Army Tattoos and Marine Tattoos: Brotherhood and Honor in Body Art in Army Tattoo Design and Marine Tattoo Design

Monday 09th of February 2009 04:38:07 PM [Add To This Article]

The United States Army and the United States Marines have been serving their countrymen at home and abroad for literal centuries now. As with any combat-oriented service group, the sense of pride, brotherhood and honor that marines and soldiers feel for their units, their fellow servicemen and their country is nearly tangible. Through Army tattoos and Marine tattoos, this deep, unspoken emotion can be manifested in a uniquely individual way that still enables all bearers of these tattoos to recognize each other as brothers.

In both the army and the marines, often groups of friends or units will get inked together. There are many common themes, such as the United States Marine Corp (USMC) bulldog, that unite these tattoos regardless of who wears them and where they got them. However, there is also a sense of competition in these tattoos, with each group vying to have the best, most notable, beautiful or fierce design. Other common themes that are then decorated or accented in unusual and personal ways are the themes Semper Fi and "Death Before Dishonor," which often accompany unit symbols or an individually selected design.

Common to both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marines in wartimes are dog tag tattoos or meat tags. These are intended, just like metal dog tags, to help identify a soldier's or a marine's body. However, unlike metal dog tags, meat tag tattoos cannot be removed easily, and are therefore extremely popular with soldiers who do not want to be MIA forever and leave their families and loved ones wondering about their fate should the unthinkable occur. Many soldiers get these tags as a rite of passage before their first tour abroad, then, upon return, stylize them to celebrate their safe return and their accomplishments abroad.

Dog tag tattoos not only help soldiers and their loved ones confront and deal with the intense emotions and danger of international combat, but they also can be extremely beautiful and evoke strong emotions of patriotism, pride and support in the people who see them. For example, the popular nautical dog tag tattoo which shows dog tags lying in a bed of seaweed is delicate, realistic and hauntingly beautiful and poignant. On the other hand, many soldiers and marines prefer clearer, less stylized tags to insure that the point of them -- identification -- is not overlooked. Upon completion of a tour or of service, however, many soldiers fill the tag tattoos in and place them in silhouettes of praying hands or hang them on barbed wire tattoos or rose vine tattoos.

Placement of these dog tag tattoos is also largely universal in nature, as well as very practical. Soldiers tend to place them in areas that are most likely to remain in tact in the event of an explosion or other type of combat encounter. Meat tag tattoos are usually worn on the chest, the top of the foot, the wrist or the calf.

As with other military divisions, the U.S. Army and the U. S. Marines place some restrictions on how and with what their service members tattoo themselves. Marines, who are known for their bravery, hardiness and rebellious spirits, are the least constrained. They are simply prohibited from getting elaborate tattoos in most cases, although as with all military members there are restrictions on what can show when one is in dress uniform. However, Marines can even have tattoos on the backs of their necks as long as they are discreet, and if you already have tattoos going into the corp, these restrictions may be waived although they can impact what types of service you are eligible for. In the army, tattoos are simply required not to be extremist, indecent, sexist or racist, according to Army regulation 670-1. Not surprisingly, while the army discourages this type of tattoo as a matter of principle and policy, those tattoos which are seldom to never visible publicly are less of a concern than those that might be seen on a regular basis. However, all tattoos are documented in ones personal file and can be grounds for dismissal, reprimand or even denial of a reenlistment request. Also not surprisingly, these regulations are the topic of much heated debate both within and outside these military branches. Many soldiers and civilians feel that if military members are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice and die for the safety and security of their country, then they should be allowed to do so wearing whatever type of tattoo or other body art that they please.

Regardless of your feelings about formal regulations of army and marine tattoos, however, it is indisputable that this form of body decoration plays a major role in the culture of these branches of the military and in the lives of those who support them. Even if you are not in the Army or the Marine Corp, you can get a tattoo in support of loved ones who are in service or just in support of the troops in general. Just be sure that you understand what your tattoo may indicate to another serviceman or woman, and be prepared to tell your personal story again and again.