New Tattoo, Uniform Guidelines Take Effect

Soldiers now must conform to new limits to the types and location of tattoos they have. Additionally, they have to adhere to new guidelines regarding which uniforms they can wear and when they can wear them. No tattoos can be located on the neck or head above the lines of a T-shirt, or below the wrist bone. Visible band tattoos can be no wider than two inches, and only one band tattoo can be visible. Sleeve tattoos on arms and legs are no longer allowed. Tattoos below the elbow or knee must be smaller than an extended hand. No one can have more than four tattoos in total below their elbows or knees. Soldiers who already have tattoos that would not comply with these new regulations can remain on duty, as long as those tattoos are validated by their commanders. Extremist, indecent, sexist and racist tattoos are prohibited. Soldiers can no longer wear Army Combat Uniforms (ACUs) when on official travel and traveling by commercial carrier, unless they are deploying or on rest and recuperation – with the authorization of their commander. Instead, they must wear civilian clothes or the service uniform. Soldiers also must wear their military identification tags at all times. The new regulation allows soldiers to carry plain black umbrellas during inclement weather while wearing their service, dress and mess uniforms. Other regulations bar certain haircuts, sideburns, and mustaches for men, and appropriate hair styles for women. Also gone are most body piercings, except for “authorized earrings” for women. And soldiers cannot wear earpieces for non-wireless devices while in uniform.