| If you want to be one of the Few and you have or | | | | Since 2008, Special Duty Assignments have been |
| are thinking of getting a tattoo, you should know | | | | affected by an addition to the tattoo policy (Marine |
| what the Marine Corps tattoo policy is. The policy has | | | | Administrative Message 494/08). Marines |
| changed over the last couple of years. | | | | grandfathered for sleeve tattoos are not authorized |
| In the past, the general rule has been a Marine | | | | to serve as a Recruiter (PMOS 8411) or a Marine |
| cannot have a tattoo on their head or neck. The | | | | Security Guard (PMOS 8156). The new guidelines |
| tattoo could not be anti-American, sexist, racist, | | | | were created because the Recruiters and Security |
| anti-social, or to have any gang or extremist | | | | Guards have a significant amount of contact with |
| affiliations. | | | | civilians and could influence people's perceptions of |
| In 2007, there were additional guidelines (Marine | | | | Marines. |
| Administrative Message 198/07) put into place after | | | | There may be some situations where Marines not |
| the Marine Corps noticed an increase in "sleeve" | | | | authorized may continue to work in their present |
| tattoos. The Marine Corps considers a sleeve tattoo | | | | assignment, but other Marines looking to switch their |
| to be a very large tattoo, or collection of smaller | | | | PMOS will be affected by the new regulations. Marine |
| tattoos, that covers or almost covers a person's | | | | Combat Instructors (PMOS 0913), Drill Instructors |
| entire arm or leg. When a Marine is wearing a | | | | (PMOS 0911) or Marine Corps Security Forces Guards |
| standard physical training T-shirt and shorts, there | | | | (PMOS 8152) may continue to apply to serve after |
| can't be any full, half or quarter sleeve tattoos visible. | | | | being grandfathered-in. |