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I don't doubt it, but the appearance of a soldier is important. Soldiers operate in places all over the world, and they should give off the appearance of a clean cut representative of the country they serve.
Again, i'm not against certain tats that aren't visible in uniform...PT, duty uniform, and Dress uniform. But visible tats all up the arms, neck and legs should be a no go...period, end of story.
If you wanna get tatted up like a circus clown, ETS and make room for someone that wants to soldier and look like one.
All true enough.
But more importantly, a uniform identifies the person as a soldier, sailor or airman of the United States. Someone with a facial, neck, hand, or other continuously visible tattoo sets that individual out from his mates. It could make the person a singled-out target. Or, in the smoke, fire and dust of combat, could make him a target for friendly fire in a place where everyone has facial tattoos.
If we ever went into Guatemala, for example, where facial gang tattoos are common, what's to protect a soldier who has similar tattoos? Any fighter can use an enemy's uniform. Fellow soldiers may only be able to recognize a soldier by his face.
The same can be said about sleeves or other extensive tattoos. In addition, I've read that a sleeve can cause sweat gland failure on a person's arms, and we have been fighting in very hot places lately. Sweat is a necessary human function.
I don't have anything for or against them in civilian life, but I do think tattoos are a fad, and like all fads, will come and go. I very seriously doubt that clear un-inked skin will ever not be what most people in the world look like in the future.
The military by necessity has to be prepared to go wherever it is sent, world wide. There are legitimate reasons why the military resists fads and always has. Combat is not a thing where personal vanity is needed.
All true enough.
But more importantly, a uniform identifies the person as a soldier, sailor or airman of the United States. Someone with a facial, neck, hand, or other continuously visible tattoo sets that individual out from his mates. It could make the person a singled-out target. Or, in the smoke, fire and dust of combat, could make him a target for friendly fire in a place where everyone has facial tattoos.
If we ever went into Guatemala, for example, where facial gang tattoos are common, what's to protect a soldier who has similar tattoos? Any fighter can use an enemy's uniform. Fellow soldiers may only be able to recognize a soldier by his face.
The same can be said about sleeves or other extensive tattoos. In addition, I've read that a sleeve can cause sweat gland failure on a person's arms, and we have been fighting in very hot places lately. Sweat is a necessary human function.
I don't have anything for or against them in civilian life, but I do think tattoos are a fad, and like all fads, will come and go. I very seriously doubt that clear un-inked skin will ever not be what most people in the world look like in the future.
The military by necessity has to be prepared to go wherever it is sent, world wide. There are legitimate reasons why the military resists fads and always has. Combat is not a thing where personal vanity is needed.
Perhaps our military shouldn't be sent anywhere, but rather be utilized as a defense on home turf as it was intended in the first place. Problem solved.
What if the tattoo is offensive to some people? For example a rebel flag? A Nude woman? A swastika? So does the military draw a line and dictate? They did when I was in. Tattoos have different meanings to different cultures. Like it or not the appearance of our soldiers reflects upon our nation. Don't like the rules look for another occupation. The military isn't exactly big on individual liberties and freedoms.
I have Tattoos. 1 Buddhist prayer on my forearm and a Tattoo high on my right shoulder that reflects my service. I wouldn't have been allowed the one on my forearm because it can be seen if wearing short sleeves.
There is discrete ink, then there is the thing taken to extremes that put persons in mind of a cross between an inhabitant of some distant South Seas Island and an actor in hard core gay porn. That or someone whom has spent a bulk of his life going from JUVEE to various prisons with only the occasional (short lived) release.
That's funny. I'm nearly 40, work as a professional IT consultant for Dell computer and have a tattoo sleeve. I have yet to run into a customer that has a problem with it (we travel to the customer sites). Weird.
That is great. However, the world doesn't believe that. I am a police officer and in my agency, my police chief won't hire ANYONE with a full sleeve. ANYONE with one now, must wear long sleeved shirts or some sort of covering, to cover the tattoo's. Neck or face tattoo's are not allowed; and any thing else MUST be covered. That is the general practice of police departments across the country.
The general publics attitude is this: I can't tell the difference between a criminal "inked and tatted out" and the police. We see no difference.
If you can't and do not deal with this, again, great. Fact is the general public does and does not like it. You may not have had a problem, but I guarantee behind your back someone has said something and sooner or not, it will become an issue.
We aren't in a position to be picky about who we let into our All Volunteer Force.
Actually, we are, and we have to be. Our servicemen and women are highly trained professionals, with highly demanding jobs. They are dealing with advanced, highly sophisticated and deadly equipment. Not just every yahoo has the skills, intelligence or fortitude to perform at the level they do. It's not like you're talking some liberal arts program here where any mouth-breather can excel.
That's funny. I'm nearly 40, work as a professional IT consultant for Dell computer and have a tattoo sleeve. I have yet to run into a customer that has a problem with it (we travel to the customer sites). Weird.
Methinks your customers are polite enough not to say anything about it in front of you.
for every action, there a reaction. so you got to think about all this a head of time before you get the tats
Yep. If you want to be taken seriously in the working world, you will not use your body as a billboard. If these recruits have been wanting to join the military since they were "kids", they should have listened to their parents and not mutilated their bodies.
Even the porn industry pays women with tatoos less than women without them.
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