Tattoos and the Military

[stardogdaisy, RN]

My husband just graduated with his BSN and has been talking with an Air Force recruiter. He was getting his package together and was told that the tattoo on the back of his neck would keep him from moving forward with the application process for the new grad program in the USAF. He was told that because it would not be covered by his PT uniform that he would have to have it removed. The recruiter told him to have it removed, take another picture and he would try to get that approved. Could someone please tell me if he will still need a waiver even if the tattoo is removed? It is a small tattoo that have the symbol for "copy write" and the year that he was born. The tattoo is not a bar code or anything racist, sexually explicit, or gang related.

Are all branches of the military this strict, when it comes to tattoos? Any advice or information would be very helpful. Thank you.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

The recruiter's right about the tattoo per AF reg (I'm an Active Duty Air Force RN), and the services are becoming tighter on tattoos across the board.

I think the second waiver has something more to do with having had a medical procedure than with the fact that you had the tattoo removed (does that make sense?).

[HNELLA]

I saw one guy in the recruiter's office with a tat on his calf and he was told it was a no go for the air force. I think they told him they would have to measure it to be sure but from the looks of it he would not be a candidate...

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I was rejected by the Air Force because my tattoos covered more than 25% of any exposed body part ... i.e., tattoos covering more than 25% of my forearms, etc. So I'm going with the Army.

[The Little Greek]

Per the AFI (air force instruction) tattoos may not cover more than 25% of your exposed body part. I have 1/2 sleeves on both arms and I have a tattoo that is 1/2 of my back. I am a Capt in the AF and my tattoos show when I am in PT gear AND in my short sleeve blues uniform. I had no problem getting into the AF because my tattoos met the requirement of "no more than 25%". I did have to explain what my tattoos meant (which was funny because they are art and have not particular meaning) and they took a few pictures. In your husband's case, maybe the tattoo is covering more than 25% of his neck?

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I was actually picturing a big one across the back - because I've seen one Lt in Wilford Hall with a small one on her neck - AND YOU CAN SEE IT with her hair up, which annoyed me.