US Army Adopting Major New Tattoo Policy

I am one of the few of my generation that has absolutely no tattoos.

Most of they guys that I grew up with and still hang with are ink free as well. I have just never seen a picture or image that I really wanted to put permanently on my body. At  almost 40 years old, it's a decision I'm pretty happy with.

Some kids who want to be soldiers in the future may do well to follow in my footsteps because the US Army is about to make a stink over ink.

US Army Secretary John McHugh has reportedly given the green light to a change in that branch of military’s policy on tattoos:

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

And if you plan on testing the policy, make sure your wallet can handle it because soldiers that get tatted up in disallowed places will have to pay for its removal with their own money.

Once the new guidelines become official, each soldier will sit down with their unit leader to go over each tattoo they already have, to prevent them from trying to sneak new tattoos on their bodies.

The new tattoo policy, which has been in the planning stages for about a year, is expected to take effect sometime within the next month or two.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler said the rules are being implemented to make sure every soldier has the same look, adding he wants recruits to stand out for their achievements not for their appearance.

[Stars and Stripes]