Are certain tattoos prohibited when entering the marines?

Question

The guy I've been dating has a tattoo on the back of his neck and he told me that his recruiter told him he had to get it removed before he could go in; I think he's just making excuses and has changed his mind on leaving so soon. He also claims that they are going to give him a $40,000 sign on, but he only gets part of it now. I think he over exaggerates, a lot. In addition, if you failed your third drug-testing can you still try again later when you clean up, or is that it and they won't take you. Last, he also claims to be colorblind in the way that he has a hard time distinguishing light colors like anything light is white and anything dark is black, i.e. my hair is dark red and to him it's black, and brown eyes no matter how light look solid black, and I was under the impression that if you were colorblind they can't accept you. Sorry so many questions, but this is really important I know what he's lying about.

Answer 1

First, there's no rules about certain tattoos being prohibited. Second, what happens with drug testing is this. If you fail the first drug test, a letter is sent out to you telling you that you didn't pass. You come back in another 4-5 days and are tested again. If you don't pass the second test, you are not eligibile again for 2 years. As far as being colorblind, if you fail the first test, then have to take a Falant test (a second test for colorblindness). If they take the Falant test and fail that too, they're NOT disqualified from the service, they just won't be able to apply for certain jobs like an air traffic control, etc.

Answer 2

First, the easy one. All branches accept colorblind people. They are just limited in their jobs selection. Since the Marines only offer open contracts, he would be placed in an administartive position where everything is black and white.

Second, the Drugs. The Secretary of Defense just ordered last week, no third time drug testing. After a second test, they are permanently disqualifed. Anyone that previously failed a second test must retest by 7 July 2007 or have their record terminated permanently. Retest for Marijuana (first retest) 45 days after last sample, second retest 1 year from last sample. Cocaine is 1 and 2 years repectively. Other drugs follow cocaine, but no third retest. Alcohol at MEPS counts as a test and will be considered one of the retests.

Tatoos. The military bars tattoos on the neck, face, head and some hand tattoos.

The bonus, he would get half (up to $10,000) after completing training, the rest later, on his anniversary in the Corps. However, the Marines do not have a $40,000 bonus, only the Army does.

My advise with this guy, get rid of him, he's not going to ever amount to anything anyway if he has all of these issues.

Answer 3

The tattoo on his neck bars him from enlisting. Especially in the marine corps. I have doubts about a 40,000 bonus, since the marines typically offer the lowest bonuses. If he went to MEPs and failed a drug test, he can't join the marine corps (I think). If it was done by a private copany (that recruiters often use), then he can still join, but no recruiter in his right mind would take an applicant they don't know to be clean.

Answer 4

Good news. He can now be an army of one with tatoos on the neck. Turns out when recruiting gets bad the Army changes its rules. Bad news you seem so untrusting or he lies so much that I would bet money on the fact that he would be getting a dear john letter 1.3 days into basic training

Answer 5

ok- so technically you arent supposed to have tats that can be seen outside of the uniform. in otherwords, the regular uniform should be covering the tat. I have seen many people get waivers for tattoos thatthey had prior to entry..

sd for the drug issue. i doubt they will take him.. i know the marines are desperate for bullet dodgers, but i dont think it will fly.

you cannot go in if you are colorblind, and my dear, he is filling you with ****. he is not colorblind, i think the drugs are screwing with his head.

he seems to be a patholigical liar, and you need to dump his ***..

Answer 6

they only got here out new regulations approximately having tattoos from the middle of the bicep and down..you will be able to desire to ought to communicate on your recruiter and ask him with regard to the hot orders. i understand reason my husband has been in for 9 years and he has sleeves on the two hands.. if your allowed to connect, you will maximum in all hazard ought to have it documented and placed it into your document

Answer 7

Marine Corps Body Art (Tattoo) Policy

The Marine Corps takes a conservative approach to personal appearance. Uniform regulations stress that personal appearance is to be conservative and commensurate with the high standards traditionally associated with the Marine Corps. No eccentricities in dress or appearance are permitted because they detract from uniformity and team identity.

Per MCBUL 1020.34 of 16 may 96, the Marine Corps uniform regulation is changed to prohibit tattoos or brands on the neck and the head. In other areas of the body, tattoos or brands that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Marine Corps are also prohibited. Tattoos, body piercing, and non-dental tooth crowns are identified as body art and commanders are tasked with upholding current regulations regarding eccentric appearance.

Four criteria will be used to evaluate tattoos and brands to see if they comply with Marine Corps standards. These criteria are content, location, size, and effect of associating the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps uniform with the tattoo or brand.

Content. Every tattoo and brand will be viewed to determine if it is representative of gang, racist, sexist, drug, or other prohibited activity. These types of tattoos and brands are prohibited.

Location. Tattoos and brands are prohibited on the head and neck. If they are visible on the arms or legs in the service "C" uniform, they are prohibited.

Size. Tattoos and brands will be evaluated on their size and color. Large and colorful tattoos and brands, especially on the arms and legs will be screened to determine if they are eccentric or project a non-conservative personal appearance. Tattoos and brands that are eccentric or project a non-conservative personal appearance are prohibited.

Association with the Marine Corps and the Marine Corps uniform. All tattoos and brands will be evaluated on the cost that they would have on morale, the maintenance of good order and discipline, leadership potential, and public perception. Marines that possess tattoos and brands that are not in keeping with the standards and traditions of the Marine Corps will be required to have the tattoo(s) removed at their own expense.

Drug/Alcohol Involvement.

The United States Military does not condone the illegal or improper use of drugs or alcohol. It is DOD's stated contention that illegal drug use and abuse of alcohol is:

(1) Is against the law.

(2) Violates the high standards of behavior and performance expected of a member of the United States Armed Forces.

(3) Is damaging to physical, mental, and psychological health.

(4) Jeopardizes the safety of the individual and others.

(5) Is fundamentally wrong, destructive to organizational effectiveness, and totally incompatible with service as a member of the U.S. Military.

(6) Is likely to result in criminal prosecution and discharge under other than honorable conditions.

All applicants are carefully screened concerning drug and alcohol involvement. As a minimum, you can expect the recruiter to ask:


a. "Have you ever used drugs?"

b. "Have you been charged with or convicted of a drug or drug related offense?"

c. "Have you ever been psychologically or physically dependent upon any drug or alcohol?"

d. "Have you ever trafficked, sold, or traded in illegal drugs for profit?"

If the answer to the last two questions is "yes," then you can expect to be ineligible for enlistment. If the answer to the first two questions is yes, then you can expect to have to complete a drug abuse screening form, detailing the specific circumstances of your drug usage. The military service will then make a determination as to whether or not your previous drug usage is a bar to service in that particular branch of the military. In most cases, a person who experimented with "non-hard" drugs in the past will be allowed to enlist. Anything more than experimentation may very well be a bar to enlistment. An "experimenter" is defined as:


.."one who has illegally, wrongfully, or improperly used any narcotic substance, marijuana, or dangerous drug, for reasons of curiosity, peer pressure, or other similar reason. The exact number of times drugs were used, is not necessarily as important as determining the category of use and the impact of the drug use on the user's lifestyle, the intent of the user, the circumstances of use, and the psychological makeup of the user. An individual whose drug experimentation/use has resulted in some form of medical, psychiatric, or psychological treatment; a conviction or adverse juvenile adjudication; or loss of employment does not fall within the limits of this category. For administrative purposes, determination of the category should be within the judgment of either the district or recruiting station commanding officer, aided by medical, legal, and moral advice, with information as available from investigative sources."

While not a "hard and fast" rule, one can expect that any admitted use of marijuana over 15 or so times, or any admitted use of "hard drugs," will be disqualifying, and require a waiver.

In any case:


1. Dependency on illegal drugs is disqualifying.

2. Any history of drug use is potentially disqualifying.

3. Any history of dependency on alcohol is disqualifying.

Even if enlistment is authorized, many sensitive military jobs will be closed to individuals who have any past association with illegal drug or alcohol use.

In the Air Force, anyone who admits to smoking marijuana less than 15 times does not require a waiver. More than 15 times, but less than 25 requires a Drug Eligibility Determination (basically, a trained Drug & Alcohol Specialist will examine the exact circumstances of the use). An approved Drug Eligibility Determination is not the same thing as a "waiver," in that it will not preclude enlistment in most Air Force Jobs. 25 or more uses of Marijuana in a lifetime is disqualifying, and requires a waiver.

As a minimum, recruits will undergo a urinalysis test, when at the Military Entrance Processing Station, (MEPs) for their initial processing, and again when reporting for basic training.

Answer 8

u have to obey military rules.