<p>So I really want to get a tattoo, and I have looked up the Army rules and West Points rules concerning tattoos. I want to get my family crest on my back left shoulder. It won't be seen in a P.T. uniform, and it follows every other rule. I have heard that the Army, in some way, looks down upon tattoos. Is this true? I know a couple Paratroopers that have tattoos with their name on it and their seems to be no problem in TRA.</p>
<p>actually- you can enlist now with visable facial tattoos, as long as they aren't on the forhead or you cheeks. and they can waiver zoloft and prozac now. i dunno, tat's are kinda low quality.</p>
<p>I'm a cadet, I have a family crest tattooed on my arm, it's not a big deal. HOWEVER, as an officer, if might want to avoid visable tattoos, no matter what 670-1 says, as your commanders might make assumptions about you solely based on your appearance.</p>
<p>To 8IzEnuff...what do you mean by "tat's are kinda low quality"? </p>
<p>If you are stereotyping people with tattoos as low quality you don't know what you are talking about. I know many professional people with tasteful tattoos, including myself. In no way are we "low quality". Many people you meet will have a tattoo and you will never know it because it is hidden by their business suit. A tattoo can be beautiful and meaningful. I do agree that you must choose the location of the tattoo carefully since there will ALWAYS be people out there that will judge you without knowing you as a person.</p>
<p>I would not get anything tattooed were one could see it. LTs do need to lead by example. And as far as low quality there is no discount tattoo parlors where I live.</p>
<p>WAMom68: i disagree. i stereotype people who have tattoos. i think less of them- and right or wrong, many people do as well. thus, i would reccommend against tattoos</p>
<p>"i would reccommend against" is not only good grammer but also spelling. I stereotype people who can't master the language they speak.</p>
<p>8IzEnuff...you are welcome to your opinion, but based on your posts here and on other threads (i.e. the one about the new superintendent) you are really good at assuming things based on outside appearances. I am not recommending for or against a tattoo but, right or wrong, I do judge people by what they say and do versus what they look like on the outside.</p>
<p>""i would reccommend against" is not only good grammer but also spelling."</p>
<p>was that good grammar and spelling? ill assume you're joking.</p>
<p>hey- you forgot an h in "where"</p>
<p>maygne, relax. there's bigger thizzles to pop.</p>
<p>Plebe english will take care of that.</p>
<p>LMA(spen)O shogun. Hey, I have a tattoo! It runs straight across my forehead with big black letters that reads, "Never assume". Its a hard lesson one must learn when growing up.</p>
<p>its fun to be all idealistic and all, but having a tattoo makes an impression on people you might not want to make.</p>
<p>all i'm saying is- would you let your daughter date someone with a tattoo? or are you gunna say, "never assume."</p>
<p>That would depend on whether it's a swastika on the forehead or "Mom" on the arm!</p>
<p>Why do some people make assumptions and stereotype people with tattoos? I think its because in the past, tattoos were associated with drunken sailors and prison tattoos. (Gangstas with prison tattoos give me a shiver.) Which raises an interesting question: what percentage of people who get tattoos are "under the influence of drugs/alcohol when they actually get their tattoos?" More importantly, why does the military have restrictions about visible tattoos on officers? </p>
<p>Just a warning to USNA candidatesone of the forms sent to candidates who receive appointments requests documentation of body piercings and tattoos. DO NOT get additional tattoos after submitting this form to USNA. Several years ago, a couple of candidates showed up on I-day with new tattoos (not documented on the form), and they were turned away.</p>
<p>To me tattoos are a way to express one's self and reinforce something that is important, in this case my family. However, as with anything moderation is important. Officers need to dress in accordance with regulations, because if all the junior enlisted see is an officer that doesnt follow the rules why should they?</p>
<p>"WAMom68: i disagree. i stereotype people who have tattoos. i think less of them- and right or wrong, many people do as well. thus, i would reccommend against tattoos"</p>
<p>i love your reasoning. im taking that your one of those people stereotype all muslims as terrorists. you know, its people like you that we dont need at the service academies</p>
<ol>
<li>Someone with a visible tattoo is going to <em>appear</em> less professional to the average person.</li>
<li>PC is the cure for common sense. Yes, not all muslims are terrorists. I agree, but when an Arab is around me, do I pay more attention to him/her than I would a 70 year old white/black/asian? Yes. You don't like it? Too bad. When you're a young officer or soldier trying to gain rapport with that same muslim in Iraq... will that tattoo affect his opinion of you? I'm not saying yes or no, but do your research. If you want to cry about how Mr.Al-Tikriti is stereotyping you because of your Roy Orbison tattoo on your butt, you're gonna be SOL. He won't care that your feelings are hurt.</li>
<li>If you get a tattoo, I hope you have thick skin. Right or wrong, people do have stereotypes... and most stereotypes have some (even if it's small) element of truth. I do my best not to judge people I don't know, but it still happens in my mind.</li>
<li>That said, tattoos these days simply aren't that big of a deal. However, they are discouraged by the military, institutionally (the new regs are an effort to open up the recruiting pool.) Your ability as a soldier obviously carries more weight than something like a tattoo.</li>
<li>Can't we all just get along and kill terrorists?</li>
</ol>
<h2>i love your reasoning. im taking that your one of those people stereotype all muslims as terrorists. you know, its people like you that we dont need at the service academies</h2>
<p>i bet you had a "i'm better than you" smile on your face when you wrote that. if you wanna get a tattoo, fine. just don't be naive and think the whole world is a giant tolerance and love festival. cuz it aint. people will mug you and steal your bike. people like you are worthless and wouldn't even make good hostages.</p>