MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Tattoos are one thing almost all Marines have in common. If they don’t have one of their own, they definitely know someone who has several. In today’s American society, it is very common to have a tattoo.
Tattoos have been used throughout time as a way to express social, cultural and individual identities, but according to the amplification of the Marine Corps tattoo policy, the growing trend of excessive tattoos limits world-wide assignability of Marines and detracts from the Marine Corps’ distinguished appearance.
Because of this, MARADMIN 029/10 provides clarity, additional guidance and a single source document for the official Marine Corps tattoo policy. This MARADMIN provides the consolidated and updated policy and takes precedence over all previous MARADMINS.
The policy’s overall intent is to ensure Marines can be assigned whenever and wherever they are needed and to maintain the professional demeanor and the high standards expected from the Marine Corps.
Commanders of Marines who do not meet the guidance contained in the policy will be responsible for taking action in grandfathering those Marines.
Prohibitted Tattoos:
Tattoos/brands that are sexist, racist, eccentric or offensive in nature.Tattoos/brands that express an association with conduct or substances prohibited by the Marine Corps drug policy.Tattoos/brands that depict vulgar or anti-American content, bring possible discredit to the Corps, or associate the Marine with any extremist group or organization.Head or neck tattoos.Sleeve tattoos.Half-sleeve or quarter-sleeve tattoos that are visible outside of standard PT gear.Tattoos on the hands, fingers and wrists. Tattoos in the mouth.Enlisted: Band tattoos larger than one quarter of respective body part’s exposed surface while wearing the PT uniform.Officers: Band tattoos with width more than two inches.
Ladies:
Foot and leg tattoos - Tattoos/brands will not be visible or apparent on the feet or legs when wearing the Service A, Blue Dress A/B, Blue-White A/B, or the evening dress uniforms.
Exception: Formal inspections as prescribed by commanders or Inspector General teams.
Officers:
Officers are limited to no more than four tattoos visible in standard PT uniform.
Band tattoos exceeding a maximum width of two inches are prohibited.
Enlisted Marines with previously grandfathered sleeve tattoos are not eligible for a Marine Corps commissioning or warrant officer program.Officers are limited to no more than four tattoos visible in standard PT uniform.
Band tattoos exceeding a maximum width of two inches are prohibited.
Enlisted Marines with previously grandfathered sleeve tattoos are not eligible for a Marine Corps commissioning or warrant officer program.
Definitions:
Sleeve Tatoo: Very large tattoo or collection of tattoos that covers, or almost covers, a person’s entire arm or leg. A half/quarter sleeve tattoo is a very large tattoo or collection of tattoos that covers the entire portion of an arm or leg above or below the elbow or knee.
Band Tattoo: A tattoo which partially or fully encircles the circumference of the body part.
One Tattoo: One or multiple tattoos spaced apart that can still be covered by a circle with a diameter of 5”.
The Neck: Any portion above the collarbone in the front area, above the cervical vertebrae in the back area, or otherwise visible due to the open collar of the short sleeve khaki shirt.
Excessive Tattoos: When the combined tattoo coverage on a body part exceeds one-quarter of the respective body part’s exposed surface while in the PT uniform.