Tattoos

[exNavyOffRec]

Thanks a lot for the advise. I highly doubt you would be able to see any portion of the chest tattoo while wearing a white t-shirt unless it was really thin. I've only spoken to a recruiter over the phone about the 2 half sleeves. He said he would try and get a waiver for them, but I didn't mention the chest piece because I thought it would be okay because it can be easily covered with a t-shirt. I knew you couldn't have a tattoo on the neck but I wasn't thinking about the tattoo being seen wearing a V-neck. I would like to somehow show the recruiter all my tattoo's before we proceed with the test and application. I would hate to take the test and waste the guys time if there's a slim chance of me getting in because of my ink. Maybe I can upload some photos and you guys can tell me what you think.

my comment about the t-shirt was to make sure it was above the neckline on a crew neck shirt, really I think the hardest hurdle would be the one on your left arm since it is the lower arm.

if the recruiter sees the tattoos he might give you an idea, many CO's will give their guys an idea on what they will waiver and what they won't waiver.

 

[Michael Andrew]

my comment about the t-shirt was to make sure it was above the neckline on a crew neck shirt, really I think the hardest hurdle would be the one on your left arm since it is the lower arm.

if the recruiter sees the tattoos he might give you an idea, many CO's will give their guys an idea on what they will waiver and what they won't waiver.

I guess I'll give my recruiter a call tomorrow and ask if I can email him the pictures and see what he thinks. What is the Navy's current approach to tattoo's now, and in the near future? I've heard mixed stories. I've read that the Army is becoming more lenient with tattoo's but I'm not sure how it affects their officers. I'm still going to apply for Navy OCS and if that doesn't work out I might look into Army OCS.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I guess I'll give my recruiter a call tomorrow and ask if I can email him the pictures and see what he thinks. What is the Navy's current approach to tattoo's now, and in the near future? I've heard mixed stories. I've read that the Army is becoming more lenient with tattoo's but I'm not sure how it affects their officers. I'm still going to apply for Navy OCS and if that doesn't work out I might look into Army OCS.

I don't see the USN tattoo policy changing, it was kind of mirrored after the USAF policy, and we were told it was done to improve the employ-ability of those leaving and to give the service a more professional appearance, given the USN is having no issues getting people to come into the USN I doubt anything will change soon. The Army route might be a way to go, not sure how their need is for people as all they keep talking about near the Army base near me is how they are cutting people left and right.

 

[Michael Andrew]

I don't see the USN tattoo policy changing, it was kind of mirrored after the USAF policy, and we were told it was done to improve the employ-ability of those leaving and to give the service a more professional appearance, given the USN is having no issues getting people to come into the USN I doubt anything will change soon. The Army route might be a way to go, not sure how their need is for people as all they keep talking about near the Army base near me is how they are cutting people left and right.

Interesting. What do you mean when you say that the Army cuts people left and right? For what reasons exactly? My old neighbor who is in the Navy told me that the Army is always looking for officers.

 

[Flash]

Interesting. What do you mean when you say that the Army cuts people left and right? For what reasons exactly? My old neighbor who is in the Navy told me that the Army is always looking for officers.

The Army is always looking for people but they need more then the other services since they are the biggest. Right now though they are getting cut with the drawdown as the wars wind down, they still always need new folks though.

 

[Michael Andrew]

The Army is always looking for people but they need more then the other services since they are the biggest. Right now though they are getting cut with the drawdown as the wars wind down, they still always need new folks though.

Seems to make sense. Thanks for the info!

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Interesting. What do you mean when you say that the Army cuts people left and right? For what reasons exactly? My old neighbor who is in the Navy told me that the Army is always looking for officers.

They are getting smaller, which means they need less, they will always need people, just like every other service, but it just means there will be more competition, when they are letting guys who complete 4 years of ROTC out of their commitment with no payback due to reductions it signals "getting smaller"

 

[usnavymle]

For those interested, here's an article explaining changes to the Army's tattoo policy: http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/04/10/army-regs-tattoos-uniforms/25576197/

I'm currently Active Duty enlisted with six tattoos, none of which are visible in the Navy Service Uniform. I'd love to get more, but, from what I've seen, officers are held to a higher standard of professionalism, especially those more senior (I've never met or seen a Navy Captain with tattoos visible in uniform, though I'm sure some of the more seasoned AW members have). This isn't to say I don't know officers with visible tattoos, just that I haven't met any who've reached the command level.

 

[DDE1990]

Just as a quick 2 cents, I commissioned a few weeks ago and there was a candidate in the class below us that has visible tats that covered the majority of one of his forearms. I am pretty sure he was prior service, though. We also had 2 or 3 guys with fairly obvious forearms tats, and not all of them were prior service. It's def not an automatic DQ.

 

[insanebikerboy]

I'm currently Active Duty enlisted with six tattoos, none of which are visible in the Navy Service Uniform. I'd love to get more, but, from what I've seen, officers are held to a higher standard of professionalism, especially those more senior (I've never met or seen a Navy Captain with tattoos visible in uniform, though I'm sure some of the more seasoned AW members have). This isn't to say I don't know officers with visible tattoos, just that I haven't met any who've reached the command level.

This is the crux. While the policy says one thing, for all boards we go in front of as officers we have our picture in a khaki uniform, so people may judge on appearance even though it may fit the regs.

I have a lot of tattoos but you can't see any while I'm wearing my khakis. If I ever make it to Captain, I think I may go get a full sleeve

 

[Michael Andrew]

This is the crux. While the policy says one thing, for all boards we go in front of as officers we have our picture in a khaki uniform, so people may judge on appearance even though it may fit the regs.

I have a lot of tattoos but you can't see any while I'm wearing my khakis. If I ever make it to Captain, I think I may go get a full sleeve

So they take a photo of you in these khakis and it goes to the board? Can I possibly see a picture of these khakis? Sorry if it's a stupid question, but I'm not familiar with what exactly goes to the board and how they actually see your tattoos when you submit your application.

 

[usnavymle]

Can I possibly see a picture of these khakis?

 

[mb1685]

So they take a photo of you in these khakis and it goes to the board? Can I possibly see a picture of these khakis? Sorry if it's a stupid question, but I'm not familiar with what exactly goes to the board and how they actually see your tattoos when you submit your application.

I believe he is talking about officer promotion boards, and I believe that first comes into play from O-3 to O-4. However, @NavyOffRec has stated before that OCS selection boards have sometimes requested photos if they're curious about an applicant's tattoos.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I believe he is talking about officer promotion boards, and I believe that first comes into play from O-3 to O-4. However, @NavyOffRec has stated before that OCS selection boards have sometimes requested photos if they're curious about an applicant's tattoos.

The process changed, I don't think they do that anymore

 

[LadyT]

I believe he is talking about officer promotion boards, and I believe that first comes into play from O-3 to O-4. However, @NavyOffRec has stated before that OCS selection boards have sometimes requested photos if they're curious about an applicant's tattoos.

I had to send pictures of my tattoos when I submitted my application. I don't know if it was mandatory or just the preference of my OR. I have two small tattoos on my inner wrists (one on each wrist). They can be covered with a watch and generally aren't noticeable unless you are staring at my wrists.