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94 Responses to “Before you get your next tattoo!”
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To be honest alot of tattoos can be waivered as long as they aren’t insulting/disrespectful/anti-government or race. I serve in the USN, and work closely with every branch, as long as you keep your tats hidden it won’t matter, only when they are visible are they a serious issue and even then they have to fall under the areas I mentioned area but that goes with the ones hidden for we are obligated to report those kind of things. We do over look new tattoos acquired while in service, however those who join with tats get a bit more scrutny due to they are getting fully examined and people can plainly see these things. Honestly the navy is still very much a tat covered military unit, I think army is close to follow, those thinking marines do just so you know marines fall under the Department of Navy. I have to say the coast guard is probably the most strick due to they want to seem most military given they are sometime not seen as a military force. Only thing when it comes to tats you need to worry about is the content, but if it isn’t like the KKK, Nazi or the South Rise Again(Seen as anti-government sometimes over looked if got while in) tat you should be good.
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Honest,
Just wanted to get your opinion, I am very set on joining the Navy, I have a great GPA (college senior) a really hard work ethic and unfortunately two full sleeves of tattoos. None go below the wrist, all are tasteful and NONE are in any way offensive or prejudicial. To be quite honest, it was a dumb decision to get them, something I did when I was young and immature. I have high hopes for joining the Navy’s Healthcare wing, do you think they will give me a chance? Thank you for your time.
Oh and this question is open to anyone who is currently serving and knowledgeable about this issue.
-Worried
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I wanted to join the united states cost guard but was not allowed because of my tattoo .. so they said but it could have been an excuse for being 15 pounds over weight . i looked in to the navy and tattoo regulations messed me up and my father would not allow me to join the army because he is x navy . so i cant do anything
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hey,
i’m a 22 yr old woman who wants to join the navy and i have a few tattoos… i was told my tiny cross tattoo on the back of my neck would be waivered because it would be covered by my hair(i have it as far up in my hairline as possible) and collar. however, i have a rose that is on my ankle and foot. i’ve looked everywhere and haven’t found an answer… i will report having the tat but will i be turned away for it? i’m talking about when i wear dress whites and i have to wear a skirt and pumps… i’ve covered it up with makeup before and u couldn’t even tell it was there. that’s the only one i’m worried about.
any info would be great!
thanks, ROSIE -
i think the navy should allow people with tattoos cause to me thats like racisum in itself cause not all people with tattoos are thugs and when there dreams of getting into the navy are dashed its hard for them to pick themselfs up again. i should know.
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So, a tattoo behind the ear, on the neck is automatically up for disqualification? Is there any waiver?
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You can get a waiver for any tatoo. I was in the navy for six years and I have tatoos on my neck and wrist. They have tightened the rules a bit but that is to not allow offensive/gang related tatoos. Anyhow all they can do is tell you “no.” Go see.
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I just went through MEPS yesterday. Because I’m a female and have only male recruiters, they couldn’t see my tattoo before going down to be processed. So at MEPS they took a photo. I have a 10in x 6in tattoo of Bettie Page on my side, naked. They figured that it wouldn’t be an issue because I’m a girl and my side would always be covered up. The photo went through about 6 or 7 people, and in the end was not approved because she’s “too naked”. They said I could get a whole bunch of Wrecking Ball, or put some sort of clothing on her. I’m absolutely fine with this, and she’ll be getting a new bikini sometime soon! But just because you CAN get the waiver, doesn’t mean you’ll be APPROVED for it.
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ok so i have a kanji symbol on my neck its about a inch and a half big and i really want to join the navy besides laser removal see as how expensive it can get any other options or hope of me being able to join?
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To all people having questions about joining the navy with tattoos as long as they arent offensive you will get them waived. Im stationed in charleston right now at the nuclear training base and their are a couple people with sleeves and a cpl girls with small neck tattoos. Heck i joined with a huge eagle tatted on my back and a forearm tattoo and got waivers. Ive also got 3 tattoos since ive been in and getting them approved is easy as hell.
Im saying that if a someone like me can get into the nuclear program (one of the hardest to get into other than seal) with a forearm tat thats bigger than regulations i dont see why anyone else cant. Last year when i was in bootcamp ive seen people with hand tattoos with waivers and neck tattoos with waivers
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Hi I’m a girl thinking about joining the navy.
I have 3 tatoos all able to be covered, flowers on my shoulder, a poem down my side and star and quote on my foot. none offensive either as you can see.
my question is, piercings. I have my ears gauged, they are at 1/2″ which is a little smaller than a chapstick tube. no I have not worn anything for months in my ears and they never seem to close, maybe a tad bit but easily go back to it’s normal size.
would this cause a problem in trying to join?when I don’t have anything in my ears it really just looks like a deep slit in my ear, can’t even see through it.
I’m just afraid that it won’t close, and I can’t afford surgery to close them. Can you get them approved even though they are big? -
I have a large colored tattoo on my back covering about half of my back. Is this an issue at all? The only part I’m confused on comes into play with being visible with white uniforms. Can anyone clear this up for me? Thanks
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Hi I am an 18 year old girl and I have two tattoos on both the tops of my feet. They are no larger than my fist. One is a moon with stars and the other is a sun with clouds. I was just wondering if I will be turned away from joining the navy because of my tattoos. Thank you
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Are Celtic knot tattoos disqualifying? I know some Irish gangs use te Celtic cross but I am looking at a brotherhood not
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I have an “A” branded into my right forearm. I have no gang affiliation. Its something stupid I did when I was younger. “A” for addy (my name). Will this cause a problem when I try to enlist?
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hello i have a tattoo of a lizard on the back of my neck, it’s about 2in about the size of a dollor coin and im worried about it cause i want to join the navy and its been my dream and i was wondering would this affect me from getting in or could i get it waivered?
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i have a concern about my full sleeve and chest tattoo, my sleeve is all about bycicle racing gears and tools and my forarm has a suger scoal on it,and bike tires, but on my shoulder i have a 4 inch size brass nuckles that siads ride or die in it, some thing stupid i know it was a sticker i had on my bike for ever, any way i all so have a family cattle brand on my ring finger ( small in size and easy to be lazered right off im shure) and i have angle girls on my chest and it siads family is forever, would any of these be a problem for me joining the navy? iv herd u can get a waiver for tattoos, but really for ful sleeves or a ring finger tattoo?
im worried im about to turn 24 and if im going to join i need to do so asap iv allways wanted to i just never actually went for it and now im set on doing so!
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thanks for the info, now about the waiver, what is a waiver? how does it work? and is it hard to get a recruiter to issue me a waiver for my tatts? what is the reason for getting a waiver for the tattoos? i know i have alot of questions. is it possible that a recruiter would tell me no just because he doesnt feel like doing the paper work or dealing with me cause it is hassle.
iv researched alot on the web about diffrent things about joining the service. and have read that some recruiters might just say no but if i keep bugging them or try a diffrent recruit office that it should be possible!
and i have been a journey men in the pile drivers union, and i want to pursue that field of work. what kind of jobs are offerd that i might like to go in for? -
Hello,
I have three stars behind my ear? Is that an automatic disqualification? -
thanks again for all of the info, this web site has been very helpful!
hope to be in the navy soon, as a steelworker!
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ok i have a flaming skull on my left hand its it covers the top but still passes as smaller than my hand closed… i also have my left knuckles done and on small tatoo of initials on my left forearm … i really need a dang answer… can i join if i do everything i need to? no bullcrap be str8 up im tired of wasting time..
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I have a hand/finger tattoo, non gang related, not too big, its just on my hand although not visable during a salute. I want to join the navy and i need to know if i could receive a waiver? I’m already approved for the army so i have a backup plan.
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The tat is just a latin word meaning justice, but i’m glad it should be ok. Thank you very much.
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nope its starts on my hand and goes to about the middle of my index finger
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great thanks
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hi, i have a tattoo on the front of my wrist. It’s my nephews name, but its quite small and i can cover it with my index finger, i was wondering if this would be a problem or if i can have a waiver for it? is there some sort of contract to have it removed if it’s an issue?
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I have a tattoo of my nickname (dezz) on my neck, I have already talked to the recruiter and he said to get it removed. I have already completed one lazer removal session, but does that mean I have to wait until it gets completely removed before joining. or could I get a waiver since I have already started the removal proccess.
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Hello,
I had a quick question about a tattoo I have. I already have a ship date and got it approved at MEPS I ship out soon and had only one concern about it. It is on my chest, it is no where near collar bone or anything but I am worried it would show through a thinner white t-shirt. Is this something to worry about or since it is covered up by a t-shirt should I be alright?
Thank you,
Chris -
Why are can’t small neck tattoos get waivered when it clearly states, “The neck area for purposes of this regulation is any portion visible when wearing an open collar uniform shirt.”?? I have a tattoo on the back of my neck and it is clearly hidden when I wear an open collar shirt.
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Hi,
So i have two small tattoos… One of a baby rattle behind my ear for my godson..and also one inside my ear of a little pink star…when i went to go see a recruiter they told me no automatically… Now can you get into the navy with tattoos on ur neck? Because reading these blogs… Everyone’s answer is different.
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My boyfried is in the process of finishing up his paperwork for officer recruit for the navy. He just got a new tattoo on his chest of a ship, but needs it to be finished. Someone told him today that he can’t get it finished and he shouldn’t have gotten it in the first place since he’s already signed a bunch of paperwork for the navy. Is this true?
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So if he hasn’t taken MEPS yet, just got the first half of the tattoo last weekend, and was going to do the second half of the tattoo in a couple weeks after his physical, that is okay?
Apparently all paperwork needs to be in by dec 1. And he was told today that he can’t get the tattoo finished???
It is just on his right pec. Is not scene outside of the shirt. -
Just to make sure you understand my questions,
I would like to know if he can get the tattoo finished after his MEPS or physical (I’m not 100% on the names of things).
And that if he can get the tattoo finished, that he won’t be penalized at all, and will still be able to join the Navy as an Officer Recruit.Thanks.
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???
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I got a brand of a star on my chest this past weekend and Im shipping out in two weeks..the brands smaller than my hand but it’s the entire star, not the border of one..would I still be eligible to report to basics?
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Just a spur of the moment kinda thing..thanks!
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I have 3 visible tattoos on my arm. One on my left upper arm that is simply my last name. Ive got a memorial tattoo for my father that covers up my entire upper arm(consists of a cross, eagles, and clouds)Right below that tattoo I have “never forget” written on my forearm. None are obscene in any way but are highly visible. Will I be able to join?
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I have multipul peircings including gauges (9/16), snakebites, septum and a gauged nose, i have green and blue hair i know what to do about my hair and i know to strip my pericings but what about implants?
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hey i hve tattoo on my back…will i be the team of navy
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sir i have tattoo in my back but if i wear dresess it is invisble it wont see…will i be a part of the navy team…can you write down in genral english
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sir, but the tattoo is big..cant it hamper in navy
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Hi,
I’m a sophomore and I plan on joining the Navy after I finish school. I have two tattoos. I have a celtic design above my right ankle but its no bigger than a closed fist and my other is right above my left ankle and it says live laugh love in gaelic with shamrocks and that one is smaller than a closed fist as well. They are both on the outside part of my ankles. Should I be okay?And my friends and I want matching peace sign tattoos on the side of our heels that are no bigger than a quarter. Should I wait to get it?
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Hi I’m currently in nursing school receiving my associate degree in nursing and want to join active duty In the navy as a nurse. I have 3 tattoos only one is visible, it’s 2in x 2in on the inside of my left wrist and it’s just my 3 brothers initials. Would this be permissible?
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MASTER CHIEF, I am looking to get “HOLD FAST” tattooed on my knuckles is there any chance of getting into trouble for this and what do you recommend?
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Hi, I have a tattoo on the back of my right hand its a black tribal swirl(its after my favorite comic book hero: Daken). (Its not gang related or offensive)
My original recruiter’s are not at the same recruiter station anymore i was told they “returned to the fleet”. The new recruiter showed no interest in me although i have started the recruitment process(taken the ASVAB, waviers, and tape).
The only original recruiter left is the Chief, but he was out the day i showed up. The new recruiter told me im disqualified and should look at the army. -
Yes he said specifically the tattoo was the reason (sorry for not clarifying). I scored 84 on the asvab(maybe higher) so its not that.
I dont have a police record not even traffic tickets.
He said the navy is being selective and they are not waivering these things anymore. -
No sir he did not and yes this is my only tattoo.
To be totally honest ive dreamed of becoming a SEAL for a quite some time.
I dont plan on getting more tats either.
I had waviers done before as my old recruiter had to send pics of my shoulder because of scars. But it threw me off when he brushed me off as im 100% sold on going into the navy. No doubts or buts fully committed.
This is the office if you want to speak with them personally.
2414 W University Dr #116
McKinney, Texas 75071
(972) 548-1149 -
Thank you i will take this to my recruiter and talk to the chief.
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I have heard that officers in the Navy cannot have tattoos, but my recruiter discussed STA-21 with me, knowing full well that I have a tattoo. It is a band around the top part of my forearm with the words John 16:33 inside. The only criterion that would need to be waived is the size. Is this going to be a problem?
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I’m currently serving in the navy, but they are trying to separate me for a tattoo on the back on my neck…if I got this tattoo (less than an inch tall) AFTER I joined, can it be waived? Also they are trying to tell me that the tattoos on my forearms are too big. I have multiple tattoos on each arm, all of which can be covered by my hand…help?
I had no idea the navy actually has regulations regarding the tattoos service men and woman can wear. If I was in the Navy I would find it frustrating if there was a tattoo I wanted to get but did not meet the regulations. I wonder if the regulations have tightened up over the years? Also I would wonder if someone that already has a non regulation tattoo is unable to join the Navy. maybe one of the other branches would accept them!