Tattoo keeps man out of U.S. Air Force

[budgie]

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13901104?source=most_viewed

Kinda sucks as its the guy's dream. Any way around it?

[Clockwinder]

Air Force Policy on Tattoos, Body Art, and Body Piercings

By Rod Powers (http://usmilitary.about.com/bio/Rod-Powers-6341.htm), About.com Guide

See More About:


air force policy on tattoos (http://usmilitary.about.com/lr/air_force_policy_on_tattoos/351444/1/)
air force policy on body piercings (http://usmilitary.about.com/lr/air_force_policy_on_body_piercings/351444/2/)



Tattoos/Brands

Unauthorized (content). Tattoos/Brands anywhere on the body that are obscene, advocate ******, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination are prohibited in and out of uniform. Tattoos/brands that are prejudicial to good order and discipline, or of a nature that tends to bring discredit upon the Air Force are prohibited in and out of uniform. Any member obtaining unauthorized tattoos will be required to remove them at their own expense. Using uniform items to cover unauthorized tattoos is not an option. Members failing to remove unauthorized tattoos in a timely manner will be subject to involuntary separation, or punishment under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) (http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/mcm/blmcm.htm).
Inappropriate (military image). Excessive tattoos/brands will not be exposed or visible (includes visible through the uniform) while in uniform. Excessive is defined as any tattoo/brands that exceed ¼ of the exposed body part and those above the collarbone and readily visible when wearing an open collar uniform.
Members will not be allowed to display excessive tattoos that would detract from an appropriate professional image while in uniform. Commanders will use the above guidelines in determining appropriate military image and acceptability of tattoos displayed by members in uniform. Air Force members with existing tattoos not meeting an acceptable military image should be required to:


maintain complete coverage of the tattoos using current uniforms items (e.g. long-sleeved shirt/blouse, pants/slacks, dark hosiery, etc.) or
volunteer to remove tattoos(s).

Members who receive tattoos/brands not meeting the standards after the effective date of this policy (1998) are required to initiate tattoos/brands removal upon notification by their Commander at their own expense (may not use Air Force Medical Centers for removal). Members not complying with these requirements will be subject to disciplinary action for failure to comply with Air Force Standards and may be involuntarily separated.
Body Piercing

In Uniform:
Members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (includes visible through the uniform). EXCEPTION: Women are authorized to wear one small spherical, conservative, diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver pierced, or clip earring per earlobe and the earring worn in each earlobe must match. Earring should fit tightly without extending below the earlobe. (EXCEPTION: Connecting band on clip earrings.)
Civilian Attire:


Official duty: Members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (includes visible through clothing). EXCEPTION: Women are authorized to wear one small spherical, conservative, diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver pierced, or clip earring per earlobe and the earring worn in each earlobe must match. Earring should fit tightly without extending below the earlobe. (EXCEPTION: Connecting band on clip earrings)
Off duty on a military installation: Members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (includes visible through clothing). EXCEPTION: Piercing of earlobes by women is allowed, but should not be extreme or excessive. The type and style of earrings worn by women on a military installation should be conservative and kept within sensible limits.

Above Information Derived from AFI 36-2903 and the Air Force News Service
Mar 18 2006
By J.D. Leipold The Army has revised its policy on tattoos in an effort to bolster recruitment of highly-qualified individuals who might otherwise have been excluded from joining.
Tattoos are now permitted on the hands and back of the neck if they are not “extremist, indecent, sexist or racist.” Army Regulation 670-1 (http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyreg/l/blar6701.htm), which was modified via a message released Jan. 25, also now specifies: “Any tattoo or brand anywhere on the head or face is prohibited except for permanent make-up.”
For women, allowable make-up would be permanent eye-liner, eyebrows and makeup applied to fill in lips, officials said. They said permanent make-up should be conservative and complement the uniform and complexion in both style and color and will not be trendy.
The change was made because Army officials realized the number of potential recruits bearing skin art had grown enormously over the years.
About 30 percent of Americans between the ages of 25 and 34 have tattoos, according to a Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University survey. For those under age 25, the number is about 28 percent. In all, the post-baby-boom generations are more than three times as likely as boomers to have tattoos.
As a result of tattoo attitude changes, Army Regulation 670-1, chapter 1-8E (1) has been modified via an ALARACT 017/2006 message.
Additionally, paragraph 1-8B (1) (A) was revised to state: “Tattoos that are not extremist, indecent, sexist or racist are allowed on the hands and neck. Initial entry determinations will be made according to current guidance.”
The Army has never allowed indecent tattoos on any part of the body, G1 officials pointed out.
The new policy allows recruits and all Soldiers to sport tattoos on the neck behind an imaginary line straight down and back of the jawbone, provided the tattoos don’t violate good taste.
“The only tattoos acceptable on the neck are those on the back of the neck,” said Hank Minitrez, Army G-1 Human Resources Policy spokesman. “The ‘back’ of the neck is defined as being just under the ear lobe and across the back of the head. Throat tattoos on that portion of the neck considered the front, the ear lobe forward) are prohibited.”
Soldiers who are considering putting tattoos on their hands and necks, should consider asking their chain of command prior to being inked.
“While the Army places trust in the integrity of its Soldiers and leaders, if a Soldier has a questionable case regarding tattoos, he or she should seek the advice of the local commander through the chain of command,” added Minitrez.
Should a Soldier not seek advice and have tattoos applied that aren’t in keeping with AR-670, the command will counsel the Soldier on medical options, but may not order the Soldier to have the tattoos removed. However, if a Soldier opts not to take the medical option at Army expense, the Soldier may be discharged from service.
The U.S. Coast Guard has a limitation on the size of a tattoo in percentages of a given area that will not exceed 25 percent of the space between wrist and elbow, knee and ankle, but it does not allow tattoos on the hands or neck.
The Army’s new policy, however, does not mean Soldiers should rush out and have the backs of their necks or their hands entirely covered in decorative art, Minitrez said.
“The Army does not have a percentage policy for tattoos,” Minitrez said. “As long as tattoos do not distract from good military order and discipline and are not extremist, racist, sexist or indecent they’re permitted.”
If a Soldier’s current command has no issue with his/her tattoos, the Soldier should have personnel files so notated that the Soldier is in line with AR-670, officials said. Though not mandatory, having the notation entered serves as back-up documentation at a follow-on command which might feel the Soldier’s tattoos don’t meet Army regulations. The Army relaxed their policy

[HGRazorR]

Yup, go Army - we're better anyways p-)

[Kit]

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13901104?source=most_viewed

Kinda sucks as its the guy's dream. Any way around it?

Wear long sleeves for his entire career. That's the usual way around it.

[Zoomie]

Wear long sleeves for his entire career. That's the usual way around it.
That, or an Ace bandage. As it stands, he won't catch a lot of flak on active duty, if he were to make it that far, as I can tell you a lot of my Airmen have tattoos on their right arms.

[Clockwinder]

Wear long sleeves for his entire career. That's the usual way around it.

Can't be done - Phys Ed dress requires short sleeved shirt. There's always makeup and or laser removal.

If it really is the culmination of a dream (good for him if it is), then the laser is the only real solution.

[Zoomie]

Can't be done - Phys Ed dress requires short sleeved shirt. There's always makeup and or laser removal.

If it really is the culmination of a dream (good for him if it is), then the laser is the only real solution.
Not so - there's always long sleeved undershirts, as long as they're in regs.

[Clockwinder]

I stand corrected Zoomie, BUT when I did BT, the DI mandated the dress for the day. If every member of the squad wore long sleeves then no prob, but if just one didn't have LS, then all had to wear SS.
If the poor bastard could just get past BT he'd be fine.

[Zoomie]

I stand corrected Zoomie, BUT when I did BT, the DI mandated the dress for the day. If every member of the squad wore long sleeves then no prob, but if just one didn't have LS, then all had to wear SS.
If the poor bastard could just get past BT he'd be fine.
See earlier post about Ace Bandage. Had a guy do that in boot when I went through, and made it through just fine. Sure, the MTIs homed in on it like no tomorrow, but still he made it.

[LEGEND]

So if he is not planning to be a pilot, why just not join army or marines?

[usm2b]

I can't believe somebody made this a news article. This isn't new, and its not all that unreasonable.


So if he is not planning to be a pilot, why just not join army or marines?

I wold hazard to say less than 10% of the Air Force are pilots. The Marine Corps and the army are 2 completely different worlds in terms of culture. Its not interchangeable.

[Silent Reader]

well 6 inches is not that much - he could remove it via laser or something if he really wants to join.

[brainplay]

He can always have it removed. The laser removal stuff is really effective these days.

[chris piss]

I tried to join the coast guard a few years back and they wouldn't let me because they said I had too much tat's showing on my forearm.They said their retention rate is so good they can be more selective than the rest of the service's.They said even I got them removed It would still leave scars so no.

[Soldat_Américain]

Considering the Marine Corps went more professional ages ago now with not allowing tattoos beyond the elbows, honestly since I don't have any tats I don't know what the Army policy is. However, this is what a person should know...Basic first...then you can get your tattoo, however this his denial for that makes little if any sense.

[Smitty_Damitty]

The short sleeves of physical training outfits reveal arm tattoos, particularly when a salute is being executed, recruiters told Parker.

They salute in PT gear???



Considering the Marine Corps went more professional ages ago now with not allowing tattoos beyond the elbows, honestly since I don't have any tats I don't know what the Army policy is. However, this is what a person should know...Basic first...then you can get your tattoo, however this his denial for that makes little if any sense.

The Navy and the Marines enacted "tougher" tattoo regs a few years back that by and large, go unenforced. Unless, you have the tats before you enlist. If you don't mind not being able to do some of the more prestigious duty stations (SecFo, USS Constitution, etc.), then getting the tat while you're in should be of no consequence to you. But, before you do anything, be mindful of the command atmosphere. If your chain is full of appearance Nazis, then it probably wouldn't be too good of an idea to start work on a half-sleeve.

[Zoomie]

They salute in PT gear???
It happens, but that kind of a policy is enacted by the base commander, and isn't AF wide.

[Soldat_Américain]

As far as I know only in the Army do we salute in PT gear and uncovered. I know the Navy and USMC does not...but maybe the zoomies perform prostration.

[MaDuce]

I've have buddy in Army that has a full sleeve up to his wrist.

[Bia]

Tattoos used to frighten all the nerds...

now all the nerds have tattoos.


LOL

[LineDoggie]

They salute in PT gear??? Army does all the time for what it's worth.




Most of these Tattoo regs were to stop Gang Affilated and KKK/Neo-Nazi types from getting a shot at entry. And frankly, it doesnt look professional to have full sleeve tats, Neck tats when in Class B's It's the US Military, not the Sons of Anarchy.....



Anyone remember Charlie Sheen in Cadence? why he was sent to the Stockade?

[alphabet]

I was denied re-enlistment because of my tattoos and I was a damn good Marine. That is my only gripe against the Marine Corps. I've seen spectacular folks who were passed over for reenlistment or promotion due to their tattoos as well. It's kind of sad but it's what the Corps has come to. Life will go on.

[LineDoggie]

The Services have always practiced such discrimination. I knew Fat Bastards who were damn fine NCO' s and EM who were forced out. Fat but PT studs, who could ruck for days while skinny dudes were sucking up IV's on the roadside. Yet they werent considered Professional. Yet now some guy looking like a Hells Angel with gothic lettering on his neck or arms entirely covered is?

Aint happening

[Smitty_Damitty]

It happens, but that kind of a policy is enacted by the base commander, and isn't AF wide.


Army does all the time for what it's worth.

Learn something new everyday, I guess.

[thanamestolga]

Tattoo would keep your narrow ass from Turkish AF too lol

[Albatross]

There are waivers for everything, I know a guy who JUST got a tattoo waiver for Air Force.

[TallGuy]

How about just not getting tattoos?

[thanamestolga]

^^ BIG difference lad.

For example in the Turkish Army if you go in with a tattoo they'll throw you in a Unit of OTHER tattoed crazy people, but if you get a tattoo of your Unit, or if you're a Commando or Special Forces it would be perfectly normal for you to have a tattoo :P

[Albatross]

how about I have all sorts of tattoo's and am pretty sure I could handle loading bombs onto and F-16 all day long.

[LillaMy]

Well I say that if a decent, talented and motivated young man (or woman) get stopped from entering because of a tattao then the Air Force simply does not deserve them...

****ed up policy! How about focusing on things that matters...dropping bombs on the Talibans for instance.

[XShipRider]

If it was his 'dream' for so long he should have familiarized himself with the regs. There are always alternatives, give it a go with another force.

[Roy Batty]

Rediculous..........


....Our rules say no tats below the wrist or above the neck........but if you had it before you joined it's ok.

[Clockwinder]

This just in:

AF Rescinds Ban on Forearm Tats


http://www.military.com/news/article/af-rescinds-ban-on-forearm-tats.html?col=1186032310810

[Vince S]

Rediculous..........


....Our rules say no tats below the wrist or above the neck........but if you had it before you joined it's ok.

I clearly remember LOTS of pic from Vandoos in Afghanistan having R22R tattooed on their knuckles.