Can Marines have tattoos?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 21, 2026
Under the new policy, Marines can have tattoos anywhere on their chest or back, as long as a crew-neck T-shirt can cover them. Arm tattoos are allowed no further than a line around the circumference of the wrist, as measured at the wrist bone.
What tattoos will disqualify you from the Marines?
The Marine Corps tattoo policy for 2022 states that ink is never allowed which is “prejudicial to good order and discipline.” Furthermore, tattoos that are “drug-related, gang-related, extremist, obscene or indecent, sexist, or racist” are not authorized under any circumstances.
Can Marines have full sleeve of tattoos?
Officers and officer candidates, however, were limited to four tattoos that were visible in the Marine Corps physical training uniform. Under the new standard all Marines will be allowed an unlimited number of tattoos, along with tattoos on the knees and elbows, heralding the long-sought return of sleeves.
Can you have tattoos in the Marines 2020?
Marine Corps tattoo policy basics
“Tattoos that are prejudicial to good order and discipline, or that are of a nature to bring discredit upon the naval service, are prohibited. Examples include, but are not limited to, tattoos that are drug-related, gang-related, extremist, obscene or indecent, sexist, or racist.”
What military branch will accept tattoos?
But they all have minor exceptions to this rule. The Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps allow finger ring tattoos, one per hand.
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Put simply, Service Members cannot sport tattoos that are:
- Racist.
- Sexist.
- Extremist.
- Anti-American.
- Ethnically or religiously discriminatory.
- Obscene.
Why are tattoos not allowed in military?
The Reason: It is strongly believed in the armed forces that a candidate with tattoos has chances to have skin disease like skin cancer. They have termed permanent tattoos as “health hazard” as they can act as carriers for certain diseases.
Is the Army strict on tattoos?
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. All branches have rules forbidding extremist tattoos or any ink that is racist or otherwise offensive.
Why can't Marines have tattoos?
In the bulletin, officials noted that Marines are barred from having “tattoos that are drug-related, gang-related, extremist, obscene or indecent, sexist or racist.” Authorities added that tattooed officers and enlisted Marines “may continue to be assigned or allowed to serve on special duty assignments …
Why can't Marines get elbow tattoos?
Though tattoos are still allowed over broad swathes of a Marine's body, certain areas, specifically around the knees and elbows are off limits, thus disrupting the ability to blanket ink from armpit to wrist or groin to ankle.
Can Marines have hand tattoos?
Marines are prohibited from getting tattoos on the head, neck, inside the mouth, wrists, knees, elbows and hands with the exception of a single band tattoo of no more than three-eighths of an inch in width on one finger.
How strict are the Marines about tattoos?
In terms of size of placement Marines are only prohibited from tattoos on their face, head, neck and hands, with the exception of one ring-like tattoo. Removing the ban on knee or elbow tattoos heralds the return of sleeves for Marines.
What tattoos are not allowed in the military?
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 Marines get tattoos after boot camp?
The Corps currently has the strictest tattoo policy within the U.S. military, limiting officers to only four visible tattoos in their physical training uniform. Enlisted Marines are limited on the size of individual tattoos, while full and half sleeves are banned along with face, hand or neck tattoos.
Can Marines get sleeves now?
Marines can now get larger tattoos, including “sleeves,” under the new Marine Corps tattoo policy announced Friday, Oct. 29, 2021.
Can Marines have piercings?
As for body piercings, they are not authorized in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marines. Women are only allowed to have earrings, and men are not allowed body piercings of any kind. The rule extends to not only being in uniform, but also in civilian attire when in duty status or while in/aboard U.S. Military jurisdictions.
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.
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!”
How can I remove tattoo?
Common techniques used for tattoo removal include laser surgery, surgical removal and dermabrasion. Tattoo ink is placed beneath the top layer of the skin. That makes tattoo removal more complicated — and expensive — than the original tattoo application.
Can you join the military with ADHD?
While ADHD alone does not disqualify a person from military service, the Department of Defense (DOD) places significant enlistment restrictions on individuals with an ADHD diagnosis and/or prior treatment with medication. Has documentation of adverse academic, occupational, or work performance.
Can you have face tattoos in the Marines?
Corps officials announced the new policy on Friday, which will allow Marines to have however many tattoos they wish, on whatever body part except the face, neck and hands or a single ring-like tattoo on a finger. The change in policy is intended to remove barriers that some face for joining the service.
Why can't you donate blood with a tattoo?
You may not be able to donate if your ink is less than 3 months old. Giving blood after recently getting a tattoo can be dangerous. Though uncommon, an unclean tattoo needle can carry a number of bloodborne viruses, such as: hepatitis B.
Will the Marine Corps change its tattoo policy?
The Marine Corps banned sleeve tattoos in 2007 and Corps officials upheld the ban when the tattoo policy was updated in 2016 by prohibiting Marines from having tattoos around their elbows and knees. Today, the Commandant of the Marine Corps approved changes to the Marine Corps policy regulating tattoos.
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 you have finger tattoos in Army?
Placement. The U.S. Army prohibits tattoos on the hands, wrists, fingers, neck, facial areas or any other parts of the body.
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.