Skin color does not determine the level of professionalism of a Marine; so why are visible tattoos judged so poorly? The answer lies within he or she who casts such judgement. It is all based on personal bias. Those who posses such negativity towards tattoos, who at some point – rise to a level of power, begin to implement policy against body art. Of course there was never anything wrong with the original tattoo policy that was in place at the time…the wheel just had to be reinvented I guess.
I was one of those who was so poorly judged. Having had tattoos prior to entering service and adding more to my “art” collection over my years in; I, along with many other brothers and sisters who had body art; became targets of ridicule and ostracization by particular Senior Officers and Senior Enlisted in our chain of command. It didn’t matter that every single one of my Fitness Reports was of the highest caliber. It didn’t matter that by the time I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, I had already earned 5 personal awards – to include the Meritorious Service Medal. It didn’t matter that I was the subject matter expert and top of my MOS field. It didn’t matter that as a Staff NCO, I was responsible for transforming over 500 civilians into Marines as a Kilo Company Senior Drill Instructor. None of it mattered.
What really matters now, is that this is not about “me”. It’s about all the other warriors out there still on active duty who are shunned and oppressed because they follow suit in the line of warriors past.
Marines are WARRIORS! And just like every warrior past; Vikings, Native Americans, Knights, Celts and every other warrior who donned body art as part of their culture – Marines wear body art too! It doesn’t mean they are sub-standard. It doesn’t mean they are unprofessional. It doesn’t mean they are eccentric.
It simply means we are WARRIORS. Leave tattooed Marines alone to do what they do best. Support tattooed Marines!
Liam O’Connor
SSgt/USMC – 1995-2007
5811/5815/8511 (0911)
A Marine is a warrior (and respected as such by the general public) by virtue of being a Marine and not by having one’s body adorned with art. Marines are taught, and generally accept, that the team is more important than the individual. While tattoos are more widely accepted today than they were in the recent past, they detract (I think) from the perception of Marines in the general public-which is more than being warriors. Those of us far removed from active duty have strived to uphold that perception our entire lives-as should SSgt O’Connor.
Good to go.
While I can agree with much of the expressed position of SSGT O’Connor, I would beg to differ on some points: It’s not about bias but about image. If someone joins the Corps with pre-existing ‘body art’ and it is acceptable, no issue. What ‘art’ is added post-enlistment becomes a bit more challenging.
Are we, as Marines, allowed to modify our appearance, behavior, uniforms, emblems or weapons to suit our individual whims? That’s the antithesis of being ‘uniform’ … We know the standards when we sign on.
If the individual’s perception of ‘art’ includes words or emblems that represent racist, sexist or anti-government beliefs, are those okay? One individual’s art may be another’s insult.
Once we sign on, we give up certain ‘rights’ and go along with the program and understand that we sacrifice our individualism. As a DI, that would have been one of the standards being taught.
Once we leave active duty, we’re welcome to tattoo, pierce, or otherwise spindle, fold & mutilate ourselves.
I was pondering the photo with this article and recalled the Old Corps, when we saw rank stenciled on the sleeves of HBT utility jackets. One reason for the change to the pin-on ranks in 1959 was because it was tough to show a demotion. I would question the logic of tattooing ones rank – or name of a lover – on their body.
There was an old Jody call about “I’m engaged to marry Sue but I’m afraid to get undressed ’cause Mary’s tattooed on my chest” I guess it doesn’t have to always be a good plan, just a plan … too often influenced by alcohol and some helpful shipmates
Do a cover-up of ink over her name. Choose something that you will be proud to have on your chest for quite some time. I had to do a cover-up on a gal’s name on my arm and found that a North American Kestrel was able to cover up her name.
I think the comments left by the above Marines was spot on, there are limits to everything in the Marine Corp which I respect and accepted.
I have proudly worn my USMC tattoo for about 55 years. About 5 years at the age of 70 I had that tattoo redone because it had turned dark and the bulldog was not recognizable. Today I’m still proud of my time served as a Marine and when my sleeve slips up far enough to display the letters USMC and someone recognizes it and says Thank You for your service. And Thank You for your service. Semper Fi!
Al, we’re about the same age and I noticed that, like old tats, we tend to not become as recognizable after those years of use & abuse. Remember when the USMC could stand for ‘University of Science, Music and Culture’ when trying to hustle coeds at beach towns?
Hey Al, I remember that tattoo too!! lol……….$12.50 Oceanside Cal. 1970. Best $12.50 I ever spent.
I served in the Marines and got my first tattoos in the Corp. At the time I wasn’t allowed to go below my shoulders. Any open tattoos must not have been visible below the shoulders. Absolutely angered me. Here I had joined to protect and serve the constitution of the United States and couldn’t even protect the lies of freedom we were promised. Welcome to America home if the free and land of the enslaved.
SDI, personal awards, top of MOS, superb Fitreps, where was the bias?
That is EXACTLY what I was thinking! I don’t see where it hurt his career at all!
My granddaughter has always been a fighter (one of the many things that has made me proud of her), but as such has had her in and out of trouble more times than I can remember. Shortly after her 19th birthday she made the decision, on her own, to enlist in the USMC (which made Granpa’s heart swell with joy). The Recruiter saw all of the criminal cases she had on her record, for fighting, a couple were even felonies, and he leaned that every one was just her standing up for herself. The Recruiter took her in front of a judge and had her record expunged , so that she could enlist. Paperwork was signed, and she was even going tto P.T. with the recuiters, to get in shape before leaving for P.I.. At the airport, before boarding the plane, someone noticed her dragon tattoo that runs from her hip to just above her knee. Because “it will show while in her Class A uniform, and be a distraction” she was not allowed to board the plane, and her enlistment was cancelled. You deny enlistment to someone that is intelligent, knows how to handle themself in a fight AND wants to serve, because of some ink? It’s not racist. It’s not sexist. But it ceryainly is prejudicial.
Lot of good points, pro and con. I don’t have any tattoos Marine or otherwise. Why don’t I? Because, I already know I’m a Marine and a lot of people can see it in us, we stand out. However, I’ve never known a tattoo that made someone a better or worse Marine. In combat I wasn’t concerned if they had a tattoo, just wanted to know if they had my six.
A quick search located MC Bulletin 1020 which defines the Marine Corps policy on tattoos. From a brief read, it appears pretty liberal but certainly excludes racist, sexist, obscene and extremist ‘art’ as well as keeping most body art from showing while in duty uniform except the PT gear. If that policy doesn’t work, maybe the applicant should either join the Air Force or the Hells Angels
Like any rules or laws, it’s always the responsibility of the individual – not the organization – to determine if they’re in compliance before joining the service. Not being able to display your personal art style in uniform while on active military duty isn’t any Constitutional right I’m aware of …
After boot camp, in 1953, and after ITR, just prior to shipping out for the Far East a couple of buddies and I were in Oceanside. Tattoos were discussed and all agreed we should get one. No girls names, no cursing ?, and according to the artist nothing visible when in uniform. I have an eagle ? on the left shoulder. I went first after we flipped coins. Long story short….the other “buddies” said not us… After all these years I also note the fading and a loss of color. I eventually forgave my buddies. But it wasn’t easy. Of course they knew a sucker when they saw one….
Simper Fi
Before boarding the bus to PI, I was arrested by MP’s in Beaufort S.C. for defacing government property… my head! You see the 3 day train ride from Prov. R.I. was such a bore we decided to shave our heads with the sanitation kits the salvation army gave us prior to boarding the train. Well how does this correlate with tattoos? Destruction of government property I was told~ In hindsight, I can see where they thought I was an escapee. True story.
Got a lot of ink while I was in, as did a lot of fellow Marines I served with (94-99). My SDI, Sgt Burns, was a Recon Marine with forearm tattoos. To each his own. Just don’t ever get a USMC tattoo unless you’ve earned the title. SF
I don’t remember a Marine without ,at least one, tatoo.
Just buy a sticker and paste on!
LAIM. LIKE YOU I AM AN IRISHMAN. BRENDAN MCCARRON BORN AND RAISED THERE. UNLIKE YOU NO TATTOO. MY BROTHER INLAW ALSO AN IRISHMAN DID HAVE ONE. EVERY MAN TO HIS TASTE AND WHISKEY. MAYBE THAT IS THE REASON WHY I DON’T. ALWAYS A BEER DRINKER.
SLAINTE LIAM.