Marine Corps Tightens Tattoo Policy

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published April 2, 2007 at 8:45 AM PDT

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

Under a new policy, Marines are no longer allowed to get tattoos on certain visible areas of their bodies, such as the arms and legs. Commandant General James Conway says that "tattoos of an excessiv

Tom Fudge: Yesterday marked a new era for the U.S. Marine Corps. As of yesterday, big tattoos are out. They are very much non-standard procedure. The tattoo ban was laid down by Marine Corps commandant General James Conway, who wrote, "Tattoos of an excessive nature do not represent our traditional values." That may have come as a surprise to some people who believe getting tattoos is part of military culture. There are surely a large number of Marines griping about the policy. And some wonder whether limiting this method of self expression could hurt morale and recruitment.

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The new Marine Corps tattoo policy took effect yesterday.

Guests

Andrea Hsu, reporter for NPR.
Rob Colenso, Jr., a former Marine and the current lifestyles editor for Military Times , independent source of military news and information for service members, veterans and military family members.