Tattoo policy affects future career options

Story by Desert Warrior Staff

While the intent of the Corps' recently updated tattoo policy is to ensure Marines remain worldwide assignable, a long-term benefit is increased military and civilian career options, said the top enlisted Marine.

Although tattoos are more and more acceptable throughout American culture, many civilian employers see excessive ink as a stain on one's hiring potential, especially in law enforcement jobs.

"As we adjust our policy on tattoos so are many civilian agencies," said Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Carlton W. Kent. "I have met with many former Marines who told me they could not even get a job at a fast food restaurant because of their tattoos."

Recently, a team at Headquarters Marine Corps researched state police and highway patrol tattoo policies and found that 39 states have official written policies covering tattoos and body art or modifications, as well as other personal appearance standards.

Of those with policies, 28 do not allow tattoos to be visible while in a short-sleeved uniform, according to the report prepared by the Strategic Initiatives Group. Another 11 allow visible tattoos, but within certain standards.

Former Marine John Beekman, a 16-year-veteran detective with the Chandler Police Department in Arizona, advises service members to consider their future career choices before getting new ink.

"How will it affect you later? When you're young and motivated you're not thinking about the future. But, one day you will get out of the Marine Corps and perception is reality. The general public is going to look a person with [excessive] tattoos and make an immediate judgment," said Beekman.

The Chandler police's policy, which was established in 2008, requires tattoos be covered if visible while working in an official capacity, said Beekman.

Most departments across the nation also reflect the Corps' policy standards prohibiting tattoos that are offensive to a person's race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

The recent change helped to clarify the March 2007 overhaul of the Corps' tattoo policy, which prohibited excessive tattoos covering arms and legs.

In addition to the already prohibited head and neck, Marines cannot get tattoos or brands on their hands, fingers, wrists or inside their mouths, according to Marine Administrative Message 29/10, released Jan. 15.

"We have realized that we needed to provide more amplifying guidance to clear up questions our Marines have about the existing policy to allow them more opportunities within the Corps and once they leave the service," said Kent. "Marines need to understand the intent of the policy and the specific guidance that is published so that they can make an informed decision before getting a tattoo."

The new policy also clarified the size of any tattoos visible in PT uniforms cannot be larger than the wearer's hand with fingers extended and joined and the thumb touching the base of the index finger.

The 2007 policy was vague on the size, stating only that very large tattoos or collections of smaller tattoos covering all or most of a person's arms or legs - also called sleeve tattoos - were unauthorized.

Both commissioned and warrant officers are now limited to four tattoos or brands visible when wearing the standard physical training uniform, according to the new policy.

Band tattoos wider than 2 inches are also now prohibited for officers.

Enlisted Marines are allowed bands only as wide as one quarter of the arm or leg where it is tattooed as seen in the PT uniform. Band tattoos can either partially or fully encircle the circumference of the arm or leg.

Additionally, any enlisted Marine who had grandfathered sleeve tattoos can no longer apply for any Marine Corps commissioning or warrant officer programs.

"A Marine with tattoos doesn't mean you're a bad Marine," said Sgt. Maj. William Wiseman, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron sergeant major. "However, since tattoos are a visual reminder of your personal thoughts, feelings and ideas, a Marine with visible tattoos may not be the best candidate for a high-profile assignment. Since the Marine Corps has the most recognizable uniform in the world, this makes the Corps a high-profile assignment. … You joined the Corps; the Corps didn't join you."

In September 2008, Marines with excessive tattoos were banned from holding the special-duty assignments of recruiter and Marine security guard at U.S. embassies. Marines in those jobs "have a significant impact on public perception," according to MarAdmin 494/08.

"The success of our Marines during their career, as well as afterward, is important," Kent said.

The recent message also reiterated that tattoos or brands continue to be subject to review in some cases pertaining to promotion, future assignments and training to determine if any might tarnish the Corps' reputation.

Any tattoos that are racist, sexist, drug-related, vulgar, anti-American or are associated with any extremist group or gang are already not permitted on Marines.

The new policy also banned apparently invisible tattoos that use ultraviolet ink only visible under a black light.

Marines who currently have any of the now-prohibited tattoos won't face any punishment, but they must document the tattoos with photos in their service record books no later than June 1, 2010.

Cpl. Priscilla Sneden, Lance Cpl. Jakob Schulz and Gunnery Sgt. Bill Lisbon contributed to this report.