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Pacific Tattoo: Tattoo regulations in the military
Stripes Guam
January 10, 2025
(Photo courtesy of 123RF)
If you are an active-duty service member and are considering getting a tattoo, be sure to inform yourself of the rules and regulations. Here is an overview of current military tattoo policies.
PROHIBITED
All branches:
Tattoos are prohibited on the head, scalp or face.
Content must not be indecent, sexist, racist, obscene, extremist, gang-related, overtly sexual, discriminatory, incite violence or represent an organization that does.
Army:
No tattoos on the front of the neck, or front of ears.
Air Force:
No tattoos above the open collar on the head, neck or face.
Marine Corps:
No tattoos above the seventh vertebrae on the back or above the collarbone on the chest.
No tattoo can be visible above the collar of a crewneck T-shirt.
NOTE: Certain duties still prohibit full-sleeve or full-leg tattoos due to interaction with and sensitivities to other cultures.
Navy:
Tattoos cannot be visible through Whites.
Space Force:
No tattoos on the front of the neck, front of ears, or hands beyond the allowed ring tattoos.
Chest or back tattoos cannot be visible through any uniform.
ACCEPTABLE
All Branches:
No limit—in number or size—for tattoos on the chest, torso, arms, legs and feet.
Army:
One tattoo on the back of the neck, not to exceed two inches in any direction.
One tattoo behind each ear, not to exceed one inch in any direction.
One tattoo on each hand, not to exceed one inch in any direction. One ring tattoo on each hand, and no limit to tattoos between fingers that are not visible when hands are closed.
Permanent facial makeup must adhere to grooming standards.
Air Force:
One tattoo ring on a single hand, and one tattoo per hand not exceeding one inch.
A single tattoo on the back of the neck or behind the ear, not exceeding one inch.
Cosmetic tattoos to correct medical conditions.
Permanent facial makeup must adhere to grooming standards.
Marine Corps:
One ring tattoo on a single hand.
Navy:
Any number and size of tattoos on hands.
One tattoo on the neck or behind the ear, not to exceed one inch in any direction.
Cosmetic tattoos to correct medical conditions.
Space Force:
One tattoo on the back of the neck or behind an ear that does not exceed one inch in any direction.
One ring tattoo per hand.
Cosmetic tattoos to correct medical conditions.
Permanent facial makeup must adhere to grooming standards.
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