The United States Marine Corps, renowned for its rigorous standards and proud heritage, has always maintained specific regulations regarding the appearance of its personnel. Among these, tattoo policies have been a subject of ongoing evolution, reflecting both the personal expression of Marines and the professional image expected of them. In 2016, the Marine Corps released Marine Corps Bulletin 1020 (MCBUL 1020), a comprehensive update to its tattoo policy, aiming to strike a balance between individual desires and the disciplined appearance inherent to military service. This policy, superseding all previous guidelines, is a crucial document for any Marine, or anyone interested in joining the Corps, to understand.
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, right, speaks with Marines.
Sgt. Major Ronald L. Green, then Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, emphasized the thoughtful approach taken in developing MCBUL 1020. He highlighted that the policy was a direct response to feedback from Marines across various ranks, acknowledging the importance of addressing their questions and concerns. The core principle behind the revised policy was to accommodate the personal preferences of Marines while upholding the high standards of military grooming and professional conduct that the Marine Corps is known for. This balance is essential for maintaining public trust and the esteemed reputation of the Corps.
MCBUL 1020 outlines specific restrictions and allowances for tattoos, focusing primarily on content and location. The overarching principle is that no tattoo can express sexism, nudity, racism, vulgarity, or anything offensive that could discredit the Marine Corps or diminish public respect for its members. This content-based restriction is paramount, ensuring that all visible markings align with the Corps’ values and ethos.
In terms of permissible tattoos, the policy states that Marines can have an unlimited number of tattoos that are concealed by the standard physical training (PT) uniform – the green t-shirt and green shorts. This allowance provides significant freedom for personal expression in areas that are not visible in most duty uniforms. This implicitly acknowledges personal choice in areas typically covered during standard military duties.
U.S. Marines participate in physical training.
However, the policy also specifies areas where tattoos are prohibited or restricted. Tattoos are not allowed on the head, neck, inside the mouth, wrists, knees, elbows, and hands. An exception is made for a single band tattoo on one finger, which must not exceed three-eighths of an inch in width. This restriction on highly visible areas reinforces the professional appearance expected in uniform and in public engagements. The limitation on hand and neck tattoos is particularly significant in maintaining a consistent and professional image across the Corps.
To ensure compliance, MCBUL 1020 introduced standardized methods for measuring tattoos. These include elbow and knee-measuring tools designed to provide clear guidelines for tattoo size and placement. In addition to these tools, the policy incorporates the concept of a “hand-sized” limit. For visible tattoos on the upper arms and legs, the size must not exceed the individual Marine’s hand, measured with fingers extended and joined, and the thumb flush against the side of the hand. This hand measurement serves as a practical and readily available tool for Marines to gauge the permissible size of their tattoos.
Band tattoos, defined as tattoos that encircle a body part, are also addressed in the policy. They cannot exceed three inches in width or the width of a Marine’s four fingers joined (from the second knuckle of the index finger to the first knuckle of the pinky finger). A band tattoo is considered a single tattoo, and only the visible portion needs to adhere to these size standards. This specific guideline ensures that even larger, circumferential tattoos remain within acceptable limits of visibility and professional appearance.
For visible upper arm tattoos, the policy clarifies that they can extend down and around the arm, but must remain at least two inches above the center of the elbow. Similarly, lower arm tattoos must be at least one inch below the center of the elbow and two inches above the wrist bone. Marines are permitted either a band tattoo, a single tattoo, or a collection of tattoos in these areas, as long as they can be covered by the hand-size measurement. These detailed placement rules provide clarity and prevent ambiguity regarding acceptable tattoo locations on the arms.
The same principles apply to leg tattoos. Visible upper leg tattoos must be at least two inches above the center of the knee when the leg is straight and adhere to the hand-size limit. Lower leg tattoos must be at least two inches below the center of the knee. Again, Marines can have a band tattoo, a single tattoo, or a collection of tattoos in these areas, provided they meet the size and placement criteria. These parallel guidelines for arm and leg tattoos ensure consistency in policy application across different body parts.
The policy also addresses uniform considerations in relation to visible leg or feet tattoos. If tattoos in these areas are visible in Service A, Dress Blue A/B, Blue-White Dress A/B, or Evening Dress uniforms, slacks must be worn instead of the skirt. This provision accommodates Marines with leg or feet tattoos while maintaining uniform standards in more formal dress codes.
A distinction is made regarding the number of visible tattoos for officers and enlisted Marines in the standard PT uniform. Officers are limited to no more than four visible tattoos in PT gear. Enlisted Marines seeking acceptance into officer programs must also comply with this standard, highlighting the higher expectations of appearance for officers.
MCBUL 1020 also addresses the impact of tattoo policy on special duty assignments (SDAs). Marines who are compliant with the visible tattoo standards outlined in the bulletin are eligible for SDAs such as recruiting duty, Marine security guard duty, drill instructor duty, Marine security force duty, and Marine combat instructor duty. Marines with non-compliant tattoos already on SDA or with orders for SDA are allowed to complete their current tour but will not be eligible for future special duty assignments. This aspect of the policy links tattoo compliance directly to career opportunities and special assignments within the Marine Corps.
An important grandfather clause is included in MCBUL 1020. Any Marine who was already “grandfathered” under previous tattoo policies is not affected by the new bulletin. This protects Marines who had tattoos deemed acceptable under prior regulations, ensuring that the updated policy does not retroactively penalize them.
Within 120 days of the release of MCBUL 1020, all commanders were mandated to ensure that Marines document any tattoos that were not compliant with the new policy and had not been previously documented. Non-compliant tattoos are to be recorded on page 11 of the Marine’s Electronic Service Record. It is crucial to note that this documentation is for record-keeping purposes only and is not intended as a disciplinary action. This documentation process allows the Marine Corps to track and manage tattoo compliance across its ranks.
U.S. Marine Corps Recruit with tattoo.
The Marine Corps leadership emphasized the responsibility of both individual Marines and their commanders in ensuring adherence to the tattoo policy. Sergeant Major Green stressed that violating any policy has consequences, and leadership is expected to hold Marines accountable. He also highlighted the Marine ethos of mutual accountability, where Marines are expected to ensure each other’s compliance and uphold standards. Commanders are tasked with educating all Marines under their command about the new bulletin, encouraging them to review the policy, utilize measurement tools, and seek guidance when considering new tattoos. Ultimately, the onus is on individual Marines to ensure their tattoos comply with regulations, and on their leadership to oversee and enforce these standards fairly and consistently.
In conclusion, the United States Marine Corps tattoo policy, as outlined in MCBUL 1020, represents a carefully considered approach to balancing individual expression with the professional standards of military service. It provides clear guidelines on tattoo content, size, and placement, ensuring that Marines can express their individuality within the bounds of military discipline and public expectation. The policy reflects the Marine Corps’ commitment to both its personnel and its enduring reputation for excellence and professionalism.
