Tattoos - after you're already in the NCP

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Specializes in Cardiology, ICU.

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone knew the policy of what you do after you're already in the NCP if you want to get a tattoo. I already have one on my back that was approved, but I've been thinking for a while about getting another one. Do we have to get permission to do this before hand, who would we get it from? I already know about the location, sizes of tattoos and everything.

Just wondering if anyone had any experience with this or knew the protocol...

thanks!

DelaneyBoyce

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Specializes in Emergency.

Lunah might :]

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Hahahaha!! I don't really know ... I have sleeves in progress on both sides (plus work on my chest, back, and legs), so any additional work is difficult to separate from the older stuff... they've never photographed mine, and I described them on my waiver form as sleeves and full chest/back coverings....

It might also be different for other services -- I was too tattooed for the Navy and Air Force, but the Army just wants to make sure you don't have any on your hands, neck, or face, and that they can be covered by ACUs (long sleeved uniform). I want to say that as long as they're covered by your service's standards, you should be fine, but don't take my word for it...

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Specializes in Emergency.

I agree with Lunah. Go with the service standard. I have half sleeves, for navy standard it's okay. If you're really itching to get one, just make sure it's not visible with your uniform on I guess.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

My lower arm work covered more than the allowed percentage of the exposed body part (forearm), so that was a no-go for the Navy and AF. Oh well ... the Navy would have been fun, but even though I spent time around the Navy as a kid (my stepfather worked at the shipyard in Bremerton, then got a job at NSA in Naples, Italy for 5 years), your rank structure still confuses me. LOL. My Navy-fu is weak...

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Specializes in Psych, Maternity, ER, Ortho.

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter2/Pages/2201PersonalAppearance.aspx

I would e-mail NCP admin for specific restrictions that they might have while you are in the program. Some commands require a special request chit before getting a new tattoo.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

If it doesn't show in any uniform it isn't a problem unless it gets infected.....

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.

There was one day during our basic that they "inspected" our tatoos. We all stood in our PT gear and they only asked about those that they could see beyond our tops and shorts. One guy had alot, they just asked what they were. I think they were more checking to see appropriateness of the content.

I wouldn't get it a spot the uniform doesn't cover, just to be safe.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Mine were all checked for appropriateness (making sure they're not racist, obscene, etc.) during my commissioning physical by the internal med doc that I saw ... she said she'd never seen a female with so many tattoo. I'm like, have you really been around the Army? LOL. She documented a random number ("approximately 30") for a quantity on my physical paperwork.

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Specializes in Cardiology, ICU.

My response from the NCP personally was "I dont know of nothing you have to do, but why would you want more tattoos?" hahahahaha

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Nice. Make sure they're in regs for your branch and not racist/obscene/etc and go for it. I have 3. Two I got after the NCP while waiting to commission, and one I got at BOLC. :angel: Oh the good old days in San An...

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(repeat post = fail)

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