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Can you have a finger tattoo in the Army?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 15, 2026

Placement. 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.

Are finger tattoos allowed in the Army?

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 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.

Can you have finger tattoos in the army UK?

It says tattoos are now allowed on hands and the back of the neck, but not on the face or any neck areas that could be visible on passport photos. Army regulations had limited tattoos to those that are covered by a shirt - ie below the collar and above the cuff.

Is tattoo allowed in military?

(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.

16 related questions found

Why is tattoo not allowed in Army?

The Army says permanent tattoos are health hazard, as they can act as carriers for certain diseases. It is enforcing the recent ban with firmness and young men with tattoos were turned away at several Army recruitment camps held recently at Akhnoor, 40 kilometers from Jammu.

Where are tattoos not allowed in the Army?

What is this? The Army does not allow any visible tattoos that show above the t-shirt collar line. The same rule applies to the neck, face, ears, and scalp (as well as the inner mouth or eyelids). Hand tattoos are prohibited in the Army aside from the allowance of one ring tattoo per hand.

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.

What branch of military accepts 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.

Does the military help remove tattoos?

Military branches have their own policies, but most of them don't allow tattoos in some form or fashion. Considering most branches are getting even stricter with their policies, you'll most likely have to get yours removed.

Can I 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.

What does the Army consider a ring tattoo?

The Army regulations do, however, allow one ring tattoo on each hand, although it must not extend beyond where a ring naturally would rest on your finger (between the lowest knuckle and your hand). As a result of these placement and visibility rules, tattoos and brands are not allowed on: Your head. Your face.

Can you 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 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 piercings in the Army?

Off Duty on a Military Installation

Members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (includes visible through clothing). Pierced earlobes on women are allowed but should not be extreme or excessive.

Can you be drafted if you have tattoos?

Tattoos below the knees or elbows must be smaller than the size of the Soldier's palm with fingers extended. Permanent ink or branding on the face, neck, and hands, as well as tattoos that can be deemed extremist, indecent, sexist or racist in nature remain banned.

What happens if I get a hand tattoo in the Army?

As of April 2018, sailors can sport a single neck tattoo (including behind the ear), as long as it isn't bigger than 1-inch in diameter. Additionally, tattoos below the knee and elbow, no matter the size and quantity, are perfectly fine. This means full sleeves are allowed. Hand and ring tattoos are permitted as well.

Can people with tattoo donate blood?

If you have recently gotten a tattoo, you are required to delay donating blood for at least 6 months. In between this period, you will not be eligible for blood donation.

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.

Can you have tattoos before joining the Army?

Army. The Army updated tattoo regulations (670-1) in April 2015. Plan to remove ink on your wrist, face, hands, head or neck (below the t-shirt line is acceptable) prior to joining. Additional no-no's include tattoos in your ears, mouth or eyelids, according to the regulations.

What's the army's rules on tattoos?

Soldiers are prohibited from getting tattoos that are cowardly, personally degrading, prejudicial to good order, and discipline or service discrediting. The Army regulations for tattoos are outlined in Army Regulation 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.

Can you have tattoos in Special Forces?

(1) Tattoos or brands anywhere on the head, face, and neck above the class A uniform collar are prohibited. (2) Tattoos or brands that are extremist, indecent, sexist, or racist are prohibited, regardless of location on the body, as they are prejudicial to good order and discipline within units.

Can you go to the Marines with a hand tattoo?

Here is a quick breakdown of the places on your body the Marine Corps does not allow tattoos: Head, Neck, or Face (including mouth and eyelids) Above the Collar Bone (before reaching the neck) Wrist, Hands (only exception is a single ring tattoo), and Fingers.

What happens if you get a neck tattoo in the army?

There is no change to the restriction of neck tattoos. They are still prohibited. Soldiers who had a neck tattoo prior to the March 31, 2014, policy change and properly documented it will continue to be grandfathered. Any neck tattoo obtained after that date is in violation of the Army's policy.

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.