Army's new tattoo policy

[LuisDantas]

So you see the existence of the Armed Forces as closely related to the ability of defending oneself? Would that be a fair statement?

 

[esmith]

So you see the existence of the Armed Forces as closely related to the ability of defending oneself? Would that be a fair statement?

No, I see the existence of the Armed Forces to protect and defend the country. I see that it is my responsibility to defend myself and my family with help from local authorities knowing that they can only respond when called and their response time may or may not be in time. It is my responsibility to insure, to the best of my ability, the safety of my family against events that I can have a direct influence over.

 

[LuisDantas]

No, I see the existence of the Armed Forces to protect and defend the country. I see that it is my responsibility to defend myself and my family with help from local authorities knowing that they can only respond when called and their response time may or may not be in time. It is my responsibility to insure, to the best of my ability, the safety of my family against events that I can have a direct influence over.

Many people agree with you, I think.

All the same, that is more than a bit odd IMO.

That would imply that for some reason the protection and defense of this country you talk about is so important that it is justification for exceptionally strong demands from many of your finest people, in ways that have been increasingly questionable from an ethical perspective in the last few decades.
And also quite a lot of financial expense and human resources that could be more constructively employed elsewhere.

I don't think I can ever be convinced that there is much sense in that.

 

[esmith]

Many people agree with you, I think.

All the same, that is more than a bit odd IMO.

That would imply that for some reason the protection and defense of this country you talk about is so important that it is justification for exceptionally strong demands from many of your finest people, in ways that have been increasingly questionable from an ethical perspective in the last few decades.
And also quite a lot of financial expense and human resources that could be more constructively employed elsewhere.

I don't think I can ever be convinced that there is much sense in that.

Your welcome to your opinion, I just happen to disagree with your philosophy.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Tattoos are allowed as long as they are not visible while wearing a military uniform. So, if a service member wants a tattoo under those guidelines it is permissible.

While that is true, I am thinking in a case, what if the person has a tattoo on their torso, but only an arm or leg remain for identification? There is the fact of unit conformity, but I would rather see such a small cohesion broken to potentially reduce the number troops who are killed and not identified. I would agree with not allowing full sleeves, but a couple of non-offensive tattoos on the forearm or lower legs I just do not see the logic behind saying no as it is one of the easiest ways to identify yourself should you not return home in one piece.

 

[Father Heathen]

This doesn't really have much to do with the actual OP, but when my dad was in the Air Force (circa late 60's, early 70's) he had an eagle with a "USAF" banner in it's talons. Today it's an indistinguishable green blob.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

This doesn't really have much to do with the actual OP, but when my dad was in the Air Force (circa late 60's, early 70's) he had an eagle with a "USAF" banner in it's talons. Today it's an indistinguishable green blob.

Touch ups are possible, and encouraged. Also, because your knees may hurt when you get older, do not ever have any fun and baby them as much as possible because those demanding athletics may make things worse in the future. You should also probably never wear any new clothes you get, because they are going to wear out as well. Your skin is going to eventually get wrinkly anyways, so there is no use in taking care of it. And because we're going to die anyways, just go ahead and smoke a carton a day, eat three large pizzas a day, and watch all the TV you want. I am certainly glad the ancient Greeks weren't thinking ultra-long term, or they may not have bothered to write any plays at all.

 

[Sand Dancer]

I was in the Air Force in the early nineties and didn't see any tattoos showing outside the uniforms. I had a few friends that went out and got them, but they were usually on the deltoid for guys and shoulder or hip for girls. I am not a tattoo fan but have no idea what views people in the military have on this new rule, since the visible tattoos seem to be a recent thing.

 

[Father Heathen]

Touch ups are possible, and encouraged.

Well, yeah. I've suggested that to him in the past. He has said that he's too old and that he has never really been concerned about it.

Also, because your knees may hurt when you get older, do not ever have any fun and baby them as much as possible because those demanding athletics may make things worse in the future. You should also probably never wear any new clothes you get, because they are going to wear out as well. Your skin is going to eventually get wrinkly anyways, so there is no use in taking care of it. And because we're going to die anyways, just go ahead and smoke a carton a day, eat three large pizzas a day, and watch all the TV you want. I am certainly glad the ancient Greeks weren't thinking ultra-long term, or they may not have bothered to write any plays at all.

How does this rambling non sequitur relate to my post? Did you think you were countering some non-existent point?

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

IMO
I believe that tattoos are a fad that in later years will eventually come to haunt the vast majority of those who have them; particularly those with tattoos that are exposed when wearing normal clothing.
Cute and cleaver as they may seem now, I can't see their appeal lasting into later years. In fact, I predict a huge growth in the tat-removal business.

My advice to the highly decorated: Start saving now.

Tattoos and body piercings have been popular since about the '80s. They're not going anywhere. I don't see a backlash of conservatism happening anytime soon. Society seems to be growing more liberal when it comes to personal expression.

 

[Skwim]

Tattoos and body piercings have been popular since about the '80s. They're not going anywhere. I don't see a backlash of conservatism happening anytime soon. Society seems to be growing more liberal when it comes to personal expression.

"The Next Billion-Dollar Industry: Tattoo Removal?

"While tattoos are by no means an indication of one's ability or potential, they certainly have a stigma. In retrospect, what that brief tattoo parlor experience taught me was this: If tattoo artists are telling potential customers to reconsider, removing tattoos could be a very lucrative business. Cynosure (Nasdaq: CYNO ) is one of the few companies in this market, and given the ruthlessness of the job market nowadays, it stands to profit, as demand for laser tattoo removal has increased 32% from last year."
source​

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

"The Next Billion-Dollar Industry: Tattoo Removal?

"While tattoos are by no means an indication of one's ability or potential, they certainly have a stigma. In retrospect, what that brief tattoo parlor experience taught me was this: If tattoo artists are telling potential customers to reconsider, removing tattoos could be a very lucrative business. Cynosure (Nasdaq: CYNO ) is one of the few companies in this market, and given the ruthlessness of the job market nowadays, it stands to profit, as demand for laser tattoo removal has increased 32% from last year."
source​

I see it as a consequence of more people getting tattoos. It stands to reason that as more and more people get tattoos, the higher the amount of "bad' or unflattering tattoos some people get will increase accordingly. Some people get straight-up lousy tattoos, poorly executed tattoos, gang tattoos, hate group tattoos or tattoos that have lost their personal significance to the people wearing it.

It doesn't mean there's some sort of backlash against tattoos, it's just there's more people getting tattoos that they don't end up wanting in the end.

 

[Skwim]

I see it as a consequence of more people getting tattoos. It stands to reason that as more and more people get tattoos, the higher the amount of "bad' or unflattering tattoos some people get will increase accordingly. Some people get straight-up lousy tattoos, poorly executed tattoos, gang tattoos, hate group tattoos or tattoos that have lost their personal significance to the people wearing it.

It doesn't mean there's some sort of backlash against tattoos, it's just there's more people getting tattoos that they don't end up wanting in the end.

But 32% !! I'm not at all familiar with the tattoo mindset, so maybe I'm a bit off track, but almost a third of the people spending a good deal of money on removal seems to be signaling more than dissatisfaction with a particular tattoo or two.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

But 32% !! I'm not at all familiar with the tattoo mindset, so maybe I'm a bit off track, but almost a third of the people spending a good deal of money on removal seems to be signaling more than dissatisfaction with a particular tattoo or two.

It doesn't mean that a third of people with tattoos are getting them removed, just that the laser tattoo removal services had a 32% increase in growth.

 

[Tarheeler]

The Marines went to a similar policy years ago, and there were restrictions even before then. When I enlisted back in the early 90's, I was barred from embassy duty because I had an eagle tattooed on my forearm.

The policy doesn't bother me at all. What surprises me is the number of soldiers I see on a daily basis with tats on their necks and hands.

 

[averageJOE]

It doesn't mean that a third of people with tattoos are getting them removed, just that the laser tattoo removal services had a 32% increase in growth.

I think the tattoo removal business is on the verge of exploding into something big. At least to have remove certain tattoos that are keeping them from getting a job or something.

I like tattoos. I'm also highly critical of them. Usually most of the tattoos I see are very cliche and unoriginal, even though they may be well done. Others are just plain dumb. And there's the other kind where the piece may have had potential but just poorly done.

 

[averageJOE]

The Marines went to a similar policy years ago, and there were restrictions even before then. When I enlisted back in the early 90's, I was barred from embassy duty because I had an eagle tattooed on my forearm.

The policy doesn't bother me at all. What surprises me is the number of soldiers I see on a daily basis with tats on their necks and hands.

I surprises me too. It's because these soldiers enlisted during a time where the Army needed them more than they needed the Army. So they relaxed some to the rules. Now that both wars have ended the Army doesn't need as many people anymore and they are now starting to enforce rules that can get someone kicked out and barred from enlisting.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Well, yeah. I've suggested that to him in the past. He has said that he's too old and that he has never really been concerned about it.


How does this rambling non sequitur relate to my post? Did you think you were countering some non-existent point?

I was pointing out that ultimately everything fades, everything decays, everything is futile as everything comes to an end. If you aren't going to get a tattoo because you are worried it won't look good decades later, then you may as well not do anything. Exercise for a good physic is a waste of time because you won't maintain that figure when you are old. Sculpting a pot is a farce because it will most likely become smashed and broken one day.
And of course we aren't actually guaranteed tomorrow, so you might as well enjoy the now while you can.

 

[Skwim]

It doesn't mean that a third of people with tattoos are getting them removed, just that the laser tattoo removal services had a 32% increase in growth.

My "very bad." Thanks for catching my goof.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Also to elaborate some more, I am thinking more infantry that should not be banned from having visible tattoos. I can agree to nothing visible for those who are working in offices, meeting with international diplomats on a regular basis, and so on. But if your duty is to be sent into the front lines, I think they need to allow some (visible/below elbow/above neck) rather than none at all for no other reason than to help identify an otherwise unidentifiable corpse.