Marine Corps rejects enlistee over Confederate flag tattoo

The American Mirror ^ | Jan. 22, 2016 | Kyle Olson

[Bon of Babble]

GREENBRIER, Ark. Recent high school graduate Anthony Bauswell wanted to join the U.S. Marines, but contends he was rejected by a recruiter because of the color of his skin.

On his left rib cage Bauswell has a Confederate flag tattoo, with a banner across it reading “Southern Pride,” and he told Arkansas Matters that the Marines recruiting center in Conway insists it disqualifies him from serving his country.

[euram]

The whole thing about tattoos started under Clinton. At one time he ordered that the Army (other services too, I’m sure) examine all serving members for “racist” tattoos. Those with such tattoos were then either required to have something tattooed over them, or be discharged. I worked for the Veterans Administration, and saw several vets who had Celtic crosses on their lower legs who had been discharged for that very reason.

However, gang tattoos and racial tattoos on minorities were not to be observed or punished.

[LeoWindhorse]

great tattoo, where can I get one?

[Retain Mike]

I do not if it is still true today, but in WW II the Marine Corps attracted a disproportionate share of enlistees from former Confederate states. In the Civil War the Army was hugely expanded and the Marine Corps very little. Therefore, Southerners would say that were willing to serve the country, but not in any goddamnyankee outfit. And yes, goddamnyankee is one word, and no it is not profanity.

The tattoo makes a statement about a vital aspect of our military heritage. This country owes as much to the South as the North. But now to serve popular morality, we must banish from history the Confederate battle flag and those who served under it. Responding to these assertions, I quote Joshua Chamberlain who received the Confederate surrender at Appomattox.

“Before us in proud humiliation stood the embodiment of manhood: men whom neither toils and sufferings, nor the fact of death, nor disaster, nor hopelessness could bend from their resolve; standing before us now, thin, worn, and famished, but erect, and with eyes looking level into ours, waking memories that bound us together as no other bond;—was not such manhood to be welcomed back into a Union so tested and assured?”

Winston Churchill commented concerning American entry into WW II that victory was then assured, because our Civil War demonstrated the tenacity required to defeat the Nazis.

[MCOAvalanche]

All he has to say is that he is gay or on the wait list for gender re-assignment surgery.

Seriously though...what a joke. We truly live in upside down world.

[lastchance]

I think that policy has changed. Most likely since the ability to serve together with full faith in your comrade in arms is at issue here. I can fully understand why a Black marine might think he does not have the full backing he needs from someone wearing a Confederate flag tattoo.

Mind you I don’t have any problem with the flag itself but it is foolish to pretend that to many it is a symbol which stands for much more than “Southern Pride or States’ Rights.”

I would feel the same way if the USMC rejected somebody who had a Black Lives Matter, tattoo.

[fuzzylogic]

Yep, I think this is a bit of misdirection at hand. That was my reaction - the USMC doesn’t accept people with tattoos, it doesn’t matter what it is.

The tattoo could be anything.

[Gay State Conservative]

Obola’s even debased the Marine Corps.Stand by,boys and girls,for Josh Earnest (my God,is that *really* his name?) to announce that the taking of Mount Suribachi was a racist act.

[Night Hides Not]

Therein lies the problem, too many of the military brass have been shown the door, Many of the remaining are nothing more than political commissars in Obama's military for social change.

Put another way, the Sam Damons are far outnumbered by the Courtney Massengales.

[Garvin]

United States Marine’s Tattoo Policies

UNCLAS 191708Z MAR 07
CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)
AL MARADMIN(UC)
MARADMIN
MARADMIN 198/07
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//

Subj/Announcement Of Changes To The Marine Corps Tattoo Policy//

REF/A/MSGID:DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MCUB/YMD:20030331//

POC/S. T. FOSTER/CAPT/-/-/TEL:COMM 703 784 9387/TEL:DSN 278 9387//

NARR/REF A MCO P1020.34G,

Marine Corps Uniform Regulations// GENTEXT/

1. Purpose. To detail revisions and additions to the Tattoo Policy found in MCO P1020.34G, Marine Corps Uniform Regulations.

2. Effective 1 April 2007, paragraph 1004.1c of MCO P1020.34G, Marine Corps uniform regulations, is cancelled and replaced with the following paragraph. “... Marines are prohibited from:

C. Tattoos or brands on the head and neck. Sleeve tattoos are likewise prohibited. A sleeve tattoo is a very large tattoo, or a collection of smaller tattoos, that covers or almost covers a person’s entire arm or leg. Half-sleeve or quarter-sleeve tattoos that are visible to the eye when wearing standard PT gear (t-shirt and shorts) are likewise prohibited. A half-sleeve or quarter-sleeve tattoo is defined as a very large tattoo, or a collection of smaller tattoos that covers, or almost covers, the entire portion of an arm or leg above or below the elbow or knee. Tattoos or brands that are prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale, or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Marine Corps are also prohibited. Prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale, or are of a nature to bring discredit upon the Marine corps may include, but are not limited to, any tattoo that is sexist, racist, vulgar, anti-American, anti-social, gang related, or extremist group or organization related.”

3. The following new suparagraphs 1004.1c(1) and 1004.1c(2) are added.

”(1) Marines who currently have a sleeve tattoo(s) will be Grandfathered. The Marine’s command will insert a photograph(s) of the respective tattoo(s) along with a measurement(s) of the size in inches and of the location(s) on the body and the date the tattoo(s) was documented, on the page 11 of the Marine’s SRB. The Marine will sign the page 11 entry verifying the information is correct.”

“(2) The Deputy Commandant For Manpower And Reserve Affairs is designated as the adjudicating authority for any tattoo issue involving retention or special duty assignments. Review of a questionable tattoo(s) will be submitted to DC M&RA (MM) via the Reenlistment, Extension, Lateral Move System (RELMS). The package will include a photograph(s) of the tattoo(s), measurement(s) of the size in inches, description of the location(s) and explanation as to why the tattoo(s) has been deemed questionable by the Commander.”

4. Commander’s are required to educate all their Marines on the new policy and document any Marine that requires grandfathering by 1 July 2007.//

[Calpublican]

Can’t risk your life with the wrong tatoo.

[jwalsh07]

You think they will reconsider when China comes knoocking?

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Still are a lot of southerners in the Marines.

Back in the 80's, I had an NCO hang a confederate flag in the semi-private room he shared with a dark green Marine. The dark green Marine wasn't happy about it, and honestly, a bunch of white Marines also complained, thinking it was uncool. They didn't think we needed a potential flashpoint, or to introduce something racial into a unit that never had problems.

Me, my CO, and the colonel all agreed that it wasn't good to put it up in a shared room. We "suggested" that it come down, and it did.

I'd do it again, too. Keeping a unit tight without problems is more important than some peckerhead wanting to make a statement.

[uncitizen]

How F’d up is this?!

[SoFloFreeper]

Are other tattoos on that part of the body rejected?

If so, then the Marines are just following SOP.

If not, then the guy has a case.

[Retain Mike]

Clearly the NCO made the guy understand the flag had to do with the Klan and not the Yankee occupation or the Army of Northern Virginia.

By the way, in the rifle company my son was assigned to finding a racial, ethnic slur attached to you was a sign of acceptance. Conversations were often more than politically incorrect, at least at the level of corporal and below.

[DJ Taylor]

IMHO, we’re extremely fortunate if we can manage to get through our young an foolish years without getting a tattoo, getting killed on a motorcycle, or getting married to the wrong woman.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

My Marines had lots of politically incorrect conversations. Usually pretty hilarious. But I can understand a black guy not wanting to share a room with a big confederate flag on the wall. The light green corporal should have taken it down when asked.

[Retain Mike]

I would agree. My son also reported that a clerical unit in the same building, but not attached to his regiment, had a dish that somebody would have to put a quarter into if they used a swear word. He said they would have had to place a five gallon bucket in their office.

[Paal Gulli]

The US flag condoned slavery for 88 years. The Confederate flag (which that tatt isn’t) only condoned it for four.

[kearnyirish2]

A former co-worker described how her brother was only allowed to enlist when a tattoo of an eagle on a swastika was altered so it became an eagle on a cannonball - and this was 20+ years ago.