Bye-Bye Pretty Lady

The Army changed the policy on tattoos back in March. I haven't said much about it because I didn't know how it was going to personally affect me. I am heavily tattooed, so I knew the time would eventually come when it would. The time is now.

 

The new rules are more strict. All our tattoos from the elbow down, knee down and neck up had to be officially documented and sent up to our Official Military Personnel File at HRC. Luckily, I was grandfathered in... for the most part. This is the part of the regulation that has a problem with me:

 

b. The following types of tattoos or brands are prejudicial to good order and discipline and are, therefore, prohibited anywhere on a Soldier’s body:

(1) Extremist. Extremist tattoos or brands are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies, organizations, or activities. Extremist philosophies, organizations, and activities are those which advocate racial, gender, or ethnic hatred or intolerance; advocate, create, or engage in illegal discrimination based on race, color, gender, ethnicity, religion, or national origin; or advocate violence or other unlawful means of depriving individual rights under the U.S. Constitution, and Federal or State law (see AR 600–20).

(2) Indecent. Indecent tattoos or brands are those that are grossly offensive to modesty, decency, propriety, or professionalism.

(3) Sexist. Sexist tattoos or brands are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on gender.

(4) Racist. Racist tattoos or brands are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on race, ethnicity, or national origin.

 

My 1SG told me yesterday that after our tattoo documentation memos were sent back to Battalion at Fort Campbell, my CSM was worried about the tattoo on my left calf. He suspects it is considered a sexist tattoo.

 

 

My 1SG told me to get into the regulation and make myself smart about my situation. Really, it's one opinion VS another. Even if I convince the 86th CSH this tattoo is not sexist, every time I PCS and the tattoo gets reviewed by another command, I will have to fight again to prove its not a sexist tattoo and I had no intention of it being a sexist tattoo. This is an Americana tattoo, a reproduction of a famous Sailor Jerry tattoo.

 

My 1SG also told me a Drill Sergeant Candidate was just released from school because of pin-up style tattoos he had on his legs for the same reason: sexism. My biggest Army dream is to be a Drill Sergeant. I absolutely won't let a tattoo keep me from this dream.

 

I'll be removing this tattoo upon my return to the States. Does it suck, yes. Especially since this isn't even my worst tattoo!! I'd rather remove one that wasn't done well or that I don't like anymore. But these are the cards the Army just decided to deal me.

 

So much for saving money while I'm deployed. My savings account just turned into a tattoo removal fund.