The U.S. Army tattoo policy has officially been relaxed in 2015 as part of the new U.S. military uniform regulations for American soldiers. But what does this mean for potential candidates wanting to go to the U.S. Army recruiter?
In a related report by the Inquisitr , an 80-year-old bereaved mother received her first tattoo in memory of her late daughter.
The U.S. Army published their revision of U.S. Army Regulation 670-1 on April 10, 2015, meaning the U.S. Army’s tattoo rules are officially in effect as of now. The Army Times explained what this means for the tattooed American soldier.
“Under the new policy, there are no longer limits on the size or number of tattoos soldiers can have on their arms and legs. The change strikes a short-lived policy limiting soldiers to four tattoos below the elbow or knee, none bigger than the wearer’s hand. Face, neck and hand tattoos, however, remain against regulation, with the exception of one ring tattoo per hand. Racist, derogatory and sexist tattoos are also outlawed.”
Sergeant Major of the Army Dan Dailey explained the changes in the policy is based upon listening to input from soldiers, but he notes that tattoos are still expected to be hidden when wearing an Army Service Uniform with long sleeves.
“As long as it’s not visible in the Army uniform … that’s the spirit of what we went after,” he said.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno announced the upcoming U.S. Army’s policy change and said the U.S. military needs to change alongside society.
“Society is changing its view of tattoos, and we have to change along with that,” Odierno said. “It makes sense. Soldiers have grown up in an era when tattoos are much more acceptable and we have to change along with that.”
Dailey added that he believes the old tattoo policy caused many to be turned away from the U.S. Army recruitment centers and that it also affected morale.
“This is very much a morale issue for the United States Army,” he said . “I asked soldiers in a very straightforward way, ‘will good soldiers get out as a result of this?’ That’s what I didn’t want to happen. I made a recommendation to the Army leadership based upon that…. There is a large portion of the American society that has tattoos,” he said. “There was a population that we were disqualifying from military service because of this new regulation.”
What do you think about the new U.S. Army tattoo policy?
[Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images]
