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Marines voice tattoo policy concerns

Marine Corps Times asked readers to share their views on and experiences with the Corps’ tattoo policy. Excerpts:

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Why make a rule to simply change the appearance of who we are as individuals? It seems like they are pushing down too many rules and making it more difficult for Marines to be themselves.

— Sgt. Larry D. Moore, San Diego

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Marines have always taken pride in their appearance, and the outlining of the new policy raises the standards of overall military appearance while in uniform. While on one hand I am not happy that I have to counsel my Marines about body art, I think the Marine Corps has taken the right step toward preparing Marines for the future, whether that be continuing in the military, college or another professional career.

— Sgt. Vincent Arrington, Raleigh, N.C.

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The tattoo policy is bogus. They need to reverse what they’ve done, and accept the fact that it’s not that big of a deal. I understand that as a Marine there is an undying need to be better than all other services. But do it by tightening up physical standards, criminal standards, and stop making us push Marines through boot camp and military occupational specialty schools.

— Sgt. Roy Hundley, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

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My dream is to be a Marine Corps officer, but not for the money or security of retirement. For me it is an honor to be an officer, especially a Mustang. ... I have had high hopes that this dream will come true. Why should I have to get tattoos removed, just for a cleaner look?

— Sgt. Cory Hunnicutt, Rock Hill, S.C.

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We are implementing a policy that has nothing to do with the combat effectiveness of our Marines, only with how the public should supposedly perceive us. I know how the public perceives us — as the nation’s most elite warriors. I can’t imagine a civilian who would see a Marine with tattoos and have their opinion of the Corps lowered. With this policy in effect, I’ll take my experience, leadership and tattoos elsewhere, rather than stay in and be less competitive later in my career.

— Sgt. Nicholas Frenzer, Phoenix

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The Marine Corps is run by an elite few who believe tattoos are trashy. They like to see themselves as gentlemen, and they look down on the tattoo culture and those who wear them. This bias has led to perfectly good Marine candidates being rejected, and hundreds of motivated former Marines not allowed to rejoin. … Marines should be viewed as fearsome warriors, not country club goody-goodies.

— Staff Sgt. Hugh Tychsen, Combat Outpost Waleed, Iraq

DISCUSS: Tattoo policy