United States

Fact-checked

How Much Does the U.S. Marine Corps Care about Tattoos?

Last Modified Date: February 16, 2024

United States Marines pride themselves on being disciplined, clean-cut and physically fit, so you might be surprised to see a tattoo under one of those pristine uniforms. But as much as the Marines value unity, they also promote individuality -- as long as you comply with the rules.

As far as tattoos go, all you need to know is covered in the 32-page "Marine Corps Tattoo Policy." The lengthy document is filled with photographs, illustrations, and measurement guides, and is separated into sections on all possible placements for a tattoo -- and which tattoo locations are "unauthorized."

The U.S. Marine Corps permits service members to get tattoos -- as long as they adhere to the guidelines in the 32-page tattoo policy.

Detailed instructions are provided for every location and what types of tattoos are allowed. For example, lower arm tattoos must be either single tattoos or a single collection of tattoos that can be completely covered by the Marine's hand when his or her fingers are extended and the thumb is flush against the outside of the palm.

The manual contains a glossary, as well as a guide regarding special circumstances that should be considered before getting a tattoo, such as the possibility of a unique assignment that might conflict with an individual's physical appearance if tattooed. While it all sounds fairly complicated, as long as you follow the rules, you might one day become one of the few, the proud, and the tattooed.

How the Marines might surprise you:

To motivate themselves, Marines are known to pin their next achievable rank somewhere unseen on their uniform.

Marine recruits tend to eat quickly because they must be finished by the time their drill instructor is finished.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps can bestow an honorary Marine title on civilians; people honored in such a way have included Bob Hope, Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle), and Chuck Norris.