It's because you're stupid...

Marines ban sleeve tattoos...

Read the story here

The best part is where the base commanders now have to photograph and document all the existing forearm tattoos, to make sure nobody adds to them. Talk about a waste of taxpayer dollars...

So it's ok to go fight, and die, for your country... but if you get a tattoo that's too big, we won't let you re-enlist... morons.

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posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 1:11 PM

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# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 1:30 PM Cullen

unless you've been in the group, and experienced it's culture, you shouldn't criticize it.

Watch your tone, friend

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 1:40 PM Blogus Maximus

Perhaps you should re-read my post. I wasn't criticizing the individual marine, but the blanket policy decision that was forced upon them. I think it sucks.

Don't presume to know what I've experienced either, friend.

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 1:46 PM Theo

In reply to Cullen, I am pretty sure this wasn't intended to criticize people who serve. I believe that Chris has great respect for those who make such a sacrifice.

I think he is perhaps intending to point out the irony that one of the branches of service responsible for defending our freedoms (the few that remain) feels it necessary to such a degree to limit the personal freedoms of its members.

The servicemembers give up far too much of their rights as it is to serve; this is perhaps a bit too extreme.

Theo

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 1:52 PM Jason Olson

Cullen, I think you misunderstood what Chris was saying. Not only does Chris have a boatload of sweet tats, he is also ex-Navy (so he's _definitely_ not criticizing any soldiers).

I don't see a problem with the tone. I read it as "you know, Marines should be able to tattoo whatever the hell they want. this is just going to detract from our marines and further restrict the freedoms of those who fight to protect ours."

And to think that we're spending tax dollars having people go around and document every existing arm tatoo in the marine corps? Stupid, just stupid. Let them have their damn tattoos.

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 2:00 PM Jeff Julian

Wow, that is amazing....

I have to agree with you completely Chris.

Cullen, get some information before you speak. That mentality is why many people are pissed off at the war and the President right now, because they brush over the information and make judgement and don't investigate for the facts.

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 2:02 PM Tobin

Look at the bright side. The Marines could then use the photos to create a web site tattoo gallery and charge tattoo shops for subscriptions. The money raised can be used to forcibly remove the tattoos from those marines. Zig Heil!

</sarcasm>

On a serious note. A marine should go copyright his tat's. Taking photos of the tats would then be considered copyright infringement.

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 2:25 PM Jason Olson

As an outsider (having nothing to do with the armed forces in my past), here's my opinion of what's important to the Marine image...

And, in my opinion, what's most important for the Marines isn't the "good ol' American Boy" image, it's the "when nobody else on the face of this planet can complete this mission, we can go in, kick some ass, and take some names." I mean, the Marines are known for being "The Elite Ass Kickers." Which, in a way, is contradicting the "Good ol' American Boy" imagine.

Similar to Navy Seals.

If you want to be Elite, you go Seals or Marines, no questions asked (in my outside opinion).

That's just my naive opinion though.

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 2:25 PM Codesailor

That is a COMPLETE waste of time. Do people need a different image of Marines? I mean, professional basketball and football players are widely more visible than most Marines and yet they are tatted-up and no one complains about that.

The US military is so keen on image, and I understand that. And technically speaking, military service folk are the "property" of the government. But c'mon. It's my body.

I don't have any tattoos and I still see this as one more opportunity for the military to exercise control. How to dress. How to cut your hair. How to eat. How to <everything>. Now this? Yes, I know it's just a small portion of the body. Whatever. It's BS.

Don't get me wrong, the military is good for a lot of people. But this is silly. Is this their biggest complaint? How about the Corps (and the Nav, and the Army, etc. etc.) spend their time and OUR MONEY investigating the fiasco at Walter Reed hospital? What about spending time and money getting kevlar vests? I care a whole lot less about how they look than I do their abilities to their jobs.

A wise person once said "I don't agree with your statement but I will defend with my life your right to say it." This story epitomizes that sentiment. Here are the world's Marines (and sailors, and airmen, and soldiers, and coasties) defending our rights to do what we want and yet they are losing another right.

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 2:27 PM Codesailor

I should add that Cullen COMPLETELY missed the boat (read BEFORE post). I should also add that I served. I have the utmost respect for all veterans of the armed services, past, present and future...with and without tattoos.

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 2:30 PM Theo Moore

Yeah, but you were a SUBMARINER! EVERYONE knows you can't trust their sense of propriety.

Evar....

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 2:31 PM Bill

Well Cullen, I wasn't a Marine but got nothing but respect for those that are/were. That doesn't mean that I have to agree with everything that Brass does. Obviously a lot of Marines like Tatt's , otherwise this policy wouldn't much matter now would it? There's not a single line in this post that can even be misconstrued to think he's dogging Marines. You do know the guy that posted this is a former Navy Veteran and has tatts on his forearms, right?

Maybe in some parallel universe, disagreeing with a policy that many marines don't like somehow qualifies as a dig at them - but not anywhere I live. Popping off your mouth before you take the time to read something doesn't do anyone any favors dude.

On the other hand, I'm guessing you are a Marine or former Marine. And I'm guessing you though someone was taking a dig at your crew b/c, well, a lot of people hop all over military guys. If that's the case, the oversight is totally understandable and well it's all good - you wore a uniform and I didn't so I'll give you a pass. But honestly man, no one was digging at the Marines so there's nothing to get upset about

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 2:31 PM Blogus Maximus

Well... having served alongside plenty of Marines, there are some turds you can only polish so much. All branches have an image to protect, you boys don't have a monopoly on pride. Come to think of it, I think I saw the "clean cut american youth" line on some skinhead posters recently.

I get the concept of uniform regulations, I was in for 6 years. Been there, done that.

Sure... there's Boot Camp, but that's just the first few months of service. At some point, you have to give people the freedom to make these kinds of decisions for themselves, not just arbitrarily tell the entire corps (or is it Corps) that they can't do something that actually harms no-one and quite possibly improves individual morale at no cost to their ability to catch a bullet for their country.

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 2:39 PM George

Yeah, that's pretty stupid. And I know stupid.

# re: It's because you're stupid... 3/29/2007 2:42 PM Paul

@ cullen: congrats, you just joined the ranks of reactionaries who speak w/o thinking. i think fox news has an opening.

@ chris: in a way, i can understand why the military would want to do something like this. after all, aren't they all about being "uniform"? The way i understand it they all wear the same clothes and have the same haircuts for a reason, so why should they make an exception for something as obviously personal, individual, and creative as a sleeve tattoo? of course, in reality, the proverbial horse has left the barn. and the only way the commanders have of enforcing this now is with that absurd photographic record. perhaps soldiers should just have to wear long-sleeved shirts whenever they're on duty.

# re: It's because you're stupid... 4/2/2007 7:22 PM Keith Smith

Next they will be issuing suit and ties instead of BDU's!

# re: It's because you're stupid... 4/7/2007 7:05 PM unknown

as a marine it sucks. i have tatoos i had to get each one photographed.alot of good marines will get out because of this new tatoo thing.

# re: It's because you're stupid... 5/22/2007 12:58 AM Virgil

I've been in the Young Marines for 8 years and been living in a Marine town for 6 years.

When a marine gets out of boot camp, that marine thinks that he or she is unstoppable and will be able to do anything they want. What seems like an eternity, the time I have been living here, I hear daily about marines getting in trouble. DUI's, theft, breaking simple code rules, abandoning, and even murder. I'm not going to even mention the amount of fights. They have plenty of freedom once they are out of boot camp. Don't think that they don't. They have tons of freedom. Just, most of them choose to do really stupid stuff with their time. When something was taken from them, they and everyone in the US gets upset about it.

They have to keep a proper image. Period. You don't always get what you want when you are in the military. When you sign you're signature, you are property of the government and you are told that. They use you for anything they want to use you for. You have no say so. If they decide whether or not to have their marines, their property, to have ink designs the stirs up the image of the marine corps, then it will be that way. People have forgotten completely what the military is. If you want to get tattoos all over arms, do you're time, and get out. Then do whatever you want. But when you are in the military, you life is controlled.

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