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.”
I have a good friend who is a retired SpecFor operator. Inked to the max. Mostly tributes to fallen comrads. Has his 1000 yard ticket punched (as in can snipe out to 1000 yards). While I am not unskilled in hand-to-hand and bladed combat, he would take me apart (not that he ever would - actually a very gentle person unless give cause). With one arm tied behind his back. And one leg. And blindfolded. Not kidding.
Apparently, though, he wouldn’t be good enough for Obama’s army.
Wow this nation is screwed up...
Because I read the article?
lol
Sailors aren't supposed to have tattoos, at least not as Obama imagines the country that elected him El-Presidente-for-Life. Funny how real Americans see that so differently from our Dear Leader. I'm not a fan of body art, but at least I'm pro-choice (when the "choice" doesn't involve murdering a baby).
If heterosexuals are straight then homosexuals must be crooked
Could it be they’re making new rules involving make-up because of the gays? This will not go over well with gay men.
I hate tattoos. But a person would be stupid to join the military today. I wonder if they’re going to be told before they sign up that they’ll have to pay to have certain tattoos removed.
“Apparently, though, he wouldn’t be good enough for Obama’s army.”
This HAS NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH “OBAMA’S ARMY.” It is about proper order, discipline, and appearance.
I have watched this tattoo nonsense get way too out of control in Army since 2005. It is about time someone, Command Sergeant Major Chandler (God Bless him), did something about it. I am SICK of seeing young soldiers every day destroying themselves permanently with a lot of “pagan” ink. Tatoos are for backwoods cheap trailer trash and low lifes...it doesn’t belong in a professional army.
If it was just an occasional tattoo on an upper arm...not problem...but it is almost an obsession with some....and needs to stop.
IF those here want to call it “nanny state”....then stay away from the military. We need folks that will comply with uniform standards of appearance....to include limited to no tattoos.
“I suspect that this is ‘extremist’ and “imperialist” by today’s wussified standards. ‘It might offend our Islamist opponents!’”
You are reading your own delusions into this policy. It has NOTHING to do with political correctness. Besides, I (and I am certain GOD) would rather a person be for “God” in their heart and day to day actions than in just some cheap ink on their body. IF one REALY care about “God and Country” they will demonstrate it in their character, speech, actions, behavior....not mere low brow tattoos.
Actions not body ink is what GOD wants.
Watch football? Quite pervasive there as well.
I agree with you here - this policy is actually more of a return to positive standards, not a wussification. However, given all of the other ridiculous changes made to the military which ARE a wussification, this is re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
‘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.” ‘
Nice! Waiting on my “jungle Multicam”!
Seriously, they need better colors. Multi is really good in arid and semi-arid areas, but I’d put good money on there being a significant amount of action in sub-Saharan Africa in the future, and the scenery in that area isn’t exactly shades of tan.
Define "extremist".
"God Bless America"
"USA"
"Mom"
So let me posit a question.
You are in the sh!t. You have the choice between two people to be next to you.
One is my friend. Can drop someone at 1000 yards and is a monster close quarters. Oh, and while he served, his ink was acceptable.
The other does not have any ink. He might be an OK shot within 100 yards. And hand-to-hand? Forget about it.
Ok, make your pick.
About half the guys I served with had tattoos. I can’t even count how many had them below the elbow. Now all those folks have to pay to have them removed? Even if it were possible, which it isn’t, it is a long and expensive process. Screw ‘em. If I was still in, I’d get out the easy way. Keep my tats.
Your response is a study in incoherence.
That’s what I like about tattoos, they are SO classy. And they really do summarize the people who wear them.
“Screw ‘em. If I was still in, I’d get out the easy way. Keep my tats.”
Good, the military doesn’t need your kind. You obviously do not understand good order and discipline. IF you consider a tattoo as some sacred right...your priorities are hosed up big time. I could not trust you to guard my or other’s backs.
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