So, I'm looking at maybe enlisting after high school but I've heard a few things about tattoo policies that are making me a bit nervous. I've got a couple of tattoos and kinda like the idea of getting more in the future. Are there any specific branches of the military that are generally more lenient on tattoos? Thanks in advance!
Yes, the tattoo policy varies among different branches of the U.S. military, and it's a good thing to look into.
The Army, for instance, allows tattoos on the hands and the back of the neck but prohibits face, scalp, and throat tattoos. Restrictions also apply to content; tattoos cannot be extremist, indecent, sexist, or racist.
The Navy has quite liberal tattoo policies. They allow neck tattoos, sleeves, and even some locations on the hands. They also allow larger tattoos, but similar to the Army, they prohibit tattoos that are inappropriate, discriminatory, or offensive.
The Air Force permits tattoos on most areas except the head, neck, face, tongue, lips, and scalp. Tattoos that cover over 25% of an exposed body part—where the uniform does not cover—or 25% of the total body are considered excessive.
The Marine Corps is a bit stricter. They don't allow tattoos on the head, neck, inside the mouth, wrists, or hands (exception is made for a single ring tattoo on each hand). Sleeves are also not permitted.
The Coast Guard allows tattoos but has restrictions on what is permitted depending upon their size, location, and content, similar to the other branches.
The newest branch, the Space Force, has adopted the Air Force’s tattoo and grooming policies.
As you can see, while most military branches do allow tattoos, they have clear guidelines on their location, size, and content. It's vital to familiarize yourself with the specific policies of the branch you're interested in before getting new tattoos. You might also want to discuss your situation with a recruiter, who could give you the most current guidelines and advice based on your aspirations within the military branch you're considering.
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