I tried to search what's already been talked about as far as this is concerned and I didn't find anything so I apologize if this has already been posted. The thread about tattoos being under review in the Navy in the general forum got me thinking. My db has been talking about getting his two done in the very near future, like the next two weeks or so, and he's been in just under three years. He's got about a year and a half left, he'll be out after deployment next year, at which point he's thinking about possibly going Air Force. Is he going to get into some sort of trouble for getting tattoos now? Will having them affect him if he does decide to do the Air Force thing? I'm so new to regulations and what can be and can't be done that I have no idea about any of this stuff. Any help is greatly appreciated! :)

look under "Sweet God" by Cori-thats the post

Thanks.

your welcome:wink

As long as they don't show while he is in a short sleeve work uniform he's fine.

ETA: If he's planning to get any on his forearms, neck, hand or anywhere else that is visible he will not be allowed int he air force with the new regulations.

he wants them on both arms just above his elbows. would his uniform cover that? i ask because he'll just say oh whatever it will be fine and do it anyway and if i can say no with a solid reason he'll wait.

His uniform wouldn't cover it or only part of it depending on high up it'd go on his arm. The sleeve of the shortsleeve uniform shirt is basically about as long as a normal short sleeved TShirt

His uniform wouldn't cover it or only part of it depending on high up it'd go on his arm. The sleeve of the shortsleeve uniform shirt is basically about as long as a normal short sleeved TShirt

She's right. It would need to be high on his upper arm or he'll get kicked out.

Ok, that's all I needed to hear. Thanks!! He's not gonna like me very much for about five minutes but I know he'll listen to me. The sad thing is, he's been in three years, he knows this, and he'll do it anyway if someone doesn't say something to the contrary.

also..has he talked to an airforce recruiter yet? I have a friend that the airforce turned down because he was prior enlisted. They prefer people who have no experience, certain rates and such they dont need or want? im not sure of their reasoning..but its something to look into JMO:yes

Yes, ive heard that the airforce doesnt take prior service.

yeah, he just started looking into it so i'm sure he'll be talking to someone in the near future but i don't think he has yet. i personally think he should just stick it out with the navy but he wants a change and i told him no marines and no army (which he most likely wouldn't do either one on his own anyway) so he decided air force. very loosly decided, he doesn't really know what he wants. i'll bring that up to him tonight though, he just told me he's driving home and we were gonna talk about it the next time he came home.

Yes, ive heard that the airforce doesnt take prior service.

I know a few who have went from navy for Air Force. I think it's a case by case thing.

My husband is gonna be pissed about the tattoo thing!! He finally decided where he wants his first one and now he'll have to change it. Oh well...

this really isn't new. They are just enforcing it now. 3 years ago a friend of ours wanted to get a tat on his forearm and the command said no. He was overseas on a port call and the command had a policy of having to have approval first. I don't know if that was just the command or a navy wide thing that they happen to be enforcing. DH got a tat that deployment but his is on is upper arm, well covered by a uniform. He has always known it needed to be covered by the uniform.

this really isn't new. They are just enforcing it now. 3 years ago a friend of ours wanted to get a tat on his forearm and the command said no. He was overseas on a port call and the command had a policy of having to have approval first. I don't know if that was just the command or a navy wide thing that they happen to be enforcing. DH got a tat that deployment but his is on is upper arm, well covered by a uniform. He has always known it needed to be covered by the uniform.

It's a Navy-wide thing that they had to be approved. They did change the policy a bit actually. before some tattoos below the elbow and on the neck were allowed and were sometimes approved.. they are not allowed at all now for people who are already in the Navy to get and new recruits cannot have them.

Also, if I remember correctly, tattoos that already had been approved might have to be reapproved if deemed neccesary by the command. If not approved they will have to be covered up or removed. I was trying to find the article I had read about it but no luck so far

http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/news/sailor_tattoos_under_review/

ACTUALLY-you can get tats NEARLY anywhere you would like.
EXCEPT for
1) Above the neckline
2) Below a LONG sleeve shirt line


ALSO-tats must not be larger than the palm of the hand (so if you can cover a tat on your forearm with your hand, it is acceptable.


7. TATTOOS/BODY ART/BRANDS. No tattoos/body art/brands on the head, face, neck, or scalp. Tattoos/body art/brands elsewhere on the body that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Navy are prohibited. For example, tattoos/body art/brands that are excessive, obscene, sexually explicit or advocate or symbolize sex, gender, racial, religious, ethnic or national original discrimination are prohibited. In addition, tattoos/body art/brands that advocate or symbolize gang affiliation, supremacist or extremist groups, or drug use are prohibited. Tattoos/body art/brands will not be visible through uniform clothing. Waivers may be requested for prior service and existing tattoos from the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (N131U).

That is straight outta the uniform regs. Hope this helps.

ACTUALLY-you can get tats NEARLY anywhere you would like.
EXCEPT for
1) Above the neckline
2) Below a LONG sleeve shirt line


ALSO-tats must not be larger than the palm of the hand (so if you can cover a tat on your forearm with your hand, it is acceptable.


7. TATTOOS/BODY ART/BRANDS. No tattoos/body art/brands on the head, face, neck, or scalp. Tattoos/body art/brands elsewhere on the body that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Navy are prohibited. For example, tattoos/body art/brands that are excessive, obscene, sexually explicit or advocate or symbolize sex, gender, racial, religious, ethnic or national original discrimination are prohibited. In addition, tattoos/body art/brands that advocate or symbolize gang affiliation, supremacist or extremist groups, or drug use are prohibited. Tattoos/body art/brands will not be visible through uniform clothing. Waivers may be requested for prior service and existing tattoos from the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (N131U).

That is straight outta the uniform regs. Hope this helps.


thanks! he's here and i haven't said anything about it yet so that's good to know. saves the discussion for something else! he just doesn't think things through sometimes so it wouldn't surprise me if he knew it was against the rules and did it anyway. as far as content it's navy stuff he wants done so no biggie there.

It's a Navy-wide thing that they had to be approved. They did change the policy a bit actually. before some tattoos below the elbow and on the neck were allowed and were sometimes approved.. they are not allowed at all now for people who are already in the Navy to get and new recruits cannot have them.

I guess I should have phrased that a little better. There has always been tat regs on the books; yes I realize they have changed the policy a bit but they are definately enforcing it now whereas before I think it was one of those things they didn't put too much effort into. KWIM?

I don't blame them though; some of the tats I've seen are really tacky looking and just look horrible in a uniform. DH and I both have a tat so it's not like we are completely against them.

ACTUALLY-you can get tats NEARLY anywhere you would like.
EXCEPT for
1) Above the neckline
2) Below a LONG sleeve shirt line



That was just changed. You cannot get them below your elbow now (well you should be find since you already have them but new recruits and other people getting new ones) at least that's what was sent out to a few commands that I know of.