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Marines and Body Art

I have been thinking a lot about tattoos, recently, because I’ve really got it into my head to expand upon the one wrapped around my lower calf in a gaudy, fantastic way that will make my mother wince.

So, when I heard last night that the Marines are banning ‘large’ tattoos, my Sense of Americana when “Wha?”

The Marines are banning any new, extra-large tattoos below the elbow or the knee, saying such body art is harmful to the Corps’ spit-and-polish image.

Slaton and other grunts are not pleased.

I can see not being pleased. I can also see being totally and 100% baffled. If it weren’t for the military, would tattooing ever have become popular? The first thing out of my grandfather’s mouth when he saw my tats, (Which, btw, was something my father asked me to prevent, as my Dad’s parents were on the conservative side) was to ask if I’d joined the Navy.

For many Marines, getting a tattoo is a rite of passage. They commonly get their forearms inscribed to remember fallen comrades, combat tours or loved ones, and often ask for exotic designs that incorporate the Marine motto, Semper Fi, or “Always faithful.”

Dozens of Marines from Camp Pendleton, the West Coast’s biggest Marine base, made last-minute trips to tattoo parlors in nearby Oceanside before the ban kicked in.

“This is something I love to do,” said Cpl. David Nadrchal, 20, of Pomona, who made an appointment to get an Iraqi flag and his deployment dates etched onto his lower leg. “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.”

Well, at least the Marines aren’t out there pretending they’re pushing that ‘Army of One’ nonsense. But, still… they’re Marines. They’re supposed to be all burly and hardcore and scary-like.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway announced the policy change last week.

“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,” he said. “I believe tattoos of an excessive nature do not represent our traditional values.”

America expects? I expect Marines to be well-trained sociopaths. I kind of thought that was their whole purpose. They’re, like… killing machines. All broken down and rebuilt as Terminators or something?

It’s possible I’ve seen too many war movies.

Marines already tattooed are exempt from the ban but cannot add to their designs; anyone caught with fresh ink in the wrong places could be barred from re-enlistment or face disciplinary action.

Is it just me, or does it seem like the military is going out of their way theses days to make sure recruiters don’t meet their “quotas?” No gay translators. No burly tattoo guys.

Except for the army, who did their best to enlist a kid with autism.

Maybe this is all part of some convoluted plot to end the war?

tags: news