The revelation that the Air Force may tweak its tattoo policy this fall has airmen divided.
Some favor the Army's plan. Others favor the leniency recently granted to sailors by the Navy's plan. A handful of airmen think another "review" will be a colossal waste of time, and will still shortchange airmen who want new ink.
"We will waste a ton of time writing our own [policy], just so it's a little "different" for no reason other than having our "own," Jarred Taylor wrote on the Air Force Times Facebook page.
Airmen took to social media and emailed Air Force Times iIn response to an earlier report about the upcoming modification, airmen took to social media and emailed Air Force Times to share their thoughts. Service leaders say theythe Air Force remains are determined to work on policies that reflect the current social culture.
"The working group is still in the research mode, gathering pertinent information regarding accessions," Air Force spokeswoman Rose Richeson told Air Force Times on Thursday.
"The tattoo policy review is part of a much larger project, the periodic review of AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance," she said in an email. "The outcome of that research will determine the breadth of the next information gathering phase. We care what Airmen think and consistently receive and consider inputs on dress and appearance standards, including the tattoo policy. … This is especially true when it comes to dress and appearance regulations as they carry both mission and morale implications."
Those airmen who said they would like to adopt the Army’s plan, which changed for the service last year, argued that it makes the most sense. Under the Army's new rules, tattoo sleeves, which typically cover the arm from shoulder to wrist, are once again authorized as long as they don't extend past the wrist. Tattoos, which are taboo restricted on the neck, head, face, wrists or hands, also cannot be visible anywhere while in uniform.
Many airmen said the Army policy, if adopted, would applies best because it finally gives airmen who’ve been "itching to get their sleeves" done the ability to ink on more, but still maintains professionalism while in uniform.
Other airmen would like Air Force regs to mirror taking on the Navy’s new policy, the most tolerant of all the services thus far. The Navy last month began allowing its sailors to sport neck tattoos, sleeves and even markings behind their ears.
"Someone with a neck tattoo in a suit can look just as good as someone with no neck tattoo in a suit," said Senior Airman Tierra Bacon, of Travis Air Force Base, California. "It should be our choice where we place a tattoo we have every right to get, not the choice of someone who feels it is 'unprofessional.' One small change could possibly be the reason more people re-enlist instead of separating."
The Air Force last updated its policy on tattoos in 2010, when there was a change to how the chain of command could determine, or even measure, a tattoo to be "excessive." If airmen have excessive tattoos — anything defined as covering more than 25 percent of an exposed body part or readily visible when wearing any uniform other than PT gear — they must need to fill out a form for their commander to document that an excessive tattoo has been waived and the individual has been authorized to cover the tattoo with his or her uniform.
Any visible tattoos or markings above the collarbone, such as the neck, head, face, tongue, lips and/or scalp, are prohibited. Symbols linked to hate groups are also off limits.
Are the rules limiting tattoos stopping airmen from re-enlisting? It is not clear whether it's a huge problem, but it The issue may not be that grave, but it could be stopping some new talent from joining the rankscoming in.
One reader, Katlyn Hamilton, said she anticipated joining the Air Force, but added, "I wish they would let individuals start their process of joining while undergoing tattoo removal of a tattoo or tattoos that would otherwise disqualify them." Hamilton said she has a tattoo behind her ear, and it will take some time to remove it. "It would give great security knowing that nothing else disqualifies me from joining and that I'm not spending thousands of dollars for no other reason," she said.
Senior Airman Bruce Serna, of Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, believes the Air Force "could be passing up a lot of qualified personnel and future leaders of the Air Force if we let this outdated policy … continue to hold its grip on us."
Readers pointed out that they're not arguing for the Air Force to relax its ban on extremist or racist body art. Rather, having or not having a customary tattoo, or even multiple tattoos, does not and should not impact the Air Force mission.
"Ever since this issue has risen, I have felt singled out and judged by the ink I have on my skin instead of my work performance and my performance as a United States airman," said Senior Airman Noah TeGrootenhuis, stationed at said. TeGrootenhuis, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. When he appeared in his PT uniform recently, he explained how standing in his PT uniform recently had his superiors began eyeing if the tattoos on his arms to see if they were more "excessive" than previously documented, thus warranting his removal.
"If we can serve abroad and risk our lives for our country, shouldn't we be able to make our own choices for our bodies?" Staff Sgt. James Morel askedsaid. "There should be no issue, as long as we can complete our mission as directed."
Oriana Pawlyk covers deployments, cyber, Guard/Reserve, uniforms, physical training, crime and operations in the Middle East and Europe for Air Force Times. She was the Early Bird Brief editor in 2015. Email her at opawlyk@airforcetimes.com.
