After a two-year break in rolling sleeves, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos reinstated the tradition. All Marines will return to rolling sleeves, March 9, 2014. However, with sleeves going up some problems may arise with Marines having out-of-regulation tattoos.

Unless in Service Charlies or Dress Blue Delta uniforms, Marines have been afforded extra coverage on their arms. Some Marines may have taken advantage of this and gotten tattoos that violate Marine Administrative Message 029/10.

This MARADMIN explains the rules and regulations for tattoos in the Marine Corps.

“The policy is a lawful general order given by our previous commandant of the Marine Corps,” said Capt. Lisa Woo, special assistant U.S. attorney. “Even though he is no longer our active commandant, we must follow the order.”

The policy was written to help Marines maintain the military appearance America has come to expect from Marines. It helps ensure that all Marines can be assigned wherever they are needed and to maintain a professional demeanor and high standards the Marine Corps has set.

“According to the order, Marines who disobey this order will receive administrative actions,” Woo said.

Administrative actions can and are not limited to a page 11, non-judicial punishment, extra military instruction. The punishment is up to the discretion of the chain of command.

Over the years the tattoo policy has gotten stricter with more regulations. Marines and men and women enlisting in the Marine Corps are not allowed to get or have tattoos or brands on their neck, head, mouth, hands, fingers or wrists.

Tattoos may not exceed above a person’s collarbone in the front area or above the first cervical vertebrae in the back area. It cannot be visible with the open collar of the short sleeve khaki shirt when worn without an undershirt.

Marines may have tattoos visible in the standard physical training uniform, however, they cannot exceed the length of said person’s hand with their fingers extended and joined with the thumb touching the base of the index finger.

Tattoos and brands cannot be visible or apparent on the feet or legs while in the Service Alpha, Dress Blue Alpha and Bravo, Blue-White Dress Alpha and Bravo and the evening dress uniforms. Ultraviolet light tattoos must follow the same rules as all brands and tattoos.

Tattoos that are sexist, racist, eccentric or offensive or express an association with illegal substances are prohibited. Marines cannot have tattoos that are vulgar or anti-American, bring discredit to the Marine Corps or associate said Marine with an extremist group or organization.

Officers are limited to a maximum of four visible tattoos or brands in standard physical training gear.

“The order states that it was the Marines responsibility to document their tattoos to be grandfathered in,” Woo said. “They had to have had the information in by June 1, 2010 and if they didn’t they would be subject to disciplinary action.”

Enlisted Marines with grandfathered sleeve tattoos are not eligible for any Marine Corps commissioning or warrant officer programs. However, they are still eligible for promotion and re-enlistment, but only as an enlisted Marine.

Officers are allowed band tattoos that either partially of fully encircles the circumference of a body part with a maximum width of two inches. Enlisted Marines can have band tattoos that take up no more than one-quarter of the body part.

Many of the regulations vary between enlisted and officers, with stricter policies for officers. Anyone with questions or concerns can speak with their chain of command for a copy of the MARADMIN or contact the Legal Services Center at 257-6743.