Can Ait Soldiers Get Tattoos?

TRADOC IET recruit tattoo/brand policies apply to all Active Army (AA), U. S. Army Reserve (USAR), and Army National Guard (ARNG) trainee/soldiers. There is no rule saying an AIT soldier cannot get a tattoo, but they must be allowed off base after gaining the privilege from their AIT command. The new AR 670-1 Tattoo Policy allows recruits and current soldiers to get tattoos on the back of their necks, hands, and behind their ears.

However, tattoos are generally not allowed during IET due to the risk of infection. Some people in AIT may hide their tattoos, but it is known that tattoos can be cheap, crappy looking, and incorporate a skull and flag into it. The Army’s latest policy allows soldiers to have unlimited tattoos on their arms and legs but restricts neck, face, hand, finger, and sleeve tattoos. Be aware that some units or commands may have stricter tattoo policies than others.

Tattoos are allowed in all three forces – Indian Army, Navy, and IAF. Permanent body tattoos are permitted on the following body parts only. As long as it is not prohibited by Military law (UCMJ), a commander can restrict a member’s ability to get a tattoo while in an active duty status.

TraDOC Regulation 350-6 dictates that tattoos can be obtained while serving, but there are rules about where and how big they can be, which can vary depending on the Advanced Individual Training (AIT) school. At AIT schools, tattoos are allowed as long as they are not shown in the uniform, such as the neck, face, and hands.

In summary, tattoos are allowed in all three forces, but they are generally not allowed during IET due to the risk of infection.

Does The Army Have A Law On Tattoos?

WASHINGTON — To attract top talent, the Army has revised its tattoo regulations, expediting processing times for new recruits with body art. The updated 2024 Army Tattoo, Branding, and Body Mutilation Policy prohibits tattoos deemed socially unacceptable, such as those featuring offensive or extremist designs. The Army previously relaxed its tattoo restrictions in 2015 by updating Army Regulation 670-1, removing limits on the number of tattoos on legs and arms. Now, tattoos are allowed on hands, necks, and behind the ears with specific limitations; however, facial and head tattoos remain banned, and any offensive content is strictly prohibited.

The revised policy is aimed at enhancing recruitment efforts by broadening the pool of candidates willing to serve. Each military branch has its own set of tattoo regulations, providing clarity for recruits and active-duty personnel. Currently, across all branches, there's no limit on the number or size of tattoos on chest, torso, arms, legs, and feet. Army officers are also permitted to have tattoos under the same regulations as enlisted soldiers, although commanding officers had previously been held to stricter physical standards.

Regarding visibility, Army regulations dictate that tattoos must not be visible while in uniform, which excludes tattoos on the hands, head, face, and neck. However, soldiers are allowed one tattoo on each hand that cannot exceed one inch in length. Any indecent, violent, racist, sexist, or vulgar tattoos remain prohibited irrespective of location on the body. Overall, military tattoo policies emphasize the importance of maintaining a professional appearance while allowing an increased number of acceptable tattoos.

Can Soldiers Get Tattoos On Their Necks?

Recruits and current soldiers in the Army can now get tattoos on the back of their necks, hands, and behind their ears under the new AR 670-1 Tattoo Policy. Neck tattoos are limited to a maximum size of two inches and should not be visible from the front or sides. Soldiers are permitted to have one ring tattoo on each hand, not exceeding one inch in length, and tattoos behind the ears are also allowed, provided they adhere to size restrictions and do not represent extremist, gang-related, or offensive themes.

While this policy allows more flexibility in tattoo placements, face tattoos remain strictly prohibited. The primary aim of updating the tattoo policy is to attract more talent into the Army by easing restrictions historically placed on tattoo locations. However, tattoos on the face, and in some cases, visibility requirements from crew neck or V-neck t-shirts must still be followed.

In regard to visibility, certain duties still demand no full sleeve or full leg tattoos due to interactions with fellow soldiers. As of June 2022, the Army's rules reflect a similar trend to those implemented by the Marines, who are also allowed to have multiple tattoos but must avoid face, head, neck, and hand tattoos, with allowances for a single ring tattoo. Sailors have their own regulations, which include a one-inch tattoo behind the ear or on the neck.

The updates to the tattoo policy indeed represent a shift towards accommodating personal expression through body art while still maintaining military standards. Now, tattoos are allowed on hands, the back of the neck (limited to two inches), and behind the ears (limited to one inch), although visibility above the collar remains restricted across different military branches. In summary, the Army's new policy facilitates certain body art placements to make military service more appealing, balancing individual expression with operational decorum and professionalism.

Can Soldiers Have A Ring Tattoo?

According to the updated Army tattoo policy, soldiers are permitted to have a ring tattoo on each hand, specifically situated at the lowest knuckle area where rings typically rest. Each tattoo on the hand is limited to a maximum length of one inch. Additionally, soldiers may have one tattoo positioned between the fingers, provided that it is not visible when the fingers are joined, and one tattoo on the back of the neck that cannot exceed two inches in size.

In contrast, Marines are allowed tattoos anywhere on their bodies except for their hands (except for the single ring tattoo) and above the collarbone. There are various content restrictions concerning tattoos, including prohibitions against indecent, racist, sexist, violent, or vulgar imagery, to maintain professionalism within the military. It is also explicitly stated that tattoos must not be covered with band-aids or makeup to circumvent these guidelines.

Secretary of the Army Christine E. Wormuth officially endorsed these changes in a directive, permitting both recruits and current soldiers to have tattoos within the specified limitations. Overall, soldiers are now allowed tattoos of any size on their bodies, excluding the head, neck (above the t-shirt collar), and most of their hands, allowing only for the one ring-style tattoo per hand as per AR 670-1 regulations.

While tattoo policies are consistent across the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps concerning finger ring tattoos—allowing one per hand—with the Marine Corps specifying a maximum width of 3/8 inch and the Coast Guard stating that they cannot exceed the length from the first to the second knuckle.

These regulations are intended to strike a balance between personal expression and the maintenance of a professional military image. Ultimately, the overarching rule remains that visible body tattoos are generally prohibited, except for one ring tattoo on each hand. This policy reflects ongoing efforts to uphold military standards while acknowledging personal individuality among service members.