’s occurred already. Tons of talk on here you can read.

General advice, is to wait and see the culture of the group you join.
 
Research the applicable Navy Regulations in addition to current NROTC policy.

Use a judicious and thoughtful approach to examine the decision from every angle. You’ll likely be on the planet another 70-80 years, so you have time on your side.

Wait until after you are commissioned, see what the culture of your warfare community is, determine if that is a factor for you or not, choose to get one within regs or choose not to get one.

Human beings have been piercing, inking, scarifying, painting, hanging shiny bits off various body parts and otherwise decorating their bodies for millennia. Be sure it’s something you want to be part of you for the long haul and expresses something you don’t feel will ever change. And go for it then, if you like.
 
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I will also add I am a regular visitor to the derm clinic, and in the waiting room there are invariably those who are going through visits for laser removal of tattoos, likely gotten in haste and regretted at leisure.
 
Nothing beats a droopy tat...
 
I personally think that getting tattoos are completely fine! If you want one go for it, after all it is your body don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Be sure to think hard about what you want beforehand, and make sure it is in regs. I know a few guys who have chest tattoos in ROTC
 
NavyMid7864 said:
Im sure this topic has come up, but what is the stigma around tattoos as a Naval Officer? Im currently in NROTC and am considering getting one on my chest or shoulder, but was worried about it being slightly visible. I've been told not to put something on my forearm just because of the fact that it doesn't look professional. What are your thoughts?
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If you want to desecrate your flesh as a life choice - drop the pursuit of a commission and simply enlist
 
Don't stress about people like this ⬆️ tattoos are very common among officers as well as enlisted. Follow the regulations, use some common sense and if I can offer one piece of advice limit your tats to those that have a particular meaning or mark a key life event, that way even if you come to dislike the image you will still value the meaning, it will also limit the number you get. Each of mine marks an important event, a child being born for example. Also don't tattoo a partner's name and don't get a tattoo while drunk, those two things rarely end well :)
 
As one of those who has their fair share of ink and was an officer... my advice... wait. The reason being is each warfare community has their own expectations and nuances. Once you get there and understand the expectations versus regs, you can make a more informed decision.
 
USMCGrunt said:
An absolutely ridiculous statement filled with a lot of warning signs for an Officer candidate. Good luck making it through the process with that attitude.
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Agreed on your comment. While officer tattoos may have been scarcer than hen’s teeth a few decades ago, that is no longer true, as tattoos became more mainstream in the general culture over the last 25 years or so.

Much more insightful is your pick-up on the comes-across-as-negative generalization about enlisted personnel. No place for that, ever.
 
Ready42025 said:
Get your 4 and move on 0311 sage Sir - (page 11) https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Docs/TattooPolicy_Booklet.pdf
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"Sir, based on your experience as an 0302* who commanded men from many different walks of life, what would you recommend in regards to getting tattoos as a cadet/MIDN?"

There, I fixed it for you.


Oh, and 0302 is the MOS for an Infantry Officer who I'm sure thinks very highly of the men and women you have reduced to those who desecrate their flesh and are unworthy of a commission.
 
Thunderbolt462 said:
The military itself doesn't really have a stigma against visible tattoos as long as they're in regs, at least for junior officers. However, certain civilian employers do have policies against visible tattoos. That's ultimately been the deciding factor for me not getting any just yet.
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That's the caution that I will make here. I had a coworker at a major aerospace company who had been an enlisted Marine and then after serving got a technical degree and came into the industry after a few years he advanced and got into Business Development where he had to work with senior corporate and government folks on a constant basis. His forearm tattoos that extended down his wrists were often visible and a major source of embarrassment to him so he went through a pretty long and involved removal process. He worked for me during much of it and I saw firsthand the time and discomfort that it caused. So think very carefully about the location of your tattoos
 
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