Since I first wrote the article below, the US Military had no idea that tattooing, piercing, body art, scarification/mutilation, and cosmetic dentistry would become so popular and mainstream. They’ve been playing catch up to changes in our general society.

So, why do they care if you’re tattooed?

Part of the reason, and this is just my opinion, is to avoid gang related, racist and sexist tattoos. When you make a policy on body arts for the Army, you make it as broad as possible for the whole Army. And then you apply it one soldier at a time. There is no discrimination if you tell a soldier that the nude woman tattoo on his arm has got to go as long as you have a tattoo policy in place for the Army that says either the size, type or placement of the tattoo isn’t acceptable.

And, if I read these correctly, you'll have to to pay to remove a tattoo. It won't be covered by the government.

Some of the policy guides above were only a page or two. Others were over 300 pages. I cut out anything that didn’t relate to tattoos/body arts and strongly urge you to download and read the entire PDF files as issued by your branch of the service.

PS – You guys at Gitmo rock. Loved your tattoo pictures. If you’d like your tattoo/body art pictures featured here, just send them to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . We’ll blur out your face before we post them.

END NEW SECTION - 03/01/08

Be prepared to get those tattoos removed before you go into the service.

A cautionary email from a military wife:

Just wondering when you got the info on your website about military and tattoos? My husband has prior service, and having a hard time with just one tattoo keeping him from re-enlisting. It goes about 1 inch above the collar, and the Navy is giving us grief as he is trying to re-enlist.

Thanks,

Mindi Hart

A word of caution to our friends in the Military or someone who wants to join the Armed Forces. Did you know that military organizations have policies regulating tattoos for military personnel? We recently asked the US Air Force what their policy is:

"Thank you for your question. As an Air Force member, Tattoos and or brands anywhere on the body that are obscene or advocate sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination are prohibited in and out of uniform. Any Tattoos and or brand prejudicial to good order and discipline or of a nature that tends to bring discredit upon the Air Force are prohibited in and out of uniform. An Air Force member is not allowed to display excessive tattoos that would detract from an appropriate professional image while in uniform. Excessive tattoos are tattoos which cover over 25% of the body part." Cordially, Betty J. Gibson, Interactive Advisor

Dear Sir/Ma'am:

I just wanted to add onto the information that you provide on your website in regards to tattooing and/or piercing as a military member. I have been in the Air Force as a Security Forces member for 6 years now, and although I by far did not write the regulations, I have often been confronted by people with questions about them.

As far as tattooing goes, there is only one word missing from Betty's explanation-"exposed." As in, "tattoos (that are not prohibited, i.e. obscene, offensive, racially biased, etc.) may not cover more than 25% of any exposed body part." This should not deter individuals who perhaps have a full back piece or the such from entering enlisted active military service.

When it comes to piercings-the regs are still somewhat open as they haven't recently been updated to cover more modern trends. However, it is clearly stated that males should not wear earrings in or out of uniform, but we can only "control" those on base-this is not allowed at all for males. Females are allowed to have moderate piercings in their ears; however, when in uniform, only one pair of earrings (small gold or silver studs, small pearl studs, or small diamond studs when in "service dress uniform"*) is allowed to be worn, and this is in the lowest hole pierced in the ear. Out of uniform, on or off base, females are not prohibited from wearing multiple ear piercings. Again, the current regulations don't really cover more "modern" piercings such as navels, nipples, etc. except to say that there should not be piercings on the head, neck, or face other than the ears.

I hope that you find this of some assistance in providing information on this topic-if you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask me.

Thank you for your time,

SSgt Leslie M. Fellers - USAF

*See official policy guides for your branch of the Military.

A huge thank you you to both Ms. Gibson and SSgt. Fellers.

Since different branches of the military will have different policies and those policies will change - We strongly suggest that you contact someone in your branch of the military or your local recruitment office for further information.

(If you decide you want officer training, definitely talk to a military recruiter at one of the military academies first. Don't even think about getting a tattoo that shows outside your underwear.)

Forget about piercing altogether. One earring in each ear for a woman is all you'll be allowed. You can have multiple holes.