Tattoo? No soup for you!

Utah Bob · 12-05-2009, 07:54

Quote:

BENICIA — It wasn't a sexy half-naked lounging lady. It doesn't say "Mom."

Josh Parker's months-old tattoo just says his first name, in Hebrew, a language he said he admires.

But those six inches of lettering running across his right biceps were enough to bar him from entering the U.S. Air Force on Monday under a policy instituted just last week for those not fully enrolled in the service.

Parker, 18, was called to his recruitment office Monday morning, the day he was scheduled to report for basic training, for a review of the tattoo.

"They said, 'Can you salute me?' and they were just like, 'Oh,'" Parker said of his surprising turn in luck.

Bags packed and good-byes wished, Parker found himself shocked and alone when he was told his tattoo now meant a "no go" for the Air Force.

"They didn't know what to say or to do," Parker added. "I'm just kind of confused about why they couldn't have contacted me over the weekend."

Parker joined the Air Force's delayed entry program in March, and he has been waiting since graduating from Benicia High School for a job to open up in the special forces division.

"There are no tattoos (allowed) on the right arm or the hands — that's the modification," said Christa D'Andrea, chief of public affairs for Air Force Recruiting Services in San Antonio. "(It is) in an effort to keep up the military image."

The recruiting policy was adjusted when Air Force physical
training outfits — the ones members exercise in — were designated as official uniforms for the military branch.

The short sleeves of physical training outfits reveal arm tattoos, particularly when a salute is being executed, recruiters told Parker.

The former policy allowed for tattoos that covered no more than 25 percent of the skin — a regulation Parker had strictly complied with, and even had measured and documented the same day the policy was instituted, he said.

D'Andrea said she does not think the tattoo policy change will affect recruitment. Based on the first week of the modified policy, though, D'Andrea is forecasting the barring of about 15 delayed entry program recruits a week, she said. Recruits as far advanced as basic training could be affected, but not those beyond that point, she said.

Each case will be looked at individually, D'Andrea said, and recruits will be able to re-enter the program at the point they left off if they choose to remove their tattoos.

Parker's parents were upset Monday after hearing the news. Parker said he did not yet know what he will do next — remove the tattoo or consider another military branch.

"Everything he's been training for, working for, preparing for — it's all shot," said Parker's dad, Kevin. "He's given a year of his life waiting on this thing — not going to college in the fall (and) passed up on some jobs."

Snaquebite · 12-05-2009, 08:16

They seem to have reversed this policy only one week after announcing it.

http://www.news10.net/news/story.asp...=71300&catid=2

SACRAMENTO, CA - One week after the Air Force adopted a strict prohibition of tattoos on the "saluting arm," the new policy has been scrapped.

A spokeswoman for the Air Force Recruiting Service in San Antonio, Christa D'Andrea, said the regulation that took effect Nov. 25 has been dropped and the entire tattoo policy will be reviewed.

"It's an effort to standardize the policy for all members of the Air Force," D'Andrea said.

dadof18x'er · 12-05-2009, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaquebite

They seem to have reversed this policy only one week after announcing it.

http://www.news10.net/news/story.asp...=71300&catid=2

SACRAMENTO, CA - One week after the Air Force adopted a strict prohibition of tattoos on the "saluting arm," the new policy has been scrapped.

A spokeswoman for the Air Force Recruiting Service in San Antonio, Christa D'Andrea, said the regulation that took effect Nov. 25 has been dropped and the entire tattoo policy will be reviewed.

"It's an effort to standardize the policy for all members of the Air Force," D'Andrea said.

there must be some wiggle room in these decisions, my daughter was accepted into the Navy with WAY to many tats but she also got a 90 on her ASVAB.

Utah Bob · 12-05-2009, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadof18x'er

there must be some wiggle room in these decisions, my daughter was accepted into the Navy with WAY to many tats but she also got a 90 on her ASVAB.

It was an Air Force thing. Not real military.

Defender968 · 12-06-2009, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

It was an Air Force thing. Not real military.

Just a viable alternative to military service

1stindoor · 12-07-2009, 09:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

It was an Air Force thing. Not real military.

Air Force...The world's largest paramilitary organization.

AF IDMT · 12-07-2009, 14:05

Haters

~Zoomie Medic

DbeforeD · 12-08-2009, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by AF IDMT

Haters

~Zoomie Medic

Yeah, haters. I know I’m in the ‘real military’! Now excuse me as I go put the new cover sheets on my TPS reports.

Richard · 12-08-2009, 07:00

So the Air Farce* is the new Coast Guard/National Guard of my time?

Richard's inquisitive $.02

* Spelling intentional.

**Pete** · 12-08-2009, 07:32

Air Force gloves. Anybody remember those?

Back in the day real soldiers didn't carry umbrellas.

Vic · 12-08-2009, 19:40

I got a 92 on my asvab and still got the nix. Just read an article about how 75% of texas youths are ineligable, this I will post when I find the link on the web. What I have come to think is we need a fourth branch. Just like when we descussed letting the air force be its own, we need to think of an American branch. If I am reading current doctrine right (counter insurg. fm), the hearts and minds of this population are just as important to this war as any other. Here's hoping for the finial V-day.

12-08-2009, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Air Force gloves. Anybody remember those?

Back in the day real soldiers didn't carry umbrellas.

NOMAX? Clothe / Leather mix.

I've got several pair, Green and Black. I've never trusted them for real tough work, but I liked them for patroling.

12-08-2009, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

Air Force...The world's largest paramilitary organization.

NO. It's IBM in uniform, followed closely by HP, EDS, and maybe Google.

dac · 12-08-2009, 20:05

I was doing some work on Bragg last week and eating lunch at the small PX. I over heard two airmen talking while getting drinks and they were really sad that this food court didn't have the strawberry Fanta.

dadof18x'er · 12-08-2009, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic

I got a 92 on my asvab and still got the nix. Just read an article about how 75% of texas youths are ineligable, this I will post when I find the link on the web. What I have come to think is we need a fourth branch. Just like when we descussed letting the air force be its own, we need to think of an American branch. If I am reading current doctrine right (counter insurg. fm), the hearts and minds of this population are just as important to this war as any other. Here's hoping for the finial V-day.

this link? http://www.star-telegram.com/texas/story/1777090.html