Marine's Rush for Tattoos Before Ban Takes Effect
Caught in the awkward middle is 24-year-old Marine Cpl. Jeremy Slaton- he's got some skulls spelling out the word "death" on his right forearm. He'd planned to get "Life" on his other arm, but that's now on hold.
"I guess I'll get the other half later. It's kind of messed up," says Slaton.
Getting inked up is standard practice for servicemen- how many of our grandfathers sported a purple blob on their forearm that once looked like anchors or pin-up girls?
However, not to detract from their purpose or meaning, many will get inked as a way to remember fallen comrades and loved ones, often incorporating the Marine motto, Semper Fi. It's become a rite of passage.
At Camp Pendleton, many a Marine scheduled last-minute appointments at the local tattoo shops in order to beat the deadline.
Cpl. David Nadrchal is planning to get an Iraqi flag and his deployment dates inked onto his lower leg, but the new rule has effected his morale- "The fact I can't put something on my body that I want - it's a big thing to tell me I can't do that." On whether he will re-enlist- "There's all these little things. They are slowly chipping away at us."
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway wrote the new rule all by himself and defended it as such:
"Some Marines have taken the liberty of tattooing themselves to a point that is contrary to our professional demeanor and the high standards America has come to expect from us. I believe tattoos of an excessive nature do not represent our traditional values."
In all fairness, it's not all tattoos that are being banned- just the really cool ones that require more than 20 minutes to do. Marine's caught with fresh ink in the new no-no areas will risk being barred from re-enlistment or possible disciplinary action.
And while children go to bed hungry, some of our tax money will be used to photograph and document current pieces. Apparently the commanders need something better to do with their time.... I hear New Orleans could still use some help in rebuilding.
1st Lt. Brian Donnelly has tried using scare tactics by claiming such a violation could be punishable by up to two years in prison and a dishonorable discharge.
Marine's who already have the ink in place cannot add to it, regardless of its status of completion. That sucks.
Sources:
AP, "Marine Corps bans big, garish tattoos; some leathernecks are steamed" Boston Herald
URL: http://news.bostonherald.com/national/view.bg?articleid=191422
Thomas Watkins, "Marines ban big, garish tattoos" Seattle PI
URL: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Marines_Tattoo_Ban.html
Published by Anthony Caroto
I've been working professionally in the music industry since 2001. I founded the Philadelphia music publication, Origivation Magazine in December of that year. Currently I manage and tour manage the comedy/m... View profile
- Marine Corps Soon to Have Proto-MPC The Marine Corps is pushing out a demonstrator of the MPC (Marine Personal Carrier) in late fall.
- Marine Corps Birthday Today, Nov. 10 On November 10th, 1775, The United States Marine Corps was founded by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pa. Appropriately, 'Tun Tavern' was the place where history was made.
- The Marine Corps Code of Conduct and the Dismissal of David Motari Recently, the United States Marine Corps dismissed Hawaii-based Corporal David Motari in response to an internet video showing him mistreating a small puppy.
-
The Marine Corps Marathon
This article features a review and race report from the 2006 Marine Corps Marathon.
-
How to Gain and Keep Respect as a Woman in the Marine Corps
Out of the 177,000 Marines currently active in the Marine Corps, approximately 10,700 are women. With this disparity comes unequal physical training standards, occasional prefe...
- How to Decorate a Marine Corps Christmas Tree Inexpensively
- Life Behind the Scenes in the Marine Corps
- How to Survive the Marine Corps If You Are a Wimp
- Marine Corps Boot Camp from a Different Perspective
- Military Wedding Ideas: Marine Corps Logo Centerpieces
- United States Marine Corps Celebrates 233rd Anniversary
- Happy Birthday United States Marine Corps
|
|
10 Comments
Post a CommentMy son is a Marine. He's in Afghanistan fighting. Maybe Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway would like to go help out, because it would appear he has way to much time on his hands. Screw you, you asshole
I AM A FORMER MARINE N I SHOW OFFMY TATTOOS N DAMN PROUD OF IT. I LOST ALOT OF FRIENDS TO THE WAR, I HAVE A BAD LEG DUE TO A ROADSIDE BOMB. WHEN I CAME BACK TO THE STATES N PEOPLE SAW MY TATTOOS N ASKED IF WAS IN THE SERVICE I SAY YES. N DAM PROUD OF IT! SO PEOPLE WHO TALK CRAP ABOUT THW WAR SHOULD KEEP THEIR MOUTHS SHUT, N BE QUIET!!!!!!!!!!!! SEMPER FI!!! DO OR DIE!!!!!!!!!!!
that is bullshit
Just what we need, another law... sigh
Great article,
A Marine without a tattoo seems wrong somehow. It's like Peanut butter without jelly. Romeo without Juliet. Well at least too me. Hehe. Well written and informative. Bye
I encourage them to get kicked out they are promoting war and fighting. they should be spreadng peace and love
Well, we all agreed to represent the military appropriately when we enlisted. That's just how it goes. Sure it may seem excessive, but like it or not, perception is REALITY to many folks.
I think it's perfectly fine. Marines are getting out of hand these days, and doing anything they can to get around the UCMJ. Permanent inking of the body is in icredibly bad taste. Once a Marine, always a Marine, huh? Well, it's time for Marines to stop being hypocritical and uphold the honor, courage and integrity they signed up to represent.
Two years in prison & dishonorable discharge? For a tattoo?!?!? I'm not a supporter of this war, but I AM a supporter of our troops. They're over there risking their lives for this country. If getting a tattoo makes them happy, why prevent them from doing so? There are so many problems in this country that the government/military could be working on, but I'm SO glad they're taking care of that pesky marine tattoo issue first. Another good article, Anthony...I enjoy your much-justified sarcasm. :)
Two years in prison? 'What are you in for?' "Getting a tatoo..."