Usmc Tattoo Policy

For generations, Marines have proudly served in every region of the World. We have always been recognized for our high standards of military bearing and appearance. Tattoo excessiveness has become a growing trend world-wide and has lessened Marines from our well-known appearance. Due to this arising problem over the past few years, tattoo policies have been written and revised time and time again. In accordance to MARADMIN 029/10, the policy’s overall intent is to ensure Marines can be assigned to their duties and maintain professional appearance and the high standards expected of Marines. * TATTOOS/BRANDS THAT DEPICT VULGAR OR ANTI-AMERICAN CONTENT, BRING POSSIBLE DISCREDIT TO THE MARINE CORPS, OR ASSOCIATE THE APPLICANT/MARINE WITH ANY EXTREMIST GROUP OR ORGANIZATION ARE PROHIBITED. * HALF-SLEEVE OR QUARTER-SLEEVE TATTOOS THAT ARE VISIBLE TO THE EYE WHEN WEARING STANDARD PHYSICAL TRAINING (PT) GEAR ARE LIKEWISE PROHIBITED. NO ADDITIONAL ACTION IS REQUIRED BY MARINES WHOSE SLEEVE TATTOOS WERE PREVIOUSLY GRANDFATHERED PER MARADMIN 198/07. * TATTOOS/BRANDS ON THE HANDS, FINGERS, AND WRISTS ARE PROHIBITED. * TATTOOS/BRANDS IN THE MOUTH ARE PROHIBITED. * INDIVIDUAL TATTOOS VISIBLE IN THE STANDARD PT UNIFORM (SHORTS AND T-SHIRT) WILL BE NO LARGER THAN THE WEARER'S HAND WITH FINGERS EXTENDED AND JOINED WITH THE THUMB TOUCHING THE BASE OF THE INDEX FINGER. * TATTOOS NOT VISIBLE OR APPARENT WITHOUT THE USE OF ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHTING (BLACK LIGHT) MUST MEET THE POLICY AS SET FORTH HEREIN AND IAW THE REFERENCES. * OFFICERS ARE LIMITED TO NOT MORE THAN FOUR (4) TATTOOS/BRANDS VISIBLE IN THE STANDARD PT UNIFORM. * BAND TATTOOS EXCEEDING A MAXIMUM WIDTH OF TWO (2) INCHES ARE PROHIBITED. * ENLISTED MARINES WITH PREVIOUSLY GRANDFATHERED SLEEVE TATTOOS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A MARINE CORPS COMMISSIONING OR WARRANT OFFICER PROGRAM. IN OTHER WORDS, AN ENLISTED MARINE GRANDFATHERED FOR A SLEEVE TATTOO IAW MARADMIN 198/07 HAS NO