Tattoos: Getting, not removing.

[Deror]

Good day all,

I'm looking to get a moto tat. Does anyone have a recommendation as to a good place to get it? I'm currently in Quantico, but am certainly willing to wait for P'cola to get a good one rather than rush it and end up with a jail tattooed chicken on a globe.

Thank you.

 

[KBayDog]

Don't get a tattoo.

If you still want to, this guy has a "moto" idea for you.

 

[Brunes]

Don't ask for tattoo advice here- Wrong crowd.

Just go check some places out- Each artist has their own style and personal specialties...You need to find an artist that agrees with YOUR style. Any licensed tattoo place will do safe/legal work-The art part of it is on you.

 

[BusyBee604]

Don't!

Don't get a tattoo.

This is a site for 'Professionals". The Professionals here are not going to help a wannabee/inexperienced JO with tattoo advice.... much more than the FOUR WORDS of wisdom above! :indiffere
BzB :sleep_125

 

[KBayDog]

Don't ask for tattoo advice here- Wrong crowd.

Not necessarily. In fact, plenty of folks on here have tattoos.

The "advice" is being given due to the crackdown on tats in the Corps, with the regs changing seemingly daily. The Corps (as well as the rest of the DOD) is "Rightsizing". Read: Pink slips are a-coming. DUIs, weight, tats, etc. are all things that help the Corps decide who it wants to keep.

-The angel in me says to give the young bucks solid career advice, since I've been in this rod and gun club for a few years, and have a pretty good idea of who things work.
-The devil in me says to let them do what they want, since these things help cull the herd.

 

[Brunes]

Not necessarily. In fact, plenty of folks on here have tattoos.

The "advice" is being given due to the crackdown on tats in the Corps, with the regs changing seemingly daily. The Corps (as well as the rest of the DOD) is "Rightsizing". Read: Pink slips are a-coming. DUIs, weight, tats, etc. are all things that help the Corps decide who it wants to keep.

-The angel in me says to give the young bucks solid career advice, since I've been in this rod and gun club for a few years, and have a pretty good idea of who things work.
-The devil in me says to let them do what they want, since these things help cull the herd.

"Don't get a tattoo" with Tosh links is VASTLY different in implication than "Study the regs long and hard before getting a tattoo-cause as a fleet pilot I sure wouldn't do it." The latter shows some thought about the question, where the former makes a mockery of it.

Honestly- It's the comments about "Professionals" that highlights the kinda "wrong crowd" I'm talking about-I resent the implication that I am a second rate pilot or an unprofessional officer because I have tattoos. Not bad people or wrong- just not the right folks is ask about tattoos. BzB's comment is just one example of the rancor I've seen towards tattoos in a few different threads.
Reading the regs is an important part of the decision-That I'll agree with. And I'll stand by the statement that this is the wrong place to ask for this kind of advice.

In the interest of remaining a member of the site-I'm going to hold my tongue at this point.

 

[KBayDog]

Brunes,

The linked video was an attempt at what is called "humor." Apparently that was lost in translation, and for that, I apologize. I did not mean to make a mockery of such a serious issue.

I resent the implication that I am a second rate pilot or an unprofessional officer because I have tattoos.

Not sure where you got this, but if that's how you feel, so be it.

The fact of the matter is that the Marine Corps is cutting down on personnel, very quickly, and getting tats (mainly ones visible in anything other than shorts an a t-shirt) is a way to help the Corps make the retention decision for you. It also closes a lot of doors for Marines - commissioning programs, certain B-billets, etc. The OP is going to do whatever he wants. The decisions he makes in order to be "moto" might very well have long-term implications. If he's willing to accept that possibility, that's his prerogative. The folks on this site offer "professional" advice. It's up to the individual to take it or leave it.

Peace, Brunes? C'mon, skin it...

^(Another attempt at keeping things light around here. There are bigger fish to fry in this world than tattoos...like, for example, the work you Gulf Coast Coasties are about to have, thanks to the Mighty Miss-i-sip.)

 

[HueyCobra8151]

There is no way you can be a professional if you have a tattoo...

I had a bud go to Black Sparrow in Pensacola, FL. They do great work, and it is all custom stuff. His tattoo came out as good as any I've seen from other good shops.

Amazingly enough it had absolutely zero impact on his ability to fly airplanes, lead Marines, or otherwise conduct himself as an officer...

(Edit: I definitely wouldn't get one that showed in PT gear if I was you man)

Double edit: One of the best SNCO's I worked for was on Embassy Duty and he had full sleeves on both arms. Although those were the unenlightened times of yore, back in 2003, when you only kinda weren't sposed to have tattoos on B-Billets I guess.

 

[Brunes]

Brunes,

The linked video was an attempt at what is called "humor." Apparently that was lost in translation, and for that, I apologize. I did not mean to make a mockery of such a serious issue.



Not sure where you got this, but if that's how you feel, so be it.

The fact of the matter is that the Marine Corps is cutting down on personnel, very quickly, and getting tats (mainly ones visible in anything other than shorts an a t-shirt) is a way to help the Corps make the retention decision for you. It also closes a lot of doors for Marines - commissioning programs, certain B-billets, etc. The OP is going to do whatever he wants. The decisions he makes in order to be "moto" might very well have long-term implications. If he's willing to accept that possibility, that's his prerogative. The folks on this site offer "professional" advice. It's up to the individual to take it or leave it.

Peace, Brunes? C'mon, skin it...

^(Another attempt at keeping things light around here. There are bigger fish to fry in this world than tattoos...like, for example, the work you Gulf Coast Coasties are about to have, thanks to the Mighty Miss-i-sip.)

The unprofessional part wasn't you- There have been some other members vocally opposed to tattoos/piercings/any "newfangled" things. I'm sure the word tattoo in the title will bring their ire at some point.
I can appreciate the humor- and the solid advice on knowing what he is getting into.

And yeah...I've been working on that water issue for the past month....Just landed back at home plate last Weds after a 12 state, 28 day cross country-Saw Fargo, ND-Paducah, KY- St Louis, MO (before and after the tornados)- and Minn/St Paul, MN. Got to fly security just prior to the levee demolition at Cairo, IL. No rescues tho. The spillway down here is open now-Levee at the end of my street is 22 feet-Crest is going to be about 19.5 say the talking heads...Should be fun.

And now- Back to your regularly scheduled thread.

 

[pilot_man]

I love how taboo tattoos are. You just can't be a professional if you have them I guess. I would argue though that the "professionals" that have been in the news for the past week or so, have more skin inked than not.

 

[BusyBee604]

Reread!

I resent the implication that I am a second rate pilot or an unprofessional officer because I have tattoos. Not bad people or wrong- just not the right folks is ask about tattoos.

That implication is all in your mind. I called NO ONE unprofessional. Reread!

BzB's comment is just one example of the rancor I've seen towards tattoos in a few different threads.

Wrong again! No rancor vs tattoos, I have one myself. BUT, I got it in a different era, when tats were a kind of Navy tradition. Someday, maybe some of long accepted (now lost) traditions may return. Until that time, I stand by my 'recommendation' and my post!
BzB

 

[phrogdriver]

The tattoo issue has been beaten to death and then some on this site. No one is going to win that argument.

A couple of general words of wisdom. Wait. If you're in Quantico, you're probably still incredibly pumped about joining the big green machine. Give it a year or two and then realistically think about how badly you want that tatt. It'll be there a long time, so waiting a bit won't hurt. Regret will hurt a lot longer.

Check the relevant orders.

Make sure that your tattoo isn't visible in PT gear. That's pretty much the gist of the regs in the USMC anyways, but it's a good rule of thumb going forward in life. You don't need to be at the Lazard (high-end investment bank) company picnic and having to explain your tattoos. Most officers want professional jobs when they get out--right or wrong, that world still often doesn't dig tattoos.

If you decide to get one, ask people with good ones for referrals. In lieu of that, ask the artist for his portfolio. Most of them take pictures of their work. Get the old guy in the shop, not the 20-year-old with the ear gauges who's apprenticing. Let him practice on his buddies, not you.

 

[statesman]

To re-enforce what Phrog just said regarding finding an artist... Look through tattoo magazines and online publications. Find a local artist who has been FEATURED (not just a guy who pulled out an add) in articles etc. Failing that, find a tattoo shop that doesn't take walk-ins and does by appointment only. Usually those shops have top tier talent that can be picky enough about who they tattoo... those are the guys and gals that you want tattooing you.

 

[Flying Toaster]

Usually those shops have top tier talent that can be picky enough about who they tattoo...

I hate to ask... but on exactly what criteria do they make that determination?

 

[Scoob]

Good day all,

I'm looking to get a moto tat. Does anyone have a recommendation as to a good place to get it? I'm currently in Quantico, but am certainly willing to wait for P'cola to get a good one rather than rush it and end up with a jail tattooed chicken on a globe.

Thank you.

Lower back or ankle. That would be sweet.


Can't go wrong with the face, either.