DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Marine Corps bans big, garish tattoos; some leathernecks are steamed

Marine Corps bans big, garish tattoos; some leathernecks are steamed

By THOMAS WATKINS
Associated Press writer
March 28, 2007 6:00 AM

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 Pomona, 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." Link

Quote:

---

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

---

My thoughts as well.. I'm not a huge fan of the big tats on arms and legs.... but if these men and women who are defending our country want them then I think that there should be NOTHING preventing them from doing so.... I don't agree with this at all.

I agree.

What really doesn't make sense is that now the Marines are trying to biuld up, increase the troop strength by something like 20,000. So they are just making it harder on themselves to make that happen.

Reeeeeediculous. If you're willing to defend my freedom, I don't care if you have lizard scales tatooed on you from head to foot. Now I'm interested to see if people like the ACLU might come to the aid of Marines. Wouldn't that stir up a hornet's nest?

They are marines not the red hot chili peppers---there is no need to be all inked up. I agree that ridiculously large sleeves should be barred from the ranks. You signed up to be there so you've got to live by their policies.

Quote:

---

You signed up to be there so you've got to live by their policies

---

When they signed up this policy was not in place... it's likely that many of these guys will not re-enlist and others will think twice before enlisting.

I have a question... I wonder if they are going to turn down guys who already have big tats on their arms and legs and meet every other standard when trying to enlist.

Probably not, they will just disallow it once they join the ranks.

Not OK for them to get high either. They signed up for a job that carries with it a dedication that is nearly unrivaled in all other professions. If its military policy to not have sleeves---then that is the nature of the beast.

Get used to it. There are plenty of other sacrifices one has to make in the military---I don't think not getting huge tattoos sounds that unreasonable.

Good read Navy!

I had no clue that the Marine Corps had any type of spit-and-polish image other then making sure that their rifles and boots were cleaned on a day to day basis!

All of a sudden these kids are not allowed to get a little body art.........when their lives are on the line........that is just totally not right!

I will not forget the day that I joined the navy and they shipped me off to Scotland....to a Submarine Tender as a 19 year old recuit..........me and a few crewmembers could not wait to go downtown and get a tat!

The sign of the times for our military I guess............just like crossing the equator................no more hard core initations!

I don't know................maybe some of the marines were going overboard and tatooing there foreheads..............there must be a reason for this I guess!

I mean nowdays...................any girl that has no tatoo above her ass is not cool............guess it goes both ways!

I guess I am just getting old..........it seems as if much of the world is on a downslide!

They do say that people that the believe the world is on a downslide are getting old..................makes sense to me!

Yeah... but it's also the 'nature of the beast' to GET tatoos... they've been doing it since the begining of the miltary... it's a useless rule... they want them to look more professional? then have them work out with long sleeves.

The marines have always had a zillion rules about appearance and other things. My brother was in the marines, and would talk about all their stupid rules. But if that's what you sign up for, then that's what you deal with.

-Eve

They ARE ALLOWED to get a little body art---it just has to fit into the policy as acceptable.

I can't believe I'm arguing with a guy who has repeatedly been very adment about the fact that he repeatedly broke the law... and now he's arguing from the view point of "it's the rule... you have to follow it"

LMAO - whatever.... this is why I usually don't respond to Tye...

Marines are held to another standard.

That is the policy---I don't know why it was inacted, but it was. And members of the military do have to make sacrifices. Whether I understand them is moot---point is they make sacrifices whether I understand them or not.

Going without that dreamy sleeve you want shouldn't be that big of a deal.

Guys, just put Derden on ignore. He never has anything intelligent to say anyway. He does this in every thread. He tries to get everyone worked up by saying something ridiculous, just to get attention. He's not even worth responding to

Good advice..

Buh bye Tyler_Derden.

OSU sucks

I don't see the big issue here. Neither did Evedawg. I guess you better ignore Evedawg too.

I disagree b/c I disagree. Not for any other purpose. But if you insist on your little campaign against me than by all means. Whatever you need to do to bring some meaning into your life.

Actually, I did not state whether I agree or disagree with this new rule. I was just stating that having a bunch of rules about appearance is how the marines operate. They are concernd about image, especially around civillians.

-Eve

I really don't care if you have tattoos or you're gay or whatever...if you want to serve your country and you're physically and mentally capable of doing so...more power to you. I thank and salute you.

I remember when I was first deciding to join the service. I was really close to joining the Marines and the one thing that turned me on to them was they said they were the best of the best. They don't want their ranks to look like a bunch of bikers in a bar.(Just an example, no offense to bikers ) Well, the first thing you learn when you join the military is you no longer belong to you. You belong to the military. So you have a choice alright, do what your told or go to the brig or worse.
I can see why the Marines would want something where it shows b/c of the pride in fighting, their fallen friends, whatever. If I read it right you can have tats still on your arms, just not obnoxiously large. They can always get it when they are discharged.