Entering the United States military with tattoos is generally possible due to a recent shift toward more lenient policies across all service branches. The military has adapted its regulations to enhance recruitment opportunities, recognizing that body art is a widely accepted form of personal expression. While joining is an option for many with existing tattoos, the process is governed by strict rules that vary significantly by the branch of service. These regulations primarily focus on the content and placement of the tattoos to ensure service members maintain a professional appearance and adhere to military standards.
Universal Restrictions on Tattoo Content
Every branch of the U.S. military enforces content restrictions that apply to all tattoos, regardless of location. These baseline rules uphold the standards of good order, discipline, and morale within the armed services. Any tattoo considered inappropriate will prevent an applicant from joining and is not eligible for a waiver.
The armed forces prohibit imagery or text that promotes discrimination based on sex, race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin. This includes tattoos that are overtly sexist, racist, or advocate for supremacist or extremist philosophies. Tattoos that are deemed indecent, obscene, or those that symbolize affiliation with criminal gangs or advocate illegal drug use are strictly disallowed.
The review process for content is often subjective and begins with the recruiter or the command staff at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Recruits must be prepared to explain the meaning and context of their tattoos. The final determination rests with the officer in charge, and the tattoo’s appearance must not be grossly offensive to modesty, propriety, or professionalism.
Army Tattoo Policy
The Army’s policy, outlined in Army Regulation (AR) 670-1, has significantly relaxed to focus more on placement than overall coverage. Soldiers are now permitted to have full sleeves on their arms and legs without restriction on the number or size. The primary constraint centers on ensuring professionalism when wearing standard uniforms.
Specific rules govern visible areas like the neck and hands. Soldiers may have one tattoo on the back of the neck, provided it does not exceed two inches in any direction. One tattoo is authorized on each hand, but it must be no larger than one inch in length.
A small tattoo, not exceeding one inch in size, is also permitted behind each ear, but it cannot extend into the hairline or be visible from the front of the earlobe. Tattoos on the head, face, or anywhere else above the t-shirt collar line are prohibited, with the exception of permanent makeup applied conservatively for female soldiers. The Army requires all visible tattoos to be documented upon entry and inspected annually by a commander to ensure compliance with the content and placement rules.
Navy Tattoo Policy
The Navy generally maintains the most permissive tattoo policy, reflecting the service’s long historical and cultural connection with body art. Navy policy allows for unlimited tattoos on the arms, legs, and torso, including full sleeves and chest pieces. The primary constraints focus on the head, face, and neck area.
Sailors are prohibited from having any tattoos on the head, face, or scalp. The Navy permits a single tattoo on the neck, which must not exceed one inch in measurement in any direction. This size limitation also applies to ink behind the ear.
Tattoos on the torso are permitted, but they must not be visible through white uniform clothing, which is a specific consideration for the Navy’s unique uniform requirements. This policy shift was implemented to remove barriers for otherwise qualified candidates. Size restrictions are limited only to the neck and behind-the-ear areas.
Marine Corps Tattoo Policy
The Marine Corps traditionally maintains stringent appearance standards, and its tattoo policy, outlined in Marine Corps Order (MCO) 1020.34H, reflects this emphasis on uniformity and tradition. Although updated to be less restrictive, the policy still imposes significant placement limitations not found in other branches. Recent changes permit Marines to have full sleeve tattoos on their arms and legs.
The most restricted areas remain the head, neck, and hands, which are highly visible in uniform. Tattoos are explicitly prohibited on the head, face, and on the neck above the seventh cervical vertebra (the collarbone line). This strict rule ensures no ink is visible when wearing the standard service uniform.
Hand tattoos are tightly controlled and limited to one single band tattoo on one finger per hand, such as a wedding band design. This band cannot exceed three-eighths of an inch in width. The Marine Corps does not allow tattoos on the palms or the inside of the fingers, aiming to project an image of professionalism that aligns with the Corps’ high standards for military bearing.
Air Force and Space Force Tattoo Policy
The Air Force and Space Force share an aligned policy that is flexible, allowing for significant body art coverage while maintaining a professional appearance. Their regulations prohibit tattoos on the head, face, tongue, lips, eyes, and scalp. However, they permit hand, arm, leg, and neck tattoos to be exposed and visible while wearing any uniform combination.
The size and placement of neck tattoos are restricted to one tattoo that does not exceed one inch in any dimension. The Air Force previously utilized an “excessive” rule, defining it as body art that exceeded 25% of an exposed body part. This excessive rule has been largely phased out, allowing for full sleeves and large pieces on the body.
The current policy, detailed in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2903, permits ring tattoos on the fingers. It generally does not restrict the size or number of tattoos on the rest of the body. The policy requires that chest and back tattoos not be visible through any uniform combination, especially when wearing an open-collar uniform.
Coast Guard Tattoo Policy
The Coast Guard’s tattoo policy focuses on the visibility of body art when wearing standard uniforms, which is a common thread across all branches. Content restrictions are the same as other services, banning extremist, indecent, or discriminatory imagery. The regulations permit extensive body art, including full sleeves, on the arms and legs.
Recent policy updates have eased restrictions on hand and behind-the-ear tattoos. Coast Guard members are authorized to have one tattoo behind each ear, not to exceed one inch in size. On the hands, a tattoo up to 2.5 inches is permitted between the knuckle closest to the wrist and the wrist bone on each hand.
Tattoos on the neck remain the most restricted area. No tattoo can be visible above the uppermost edge of a standard crew-neck t-shirt when viewed from the front. This rule sets a clear boundary for the neckline and chest area, ensuring a professional appearance is maintained in all standard uniforms.
Navigating Waivers and Documentation
Recruits with questionable or non-compliant tattoos must undergo a formal review process involving detailed documentation and the potential for a waiver. The initial step requires the recruit to submit clear, high-resolution photographs of all existing tattoos. They must also provide a written statement explaining the meaning and significance of each design.
The recruiter plays a central role in this initial assessment, determining if the tattoos violate content restrictions or fall outside of acceptable size and placement limits. If a tattoo violates size or location rules but not content, an Exception to Policy (ETP) waiver may be requested from the appropriate command authority. Approval is not guaranteed and often depends on the branch’s current recruiting needs and the applicant’s overall qualifications.
The tattoo documentation is submitted as part of the total enlistment package. The Department of Defense Form (DD Form 369), or Police Record Check, is also an essential part of the larger entry packet for applicants requiring waivers for moral or other background issues. The timeline for approval can vary significantly, sometimes adding weeks to the processing time while the command makes a final determination.
Tattoos Acquired After Enlistment
The rules governing tattoos for active duty service members are distinct from those for initial entry, though universal content restrictions remain in full force. Once accepted into the military, service members are generally held to a less stringent standard regarding the size and placement of new tattoos. They are still strictly prohibited from acquiring any body art that violates content rules against extremist, discriminatory, or indecent imagery.
Active duty personnel who wish to get new tattoos in a visible area must ensure the design complies with their branch’s current placement and size standards. Service members are usually required to check with their immediate command before getting new ink, and the command has the authority to ensure compliance. Failure to adhere to the content or placement rules after joining can result in disciplinary action, including being required to pay for the removal of the non-compliant tattoo.