U.S. Army Issuing New Regulations Banning Tattoos

Despite the increasing popularity of tattoos, particularly among young adults, the United States Army is proposing new rules regulating the wearing of body ink. The proposed changes which have yet to be formalized are designed to discourage prospective recruits from getting tattoos on certain parts of their body. What do the proposed regs say?

Stars and Stripes quoted Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler.

Under the new policy, new recruits will not be allowed to have tattoos that show below the elbows and knees or above the neckline, Chandler told troops. Current soldiers may be grandfathered in, but all soldiers will still be barred from having any tattoos that are racist, sexist or extremist.

via Soldiers told new rules governing tattoos, grooming standards on the way - Army - Stripes.

Although existing tats may be grandfathered in there may still be a price to pay for some soldiers.

Once the rules are implemented, soldiers will sit down with their unit leaders and “self identify” each tattoo. Soldiers will be required to pay for the removal of any tattoo that violates the policy, Chandler said.

via Soldiers told new rules governing tattoos, grooming standards on the way - Army - Stripes.

It is yet to be seen how or if the new regulations affect recruitment.