{"id":43989,"date":"2017-08-28T17:38:03","date_gmt":"2017-08-28T17:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/08\/28\/combat-vets-say-tattoo-policy-is-big-barrier-to-reenlistment\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:45:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:45:30","slug":"combat-vets-say-tattoo-policy-is-big-barrier-to-reenlistment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/28\/combat-vets-say-tattoo-policy-is-big-barrier-to-reenlistment\/","title":{"rendered":"Combat vets say tattoo policy is big barrier to re-enlistment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Time may be the biggest factor causing combat veterans to leave the Marine Corps, but there\u2019s another reason that should not be underestimated, some vets say: the Corps\u2019 tattoo policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brian Davenport was barred from re-enlistment in 2015 because two of his tattoos were so close together that they were considered to be one tattoo that was too big under the Marine Corps\u2019 tattoo policy at the time, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He and other Marines have a similar story: When the Marine Corps stopped deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan in large numbers, tattoos became a career killer for them, even if they had \u00adcombat experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAs soon as we got back from Afghanistan and we found out we weren\u2019t going to be going back, everything just did a complete 180,\u201d Davenport told Marine Corps Times. \u201cIt was more stressing the little things: your uniform, appearances.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/2017\/08\/14\/where-have-all-the-combat-vets-gone\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3499036.jpg_2cef9c.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Where have all the combat vets gone?<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The Corps is facing a drain of battle-tested Marines.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Davenport deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 as a machine gunner, but he felt the Marine Corps did not value his combat experience after he returned, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou had leaders saying, \u2018We don\u2019t care that you\u2019re a combat veteran,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cI had a second lieutenant, he was brand new and he\u2019s like: \u2018No one cares about Afghanistan. That\u2019s over. We\u2019re moving on. There\u2019s a new Marine Corps.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Davenport\u2019s return from Afghanistan coincided with the Marine Corps\u2019 drawdown from 202,000 to 182,000 \u00adactive-duty Marines that was driven by cuts to defense spending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the day that Davenport found out that he could not re-enlist because of his tattoos, he went straight to an Army \u00adrecruiter, who was able to get him into the Army two days after he left the Corps, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the drawdown from 202,000 Marines a few years ago, the Corps ratcheted up its enforcement of tattoo policies. Starting in 2014, Marines were required to submit photographs of their tattoos for re-enlistment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"335\" height=\"423\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Davenport-1.png.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-49784\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Davenport-1.png.png 335w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Davenport-1.png.png?resize=238,300 238w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 335px) 100vw, 335px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fromer Marine Cpl. Brian Davenport was denied reenlistment in 2015 due to his tattoos. (Photo courtesy of Brian Davenport).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marine Corps Commandant Gen. \u00adRobert Neller has explained the reason for the Corps\u2019 tattoo policy: \u201cWe are not in a rock and roll band. We are \u00adMarines. We have a brand. People expect a \u00adcertain thing from us,\u201d he told Marine Corps Times in February 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marine veterans often look to get jobs as police officers, but local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are very strict on whether applicants can have visible tattoos, Neller added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In June 2016, the Marine Corps announced an updated tattoo policy, which allows visible tattoos to extend further on Marines\u2019 upper arms and thighs. Although some Marines would have \u00adpreferred a more lax policy, Neller certainly listened to their opinions on the matter, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Ronald Green said at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe\u2019s allowed more skin area for \u00adtattoos in an effort to balance the Marines\u2019 desires with the grooming standards of the Marine Corps,\u201d Green told Marine Corps Times. \u201cHe wanted the policy to allow Marines freedom and flexibility to express themselves, while also being clearly written and understandable for both Marines and their leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2015\/04\/20\/tough-tattoo-regs-sink-stellar-marine-s-career\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"243\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635648057190580274-dan1jpg.jpg?w=243\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Tough tattoo regs sink stellar Marine&#8217;s career<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">In a hyper-competitive professional environment, Marines who break the rules face major consequences<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neller has said that he has no plans to relax the Corps\u2019 tattoo policy further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the year prior to the Marine Corps\u2019 new tattoo policy being announced, only a fraction of Marines were denied re-enlistment&nbsp;because of their tattoos, said Maj. Garron Garn, a spokesman for Manpower &amp; Reserve Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFrom June 2015 to June 2016, there were more than 14,000 re-enlistment packages submitted; of these, there were 33 that were denied due to non-compliance with previous policies and the current tattoo order,\u201d Garn told Marine Corps Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those Marines were also told they could remove their tattoos if they paid for the procedure, Garn added. Marines are now told what the consequences are of getting a tattoo that violates policy, such as not being allowed to re-enlist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, former Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Martin said he believes the tattoo policy has unfairly ended good Marines\u2019 careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve seen guys that all they wanted to do was have a career in the Marine Corps, who were cast over or re-enlistment&nbsp;were made very difficult because of the tattoo policy,\u201d said Martin, who left the Corps in 2013 after 15 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Martin joined the Marine Corps in 1998 and went on to serve in Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, he said. Having experienced both war and peace, he believes the Marine Corps was more of a meritocracy during the height of the Iraq war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPeacetime Marine Corps sucks,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2015 Sgt. Daniel Knapp, an infantry Marine who had received two meritorious promotions, was denied re-enlistment&nbsp;for a tattoo on his forearm even though he had a policy waiver endorsed by his command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen I was in Afghanistan, my tattoos never stopped me from shooting anyone, and they never made me more of a target,\u201d Knapp told Marine Corps Times at the time. \u201cThey never stopped me from keeping Marines safe. On patrol nothing ever happened because of my tattoos.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2016\/02\/13\/marine-commandant-details-career-fitness-and-tattoo-changes\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/635893369007644333-mar-neller-plan-1jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Marine commandant details career, fitness and tattoo changes<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Gen. Robert Neller talks about how he plans to make Marines physically and mentally tougher and what Marines can expect from him.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Officials say just as Marines are expected to meet the highest physical standards, the Corps also sets high standards for Marines\u2019 professional military appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere is a reason why Marine Corps recruiting has remained so successful throughout the years,\u201d Green said in June 2016. \u201cWhen you ask Marines why they chose the Corps, most will tell you because they wanted to be different. They wanted to be part of something better than self \u2014 they wanted to be a part of a team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, the Marines are stricter than the Army, which does not limit how big or how many tattoos soldiers can get. The Navy allows sailors to get inked on their necks and behind their ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tattoo policy hasn\u2019t stopped one Marine veteran from trying to get back into the Corps for the past five years. But every recruiter he has talked to has said no because of the two sleeve tattoos he has that run the length of both arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The veteran, who asked not to be identified, left the Corps in 2009 as a sergeant after deploying to Iraq in 2007 and 2008 as a logistics Marine. Although he has had a good life as a civilian, he misses being able to serve, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe only thing that I can\u2019t find in civilian life is being a Marine, deploying, doing that thing,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing else to it. You can\u2019t do that anywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cMy tattoos never stopped me from shooting anyone,&#8221; says one former infantry Marine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":33624,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":69,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"coauthors":[1240],"class_list":["post-43989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":{"subheadline":"\u2018Peacetime Marine Corps sucks,\u2019 a former gunnery sergeant 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say tattoo policy is big barrier to re-enlistment\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cMy tattoos never stopped me from shooting anyone,&quot; says one former infantry Marine.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/2017\/08\/28\/combat-vets-say-tattoo-policy-is-big-barrier-to-reenlistment\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Military Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-08-28T17:38:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T20:45:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jeff Schogol\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jeff Schogol\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script 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