Army Tattoo Policy 2013: Recruits May Face Restrictions on Forearm and Leg Tattoos
The United States Army has never had too many restrictions when it comes to tattoos, but all of that could be changing soon as part of a new uniform policy.
The armed forces newspaper, Stars and Stripes, said that the new policy would mean that recruits would not be able to have tattoos below the elbow and knee or above the neckline. If the army goes through with it, the policy would likely be in place within 30 to 60 days. Soldiers who already have tattoos would be grandfathered in.
Recruiters have been cracking down on inappropriate tattoos as well. Sexist and racist tattoos are not allowed, but Stars and Stripes said there have been cases where soldiers have had a curse word right on their neck.
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler spoke to troops in Afghanistan over the weekend and informed them of the changes. "We're just waiting for the secretary to sign," Chandler said, according to Stars and Stripes.
The army follows different regulations and dress codes compared to other branches of the military, and according to Stars and Stripes, the tattoo policy would exclusively be for the army at this point.
The army is undergoing a bit of a transition period in terms of uniforms and dress code. Along with the change in tattoo policy, the army will also be rolling out new uniforms. The new uniforms, which will be coming in "eight or nine months," will feature a similar design but new colors will be mixed in to adapt to various environments.