Marines Removing Tattoos

Marines Ban Tattoos Removing Public Perception

Marines have always been America’s iconic tough guy persona known to have bulging bicep “guns” detailed with bold tattoos. Ironically, tattoo popularity has tattoos visibly becoming “The American Way,” while America’s almigthty Marines are removing tattoos.

Explicit orders from the top general of the Marine Corps initiated a ban on sleeve tattoos within the organization. Sleeve tattoos are those tattoos located on the biceps “guns” or forearms, in other words below the uniform sleeve.

Going forward individuals already having tattoos are exempt from the tattoo ban, however all new recruits will not be allowed to have visible tattoos below the uniform sleeve line, thus leaving no choice for wanna-be marines than removing tattoos.

In March 2007, the Corps toughened its tattoo policy, banning “full-sleeve tattoos,” which is defined as tattoos covering all of a Marine’s arms or legs.

This latest decision to further remove visible tattoos has much to do with Marine recruiters and security guards whom routinely interact with civilians, both Americans and others abroad while performing daily duties.

The Marine Corps considers “sleeve” tattoos excessive tattooing, and Marine recruiters and security guards have significant impact on public perception, and for this reason have always been held to higher standards than normal Marines.

Marines with sleeve tattoos already serving as recruiters or Marine Security Guards who are, or who had orders to fill such positions prior to the policy announcement are grand fathered and will be allowed to finish their assignments. However, Marines with tattoos covering most of their arms or legs will not be allowed to serve as recruiters or guards at U.S. embassies.

Marines removing tattoos leaves the rest of U.S. civilians in a quandary about tattoos, wondering if tattoos will become more American than Marines. Or perhaps Marines removing tattoos will start an American Tattoo Removal Revolution.