I have been waiting since i was 15 years old to get my memorial tattoo of my brother who passes away when i was 14, and now that i am 18, i can legally get a tattoo. But there is one problem with this, i am waiting to ship off to navy boot camp on 8 sep 08, and the navy has a rule saying that people in the DEP cannot get tattoos while they are in or they will be kicked out.
Can someone explain this rule, and the reasoning behind it, if they are a recruiter or if they are in the navy DEP/have been in?
Do you think i could talk to the NC or Chief or someone to see if i can get this memorial tattoo?
Is there any possible way to get one while in DEP?
Thanks so much!
2007-11-03 15:51:52 · 14 answers · asked by ClayJ 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
I am planning on getting it on my upper left side on my back, on my shoulder blade. IT really isn't a cross or anything, its a portrait of his face.
Sometimes i don't understand why there are rules like this when your recruiters wont explain the justification behind it. Some rules just seem pointless hah.
If worse comes to worse then ill just wait, but thats another year, and its just so tempting to get up, go get my keys and my debit card and just go to my tattoo artist and get it done.
2007-11-03 16:21:49 · update #1
Hey! You've been waiting for three years now, I think a year more won't kill you, (no offense intended!) Wait until you are done with your training and then get it done, or if you absolutely cannot wait, get it on a place that is easily hidden like your shoulder (I'm guessing you may want it on your forearm?!) It's not worth causing more aggravation, and I'm sure your brother would understand! Best of luck to you!
2007-11-03 16:17:32 · answer #1 · answered by Derby Girl 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There is a reason for this....when you "join up" the first time you get inspected (all over) then sworn in and wait your time to ship. The Navy has invested in you. you are IN the Navy. When you are in you have to follow the rules. With that being said, you joined with no tattoos, or ones that were acceptable by Navy standards as far as location and if they are offensive. The Navy doesn't want you to go out while in DEP and get a new tattoo because it will make you ineligible to ship. Just like if you broke your leg. You would have to wait and go through the waiver process, THEN you may not make it in. Don't risk it. Just wait till you get through boot camp, then get the memorial tattoo. (within Navy standards) Don't try to hide it when you go in. You get inspected again before you ship.
2007-11-03 17:19:52 · answer #2 · answered by joemo5 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Navy is starting to become overly conscious of its public image now a days. In 2004 they passed a regulation that states that yu cannot have a tattoo on your neck or face, a tattoo visible through your white uniform, or visible tattoos larger than can be cover with an open hand while earing a short sleeve uniform. DEP is not in the navy, they cannot do anything to you except try and keep you from joining. If they will not be accomidating to your desire for this memorial tatt, drop DEP, get the tattoo, once it is finished healing go back to the recruiter and start the whole process again. The odds say they will get you a waiver for the tattoo rather than risk hurting their quotas for that month. Good Luck.
2007-11-03 17:17:47 · answer #3 · answered by cutiessailor 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I am a DEPper expected to ship out august 5 2008 . The reason behind the rule is because some tattoos are illegal (believe it or not). Tattoos like MOB and stuff are illegal and your recruiter wouldn want you to become ineligible. I already have a butterfly tattoo on my leg and i had to sign a contract saying i wouldn get anymore until after boot camp. You SHOULDNT break your contract because then the navy will know that you are a person that doesnt follow rules or contracts. Good luck on your decision on whether you get your tattoo or not.
2007-11-04 10:53:19 · answer #4 · answered by ldaphney 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While in DEP don't do it, like an above poster said you agreed not to do it. If you get the tatto you may have to get some mini physical. Unless it is against regulation it is not going to keep you out, you just may have to spend another day or part of a day at MEPS.
2016-03-13 22:39:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey, I know the rule you're talking about...when my husband was in the marine DEP it was the same thing. I know you didnt know the rule at the time, but its too bad you didnt go get it before you joined. Honestly, I dont think you would actually be kicked out, I think they just say that because if you did get one then you would cause a lot of trouble by having to go back to MEPS and everything. Plus, I've heard that the DIs are ***** about tattoos...
I wouldn't do it tho...just in case.
I think it would be best if you waited until you graduate and then go get it. That way you just wont have to worry about any of there bull crap. Anyways, goodluck in bootcamp :)
2007-11-03 16:11:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
just because it seems pointless to you doesn't mean there isn't a lesson behind it. It's called: Can you learn to obey orders even when they don't make sense to you at the time?
It is a regulation that DEPpers may NOT get tattoos. why do you think you deserve special treatment over anyone else? My advice to you is obey the order if you don't want to risk being dropped from DEP altogether.
2007-11-04 01:54:07 · answer #7 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the last i heard is that you are not able to get tattoos on your arms, below your elbows. my husband was told that you need to fill out paperwork to get a tattoo on certain areas of your body. your command gives you the final ok. since he has been in the Navy, he had gotten 3 new tattoos with no problems. i would wait until you get to your duty station to proceed with your tattoo. i know when my hubby was waiting to start bootcamp, they had to take photos of the tattoos and send them off to be looked at to make sure they are ok (not disrespectful). i do not think you will have a hard time getting your tattoo. its not bad and youre putting it on a good area on your body, you should be fine.
2007-11-04 02:21:51 · answer #8 · answered by navywife 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont know about the navy, but my hubby is army. he got in with tatoos, and had several done while he is in. in order to become recruiter he had to have one changed. just wait a few weeks/month there are plenty of tatoo artists around bases. maybe you can even find a artist who does a better job who is a specialist in portraits. some even give discounts to military perseonell.
2007-11-04 11:27:20 · answer #9 · answered by gonecrazy_fl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is called discipline! If you can't deal with a simple rule, perhaps the military is not for you!
why not wait until you have completed all your training and at your first assignment then get your memorial tattoo?
Go to Miami or LA ink!
2007-11-03 17:37:33 · answer #10 · answered by Hung Lowe 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋