Marine Corps updates tattoo policy

A new Marine Corps administrative regulation that tightens and clarifies tattoo policies for active-duty troops may force some Marines to choose between body art and their preferred career path.

The new MARADMIN prohibits enlisted Marines with sleeve tattoos from becoming commissioned officers, even if the tattoos, which were banned in 2007, had been grandfathered in according to protocol. To the list of banned tattoos the regulation adds markings on the fingers, hands and wrists, tattoos inside the mouth, and tattoos visible in PT gear that are larger than a hand with fingers together and extended.

Sleeve tattoos already preclude enlisted Marines from certain special duty assignments, including recruiting positions and Marine Security Guard assignments, according to a MARADMIN released in September 2008.

Maj. Shawn Haney, a spokeswoman for Headquarters Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs, said the new guidance was intended to spell out policies that had been understood for some time.

“It was important to make sure Marines really understand and gave them a little more definition, gave them better guidelines,” Haney said. “The Marine Corps was already reviewing tattoos, but this really gives everyone … more parameters.”

Haney said that Marines with grandfathered sleeve tattoos would continue to be eligible for enlisted promotions, but that officers were held to a higher standard.

“It is unfortunate for those individual Marines, but the intent was always that you’ve got to have that professional appearance,” Haney said.

Not all Marines agree.

Cpl. Steven Zuniga, with the 8th Communications Battalion, has two tattoos both high up on his shoulder, he said, and if he gets more, he’ll keep them hidden as well.

“I don’t even know how (uniform) fits into it,” he said. “I don’t want mine visible at all.”

Pfc. Malcolm Phillips, with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, said he had 10 tattoos, four of which he got after joining the Marine Corps. He wants to get a sleeve when he leaves the service.

“It makes sense not to get tattoos on your face or your hands, you know, as long as you can’t see them in your dress uniform. But I think they’re being picky,” Phillips said.

Read the full text of MARADMIN 029/10 here.