why does the military frown upon tattoos. IE, they cant be shown.?

Question

i mean what is the point really? that we want to look all good and clean cut while we kick butt? or would it be more effective as a mental thing if our military were a bunch of dudes that all looked like they were hard core gangsta's and criminals, but only in the military and fighting for good. i mean, come on, if you were the enemy, would you be more scared of some clean cut pansies or some tattoed up hard core mutha's?

fyi, i am in the military. going on 6 years.

tradition? well, traditionally, in the past, the military accepted tattoos. but now they limit it. there are too many polotics about how the people look (whats on thier bodies) all that should matter in a military is if it can effectively act as one team, and understand that the mission is the only key factor. if some people can't handle tattoos then, i don't think they should be able be in the military, because they are the ones causing the fuss, therefore detracting from the coehesivness of the military. although i do agree on tattoos that offend,
(swastikas, x- rated, etc..) other than those i think all others should be ok. (tribals, pictures of animals, last names, stuff like that.)

we do display a public image, America, the land where people are suppose to be able to express themselves, and there are a lot of people in America who express them selves with tatoos, so shouldn't we display that image as well? The image that America is not just a bunch of clean cut people, but people with tatoos, etc.. I mean when it comes down to it, the uniform was the original reason for "uniformity". I just feel that if we all wore the same uniform, then we as Americans should accept others for what they value, not for what they look like. As long as the military could function effectively and efficently, then really i don't see the problem.

Answer 1

So many people have tattoos today, from executives to bikers, that I really don't think a tattoo really makes you look hard core. I am retired military (Navy 20 years) and the new tattoo standards have to do with professionalism and appearance. Political correctness also plays a part in this as gang symbols, nude women, etc should not be visible. Some branches of the service such as the Navy are downsizing which means they do not have to take anyone who has two legs and a pulse. They can afford to be selective so they will not take people who have certain visible tattoos.
Another reason is health. A lot of guys and gals I were stationed with got their tattoos overseas. Some of these tattoo parlors were not the most sanitary places. In fact, a friend of mine got hepatitis shortly after he got a tattoo in Haifa, Israel.
Also in the military we are technically ambassadors who represent the United States. In these cases it is essential that we look "good and clean cut". Tattoos are not part of this professional image.
Eventually, everyone gets out of the military. Some get out when their enlistment is up, some retire. The military, through Transition Assistance classes and other programs. tries to help its people make the transition to civilian life and be competitive in the civilian job market. Some civilian jobs will not hire people with large visible tattoos.
Lastly, the military is a life of sacrifice. We sacrifice certain things that some people take for granted (i.e.; the right to have long hair, piercings) for greater freedoms.

Answer 2

Tattoos are a long and storied part of military tradition. I did not get tattoos while I was in service, but only because I couldn't find the right one for me, still haven't found it, and yes, I have been looking.

I understand the need for a professional look, yada, yada, yada. But as long as said tattoos are not vulgar or intentionally inflamatory, I say what is the problem? Almost half of my unit had tattoos, most of them Marine Corps tattoos of some variety, but nothing crazy. During the time I was in, the rule was that it had to be above the elbow and below the neck, but now, a certain number of tattoos will actually disqualify you from joining. And if you are already in, you are not allowed to get one. I think it is a little ridiculous, but, I'm not in charge.

But here is a valuable quote from Murphy's Laws of Combat concerning appearances:

No combat ready unit ever passed inspection. No inspection ready unit ever passed combat.

Answer 3

The military wants to display a professional image. Their ideal of a professional image is no more than 25% of exposed area covered with tattoo. No tattoo may be lewd in content or deemed that way or it will be removed on your dime regardless of it is viewable or not.

It sounds like you have been in long enough to know that public opinion is very important to the military. As they keep telling us, "what one does off base reflects all members". You know that to be true, don't you? I am a tattooed individual but I pick my tattoo's carefully and place them in places as to not be out of "reg" so to speak.

The military wants you to be an individual, on your own time. When you are in uniform you must conform or you will be dealt with accordingly. You swore/affirmed and signed the paperwork saying you will obey the orders of those appointed over you. You can always get out if being and individual is more important. The military isn't for everyone.

My $0.02

Answer 4

Different branches has different regulations on tattoos. The Navy, for instance, can have tattoos shown whilst in uniform, so can the army.

I am in the Air Force, and if we have lets say, our arms exposed, they cannot be covered in tattoos over a certain percent.

The reason why we can't be covered in tattoos? I guess a 4 star general somewhere sometime made it that way.

Answer 5

I think a lot of it has to do with professionalism. There is a misconception in this country (and others, from what I understand) that Soldiers are a lot of drunks/louts/gangstas/lowlifes. And the Soldiers themselves do not do a lot to help this image many times. If you have a lot of tattoos, it adds to that "lowlife" image. There are just certain standards you are to uphold, both standards of appearance and personal conduct. As a Soldier and a member/representative of this country you are to hold yourself to a higher standard of appearance and behavior than the average citizen.

I realize that some of this seems like judging people based on externals. But think about it--what is most people's gut reaction to a person who is covered with tats, spewing obscenities, hanging out in bars and/or strip clubs several nights a week, and generally acting a fool? Now think about what that says when that person is a member of the armed services. Now think about the fact that there are a LOT of Soldiers who act this way. Is there any wonder that the general public considers Soldiers to be of a lower moral class? Also consider that these people are the public has to put their trust in to defend their country, their freedoms. Would you be inclined to trust and respect people if you see them acting and looking this way all over the place?

Each Soldier has a responsibility to represent his or her organization in a professional manner. The responsibility for the reputation of our military servicemembers rests on each individual and their personal choices. It doesn't matter whether you are a lower enlisted or high-ranking officer. The personal decisions of the individual impacts the reputation of the whole.

My husband is in the Army in a chain-of-command position. I see Soldiers acting up quite a bit. There's always some kind of drama there. The Soldiers who are doing such things as getting DUI's (repeatedly), getting into fights, sleeping with every woman they can get their hands on, etc., either don't stop to think or don't care how they are making every upstanding soldier look. (It isn't just the male soldiers acting this way, by any means... I am just using the male gender in this to make this less complicated to understand). The Soldiers who accept the responsibility of looking and acting professional can only offer their advice and shake their heads when it isn't taken.

Come to think of it, I really don't think that people ARE judging by externals. Despite the poor image projected by so many in the military, a lot of civilians do realize that not all servicemembers are this way. I have seen a lot of grateful civilians expressing their thanks to Soldiers without regards to the negative reputation that Soldiers have.

If I were the enemy, I would be more afraid of a well-equipped, professional-looking, "pansy" military that ran like a well-maintained machine, with determination and drive, than I would of a ragtag, gangsta-ish, bunch of drunks who can't be cohesive for five minutes.

You can't be a "hardcore gangsta/criminal" and fight for good at the same time. The two groups are mutually exclusive.

Answer 6

you can have visible tattoos in the military, but the ones that are frowned upon are the ones that may be offensive to others, such as naked women or rebel flags. the military is not a place to show how "macho" you are, but a place where teamwork and morale is the most important thing. it's hard to be part of a "family" if you are walking around offending the other members of that family.

Answer 7

I don't think you understand what the Army is for, or indeed it's ethos. My husband is a Senior Officer. He and his men are representatives of our country. They are not thugs. They are not there to intimidate, they are there to 'protect & serve'. A frightened civilian cowering in the burned out shell of their house doesn't need some glowering, tattooed thug standing over him, he needs a decent human being, which is what Soldiers are. Trust me, you would never get in.

Answer 8

The US Army does not frown on tattoos. Tattoos should not distract from good military order or discipline and
are extremist, racist, sexist or indecent and tattoos are permitted.

Answer 9

Uniformity. One purpose of uniforms** is to make everyone in the group look alike. Having members with a lot of different tattoos, would degrade uniformity. Uniformity is one key to unit cohesion. But your point about being clean-cut is also another reason. Service members work for the public and a clean-cut public image (rather than a scary public image) goes a long way toward gaining public support. Sure a lot of them are scary tough, but being clean cut shows that they have their power and abilities under control.

** Another reason for uniforms is to be able to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants and members of your own army.

Answer 10

I dont think the enemy is going to be able to notice their tattoos. Insurgents are high on X and adrenaline anyways so they dont care.

The military wants you to look like a respectable human being while in uniform. I dont think they care so much when you are over seas fighting.