i mean what is the point really? that we want to look all good and clean cut while we kick butt? or would it be more effective as a mental thing if our military were a bunch of dudes that all looked like they were hard core gangsta's and criminals, but only in the military and fighting for good. i mean, come on, if you were the enemy, would you be more scared of some clean cut pansies or some tattoed up hard core mutha's?
Why does the military frown upon tattoos. IE, they cant be shown.?
So many people have tattoos today, from executives to bikers, that I really don't think a tattoo really makes you look hard core. I am retired military (Navy 20 years) and the new tattoo standards have to do with professionalism and appearance. Political correctness also plays a part in this as gang symbols, nude women, etc should not be visible. Some branches of the service such as the Navy are downsizing which means they do not have to take anyone who has two legs and a pulse. They can afford to be selective so they will not take people who have certain visible tattoos.
Another reason is health. A lot of guys and gals I were stationed with got their tattoos overseas. Some of these tattoo parlors were not the most sanitary places. In fact, a friend of mine got hepatitis shortly after he got a tattoo in Haifa, Israel.
Also in the military we are technically ambassadors who represent the United States. In these cases it is essential that we look "good and clean cut". Tattoos are not part of this professional image.
Eventually, everyone gets out of the military. Some get out when their enlistment is up, some retire. The military, through Transition Assistance classes and other programs. tries to help its people make the transition to civilian life and be competitive in the civilian job market. Some civilian jobs will not hire people with large visible tattoos.
Lastly, the military is a life of sacrifice. We sacrifice certain things that some people take for granted (i.e.; the right to have long hair, piercings) for greater freedoms.
Reply:Because your body is their property and you have to do what they say...
Reply:I dont think the enemy is going to be able to notice their tattoos. Insurgents are high on X and adrenaline anyways so they dont care.
The military wants you to look like a respectable human being while in uniform. I dont think they care so much when you are over seas fighting.
Reply:As a former Marine and with all my respect...Get out of our business!!!!
Reply:you can have visible tattoos in the military, but the ones that are frowned upon are the ones that may be offensive to others, such as naked women or rebel flags. the military is not a place to show how "macho" you are, but a place where teamwork and morale is the most important thing. it's hard to be part of a "family" if you are walking around offending the other members of that family.
Reply:Tradition, military is about tradition.
Helps to strip your individualism.
Apparently enemies fear those "clean cut pansies" because we kick ***.
Reply:I think a lot of it has to do with professionalism. There is a misconception in this country (and others, from what I understand) that Soldiers are a lot of drunks/louts/gangstas/lowlifes. And the Soldiers themselves do not do a lot to help this image many times. If you have a lot of tattoos, it adds to that "lowlife" image. There are just certain standards you are to uphold, both standards of appearance and personal conduct. As a Soldier and a member/representative of this country you are to hold yourself to a higher standard of appearance and behavior than the average citizen.
I realize that some of this seems like judging people based on externals. But think about it--what is most people's gut reaction to a person who is covered with tats, spewing obscenities, hanging out in bars and/or strip clubs several nights a week, and generally acting a fool? Now think about what that says when that person is a member of the armed services. Now think about the fact that there are a LOT of Soldiers who act this way. Is there any wonder that the general public considers Soldiers to be of a lower moral class? Also consider that these people are the public has to put their trust in to defend their country, their freedoms. Would you be inclined to trust and respect people if you see them acting and looking this way all over the place?
Each Soldier has a responsibility to represent his or her organization in a professional manner. The responsibility for the reputation of our military servicemembers rests on each individual and their personal choices. It doesn't matter whether you are a lower enlisted or high-ranking officer. The personal decisions of the individual impacts the reputation of the whole.
My husband is in the Army in a chain-of-command position. I see Soldiers acting up quite a bit. There's always some kind of drama there. The Soldiers who are doing such things as getting DUI's (repeatedly), getting into fights, sleeping with every woman they can get their hands on, etc., either don't stop to think or don't care how they are making every upstanding soldier look. (It isn't just the male soldiers acting this way, by any means... I am just using the male gender in this to make this less complicated to understand). The Soldiers who accept the responsibility of looking and acting professional can only offer their advice and shake their heads when it isn't taken.
Come to think of it, I really don't think that people ARE judging by externals. Despite the poor image projected by so many in the military, a lot of civilians do realize that not all servicemembers are this way. I have seen a lot of grateful civilians expressing their thanks to Soldiers without regards to the negative reputation that Soldiers have.
If I were the enemy, I would be more afraid of a well-equipped, professional-looking, "pansy" military that ran like a well-maintained machine, with determination and drive, than I would of a ragtag, gangsta-ish, bunch of drunks who can't be cohesive for five minutes.
You can't be a "hardcore gangsta/criminal" and fight for good at the same time. The two groups are mutually exclusive.
Reply:Uniformity. One purpose of uniforms** is to make everyone in the group look alike. Having members with a lot of different tattoos, would degrade uniformity. Uniformity is one key to unit cohesion. But your point about being clean-cut is also another reason. Service members work for the public and a clean-cut public image (rather than a scary public image) goes a long way toward gaining public support. Sure a lot of them are scary tough, but being clean cut shows that they have their power and abilities under control.
** Another reason for uniforms is to be able to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants and members of your own army.
Reply:Tattoos are a long and storied part of military tradition. I did not get tattoos while I was in service, but only because I couldn't find the right one for me, still haven't found it, and yes, I have been looking.
I understand the need for a professional look, yada, yada, yada. But as long as said tattoos are not vulgar or intentionally inflamatory, I say what is the problem? Almost half of my unit had tattoos, most of them Marine Corps tattoos of some variety, but nothing crazy. During the time I was in, the rule was that it had to be above the elbow and below the neck, but now, a certain number of tattoos will actually disqualify you from joining. And if you are already in, you are not allowed to get one. I think it is a little ridiculous, but, I'm not in charge.
But here is a valuable quote from Murphy's Laws of Combat concerning appearances:
No combat ready unit ever passed inspection. No inspection ready unit ever passed combat.
Reply:theyre stupid
Reply:The US Army does not frown on tattoos. Tattoos should not distract from good military order or discipline and
are extremist, racist, sexist or indecent and tattoos are permitted.
Reply:The Armed Forces are not Circus Acts - Freak Shows - Mobile Body Art Shows etc. I would be scared of anyone with a gun - pansie or otherwise!
Reply:Different branches has different regulations on tattoos. The Navy, for instance, can have tattoos shown whilst in uniform, so can the army.
I am in the Air Force, and if we have lets say, our arms exposed, they cannot be covered in tattoos over a certain percent.
The reason why we can't be covered in tattoos? I guess a 4 star general somewhere sometime made it that way.
Reply:I don't think you understand what the Army is for, or indeed it's ethos. My husband is a Senior Officer. He and his men are representatives of our country. They are not thugs. They are not there to intimidate, they are there to 'protect %26amp; serve'. A frightened civilian cowering in the burned out shell of their house doesn't need some glowering, tattooed thug standing over him, he needs a decent human being, which is what Soldiers are. Trust me, you would never get in.
Reply:Military life is about tradition, honor, duty and commitment to ones country. Following the rules helps troops be prepared to follow hard commands in difficult times. It is all about discipline. Unless you have been in one of the armed services it is really hard to understand stomthing like this, it is a matter of pride.
Reply:I don't see what the big deal is but I think that the military thinks it is disrespectful,
Reply:It is somewhat hypocritical.
I got a tat along with my fellow female OCS graduates 9we got the same tat on the same leg). Our instructors knew about us doing it and even offered to drive us into town to do it. It is not visible in unifrom, inside of the ankle, but it reminds me of the dedication that I pledged to my country. And it looks really cool with spiked heels.
Reply:In the Army you can have tattoos, but they must be in good taste, if they show, no more naked women on your arms.
Tattoo policy
(1) Tattoos or brands anywhere on the head, face, and neck above the class A uniform collar are prohibited.
(2) Tattoos or brands that are extremist, indecent, sexist, or racist are prohibited, regardless of location on the body, as they are prejudicial to good order and discipline within units.
(a) Extremist tattoos or brands are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies, organizations, or activities. Extremist philosophies, organizations, and activities are those which advocate racial, gender or ethnic hatred or intolerance; advocate, create, or engage in illegal discrimination based on race, color, gender, ethnicity, religion, or national origin; or advocate violence or other unlawful means of depriving individual rights under the U.S. Constitution, Federal, or State law (see para 4-12 , AR 600-20).
(b) Indecent tattoos or brands are those that are grossly offensive to modesty, decency, or propriety; shock the moral sense because of their vulgar, filthy, or disgusting nature or tendency to incite lustful thought; or tend reasonably to corrupt morals or incite libidinous thoughts.
(c) Sexist tattoos or brands are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on gender, but that may not meet the same definition of "indecent."
(d) Racist tattoos or brands are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on race, ethnicity, or national origin.
Reply:the military just wants our troops to be more professional mentally and physically and thats not a bad thing
Reply:my son is a soldier ,he has tats up and down his arms
Reply:There are some sections of the armed forces that will not allow you to put their emblem on your body in the form of a tattoo because it would allow the enemy to identify you in the event of your capture.
Reply:i was in the uk army and people had tattoos on there arms, i think it's all about projected image. some people have negative attitudes about soldiers anyway that they are fighers and rogues (well in the uk) so the tattoos will put people off and it gives the wrong impression. It's our body we shouyld use it as we please
Reply:The military wants to display a professional image. Their ideal of a professional image is no more than 25% of exposed area covered with tattoo. No tattoo may be lewd in content or deemed that way or it will be removed on your dime regardless of it is viewable or not.
It sounds like you have been in long enough to know that public opinion is very important to the military. As they keep telling us, "what one does off base reflects all members". You know that to be true, don't you? I am a tattooed individual but I pick my tattoo's carefully and place them in places as to not be out of "reg" so to speak.
The military wants you to be an individual, on your own time. When you are in uniform you must conform or you will be dealt with accordingly. You swore/affirmed and signed the paperwork saying you will obey the orders of those appointed over you. You can always get out if being and individual is more important. The military isn't for everyone.
My $0.02
Reply:you can have a tattoo but it has to be able to be covered with a short sleeve shirt
Reply:It has to do with being part of a team, being recognized as an element within the whole, rather than a bunch of individuals. THe leaders need to know that the until will react as a whole, too, and the look brings about that effect as much as anything else.
rain roots
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment