Tattoo on an 18A wannabe...

Atilla · 01-28-2009, 18:51

Gentlemen,

I have done some searching but i couldn't find a specific answer on the issue of my possessing an Eagle Globe and Anchor tattoo on my chest and whether A.) it will be a problem as far as the Army is concerned in regards to getting accepted at some point in the future to SFAS, and B.) whether it will be an issue for quiet professionals I will hopefully work with. The reason I ask is because I have not gotten said tattoo yet. I don't have any and refrained from getting one while I was in the Corps because at the time I wanted to go to school and work for an OGA (which i had heard frowned on body marks, could be an old wives tale but i was being cautious.) but since i have chosen a path that will hopefully lead me to your fraternity of QP's I am considering getting the EGA i have always wanted as a reminder of my past and of the Marines i fought and bled with overseas. Any opinions even negative ones are greatly appreciated. Again just trying to find out if getting it will hurt me in any way career or respect wise. Thank you gents.

SGT "Atilla"

adal · 01-28-2009, 19:39

Sounds like an illegal gang related tattoo to me.

**The Reaper** · 01-28-2009, 19:51

I think it is a bad idea.

You will be permanently marked as an American and a Marine, in a fairly obvious place.

Hardly fits in with the concept of being a QP, IMHO.

Plenty of time to tat up and brag after you retire.

TR

abc_123 · 01-28-2009, 20:03

If you are asking then that means that you have that little voice saying, "Are you sure this is a good idea?" I've found MY little voice to be pretty damn smart...I listen to it.

Why take any chances, why limit any options? Doesn't make sense to me.

As TR said, plenty of time to get a tat when you're done. Plenty of other ways to remember and honor your fellow warrior marines in the meantime.

my $0.02.

Matta mile · 01-28-2009, 20:30

You may put others at risk.
MM

alright4u · 01-29-2009, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

I think it is a bad idea.

You will be permanently marked as an American and a Marine, in a fairly obvious place.

Hardly fits in with the concept of being a QP, IMHO.

Plenty of time to tat up and brag after you retire.

TR

Good reply. We had a 1LT in 67 with a green beret complete with dagger body ink job on his right outter wrist. The Group CO told him to see the surgeons and have it removed or he was history. Why would a man want to mark his body with any US military logo if he is going into combat? You are putting an indelible mark on yourself that cannot be denied if captured. You are also risking the men with you.

Dozer523 · 01-29-2009, 16:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by alright4u

Why would a man want to mark his body with any US military logo if he is going into combat? You are putting an indelible mark on yourself that cannot be denied if captured.

Well, maybe he wanted to be a lampshade.

I heard or read somewhere that at one of the Nazi Death Camps prisoners with body art were singled out for immediate extermination. (I probably ought to scopes that one.)

JJ_BPK · 01-29-2009, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozer523

Well, maybe he wanted to be a lamBshade.

Clarice: If you didn't kill him, then who did, sir?

Lecter: Who can say? Best thing for him, really. His therapy was going nowhere.

~ "Silence of the Lambs"

alright4u · 01-29-2009, 16:50

ROFLMAO.

Expatriate · 03-10-2009, 07:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozer523

Well, maybe he wanted to be a lampshade.

I heard or read somewhere that at one of the Nazi Death Camps prisoners with body art were singled out for immediate extermination. (I probably ought to scopes that one.)

A particuarly nasty example of this was one female prison guard at Auschwitz (Maybe Birkenau, can't remember off the top of my head), who had her entire room decorated in pieces of furniture made from tatooed skin - theres a picture somewhere out there of a lampshade with clearly indentifiable nipples...

Part of my current history course is the Nazi state - recently looking at concentration camps, hence this particular horror story.

(Off topic I know, but an interesting tangent, if in a macabre way)

gundog · 11-12-2010, 19:34

I had a tattoo on my left shoulder, got it while in training group. A year later I had it removed . The reason, It had english writing and tagged me as an American.

As an aside, while in Viet Nam, we had a young Sergeant join us who had "kill viet cong" tattooed, in Vietnameese, on his fore arm. Took him about two days assigned to an actual fighting A-team to see the Bac Si and get that mess removed. Guess he figured out the the VC killed back.

Body ink while on active duty with the Groups is a liability to you and your teammates, lose it. Last paragraph is my humble opinion based on personal experience.

**PRB** · 10-16-2011, 22:21

no one will care

convallion · 08-23-2012, 11:43

Are we really bashing tattoos on here now? I have seen more guys tatted up since I have been at group than any other point in my life. Make your own decisions 18A wannabe, your a grown man if you want a tat get one. I have tats and no one has ever said anything.

Atilla · 01-28-2009, 21:21

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your sage advice, you have readjusted me and helped me to think clearly about it. The problem here is that I need to be comfortable with my new uniform, always remembering my past but be proud of being a soldier and remember that the reason I am doing this is to join your ranks eventually, to serve my country, and to lead brave young Americans with the same intensity, intelligence, and fervor I had the good grace to be led with. I know I have a ways to go and a lot of respect to earn and lessons to learn before I am even eligible to try to join the QP's but to me this is the most important thing and I don't need a tat to remind me that I can be a Marine and a Soldier and that, as we sometimes lamely say, I have an EGA branded on my heart. Maybe someday Ill be able to add a tab above it. Sorry to get motto but the advice really means a lot. Thank you gents.

SGT "Atilla"

Blitzzz (RIP) · 01-28-2009, 22:42

I got my tattoo of an SF insignia on my left pec about 8 years after I retired.
When I was a young SF soldier tattoos were really frond upon because of "identifying markings were not desired. Could have actually have kept us from some realy good missions. Blitzzz