Yamagashi
If you show up at Basic with any tatoo that says anything close to USMC, Semper Fi, etc, etc....your basically going to get killed. You dont just permenantly brand your body with that stuff until you've earned the title of United States Marine. lol
You are absolutely correct.. Let any Marine catch you with any type of Marine tattoo before you officially earn that title and you will probably end up in a world of hurt.
Historically speaking tattoos were a taboo thing that usually evoked thoughts of a hard, strong person who could take alot of pain. Sailors, Marines, & Bikers were what I commonly thought of as people who had tattoos growing up.
It wasn't until in the past years that the CMC (Commandant of the Marine Corp) put out a MCO (Marine Corp Order) that added additional criteria to the set of general guideline for tattoos in the Marine Corp and DoD. General guidelines (as best as I understand them now.. as ive been out for a while)
Effective April 1, Marines are prohibited from getting sleeve tattoos. Those individuals who have sleeve tattoos are required to be documented by their command by July 1.
A sleeve tattoo is a very large tattoo, or collection of smaller tattoos, that covers or almost covers a person’s entire arm or leg. Half-sleeve or quarter-sleeve tattoos that are visible to the eye when wearing a standard physical training T-shirt and shorts are likewise prohibited.
Marines who currently have sleeve tattoos need to have them photographed by their command and have them documented in their service record books to be grandfathered into this policy.
Current Tattoo Policy
The Marine Corps takes a conservative approach to personal appearance. Uniform regulations stress that personal appearance is to be conservative and commensurate with the high standards traditionally associated with the Marine Corps. No eccentricities in dress or appearance are permitted because they detract from uniformity and team identity.
Marines are prohibited from:
a. Tattoos or brands on the head and neck.
b. Sleeve Tatoos. A sleeve tattoo is a very large tattoo, or a collection of smaller tattoos, that covers or almost covers a person's entire arm or leg.
c. Half-sleeve or quarter sleeve tattoos that are visible to the eye when wearing standard PT Gear (T-shirt and shorts). A half-sleeve or quarter-sleeve tattoo is defined as a very large tattoo or collection of smaller tattoos that covers, or almost covers the entire portion of an army or leg above or below the elbow or knee.
d. Tattoos or brands that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale, or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Marine Corps. These may include, but are not limited to, any tattoo that is sexist, racist, vulgar, anti-american, anti-social, gang related, or extremest group or organization related.
Marines who currently have a sleeve tattoo(s) prior to 1 April 2007, will be grandfathered. The Marine's command will insert a photograph(s) of the respective (tattoo(s) along with a measurement(s) of the size in inches and of the location(s) on the body and the date the tattoo(s) was documented, on the Page 11 of the Marine's SRB. The Marine will sign the Page 11 entry verifying the information is correct.
Hope that helps add some clarification
Ill find some time to take pictures of mine and post them here for everyone to see. They arent anything grand or great to look at but hey.
Semper Fi
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