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Corps bans tattoo sleeves

Marines will soon be barred from getting large tattoos on their lower arms and legs, according to a new policy announced Tuesday.

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While Marines have long been prohibited from having racist or sexist tattoos, or ink on their head or neck, new and existing leathernecks will now be banned from getting large “sleeve” tattoos as of April 1, according to MarAdmin 198/07.

The new policy also covers collections of smaller tattoos but stops short of prohibiting all tattoos, said Lt. Brian Donnelly, a spokesman for Manpower and Marine Reserves. “It only prohibits sleeve tattoos as defined, tattoos on the head or neck, and tattoos that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or that bring discredit on the Marine Corps, as defined in the order.”

“Half-sleeve or quarter-sleeve tattoos that are visible to the eye when wearing standard PT gear [T-shirt and shorts] are likewise prohibited,” the MarAdmin said.

Sleeves are tattoos that cover a person’s arm or leg. Half-sleeves or quarter-sleeves are defined as a large tattoo or a collection of smaller ones “that covers, or almost covers, the entire portion of an arm or leg above or below the elbow or knee.”

Marines who already have sleeves will be grandfathered but must document their art by July 1. Commanders will have to include photographs of the skin art — along with dimensions, body location and the date of documentation — in personnel records.

The new policy is aimed at reining in tattooing and holding onto Corps standards, the top Marine officer said Tuesday.

“Recently, I have become concerned over the growing trend of tattooing in our Corps,” Commandant Gen. James Conway said in a separate message, AlMar 014/07. “I understand many tattoos are in good taste, and many represent pride for our Corps or remembrance of fallen comrades. However, I believe tattoos of an excessive nature do not represent our traditional values.”

Tattoos also have an impact on career progression for leathernecks, he said.

“Marines must understand that acquiring excessive tattoos may adversely affect both their retention and assignment to special duty,” Conway said.

Conway recently spoke out about the need to clarify the service’s tattoo policy, citing complaints that existing mandates are not being uniformly interpreted among commands.

“We’ve got to fix that. That’s unfair to the Marines,” Conway told Missouri Marines during a town hall meeting in early March. “It’s got to be one policy interpreted one way through the entire Marine Corps.”