Can I join the military with tattoos?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 15, 2026
Both officers and enlisted can now tat themselves up as much as they want, as long as it's not on the face or neck. And hands may sport only one finger ring tattoo. The reason for the change is simple: recruiting and retention. Nearly half of young adults have tattoos, and many have several.
Can tattoos disqualify you for the military?
Army Tattoo Policy
It prohibits any tattoos on the head, face, neck, wrists, hands, or above the t-shirt collar. Essentially, any visible body tattoos are prohibited. The only exception is one ring tattoo per hand where a regular ring would lie.
Can I join the Marines with tattoos?
Here are the key takeaways for the Marine Corps tattoo policy: You CAN have tattoos anywhere on your chest, back, torso, upper arms, upper thighs, and groin. There are no restrictions as to the size, shape, colors, or number of tattoos. There ARE restrictions on tattoos that are visible outside of a PT uniform.
Can you join the Air Force with tattoos?
Tattoos are not completely disqualifying, however. There are no size or area limitations for authorized tattoos on the chest (below an open collar), back, arms, and legs. Tattoos, brands, and body markings are prohibited on the head, neck, face, tongue, lips, and scalp.
Can I join the Army with a tattoo on my neck?
While the Air Force has one of the more lenient tattoo policies of all the military branches, they still have standards and restrictions that must be followed. As far as size and location of unauthorized tattoos, Airmen cannot be inked up in the following locations: The Neck. The Face.
38 related questions foundWhat are the military rules on tattoos?
The main takeaways regarding the Army Tattoo Policy are:
- There is no limit to the number of tattoos you can have.
- You can NOT have tattoos on your wrists / hands, neck, or face.
- The only exception to this is a ring tattoo, one per hand.
- Sexist, racist, extremist, and indecent tattoos are NOT allowed.
Can I have a sleeve tattoo in the Army?
Tattoos are not allowed on the sleeves, the legs and arms of the soldiers. The tattoo must not be visible on any part of the body of the soldier that is exposed while wearing any of the military uniforms. The army bans having a tattoo on the head, neck, and face.
Can a FBI agent have tattoos?
Kellie: Yeah, they are allowed. Now I would suggest that if you're looking to get a tattoo, be very judicious in where you place it, just because the image of the Academy in the FBI is extremely important. So just be judicious in your placement of your tattoo.
Can I join the Navy with hand tattoos?
New regulations allow for unlimited tattoos on the legs, arms, neck, and even on the hands and behind the ears. The only places on the body that are off limits are the head, face, and scalp. Tattoos on the torso are also allowed, but they must not be visible underneath whites.
What branch of military allows tattoos?
The Army, Air Force and Navy have relaxed their tattoo rules in recent years to varying extents. The Army doesn't limit tattoos and generally just draws the line on ink visible while wearing a dress uniform. In 2016, the Navy allowed sailors to have tattoos on their neck and behind their ears.
Will the Army pay for tattoo removal?
Generally speaking, visits to a tattoo removal clinic will be on your own dime—the government will not pay for you to have a tattoo removed, nor will health insurance. Fortunately, we do offer special discounts for military recruits, active duty, and veterans – it's our way of saying, “thank you for your service!”
Can Navy Seals have tattoos?
As of March 2016, tattoos including full sleeves are acceptable. According to the Navy, only the head, face and scalp are off limits. The neck and behind the ear may have one tat but it should be restricted to one inch. Additionally, tattoos on the torso should not be visible through the white uniform shirt.
Why do Marines not have tattoos?
Though the Marine Corps did away with most limitations on the placement and size of tattoos, the new policy comes with increased scrutiny on the content of the tattoo. Both the 2016 policy and the current policy ban tattoos that are “are drug-related, gang-related, extremist, obscene or indecent, sexist, or racist.”
Can I have a forearm tattoo in the Army?
The following graphic shows where tattoos are and are not accepted in the US Army in 2020. On the visible part of the arm (i.e. forearms) tattoos must be one inch below the elbow and tattoos cannot extend onto the wrist or hands. For upper arm pieces, tattoos must start two inches above the elbow.
Can you be drafted with tattoos?
You won't be able to salute without showing your superior your tattoo and they'll refuse your draft.
At what age will the military not accept you?
Military Age Limits: Army Age Limit: 35 for active duty, Guard, and Army Reserve. Navy Age Limit: 39 for active duty, 39 for Navy Reserve. Marine Corps Age Limit: 28 for active duty and Marine Corps Reserve.
Are hand tattoos allowed in jobs?
Traditionally, hand and finger tattoos have been labeled as “job stoppers” because they have rendered plenty of qualified people unhirable, simply because of a visible tattoo. As mentioned before, hand tattoos have grown to become more acceptable and a more common sight in the professional sphere in recent times.
What are the Navy rules on tattoos?
The Navy's tattoo content restrictions remain the same: no tattoo located anywhere on the body can be prejudicial to good order, discipline, and morale, or be of a nature that brings discredit upon the naval service.
Can you have finger tattoos in the Army?
The U.S. Army prohibits tattoos on the hands, wrists, fingers, neck, facial areas or any other parts of the body. These areas are considered sensitive and constantly visible.
Can you join the CIA with tattoos?
However, the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) website states, “tattoos will not disqualify you from gaining employment at the CIA, and all professionally-qualified persons are encouraged to apply.”
What jobs dont allow tattoos?
Here's a short list of some of the most common employers that either don't allow tattoos or ask you to cover them up at work:
- Healthcare Professionals. ...
- Police Officers and Law Enforcement. ...
- Law Firms. ...
- Administrative Assistants and Receptionists. ...
- Financial Institutions and Banks. ...
- Teachers. ...
- Hotels / Resorts. ...
- Government.
Can lawyers have tattoos?
Firms whose dress codes are based on their clients' reasonable expectations – rather than any hidebound concepts of what their staff should look like – may offer their lawyers a lot of leeway in their appearances, including accepting body jewelry as long as it is tasteful and discreet, and even tattoos.
Can you have a wrist tattoo in the Army?
Soldiers are still not allowed to have tattoos on their neck, head, face, wrists or hands. The exception is a ring tattoo on each hand, Dailey said. Also banned are tattoos that are sexist, racist, extremist and derogatory, he said. “Those have not changed, regardless of position or location,” he said.
Can Army officers get tattoos?
(a) Though no restriction on size or type of tattoo has been specified, tattoos are only permitted on body parts as given at Paragraphs 2 and 4 above. (b) Only small innocuous tattoos, that are not prejudicial to good order and military discipline are permitted e.g. religious symbols or names of near and dear ones etc.
Can you get a waiver for hand tattoos in the Army?
You can get a waiver, or you may not need one -- provided that the tattoo is not offensive in any way. Tattoos on the neck above your collar when you wear a regulation shirt, if it can be seen, is disqualifying. Tattoos anywhere that are racist, sexist or offensive in any way are disqualifying.