Umm,...well, just umm

[InfantryYJ]

Saw this one coming awhile back. Personally don't agree with it.

Link

Marines Rush to Get Tattoos Before Ban on Big Body Art Kicks In

Thursday, March 29, 2007

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Five tattooed skulls stretch from Marine Cpl. Jeremy Slaton's right elbow to his wrist, spelling out the word "Death." He planned to add a tattoo spelling "Life" on his left arm, but that's on hold because of a Marine policy taking effect Sunday.

The Marines are banning any new, extra-large tattoos below the elbow or the knee, saying such body art is harmful to the Corps' spit-and-polish image.

Slaton and other grunts are not pleased.

"I guess I'll get the other half later," grumbled the 24-year-old leatherneck from Eden Prairie, Minn. "It's kind of messed up."

For many Marines, getting a tattoo is a rite of passage. They commonly get their forearms inscribed to remember fallen comrades, combat tours or loved ones, and often ask for exotic designs that incorporate the Marine motto, Semper Fi, or "Always faithful."

Dozens of Marines from Camp Pendleton, the West Coast's biggest Marine base, made last-minute trips to tattoo parlors in nearby Oceanside before the ban kicked in.

"This is something I love to do," said Cpl. David Nadrchal, 20, of Ponoma, who made an appointment to get an Iraqi flag and his deployment dates etched onto his lower leg. "The fact I can't put something on my body that I want — it's a big thing to tell me I can't do that."

Nadrchal said he is unsure whether he will re-enlist: "There's all these little things. They are slowly chipping away at us."

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway announced the policy change last week.

"Some Marines have taken the liberty of tattooing themselves to a point that is contrary to our professional demeanor and the high standards America has come to expect from us," he said. "I believe tattoos of an excessive nature do not represent our traditional values."

The ban is aimed primarily at "sleeve" tattoos, the large and often elaborate designs on the biceps and forearms of many Marines. Similar designs on the lower legs will be forbidden as well. So will very large tattoos on the upper arm, if they are visible when a Marine wears his workout T-shirt. Small, individual tattoos will still be allowed on the arms and legs. (The Marines already ban them on the hands.)

Marines already tattooed are exempt from the ban but cannot add to their designs; anyone caught with fresh ink in the wrong places could be barred from re-enlistment or face disciplinary action. Getting a prohibited tattoo could constitute a violation of a lawful order, punishable by up to two years in prison and a dishonorable discharge, Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Brian Donnolly said.

Unit commanders must photograph and document sleeve tattoos to ensure Marines do not add to their ink.

The Marines and the other branches of the military already ban tattoos that could be offensive or disruptive, such as images that are sexist, vulgar, gang-related or extremist.

The Army, which has been doing most of the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and is struggling to fill its ranks, actually relaxed its tattoo restrictions last year. Soldiers can now get ink on the back of their hands and the lower back of the neck.

The Navy last year decreed that tattoos visible while in short-sleeve uniform cannot be larger than the wearer's hand. The Air Force says tattoos should be covered up if they are bigger than one-quarter the size of the exposed body part.

Tattoo artist Jerry Layton at the Body Temple Tattoo Studio in Oceanside said he was booked up with Marines rushing to beat the deadline.

"These are guys that are dying in the war," Layton said. "They can fight, but they can't get a tattoo? It's ridiculous."

[Roxywheels]

I read that earlier today. Personally, I think its stupid, but we already dealt with this sort of thing when Robert tried to join the Marines.

[misfitcj]

Not suprised at all myself, look what they did to us sailors. Non conecting tattoo's can't cover more than (i think) 60 percent of exposed skin. No neck or hand tattoo's. WTF ???

[InfantryYJ]

The article is a bit misleading, you can have large tattoos below the elbow and below the knee, you just can't have sleeves, which I think are tacky anyway, but it's your arm/leg and you can't have any on the head or neck.

2. EFFECTIVE 1 APRIL 2007, PARAGRAPH 1004.1C OF MCO P1020.34G,
MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS, IS CANCELLED AND REPLACED WITH
THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH. "... MARINES ARE PROHIBITED FROM:
C. TATTOOS OR BRANDS ON THE HEAD AND NECK. SLEEVE TATTOOS ARE
LIKEWISE PROHIBITED. A SLEEVE TATTOO IS A VERY LARGE TATTOO, OR A
COLLECTION OF SMALLER TATTOOS, THAT COVERS OR ALMOST COVERS A
PERSONS ENTIRE ARM OR LEG. HALF-SLEEVE OR QUARTER-SLEEVE TATTOOS
THAT ARE VISIBLE TO THE EYE WHEN WEARING STANDARD PT GEAR (T-SHIRT
AND SHORTS) ARE LIKEWISE PROHIBITED. A HALF-SLEEVE OR QUARTER-SLEEVE
TATTOO IS DEFINED AS A VERY LARGE TATTOO, OR A COLLECTION OF SMALLER
TATTOOS THAT COVERS, OR ALMOST COVERS, THE ENTIRE PORTION OF AN ARM
OR LEG ABOVE OR BELOW THE ELBOW OR KNEE.
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. PREJUDICIAL TO GOOD ORDER, DISCIPLINE AND MORALE, OR
ARE OF A NATURE TO BRING DISCREDIT UPON THE MARINE CORPS MAY INCLUDE,
BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, ANY TATTOO THAT IS SEXIST, RACIST, VULGAR,
ANTI-AMERICAN, ANTI-SOCIAL, GANG RELATED, OR EXTREMIST GROUP OR
ORGANIZATION RELATED."
3. THE FOLLOWING NEW SUPARAGRAPHS 1004.1C(1) AND 1004.1C(2) ARE ADDED.
"(1) MARINES WHO CURRENTLY HAVE A SLEEVE TATTOO(S) WILL BE GRANDFATHERED.
THE MARINE'S COMMAND WILL INSERT A PHOTOGRAPH(S) OF THE RESPECTIVE
TATTOO(S) ALONG WITH A MEASUREMENT(S) OF THE SIZE IN INCHES AND OF THE
LOCATION(S) ON THE BODY AND THE DATE THE TATTOO(S) WAS DOCUMENTED, ON THE
PAGE 11 OF THE MARINE'S SRB. THE MARINE WILL SIGN THE PAGE 11 ENTRY
VERIFYING THE INFORMATION IS CORRECT."
"(2) THE DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS IS DESIGNATED
AS THE ADJUDICATING AUTHORITY FOR ANY TATTOO ISSUE INVOLVING RETENTION OR
SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS. REVIEW OF A QUESTIONABLE TATTOO(S) WILL BE
SUBMITTED TO DC M&RA (MM) VIA THE REENLISTMENT, EXTENSION, LATERAL MOVE
SYSTEM (RELMS). THE PACKAGE WILL INCLUDE A PHOTOGRAPH(S) OF THE TATTOO(S),
MEASUREMENT(S) OF THE SIZE IN INCHES, DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCATION(S) AND
EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE TATTOO(S) HAS BEEN DEEMED QUESTIONABLE BY THE
COMMANDER."
4. COMMANDER'S ARE REQUIRED TO EDUCATE ALL THEIR MARINES ON THE NEW POLICY
AND DOCUMENT ANY MARINE THAT REQUIRES GRANDFATHERING BY 1 JULY 2007.//

[Joe_W]

I thought Marines were supposed to be tatted up?

[t0talkos]

Hijack

Im 20, if there was a draft and i got drafted to the army or some shit would they accept me? I have my arms/hands/face tattooed. Ive always wondered that.

[rdnkjeeper]

Originally Posted by Joe_W

I thought Marines were supposed to be tatted up?

Hahaha.....Most the ones I know are! Including me.....

[Budd]

Originally Posted by t0talkos

Hijack

Im 20, if there was a draft and i got drafted to the army or some shit would they accept me? I have my arms/hands/face tattooed. Ive always wondered that.

You would be a draft dodger.

[wes8517]

theyre serving our damned country, let em do whatever the fuck they want damnit.......they are making the ultimate sacrifice and yet they are just gettin more stupid rules to what they can do with their lives

[78bronco460]

Originally Posted by misfitcj

... No neck or hand tattoo's. WTF ???

For example, if you happened to get "FUCK YOU" tattooed on the side of your hand where it is directed at an officer when you salute him. That would get you in a "situation"... like a BCD.

[78bronco460]

Originally Posted by wes8517

theyre serving our damned country, let em do whatever the fuck they want damnit.......they are making the ultimate sacrifice and yet they are just gettin more stupid rules to what they can do with their lives

They are soldiers and government property not people, sir. I knew a guy who got a tattoo that got infected and he damn near lost his arm. He was charged for destruction of government property under the UCMJ and found guilty.

[cheap sunglasses]

Originally Posted by t0talkos

Hijack

Im 20, if there was a draft and i got drafted to the army or some shit would they accept me? I have my arms/hands/face tattooed. Ive always wondered that.

Your uh, buddhist symbol, or whatever, would be viewed as extremist I imagine.

[DRM]

Originally Posted by t0talkos

Hijack

Im 20, if there was a draft and i got drafted to the army or some shit would they accept me?

If it comes down to a draft in this country - the shit has hit the fan and they are taking anyone who is breathing and can fire a weapon. The breathing part they might even be flexible on.

[Whitewater]

My buddy had a bunch of problems with this. He got a bunch done while he was enlisted, he served for quite awhile then became a recruiter, he wanted to go back overseas after 9/11 but he wasn't welcomed back in. It's too bad too cause he lived to be a soldier, is a hell of a shot and pretty much harcore Marine through and through.
Yes he has tattoos below his wrist and above his collar.

[ironpig70]

rules are rules follow them or go fawking home. wait till they come to the business world and can't get a job

[mike]

Ummm.... I, and actually several others that I work with have tatts. A couple with neck and hand tatts. It's not that hard to find and keep a job with tatts when you have salable skills.

[4RunnerGuy]

Funny, I had not heard of this before having some beers with one of my buddys tonight (it must not have been on yahoo's home page or Gary would have posted it).

I don't know shit about the Military. This buddy I had beer with went through BUDS (sp) at 26. He brought the tat thing up tonight. In his words, "These guys are the best of the best. They're over there doing things that would make most stateside guys CRY. If they want to tattoo their face like Mike Tyson, so fucking be it".

My only response: Semper Fi, Hooraaaaa!

[Rick1975]

When I did my time in the Corps, I always thought how bad ass it would be to let us infantry get all inked, grow out some dreads, and just fucking wear utilities however they wanted. Strike some fear into some people

But seriously, I see no prob with the sleeves. Granted we have a long ass history of the spit and polish, but hell even that went out a bit with the new gortex boots not allowed to have boot polish and the new digicams not being able to be starched.

[TheRedHorseman]

Originally Posted by t0talkos

Hijack

Im 20, if there was a draft and i got drafted to the army or some shit would they accept me? I have my arms/hands/face tattooed. Ive always wondered that.

No because you look like a goddamn rainforest dwelling blowgun toting tribesman.

[tacoma73]

And here's the crux of the whole issue, the way I see it:

Originally Posted by InfantryYJ

Nadrchal said he is unsure whether he will re-enlist: "There's all these little things. They are slowly chipping away at us."


"These are guys that are dying in the war," Layton said. "They can fight, but they can't get a tattoo? It's ridiculous."

[t0talkos]

Originally Posted by DRM

If it comes down to a draft in this country - the shit has hit the fan and they are taking anyone who is breathing and can fire a weapon. The breathing part they might even be flexible on.

See thats what i thought. I wouldnt try to avoid it, id rather they take me. Though i dont think they would.

Thanks tho,

/hijack

[mike]

Originally Posted by t0talkos

See thats what i thought. I wouldnt try to avoid it, id rather they take me. Though i dont think they would.

Thanks tho,

/hijack

I think you'd hate basic though.

[rusted]

I thought they were 'chipping away' pretty good when I was in, and I was just a swabbie.

That said, ok, I don't have a tattoo one. I just don't see why they would allow forearm/neck/face/hand tattoos of any type whatsoever ANYWAY.

I've seen commemorative tatts on forearms (guys from Vietnam and WWII) and they are a LOT different than the deocrative gunk that is popular nowadays. Tattoos are by nature NOT uniform, and all services have a short-sleeve dress uniform of some type. :shrug:

So in this case, I have to side with the establishment, and I fully believe the Commandant means what he says (I.e., he's not being pressured by pussies in Washington.)

It's gone TOO far and they have to clamp down.

[InfantryYJ]

C'mon rusted, tattoos have been around the military since the dawn of deployments.

While I don't like the look of sleeves, I'd never deny an adult their right to get one, but I would restrict which duties that they could go on, just as it is now. Someone with excessive tattoo's is denied recruiting, Marine security guard, DI and many other duties that have public interaction.

I find it kinda ironic that this comes out after the little bonuses were offered a couple of months back Re-enlist for three or four years, get a little dough, then, "oh, by the way, you can't get that tattoo that you've been saving up for"