R 0319230z SEP 08
MARADMIN 494/08
MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA//
SUBJ/MARINE CORPS TATTOO POLICY (SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS)//
REF/A/MSGID:DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MCUB/YMD:20030331//
REF/B/MSGID:DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MP/YMD:20070319//
POC/P. J. HILLIARD/CAPT/UNIT:MPO/-/TEL:(703) 784-9387
/TEL:DSN 278-9387//
NARR/REF A MCO P1020.34G, MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS.
REF B IS MARADMIN 198/07 ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHANGES TO THE MARINE CORPS
TATTOO POLICY//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. PURPOSE. TO PUBLISH AMPLIFYING GUIDANCE ON THE
MARINE CORPS TATTOO POLICY AND ITS APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL DUTY
ASSIGNMENTS.
2. EFFECTIVE THE DATE OF THIS MARADMIN, MARINES THAT WERE
GRANDFATHERED FOR SLEEVE TATTOOS PER THE REFERENCES ARE NOT
AUTHORIZED TO SERVE AS A RECRUITER (PMOS 8411) OR A MARINE SECURITY
GUARD (PMOS 8156). RECRUITERS AND MARINE SECURITY GUARDS HAVE A
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON PUBLIC PERCEPTION AS THEY ROUTINELY INTERACT
WITH CIVILIANS, BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD, IN THE DAILY PERFORMANCE OF
THEIR DUTIES. MARINES GRANDFATHERED FOR SLEEVE TATTOOS MAY CONTINUE
TO APPLY TO SERVE AS A MARINE COMBAT INSTRUCTOR (PMOS 0913), DRILL
INSTRUCTOR (PMOS 0911) OR MARINE CORPS SECURITY FORCES GUARD
(PMOS 8152).
3. MARINES THAT WERE GRANDFATHERED FOR SLEEVE TATTOOS CURRENTLY ON
SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENT AS A RECRUITER (PMOS 8411) OR MARINE SECURITY
GUARD (PMOS 8156) ARE AUTHORIZED TO REMAIN ON SPECIAL DUTY UNTIL THE
COMPLETION OF THEIR ASSIGNMENT. MARINES CURRENTLY SERVING AS
(PMOS 8412) RECRUITERS WHO ARE ALREADY GRANDFATHERED FOR SLEEVE
TATTOOS ARE AUTHORIZED TO CONTINUE IN THAT BILLET UNLESS RELIEVED FOR
CAUSE OR FOR THE GOOD OF THE SERVICE APPROVED BY MCRC AND M&RA.
REQUESTS OF RECRUITERS (PMOS 8411) FOR FOLLOW-ON SERVICE/DESIGNATION
AS A CAREER RECRUITER (PMOS 8412) WHO HAVE A GRANDFATHERED SLEEVE
TATTOO MAY NOT BE FAVORABLY VIEWED BUT WILL BE FORWARDED TO DC M&RA
FOR FINAL ADJUDICATION.
4. ALL OTHER PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THE REFERENCES REMAIN IN
EFFECT. ALL TATTOOS CONTINUE TO BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW TO DETERMINE
IF THE TATTOO IS CONTRARY TO OUR PROFESSIONAL DEMEANOR AND THE HIGH
STANDARDS AMERICA HAS COME TO EXPECT OF THE MARINE CORPS WHICH MAY
INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, ANY TATTOO THAT IS SEXIST, RACIST,
VULGAR, ANTI-AMERICAN, ANTI-SOCIAL, GANG RELATED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH
AN EXTREMIST GROUP OR ORGANIZATION. EXCESSIVE TATTOOS MAY ADVERSELY
AFFECT BOTH RETENTION AND ASSIGNMENT TO SPECIAL DUTY.
5. THE DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS IS
DESIGNATED AS THE ADJUDICATING AUTHORITY FOR ANY TATTOO ISSUE
INVOLVING RETENTION OR SPECIAL DUTY ASSIGNMENTS. REVIEW OF A
QUESTIONABLE TATTOO(S) WILL BE SUBMITTED TO DC M&RA (MM) VIA THE
REENLISTMENT, EXTENSION, LATERAL MOVE SYSTEM (RELMS). THE PACKAGE
WILL INCLUDE A PHOTOGRAPH(S) AND PAGE-11 WHICH GRANDFATHERED THE
TATTOO(S) PER REF (B) , MEASUREMENT(S) OF THE SIZE IN INCHES,
DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCATION(S) AND EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE
TATTOO(S) HAS BEEN DEEMED QUESTIONABLE BY THE COMMANDER.
6. THE COMMANDING GENERAL, MARINE CORPS RECRUITING COMMAND IS THE
ADJUDICATING AUTHORITY FOR ANY TATTOO ISSUE INVOLVING ACCESSIONS
(BOTH OFFICER AND ENLISTED), TO INCLUDE ENLISTED MARINES WHO MAY
APPLY FOR A COMMISSIONING OR WARRANT OFFICER PROGRAM.
7. COMMANDERS ARE REQUIRED TO EDUCATE ALL THEIR MARINES ON THE NEW
POLICY.
8. THIS MESSAGE IS APPLICABLE TO THE TOTAL FORCE.
9. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY MR. M. F. APPLEGATE, DIRECTOR, MANPOWER
PLANS AND POLICY DIVISION.//