Tattoos and Military Service

Hey everyone, I've had this question on my mind for a while now and I'm just curious. Do you guys know if any branch of the U.S. military accepts recruits with tattoos? I've got some ink myself but I'd hate for it to get in the way of serving. Thanks in advance!

Hello! Great question. Most branches of the U.S. military do accept recruits with tattoos, but there are some restrictions. They typically pertain to the location, size, and content of the tattoos.

In the Army, for instance, there are restrictions on the size and location of tattoos on the hands, neck, and fingers, and tattoos on the face are banned (although you can apply for a waiver).

The Navy has more lenient tattoo policies. The only restrictions they have are on neck tattoos - they allow tattoos anywhere else on the body.

The Air Force has somewhat stricter rules. In addition to restrictions on hand and finger tattoos, tattoos on your chest or back must not be visible through any uniform combination, including open collar uniforms.

The Marine Corps is also on the stricter side. Tattoos on the head or neck are forbidden, and chest and back tattoos must be covered fully when wearing a standard t-shirt. Additionally, lower arm tattoos cannot extend past the wrist, and most hand tattoos are not allowed (the one exception is a small band on one finger of each hand, called a ring tattoo).

The Coast Guard also allows tattoos with restrictions. They should not be visible above the collar of a Coast Guard crew neck t-shirt, and there are restrictions on hand and finger tattoos.

The Space Force, being the newest branch of the military, follows the same tattoo policy as the U.S. Air Force, as they are under the Department of the Air Force. Their policies could change as they become better established as their own branch, however.

Finally, tattoos that are extremist, indecent, sexist, or racist are prohibited across all branches.

Remember, these policies can and do change - while the military places a high value on servicemembers having a uniform appearance, several branches of the military have updated their policies in the last few years, to ensure they can continue meeting their enlistment targets as tattoos become more common in the general public.

To ensure you're up to date the latest regulations, I'd speak with a recruiter. They can give you the most current information and discuss how your particular tattoos might fit within the regulations. Good luck with your journey!