Proposed Revisions to the Army Tattoo Policy

Percentages of tattoos and piercings in the work force. (Stapaw.com) 42% of adults in America with tattoos. 43% of adults believe tattoos should have meaning. There are over 21,000 tattoo parlors in the U.S. The average cost for a small tattoo is $45. National average cost for tattooing is $100 per hour. There is only 5% of adults with cover up tattoos.(Stapaw.com) The highest amount of tattooed employees is in the military. The second in rant is agriculture for amount of tattoos. (Stapaw.com) "76% of employees feel that tattoos and piercings hurt all your job interview chances." "6% of tattooed people say they wouldn’t hire someone if they had visible ink. On the other hand 73% inked people say they would hire another for having visible ink. There is only 4% tattooed and pierced people that say they have actually faced discrimination in their current job for their visible ink." (Stapaw.com) "States with the highest percentage of tattoo discrimination statistics are South Carolina, Oklahoma and Florida.

Although tattoos represent a variety of things in a person’s life, they don’t necessarily dictate how well a person is able to perform their job. For the last few months, there has been an ongoing debate about troops in the Army that have tattoos, and as a result their careers have been placed on the line. With this upcoming change, it has been specifically said that troops cannot have tattoos that extend below their knees and above their elbows and ones that reach above their neckline. Sgt. Maj. Raymond Chandler argues that tattoos cannot be racist, extremist, or sexist. If the tattoo violates that then they will have to get it removed (Freedberg). While it is assumed that this is limited to new recruits, it will also be applied to the

A large number of businesses do not allow tattoos that are visible. Many also prohibit piercings, other than single earrings on women. Some industries even take their policies to the extreme of not allowing any tattoos that take up more than 25% of a body part, and if a pre-existing tattoo is too large or obscene, it must be removed (Powers). This even applies if a uniform can easily cover the tattooed area.

The tattoo policy has always been part of the Military, to keep a clean and professionalism appearance. But how much do tattoos really matter in today’s world? It is getting harder and harder to find soldiers that are in the Military that do not have a tattoo, to some it is a way to show what they have been through, a story that tells there life and time in the service or from experiences overseas. There are still some Tattoo’s that should not be allowed in the military whether it be a sexist, racial or extremist tattoo, that could offend or start rivalry’s within today’s army if they were allowed. The New revised regulations in AR 670-1

Although tattoos represent a variety of things in a person’s life, they don’t necessarily dictate how well a person is able to perform their job. For the last few months, there has been an ongoing debate about troops in the Army that have tattoos, and as a result their careers have been placed on the line. With this upcoming change, it has been specifically said that troops cannot have tattoos that extend below their knees and above their elbows and ones that reach above their neckline. Sgt. Maj. Raymond Chandler argues that tattoos cannot be racist, extremist, or sexist. If the tattoo violates that then they will have to get it removed (Freedberg). While it is assumed that this is limited to new recruits, it will also be applied to the

However, people should not be denied a career because of the art they have on their bodies. Just because an individual has tattoos does not mean they are unprofessional or unworthy of a high-paying job. Colleges do not deny people an education because they have tattoos. If a person with tattoos has a higher education and a better background than someone without tattoos who is going for the same job, then the person with tattoos should get the job. But due to the nature of businesses, the person with less experience would most likely be the candidate picked based on appearance. In the workplace, when people look at someone that is covered in tattoos they automatically discriminate against this person. It is almost as if they think that image determines their demeanor and professionalism. This person can be the most courteous and professional person in the world, but no one would ever know because this person was not given a chance due to their appearance and the judgment of others.

While tattoos have become more and more acceptable over the years, the question still lies on whether tattoos or any other kind of body modifications in the workplace should be allowed. It's beyond easy to make cases showing the negative impacts of discrimination against tattoos and piercings in the workplace. Plastic surgery, drawing on your eyebrows, getting fake nails, and coloring your hair are also examples of body modifications. Though not everyone agrees with or thinks they’re beautiful, employees are not told to cover up these modifications. Tattoos and piercings are purely another form of beautification and what makes each person their own unique individual. Beauty is personal.

All company?s owners can choose the success or failure of the company. If they feel that tattoos or any other type of body enhancer would hinder the effectiveness of their business then they have the power to remove anyone who violates the rules. The argument for workers who are discriminated against about their art forms is that it is a religious symbol. Unless it is an unsanitary modification then it should be allowed to stay. With many legal rulings within companies about their opinions with the effectiveness of tattoos and other body modifications in the work place the person many be declined. It is said to be a distraction in the work place if it is a formal environment as in a doctor?s office or a law firm. ?According to a CNN article by Michelle Goodman (2008), Dave Kimmelburg, a lawyer from Boston who is tattooed says that it is better to stick to tattoos and piercings that can easily be covered up if you are going to work in a professional environment.? www.CNN.com the professional environments he is using as examples is the instances of doctors? offices and being around important

Now, what about dog tag tattoos? Are those also reserved for those in the armed forces? The answer is

"Tattoos have become more common in this generation—but it doesn 't prohibit applicants looking for a job from the military. Only the ASVAB [Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test] score, a physical and their upstanding moral background determine jobs. The military doesn 't disqualify people from

The art of tattoos has been prevalent in many ancient cultures and represented many different things. In the more recent past times, tattoos were seen in a very negative light; mainly associated with circus freak shows, bikers or outlaws. Even though there are more Americans getting tattoos these days, there is still a disapproving view on tattoos in the workplace. Tattoos are continuously becoming more popular with each generation and more often have some personal meaning. Many companies that have recently started to accept appropriate body art in the workplace have seen positive benefits related to their new policy changes. This debate has also led people to file discrimination lawsuits against their employer. There are occasions that the subject matter or the placement of a tattoo on the body may not be professional for certain types of jobs. With the growing number of people that have body art, the more personal meaning behind it and younger demographics of both people working for and being served by many companies these days, having visible tattoos should no longer be damaging among many careers today. The debate needs to be evaluated by each company, and often each individual situation, to determine if body art can be accepted.

Although tattoos represent a variety of things in a person’s life, they don’t necessarily dictate how well a person is able to perform their job. For the last few months, there has been an ongoing debate about troops in the Army that have tattoos, and as a result their careers have been placed on the line. With this upcoming change, it has been specifically said that troops cannot have tattoos that extend below their knees and above their elbows and ones that reach above their neckline. Sgt. Maj. Raymond Chandler argues that tattoos cannot be racist, extremist, or sexist. If the tattoo violates that then they will have to get it removed (Freedberg). While it is assumed that this is limited to new recruits, it will also be applied to the

While the country is slowly becoming more accepting and accustomed to tattooing I myself have had to choose a new dream in life. Since the first stage in my life that I can remember I wanted to be a West Virginia State Trooper, but upon reaching the age and being honorably discharged from the military I tried to obtain information and join the State Troopers but was informed that because of my tattoos that this career was no longer an option. While there are other police forces who will gladly hire tattooed individuals I can’t expect my family to pack up and leave everything they know over a mistake I have made in my past.

Have you ever been turned down for a job because you have tattoos? I have a family member that has twenty-four tattoos and currently has a job that he has worked hard to obtain. He keeps his tattoos covered when working allowing him to remain on a professional level and still have the ability to express himself in his free time. Although tattoos should be allowed in the workplace they may be considered unprofessional and inappropriate in both image and language. On the other hand, tattoos are personal and should not affect the person’s career choice. If we accept the growing number of tattoos, cases that discriminate against those who have tattoos and healthcare jobs being affected the most by people who have tattoos. Then we should accept that it is necessary for people with tattoos to be protected by the federal government with discrimination laws in place.

Tattoo discrimination has been going on since the beginning of tattoos over 8,000 years ago. There are countless incidents in history that show a connection between nonconsensual ink and abhorrence. For example, the Nazi’s branded their prisoners, the Romans scarred their slaves, and the Japanese marked their criminals. It’s no wonder tattoos were once linked to prison, delinquency, and war. But times are changing. People are intentionally getting tattoos to document memories and pay tribute to loved ones. Body art has become a form of expression and communication and is a rapidly growing practice. Despite this, tattoos are still strictly limited in a lot of workplaces – including the military – due to