The Marine Corps allows tattoos as long as they follow the rules outlined in their 32-page policy, which includes guidelines on placement and types of tattoos. The handbook also provides guidance on special circumstances. Marines have unique traditions, such as pinning their next rank and eating quickly. The Commandant can confer an honorary title on civilians.
United States Marines pride themselves on being disciplined, clean, and physically fit, so you might be surprised to see a tattoo underneath one of those pristine uniforms. But as much as the Marines value unity, they also promote individuality, as long as it follows the rules.
As for tattoos, everything you need to know is covered in the 32-page “Marine Corps Tattoo Policy.” The lengthy document is filled with photographs, illustrations and measuring guides, and is broken into sections on all possible placements for a tattoo and which tattoo locations are “unauthorized.”
Detailed instructions are provided for each location and what types of tattoos are allowed. For example, forearm tattoos should be single tattoos or a single collection of tattoos that can be completely covered by the Marine’s hand when his fingers are extended and the thumb is flush with the outside of the palm.
The handbook contains a glossary and guidance on special circumstances that should be considered before getting a tattoo, such as the possibility of a unique assignment that could conflict with an individual’s physical appearance if tattooed. Even though it all seems quite complicated, if you follow the rules, one day you could become one of the few, the proud one and the tattooed one.
How the Marines Might Surprise You:
To motivate themselves, Marines are known to pin their next attainable rank somewhere unseen on their uniform.
Marine recruits tend to eat fast because they must be done before their instructor is done.
The Commandant of the Marine Corps may confer an honorary Marine title on civilians; people honored in this way have included Bob Hope, Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle), and Chuck Norris.
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