Armed Forces and arms with tattoos

All you have to do is look around your local mall and see today’s youth have embraced the idea of tattoos and facial body modifications and piercings. I can hardly turn around without seeing some one with tattoos up and down their arms or big discs in their ear lobes.

My grand pa had a tattoo when he served. So did my father. When I served I got a tattoo as well. It is what all us military sheep did. In fact I have six of ’em…most of which are below my elbows and knees. And now women are getting into the act too.

kristin morely tattoo

Kristen Morley, 19, Pleasant Hill, Ohio

The Army is about set to revise Army Regulation 670-1.

According to an article by ABC News incoming U.S. Army recruits are facing new, strict guidelines for any ink they want on their body, under new regulations limiting soldiers’ tattoos.

Stars and Stripes reports that the new regulations state that soldiers will not be allowed to have tattoos that show below the elbows and knees or above the neckline. The current policy states that tattoos or brands anywhere on the head, face, and neck above the class A uniform collar are prohibited. Soldiers who currently have tattoos in the banned areas of the body will be grandfathered in.

The changes, which are expected in the next 30 to 60 days, only apply to the Army, and not yet other parts of the U.S. military. New changes to Army Regulation 670-1 are also expected to outline rules on grooming, hair styles, and body piercings.

So here is where this may get sticky… It says “…will not be allowed to have tattoos that show below the elbows and knees…” What happens when the uniform is short pants or short sleeve shirts like during physical fitess training or when sleeves are rolled up on the battle dress uniform?

I see why they are doing this. I get it. I just wonder if they are shooting themselves in the foot? It is times like these I ask myself “What would Popeye do?”

popeye tattoo

 

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