The Army’s tattoo policy has come under scrutiny in recent years, with many people arguing that it is too restrictive. Let’s take a closer look at the policy to see what it covers and what it doesn’t.
What the Policy Says
The Army’s tattoo policy is laid out in AR 670-1, which is the regulation that governs a soldier’s appearance. The regulation states that soldiers are not allowed to have tattoos on their heads, faces, necks, or hands. tattoos on the arms must be smaller than 2 inches by 2 inches, and tattoos on the legs must be smaller than 3 inches by 3 inches. Soldiers are also not allowed to have more than four visible tattoos when wearing the Army Combat Uniform.
What the Policy Means
The intent of the policy is to maintain a professional appearance and to ensure that soldiers are easily recognizable in uniform. The size restrictions are in place because larger tattoos can be visible through the uniform, which can give the impression of an unprofessional appearance. The restriction on tattoos on the hands is because hand signals are often used in combat situations, and tattoos can interfere with those signals.
Conclusion
The Army’s tattoo policy is intended to maintain a professional appearance and to ensure that soldiers are easily recognizable in uniform. The size restrictions are in place because larger tattoos can be visible through the uniform, which can give the impression of an unprofessional appearance. The restriction on tattoos on the hands is because hand signals are often used in combat situations, and tattoos can interfere with those signals.
