Marines Ban Big, Garish Tattoos

[RamboLiberal]

Source: ABC

Five tattooed skulls stretch from Marine Cpl. Jeremy Slaton's right elbow to his wrist, spelling out the word "Death." He planned to add a tattoo spelling "Life" on his left arm, but that's on hold because of a Marine policy taking effect Sunday.

The Marines are banning any new, extra-large tattoos below the elbow or the knee, saying such body art is harmful to the Corps' spit-and-polish image.

Slaton and other grunts are not pleased.

<snip>

Marines already tattooed are exempt from the ban but cannot add to their designs; anyone caught with fresh ink in the wrong places could be barred from re-enlistment or face disciplinary action. Getting a prohibited tattoo could constitute a violation of a lawful order, punishable by up to two years in prison and a dishonorable discharge, Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Brian Donnolly said.





Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2989075

---

H'mmm - if you're on IRR maybe best thing would be to run down to the local tattoo shop.

[LisaM]

1. They'll be barred from re-enlistment?

Is that supposed to be a disincentive?

[ThomCat]

2. That's my thought too.

But you know they'll only use this rule selectively. Nobody will be able to get a new tat to get out, but they'll use this rule to throw people out who might have wanted to stay.

[torrentprime]

8. Is that supposed to be funny?

Many Marines are proud of their careers and service, and yes, they would want to re-enlist. So yes, being barred from the service is a disincentive. Just as the SLDN is trying to get gay people the right to serve (millions of Americans are proud of being in the military and want the right to do so or do so again). Why is it hard for you to imagine that someone would want to re-enlist?

[xchrom]

3. ...

:eyes:

[Lisa]

4. so I guess a full-color Doonesbury or Ted Rall cartoon would be out!

Pity.

[Lautremont]

5. What's a Marine without a big, garish tattoo?

Only but half a Marine.

[nealmhughes]

6. All the poor lads who will no longer be able to say "Daddy was drunk one night right out of Parris

Isaland and went into San Diego from 29 Palms, and then..."

Come on, there is such a thing as tradition! That would be like expecting submariners to bathe daily,shave and get their hair cut on patrol!

Or no lumpia for midrats! What next? No Victoria cookies or pistachios?

(You would have to have been a submariner to get most of this, by the way.)

[truthisfreedom]

7. I guess they'll have to leave the large, garish tattoos to their foreheads and necks, then.