Army Tattoo Policy: Updated Guidelines and Restrictions for 2024

Thinking about joining the U.S. Army but worried about your tattoos? The Army’s new tattoo policy makes it easier for recruits and Soldiers to express themselves while serving their country.

With updated guidelines, you can now have tattoos on your hands, neck, and behind your ears without needing a waiver.

These changes reflect society’s growing acceptance of body art and aim to attract more qualified individuals.

Whether you’re already in the Army or considering enlisting, understanding the current tattoo regulations is crucial for making informed decisions about your appearance.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

The U.S. Army allows tattoos on hands, neck, and behind the ears.
There are size and theme restrictions on these tattoos.
The policy aims to reflect societal norms and simplify the enlistment process.

Historical Evolution of Army Tattoo Regulations

The Army’s tattoo regulations have changed significantly over time.

Early policies were strict, reflecting societal norms and the need for a uniform appearance.

Tattoos were often seen as unprofessional.

By the mid-2000s, there was a shift.

In response to changing social norms, the Army updated its regulations, becoming more lenient.

Yet, tattoos on the face, neck, and hands remained prohibited.

In 2015, the Army relaxed its tattoo restrictions further.

The updated policy removed limits on the number of tattoos on arms and legs.

This change recognized the cultural acceptance of tattoos within society and among soldiers.

Army Directive 2020-09 introduced additional flexibility.

Soldiers were still not allowed tattoos on the head, face, or neck, except for permanent makeup.

The most recent update, Army Directive 2022-09, allowed visible tattoos on hands, the back of the neck, and behind the ears.

This marked a significant shift in the Army’s approach, focusing more on soldiers’ quality and capabilities rather than their appearance.

Key Changes in Army Tattoo Policy:

Year	Key Changes
Early 2000s	Strict policies against visible tattoos
2015	Relaxed restrictions on tattoo numbers
2020	Introduced flexibility with Army Directive 2020-09
2022	Allowed visible tattoos on hands, neck, and ears (Army Directive 2022-09)

These evolving regulations reflect the Army’s effort to balance tradition with modern social norms.

The goal is to maintain a professional appearance while accommodating personal expressions.

Understanding AR 670-1 and its Significance

AR 670-1 is a key regulation that dictates the wear and appearance of Army uniforms and insignia.

It’s crucial for maintaining professionalism and discipline within the ranks.

Tattoos: Soldiers are permitted to have tattoos, but there are specific rules about their placement and size.

For example, tattoos are allowed on hands, but limited to one small ring tattoo per hand.

Locations Restricted:

Head
Neck
Most of the hands

You can find guidelines in AR 670-1 Army Tattoo Policy.

Professionalism and Appearance: Ensuring tattoos do not detract from a professional military appearance is paramount.

This means visible tattoos must not be offensive or extremist.

Discipline: Strict adherence to these rules helps maintain uniformity and discipline.

Soldiers need to follow these guidelines to align with the Army’s core values and the importance of presenting a unified image.

Maintaining a professional appearance reaffirms the commitment to duty and the disciplined nature expected of soldiers.

By following AR 670-1, soldiers contribute to the overall image and effectiveness of the military force.

Detailed Overview of Army Tattoo Policy

The Army’s tattoo policy outlines where soldiers can have tattoos and what types are allowed.

The policy is part of Army Regulation 670-1.

Placement Restrictions:

Head and Face: Tattoos are not allowed on your head or face, except for permanent makeup.
Neck and Ears: Tattoos are now allowed on the neck and behind the ears, provided they follow size restrictions.
Hands: You can have tattoos on your hands or below the wrist bone, with a limit of one ring tattoo per hand.

Content Restrictions:

Extremist, Racist, or Sexist Tattoos: Any tattoos that promote extremist, racist, or sexist beliefs are strictly forbidden.
Visible Tattoos: Tattoos that are visible in the uniform must adhere to the Army’s standards and cannot be offensive or inappropriate.

Changes in Policy:

The 2022 update allowed more freedom with visible tattoos. Soldiers can now have tattoos on their hands, neck, and behind the ears with fewer restrictions.
This new directive eases previous rules that banned certain placements.

Regulation Compliance:

Always ensure your tattoos comply with Army Regulation 670-1.

This regulation details the do’s and don’ts of tattoo placements and content, so read carefully before getting new tattoos.

The updated policy aims to balance personal expression with the Army’s standards.

Adding tattoos is more flexible now, but always check the guidelines to avoid issues with uniform policy and ensure compliance.

Tattoos Allowed and Prohibited Locations

The Army tattoo policy specifies where soldiers can and cannot have tattoos.

Certain areas like the face, neck, hands, arms, legs, back, and chest have specific rules.

Tattoos on Face and Neck

You are not allowed to have tattoos on your face.

The only exception is for permanent makeup.

Tattoos on the neck, including the back of the neck, are also generally prohibited.

However, there are some relaxed rules for very small, inconspicuous tattoos behind the ear.

These tattoos must meet strict size requirements and cannot be larger than one inch in diameter.

Tattoos on Hands and Fingers

You are permitted to have tattoos on your hands with some limitations.

Soldiers can have a single ring tattoo on each hand.

This is the only type of tattoo allowed below the wrist bone.

Other types of tattoos on the fingers or the back of the hand are prohibited, maintaining a professional appearance while still allowing for some personal expression.

Tattoos on Arms and Legs

There are no limits on the number of tattoos you can have on your arms and legs.

Full sleeves are acceptable, and tattoos can cover the entire length of your arms or legs.

This change came after recognizing that many individuals join the Army with existing tattoos on these areas.

The policy aims to balance individual expression with professional standards.

Tattoos on the Back and Chest

Tattoos on your back and chest are generally permitted without strict limitations on size or quantity.

However, you must avoid tattoos that would be considered offensive, such as those with vulgar language or imagery.

The Army aims to ensure that while soldiers can have tattoos in these areas, the content remains professional and respectful.

Criteria for Acceptable Tattoos

The Army has updated its tattoo policies to allow soldiers more freedom while still maintaining a professional appearance.

Here are the specific guidelines you must follow.

Size and Theme Restrictions

Tattoos are permitted on your hands, neck, and behind your ears, but size and theme are strictly regulated.

Hand tattoos must be small, like a ring tattoo.

Neck tattoos should not exceed one inch in diameter.

You cannot have offensive images or language.

Tattoos must be respectful and not contain themes promoting hate or violence.

This includes gang symbols and extremist content.

The back of your neck is also allowed but within specific size limits.

Tattoos on the face are not allowed, except for permanent makeup.

Ring Tattoo Limitations

The Army allows you to have one ring tattoo on each hand.

This tattoo must be simple and smaller than a standard ring.

No other tattoos should be below the wrist bone.

Imagine a ring tattoo about the size of a wedding band.

It’s essential that these tattoos remain understated and professional.

Follow these guidelines to ensure your tattoos comply with Army regulations.

This means no elaborate designs that extend beyond your fingers or wrist.

Policy on Extremist, Racist, and Sexist Tattoos

The Army has strict rules against tattoos that are extremist, racist, or sexist.

These guidelines are part of the Army Regulation 670-1.

Extremist Tattoos
Tattoos affiliated with extremist groups are not allowed.

This includes symbols or logos related to hate groups, terrorism, or any organizations advocating violence.

Racist Tattoos
Any tattoo that conveys racial hatred or intolerance is banned.

This means images or text that promote white supremacy or any form of racial discrimination are forbidden.

Sexist Tattoos
Tattoos that demean or objectify any gender are prohibited.

This includes images or phrases that are sexually explicit or offensive towards any gender.

Inspection Process
During the inspection process, each tattoo is reviewed by the soldier’s chain of command.

They ensure all tattoos comply with the military’s guidelines.

Consequences
If a soldier’s tattoo is found to be against the policy, they may be ordered to remove or cover it.

Non-compliance could result in disciplinary actions or affect career advancement.

For more details, read the New Army Tattoo Policy 2023, and the Updated US Army Tattoo Policy.

Waivers, Exceptions, and the Enlistment Process

You can enlist in the Army even if you have tattoos that don’t meet regulations.

Some tattoos require waivers.

The waiver process helps recruits with tattoos in restricted areas.

Waiver exceptions may be granted if your tattoo is not offensive or extremist.

The Army’s tattoo policy allows one ring tattoo per hand.

Other tattoos on hands, neck, or head usually need a waiver.

During the enlistment process, you submit your tattoo information.

The Regular Army and Army Reserve Components Enlistment Program reviews this.

If you need an exception, you’ll follow the waiver steps.

This involves evaluation by Army officials to determine if a waiver is possible.

Important points to remember:

Visible tattoos: Mostly allowed with exceptions for hands, neck, head.
Waivers: Required for non-permitted areas.
Tattoo Evaluation: Part of enlistment process.

For details, see the tattoo regulations.

Following these steps can help you navigate the process smoothly.

Tattoo Policy for Different Army Branches

US Army

The US Army allows tattoos with specific restrictions.

You can have tattoos on your arms and legs without a limit.

However, tattoos on your face, neck, or hands are generally not allowed, except for one ring tattoo per hand.

Air Force

The Air Force has a strict tattoo policy.

You can have tattoos on your chest, back, arms, and legs.

However, tattoos that cover more than 25% of the body part are not allowed.

Face, neck, and hand tattoos are restricted.

Space Force

Space Force follows Air Force guidelines.

This means no tattoos on the face, neck, or hands.

You can have tattoos on other body parts, but they must not be excessive or offensive.

Navy

The Navy has relaxed its policies.

You can have neck tattoos, but they must be below the neckline and smaller than 1 inch by 1 inch.

Tattoos touching the hairline or ears are not allowed.

Marines

Marines have some of the strictest rules.

No tattoos on the face, neck, or hands.

Full-sleeve tattoos are also a no-go.

Tattoos must be hidden when you wear short sleeves.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard allows tattoos on the chest, arms, and legs.

However, tattoos on the face, head, and neck are forbidden.

Hand tattoos are limited to one per hand and cannot cover more than a quarter of the hand.

Handling Non-compliance and Disciplinary Actions

When a soldier fails to follow the Army’s tattoo policy, there are clear steps taken to address the issue.

Ensuring good order and discipline is vital.

First, the soldier may receive a warning.

This initial step helps outline the specific issue and provides guidance on correcting it.

If non-compliance continues, further action includes documentation.

An official written reprimand may be placed in the soldier’s file.

Possible Disciplinary Actions:

Counseling sessions to discuss adherence and impact on service.
Temporary suspension from certain duties if the tattoo is highly visible.
Administrative actions like revising assignments.

During annual inspections, commanders are responsible for checking if soldiers’ tattoos comply with Army Regulation 670-1.

Failure to correct non-compliant tattoos may lead to more serious consequences.

This can range from additional reprimands to more severe administrative actions.

Key Roles in Addressing Non-compliance:

Commanding officers enforce policies, conduct inspections, and issue reprimands.
Unit leaders support enforcing rules and handling minor issues.

Maintaining adherence to the tattoo policy ensures uniformity, discipline, and professionalism within the Army ranks.

It’s essential for all soldiers to understand the importance of these regulations for their career and the reputation of the military.

Cultural and Generational Considerations in Tattoo Policies

Tattoos have different meanings in various cultures and generations.

In some societies, tattoos are seen as an important part of cultural identity and history.

Younger people often view tattoos as a form of individual expression.

They might choose designs that reflect their personal beliefs, passions, or important life events.

This can sometimes clash with traditional social norms.

In contrast, older generations may have different views on tattoos.

For many in these age groups, tattoos might still have negative connotations due to past associations.

These different viewpoints can influence workplace policies, including those in the military.

To accommodate these changing attitudes, institutions like the Army have updated their tattoo policies.

For example, the Army tattoo policy now allows visible tattoos in certain areas, reflecting more modern and inclusive standards.

These policy updates recognize the importance of balancing professionalism while respecting individual choices.

As society becomes more accepting of tattoos, rules and regulations continue to evolve.

Social norms are continually changing, impacted by trends and cultural shifts.

What was once deemed unacceptable can become normalized, affecting how organizations like the Army regulate tattoos.

This ongoing dialogue helps ensure that policies are fair and up-to-date, bridging gaps between different generational attitudes.

Organizations must stay aware of these cultural and generational shifts to create policies that are inclusive and respectful.

While maintaining professional standards, it’s crucial to acknowledge and respect the diverse ways individuals choose to express themselves through tattoos.

This blending of traditional values with contemporary views helps maintain a balanced and inclusive environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Army tattoo policy includes regulations on tattoo placement, size, and approval procedures.

There are also differences in policies across different military branches and changes over the years.

What are the limitations on tattoo placement for Army personnel?

Tattoos are not allowed on the head or face, except for permanent makeup.

Tattoos are also restricted below the wrist bone, although one ring tattoo per hand is permitted.

You can now have visible tattoos on the back of the neck and behind the ears.

How do Army tattoo regulations differ in 2024 compared to previous years?

In a significant change from 2022, the Army now allows visible tattoos on hands, necks, and behind ears.

Earlier regulations had stricter rules, especially before 2015, when there were limits on the number and size of tattoos on arms and legs.

What are the size restrictions for tattoos in the Army?

There are no specific size restrictions for tattoos on the arms or legs.

However, tattoos must not cover more than one-quarter of the exposed hand surface area.

They should also not exceed a certain proportion of the neck visible area.

Is there a difference between the tattoo policies for enlisted personnel and officers in the Army?

There is no difference in tattoo policies for enlisted personnel and officers.

The same rules apply to both groups regarding the placement, size, and approval process for tattoos.

This ensures uniformity and fairness across the ranks.

How do the Army’s tattoo policies compare with those of other branches of the military?

The Army’s tattoo policies are considered among the most liberal.

For instance, compared to the Air Force, which has stricter rules about placement and size, the Army allows more visible tattoos on hands, necks, and behind ears.

What procedures must Army personnel follow to get a new tattoo approved?

You must consult with your chain of command before getting a new tattoo.

The tattoo must be checked to ensure it complies with the Army’s policies.

Documentation may be required, including photos and descriptions, to confirm its acceptability.