Are tattoos allowed in military?
Olivia Hensley
Updated on March 10, 2026
The Army will now allow Soldiers to have one tattoo on each hand that does not exceed one inch in length. Soldiers also have the option to place one tattoo no larger than two inches on the back of their neck and one, inch-long tattoo behind each ear.
Can you go in the military with a tattoo?
Essentially, any visible body tattoos are prohibited. The only exception is one ring tattoo per hand where a regular ring would lie. Leg tattoos must be two inches below or above the knee, and cosmetic Army tattoos must be conservative and are only allowed on women.Why are tattoos not allowed in the military?
These include tattoos and brands that "advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on gender," according to the regulations. Racist tattoos. Tattoos or brands that "advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on race, ethnicity, or national origin" are not allowed.Will the Army pay for tattoo removal?
Generally speaking, visits to a tattoo removal clinic will be on your own dime—the government will not pay for you to have a tattoo removed, nor will health insurance. Fortunately, we do offer special discounts for military recruits, active duty, and veterans – it's our way of saying, “thank you for your service!”How can I remove tattoo?
Common techniques used for tattoo removal include laser surgery, surgical removal and dermabrasion. Tattoo ink is placed beneath the top layer of the skin. That makes tattoo removal more complicated — and expensive — than the original tattoo application.ARMY TATTOO POLICY (2022) | FULLY EXPLAINED!!
What tattoos are not allowed in the military?
The main takeaways regarding the Army Tattoo Policy are:
- There is no limit to the number of tattoos you can have.
- You can NOT have tattoos on your wrists / hands, neck, or face.
- The only exception to this is a ring tattoo, one per hand.
- Sexist, racist, extremist, and indecent tattoos are NOT allowed.
What military branch allows tattoos?
But they all have minor exceptions to this rule. The Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps allow finger ring tattoos, one per hand.Can you have tattoo in Navy?
Navy Tattoo Policy and RegulationsNew 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.