Marine Corps regulations regarding Tattoos worn under uniform include strict rules about what tattoos can be seen. Any visible Tattoos must not contain drugs, gang membership, or extremist messages and cannot extend beyond the wrist bone. This policy has become more lenient yet still prohibits tattoos on elbows, knees, hands, and faces. Anyone with Tattoos in these areas should attempt to cover them up using makeup or undergo laser treatments before applying.
What are the rules?
Marine Corps service members should look their best yet also feel relaxed in their service environments. Their tattoo policy strives to strike this delicate balance:
Marines whose tattoos violate Corps policies may face counseling, administrative punishment, and difficulty reenlisting. Current members can seek an exemption to these rules from their chain of command, but such permission may only sometimes be available. Tattoos that violate uniform standards could prevent specific duty assignments such as drill instructor duties, recruiting duties, or security guard duties.
What are the exceptions?
Marines may wear tattoos as long as they can be covered by their standard physical training uniform, which consists of a green T-shirt and shorts. However, certain body parts are prohibited: head, neck, inside of the mouth, elbows, knees, and wrists. Visible Tattoos should not exceed three-eighths of an inch in width, roughly equivalent to a wedding band tattoo. The Marine Corps adjusted its tattoo policy in recent years, relaxing some restrictions but still prohibiting sleeve tattoos and visible tattoos in PT uniform that hindered special duty assignments.
What are the penalties?
Marines who obtain tattoos violating the Corps’ latest tattoo policy will face non-judicial punishment or be processed out of service. The policy aims to balance personal desires and high standards of military appearance and heritage while restricting any tattoo that promotes sexism, nudity, racism, vulgarity, or anything that discredits their service and nationwide expectations. Full-sleeve tattoos are prohibited when wearing the PT uniform, but other tattoo locations may be allowed. The Navy updated its policy last year to enable sleeve tattoos.
The Corps also permits “band” tattoos that encircle body parts but cannot be more comprehensive than an individual’s hand width. Tattoo options have become more accommodating over time. Yet, certain tattoos still disqualify Marines, such as those on the face, neck, or hands with offensive imagery, cultural offensiveness, extremist ink, or any that negatively impact good order and discipline. Forbidden tattoos may be covered with makeup, but permanent removal is best achieved through laser treatment, which breaks down the ink beneath the skin’s surface. Marine recruits considering new tattoos should wait until after boot camp, and any prohibited tattoos should be removed to avoid issues with superiors and negative repercussions for career prospects.
