United States Coast Guard?

[nefferrug]

Hey if you have tattoos below your elbows will they let you join? I know I read about the USMC that if you have tattoos below your elbow they wont let you join, but thats BS cause I went to the recruiter and he said it don't matter... I would think it wouldn't matter with the USCG either. Does anyone know for sure? thanks.

[Bitsy]

Does a tattoo lessen your ability to serve? I think it is stupid that you can't enlist if you have a tattoo? Alot of people get them before they even make some serious life goals. I think the military needs to lighten up on that rule.

[Denise S]

All of the services are starting to crack down on visible tattoos. A lot of people can get their visible tattoos waivered to get into the Marines, but the policies have changed a lot in the last 5 years, and are still changing. The military, as a whole, is trying to present itself in a more professional light. If you don't already have the tattoos, I'd hold off until you've already enlisted and gotten to a command. It would suck to have to wear long sleeve uniforms during warm weather and such. I know in the Navy, visible tattoos can't be larger than the spread of your hand.