MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO -- In March 2007, Gen. James T. Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, stated in an all Marine message that he was concerned about the appearance on the Marine Corps and implemented a new tattoo policy.
Gen. Conway was concerned about the growing trend of tattoos in the Marine Corps. He was, however, aware that many of the tattoos were in good taste and portrayed pride in the Marine Corps or represented fallen comrades, but still felt that excessive tattoos do not represent the traditional values of the Marine Corps.
As a result of the excessive tattooing, the commandant warned Marines that excessive tattoos could jeopardize chances of retention and assignment to special duties.
Recently, on September 8, a change to the tattoo policy was made focusing on Marines looking to be assigned to a specific special duty assignment.
Marine Administrative message 494/08 states that those Marines who were grandfathered for sleeve tattoos per the references are not authorized to serve as recruiters or Marine security guards.
The reason given for this change was recruiters and Marine security guards have a significant impact on public perception as they routinely interact with civilians, both home and abroad, in the daily performance of their duties.
However, the new guideline states that these Marines are still authorized to serve as Marine combat instructors, drill instructors and Marine Corps security forces.
“Numbers in special duty assignments are going to go down,” said Staff Sgt. Luis Gonzalez, Headquarters and Service Battalion Career Retention Specialist. “We already have a lot of Marines with sleeve tattoos or excessive tattoos that show in uniform and physical training attire, and in the long run it is going to hurt us in retention and special duty assignment placement.”
Those Marines who are currently on recruiting duty or MSG duty who have been grandfathered are authorized to remain on that duty until completion of their assignment.
As for those who request extensions in their billet, but have sleeve tattoos, their requests will be forwarded on for final adjudication, but not viewed favorably by the board.
All other provisions of the tattoo policy remain in effect and will continue to be looked at to determine whether or not they are considered contrary to professional demeanor. This means they cannot be portrayed as, but not limited to, sexist, racist, anti-American, anti-social, gang-related or affiliated with any extremist group.
The deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs is the adjudicating authority for and tattoo issues involving special duty assignments and retention.
More information can be found on the tattoo policy by visiting www.usmc.mil under MarAdmin 198/07.