Marines Rush to Get Tattoos Before Ban

[Guest]

OCEANSIDE, Calif. —

Five tattooed skulls stretch from Marine Cpl. Jeremy Slaton's right elbow to his wrist, spelling out the word "Death." He planned to add a tattoo spelling "Life" on his left arm, but that's on hold because of a Marine policy taking effect Sunday.

The Marines are banning any new, extra-large tattoos below the elbow or the knee, saying such body art is harmful to the Corps' spit-and-polish image.

Slaton and other grunts are not pleased.

"I guess I'll get the other half later," grumbled the 24-year-old leatherneck from Eden Prairie, Minn. "It's kind of messed up."

• Speakout! Do you think the new tattoo ban is unfair to Marines?

For many Marines, getting a tattoo is a rite of passage. They commonly get their forearms inscribed to remember fallen comrades, combat tours or loved ones, and often ask for exotic designs that incorporate the Marine motto, Semper Fi, or "Always faithful."

Dozens of Marines from Camp Pendleton, the West Coast's biggest Marine base, made last-minute trips to tattoo parlors in nearby Oceanside before the ban kicked in.

"This is something I love to do," said Cpl. David Nadrchal, 20, of Ponoma, who made an appointment to get an Iraqi flag and his deployment dates etched onto his lower leg. "The fact I can't put something on my body that I want — it's a big thing to tell me I can't do that."

Nadrchal said he is unsure whether he will re-enlist: "There's all these little things. They are slowly chipping away at us."

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway announced the policy change last week.

"Some Marines have taken the liberty of tattooing themselves to a point that is contrary to our professional demeanor and the high standards America has come to expect from us," he said. "I believe tattoos of an excessive nature do not represent our traditional values."

The ban is aimed primarily at "sleeve" tattoos, the large and often elaborate designs on the biceps and forearms of many Marines. Similar designs on the lower legs will be forbidden as well. So will very large tattoos on the upper arm, if they are visible when a Marine wears his workout T-shirt. Small, individual tattoos will still be allowed on the arms and legs. (The Marines already ban them on the hands.)

Marines already tattooed are exempt from the ban but cannot add to their designs; anyone caught with fresh ink in the wrong places could be barred from re-enlistment or face disciplinary action. Getting a prohibited tattoo could constitute a violation of a lawful order, punishable by up to two years in prison and a dishonorable discharge, Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Brian Donnolly said.

Unit commanders must photograph and document sleeve tattoos to ensure Marines do not add to their ink.

The Marines and the other branches of the military already ban tattoos that could be offensive or disruptive, such as images that are sexist, vulgar, gang-related or extremist.

The Army, which has been doing most of the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and is struggling to fill its ranks, actually relaxed its tattoo restrictions last year. Soldiers can now get ink on the back of their hands and the lower back of the neck.

The Navy last year decreed that tattoos visible while in short-sleeve uniform cannot be larger than the wearer's hand. The Air Force says tattoos should be covered up if they are bigger than one-quarter the size of the exposed body part.

Tattoo artist Jerry Layton at the Body Temple Tattoo Studio in Oceanside said he was booked up with Marines rushing to beat the deadline.

"These are guys that are dying in the war," Layton said. "They can fight, but they can't get a tattoo? It's ridiculous."

Story reported by FoxNews, you can find the article here: http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_st...,262080,00.html

This was a big issue when i began looking into the platoon leaders course offered by the USMC to college students. While i was eventually denied entry due to a medical condition, i remember the Captain - at one of the preliminary interviews - making special notice of the fact i was not inked. I know my father didn't get his Corps tat until after he was home from Vietnam.

I understand the Corps logic here. When i was a kid i was awed by the dress blues, spit shined shoes and gleaming brass buckles/buttons. There might also be some other factors at work - i know the Force Recon guys cant have ANY ink on them for security purposes. At the same time, i sympathize with those Marines who want to get inked.

Either way, i thought this was very interesting!

Edited March 29, 2007 by 66Alpha1

[JBE 328]

While I got most of my ink while I was in the service, I kept it above the elbow. I guess I am a little more conservative when it comes to tattooing. I can kind of understand the concept here, but I don't agree with it. My next one will probably be on the inside of my wrist or inside of my forearm.

I remember when they banned tattoos in the Coast Guard that could be deemed offensive. This was in 1994 or 1995. Example, a Mermaid with exposed breasts. I had a first class petty officer with one like that and I think they tried to get him to have a bikini top tattoed over the breasts, as so not to offend some women.

[Guest]

I think the biggest issue are the "sleeves" or "suits" some Marines may be getting. If the ban is specific to these types of things - i find that reasonable, if its sweeping and across the board, i think thats a bit excessive.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

All my Marine Corps tatoos are non-visible when in uniform. There are some trying to make a big deal over the ban saying its a violation of their rights. I just laughed and said they have to be non-military or in the military. As all vets heard at one time..."you have no rights...you signed a contract."

I know of many that were denied because of tatoos in visible areas that were deemed unprofessional and pornographic. Its just be expanded as to where you can get a tatoo. Hell I remember a few SSgt. and Gunnies with tat's so old from the Phillipines and Oki you could barely see what they were or said anymore.

Just remember one thing...real men get meat tags.

Edited March 29, 2007 by alsfirefighter