Here’s everything you need to know about being tattooed in the Navy
Navy Tattoo Policy and Regulations
Updated in 2021, the Navy tattoo regulations are now some of the most lenient in all branches of the military. Prior rules prohibited any neck tattoos and limited the amount of ink that could be shown on forearms or legs. New regulations allow for unlimited tattoos on the legs, arms, neck, and even on the hands and behind the ears. The only places on the body that are off limits are the head, face, and scalp. Tattoos on the torso are also allowed, but they must not be visible underneath whites.
Tattoo Content
What the tattoo means can be the difference between getting into the Navy or not.
Navy tattoo policy prohibits tattoos that contain discriminatory, indecent, racist, supremacist, or racist elements as well as tattoos that include sexually explicit images or promote lawlessness or violence. In other words – no gang affiliations, no Confederate flags, no graphic violence, no exposed nudity, and no glorification of drug culture or anti-government statements. The ultimate decision about whether sailor tattoos violate Navy tattoo regulations is up to the commanding officers.