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Soldiers told new rules governing tattoos, grooming standards on the way
Stars and Stripes ^ | 9/22/2013 | Josh Smith

Posted on 09/22/2013 4:11:26 PM PDT by markomalley

In the works for more than a year, strict new rules governing things like tattoos and grooming for soldiers have been approved by the Secretary of the Army and are only awaiting a final signature, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler said Saturday.

Speaking to troops at bases in eastern Afghanistan, Chandler said Secretary John McHugh has approved but not yet officially put his name to the changes to Army Regulation 670-1.

“We’re just waiting for the secretary to sign,” Chandler said during a town hall meeting with soldiers from the 4th Combat Brigade Team, 10th Mountain Division, at Forward Operating Base Gamberi. He made similar remarks to troops at FOB Fenty in Jalalabad.

The regulations cover things such as tattoos, grooming, and uniforms and apply only to soldiers. Other branches of the military have their own grooming and appearance rules.

Chandler said he expects the changes to become policy in 30 to 60 days.

Media reports last year identified potential changes to rules governing things such make-up and fingernail polish, hair styles, body piercings, and the length of sideburns, among other items. Chandler, however, only confirmed changes to the policy on tattoos.

Under the new policy, new recruits will not be allowed to have tattoos that show below the elbows and knees or above the neckline, Chandler told troops. Current soldiers may be grandfathered in, but all soldiers will still be barred from having any tattoos that are racist, sexist or extremist.

Once the rules are implemented, soldiers will sit down with their unit leaders and “self identify” each tattoo. Soldiers will be required to pay for the removal of any tattoo that violates the policy, Chandler said.

While some soldiers at the meeting asked whether the Army will ever allow more visible tattoos, Chandler said it is a matter of maintaining a uniform look and sacrificing for the sake of the force.

When a soldier gets a tattoo that contains an curse word on the side of his neck, “I question ‘Why there?’ Are you trying to stand out?” Chandler said.

He said the Army wants soldiers to stand out, but because of their achievements, not because of the way they look.

In addition to the changes to the regulations, Chandler said officials will be separating many of the more specific policies in Army Regulation 670-1 and placing them in a Department of the Army pamphlet, which will make it clearer for troops to understand, as well as make it easier for future changes to be made.

On a separate note, Chandler also told troops that the new Army combat uniforms will likely be phased in starting eight to nine months from now. The uniform will feature different colors for different environments, but the pattern will be very similar to the mottled “multicam” currently used in Afghanistan under the designation “Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern.”


TOPICS: Extended News; Government
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1 posted on 09/22/2013 4:11:26 PM PDT by markomalley
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To: markomalley
I wonder if Barry's military will allow this.
2 posted on 09/22/2013 4:14:43 PM PDT by South40 (Liberalism is a Disease)
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To: markomalley
Under the new policy, new recruits will not be allowed to have tattoos that show below the elbows and knees or above the neckline, Chandler told troops. Current soldiers may be grandfathered in, but all soldiers will still be barred from having any tattoos that are racist, sexist or extremist.

Below the elbows will be the tough one.

3 posted on 09/22/2013 4:15:18 PM PDT by xzins ( Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who truly support our troops pray for victory!)
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To: markomalley

I do not have nor care for tattoos but this too is horse crap there America


4 posted on 09/22/2013 4:17:44 PM PDT by Joe Boucher ((FUBO) ( Hey Rubio, eat pooh pal))
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To: xzins

extremist.

Who is defining what is extremist?


5 posted on 09/22/2013 4:18:36 PM PDT by barmag25
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To: barmag25

“Jesus” will probably be extremist. I would put a “LOL”, but there’s a real possibility I could be right.


6 posted on 09/22/2013 4:19:41 PM PDT by xzins ( Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! Those who truly support our troops pray for victory!)
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To: markomalley; Revolting cat!; GeronL
all soldiers will still be barred from having any tattoos that are racist, sexist or extremist.

I suspect that this is "extremist" and "imperialist" by today's wussified standards. "It might offend our Islamist opponents!"

7 posted on 09/22/2013 4:19:49 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (America 2013 - STUCK ON STUPID)
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To: markomalley
Will a Star of David, or a Crucifix tattoo, on the shoulder be wrong under the new rules?
8 posted on 09/22/2013 4:22:15 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: markomalley
funny tattoos photo: Cat 35c4ikz.jpg
9 posted on 09/22/2013 4:22:42 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: All armed conservatives.)
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To: markomalley

Wow, we can look fab and swish when we march.


10 posted on 09/22/2013 4:23:14 PM PDT by Navy Patriot (Join the Democrats, it's not Fascism when WE do it, and the Constitution and law mean what WE say.)
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To: markomalley
Rumor has it the Osama Obama has a tattoo of Che's likeness in an area that only his doctor and his boyfriends have ever seen.
11 posted on 09/22/2013 4:24:06 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Osama Obama Care: A Religion That Will Have You On Your Knees!)
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To: tumblindice

By far the most creative tattoo ever.


12 posted on 09/22/2013 4:24:34 PM PDT by Rebelbase (Tagline: (optional, printed after your name on post))
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To: Navy Patriot

Only allowed if its pink, especially Air Force... /kidding


13 posted on 09/22/2013 4:24:35 PM PDT by GeronL
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To: Gay State Conservative

Probably right next to Putin’s bootprint, eh?


14 posted on 09/22/2013 4:25:11 PM PDT by nascarnation (Democrats control the Presidency, Senate, and Media. It's an uphill climb....)
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To: markomalley

Rumor has it that barry insists that Each Soldier will be required to get at least one Gay Freindly Tattoo /s


15 posted on 09/22/2013 4:25:31 PM PDT by MeshugeMikey ( Un-Documented Journalist / Block Captain..Tyranny Response Team)
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To: Rebelbase

The cat people are my base.


16 posted on 09/22/2013 4:26:39 PM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: All armed conservatives.)
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To: markomalley

"Why is everybody always picking on me"?
17 posted on 09/22/2013 4:26:57 PM PDT by Rebelbase (Tagline: (optional, printed after your name on post))
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To: markomalley
Media reports last year identified potential changes to rules governing things such make-up and fingernail polish...

I was at a subway restaurant a week or so ago and saw a pregnant soldier in uniform. Did you ever have one of those moments when you feel like the whole world changed while you weren't paying attention?

18 posted on 09/22/2013 4:30:09 PM PDT by Straight Vermonter (Posting from deep behind the Maple Curtain)
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To: barmag25
Who is defining what is extremist?

Liberals, who did you think? That's how they always win, appoint themselves to define the rules of game and stupid conservatives play along.

19 posted on 09/22/2013 4:30:36 PM PDT by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!)
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To: markomalley

Thank goodness, no tattoos! So glad the Army has its priorities ... uh... "straight."

20 posted on 09/22/2013 4:31:26 PM PDT by workerbee (The President of the United States is DOMESTIC ENEMY #1)
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