Army's new tattoo policy

[Koldo]

It all falls under the AR 670-1.

What does this have to do with that post?

 

[Koldo]

The reason is because the Army is in a position to be as picky as it wants to be about who can join. As well as who stays in.
US Army To Cut 80,000 Soldiers By 2017, Scrap $400 Million Worth Construction Projects In Massive Restructuring Plan Due To Federal Budget Restraints

Also, the Army didn't just create this policy. It's an old policy that they are going to start to enforce. So in the threads title the word "new" is technically incorrect.

But why visible tattoo specifically?

 

[esmith]

What does this have to do with that post?

I am not sure but I think there may be a slight miscommunication about what you are talking about and what the responses have been. Why don't you say exactly what question you have and then maybe we can figure out how to answer you.

 

[Assad91]

Soldiers told new rules governing tattoos, grooming standards on the way - News - Stripes

Some of the soldiers in my Unit think it's stupid. Some find it funny. Others think it's long past due. No more tattoo's below the elbow, knee, and above the neck line. Soldiers who already have them will be grandfathered in. New recruits, either pay out of pocket to have it removed or try another branch.

Thoughts?

Weird. Tats ain't going to make you weak or anything.

But hey, you didn't join the military to think, right?

 

[averageJOE]

But why visible tattoo specifically?

"While some soldiers at the meeting asked whether the Army will ever allow more visible tattoos, Chandler said it is a matter of maintaining a uniform look and sacrificing for the sake of the force."

Its not just tattoos either. Also make-up and fingernail polish, hair styles, body piercings, and the length of sideburns.

 

[averageJOE]

Weird. Tats ain't going to make you weak or anything.

But hey, you didn't join the military to think, right?

Here we go...

 

[esmith]

Weird. Tats ain't going to make you weak or anything.

But hey, you didn't join the military to think, right?

Unfortunately it seems that you have a misguided understanding of what is expected of you in today's military. First, you are expected to think especially in a ground combat situation. Have you ever heard the expression "all plans are great until the first shot is fired" or something equivalent? That was one of the major problem the Japanese faced in the early part of WWII. They were given an order and told to carry it out. When things went wrong they did not modify the plans. The US military has always needed those in a combat situation to be able to think on their feet and adapt to the changing situation.
I realize that you were probably joking about your statement, but some might think that you meant it, and those with a military background object to the idea that all members of the military are mindless robots that perform on command.

 

[Koldo]

I am not sure but I think there may be a slight miscommunication about what you are talking about and what the responses have been. Why don't you say exactly what question you have and then maybe we can figure out how to answer you.

I have no questions at this moment.

 

[Koldo]

"While some soldiers at the meeting asked whether the Army will ever allow more visible tattoos, Chandler said it is a matter of maintaining a uniform look and sacrificing for the sake of the force."

Its not just tattoos either. Also make-up and fingernail polish, hair styles, body piercings, and the length of sideburns.

Maintaining uniform look?

But you still have people with mustaches, different hair colors, different heights...

 

[averageJOE]

Maintaining uniform look?

But you still have people with mustaches, different hair colors, different heights...

I can't tell if your serious.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

People should have the pragmatic expectation that when they get visible tattoos, many avenues of opportunity will be closed to them. Personally, I'm surprised to find out that all branches of the military didn't already have regulations about this sort of thing.

 

[Koldo]

I can't tell if your serious.

I am deadly serious.

 

[Skwim]

And I think it's worth pointing out that even when it's legal, "it's legal" is not the same as "it's justified".

So whom do we poll to see if "it" is justified?

 

[esmith]

Maintaining uniform look?

But you still have people with mustaches, different hair colors, different heights...

Let me put in the simplest terms I can for you. As a member of the Armed Forces of the United States you are required to obey all rules and regulations. You may disagree or question them but you can not disobey them unless you are willing to accept the punishment given to you for disobeying these regulations, the military is not a democracy. Is that simple enough for you?

 

[Koldo]

Let me put in the simplest terms I can for you. As a member of the Armed Forces of the United States you are required to obey all rules and regulations. You may disagree or question them but you can not disobey them unless you are willing to accept the punishment given to you for disobeying these regulations, the military is not a democracy. Is that simple enough for you?

Most certainly. However, what does that have to do with what we are talking about?

We are not talking about whether soldiers should (dis)obey these regulations. This is a debate about questioning a specific rule.

 

[averageJOE]

I am deadly serious.

Then it seems like you don't really have an argument. Your just grasping.

 

[Koldo]

Then it seems like you don't really have an argument. Your just grasping.

Hey, you are the one that presented the uniformity argument.
Why are you allowed to have a mustache if you are all supposed to mantain an uniform look?

 

[averageJOE]

Hey, you are the one that presented the uniformity argument.
Why are you allowed to have a mustache if you are all supposed to mantain an uniform look?

I'll play along. Just like the Army has a policy on tattoos they have policies on the proper wear of mustaches.

 

[averageJOE]

People should have the pragmatic expectation that when they get visible tattoos, many avenues of opportunity will be closed to them. Personally, I'm surprised to find out that all branches of the military didn't already have regulations about this sort of thing.

Ever since I can remember I've always thought that tattoos on your neck and forearm was a bad idea.

 

[Koldo]

I'll play along. Just like the Army has a policy on tattoos they have policies on the proper wear of mustaches.

Correct. But you are still allowed to have a mustache nonetheless.
People with mustaches will clearly stick out from people without mustaches. There is no uniformity then.