Six Branches · Six Regulations · One Page
Can I have this tattoo in the [branch]?
Every branch publishes its own tattoo + grooming regulation — and they don't always agree. The Army loosened up in 2022, the Coast Guard followed in 2024, the Marines remain the strictest. Each branch tab below shows the current rule, the prohibited / conditional / permitted zones, the content restrictions, the waiver path, and the grooming standards for hair, beard, sideburns — all cited to the actual regulation.
Primary regulation
AR 670-1
Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and InsigniaArmy Directive 2022-092022-06
Most-permissive Army tattoo policy in modern history. Now allows one tattoo ≤1" behind each ear, one ≤2" hand tattoo per hand (excluding the palm), and a neck tattoo ≤1" centered behind the ear. Eliminated the 4-tattoo-below-elbow limit.
sourceTattoo policy — Army
Army has the most permissive tattoo policy of the services post-2022. Sleeves (full-arm tattoos) are allowed. Hand tattoos ≤2" are allowed. Behind-ear and small neck tattoos are allowed. Face, head, mouth, and palm tattoos remain prohibited.
● Prohibited zones
Face
No tattoos on the face. Discreet permanent cosmetic makeup is exempt.
Head
Above the hairline, on the scalp — prohibited entirely.
Eyelids
No tattoos on eyelids.
Inside mouth
Tongue, gums, inside of lip — prohibited.
Palms
No tattoos on the palm of the hand.
● Conditional / size-limited
Neck
One tattoo ≤1" centered behind the ear or behind/below the natural hairline allowed. Tattoos that show above an open-collar uniform = prohibited unless it falls within the 1" exception.
Hands
One ring tattoo per hand (between knuckles) OR one ≤2" tattoo per hand (excluding the palm). Cannot be visible while wearing gloves.
Behind ears
One ≤1" tattoo behind each ear.
● Permitted
Arms (full sleeve)
No size or quantity limit below the elbow. Full sleeves allowed.
Legs
No size or quantity limit.
Torso
No size or quantity limit; not visible above the collar.
Content always prohibited
- Extremist content (any symbol or imagery associated with extremist organizations)
- Racist or sexist content
- Indecent (sexually explicit, profane, vulgar)
- Content that brings discredit to the Army
Waiver path
Existing tattoos that violate current policy may be grandfathered if documented on the soldier's record before the prohibition. New tattoos in prohibited zones — no waiver path; soldier may face administrative action.
Grooming standards — Army
Hair (male)
Bulk: tapered, neat appearance. Length: cannot fall over the ears or extend below the bottom of the collar. Sideburns acceptable.
Hair (female)
Bulk: neat appearance. Length: when braided or in a bun, must not extend below the bottom edge of the collar. As of 2021: ponytails, locks, and braids allowed within length/bulk standards.
Facial hair
Mustaches: must not extend over the upper lip or beyond the corners of the mouth. Beards: PROHIBITED for non-religious accommodation. Religious accommodation requests reviewed per AR 600-20.
Sideburns
Permitted; cannot extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening. Trimmed and neatly tapered.
Accommodations
Religious accommodation (beards, head coverings) under AR 600-20. Medical shaving waivers (pseudofolliculitis barbae / PFB) for ≤1/4" beard via dermatology referral.
Frequently asked
Can I get a tattoo waiver to enlist?
For most disqualifying tattoo locations (face, head, neck above the collar), recruiting waivers are rare and decided at the service's recruiting command level (USAREC for Army, NRC for Navy, MCRC for Marines, AETC for AF/SF, CGRC for Coast Guard). Smaller borderline tattoos (slightly oversized hand or behind-ear) are more commonly waived. Content waivers (extremist, gang, sexually explicit) — effectively never approved.
My existing tattoo predates the current policy — am I grandfathered?
Each service handles grandfathering differently. Generally: if your tattoo was documented on your record BEFORE the prohibition took effect, you're typically grandfathered for retention but may face restrictions on certain assignments (recruiting duty, drill sergeant, embassy duty). For new tattoos in prohibited zones acquired AFTER you joined, no grandfather protection — administrative action possible.
I have PFB (pseudofolliculitis barbae). Can I grow a beard?
Yes — every service has a medical PFB waiver process. You need a dermatology consult, documentation of the condition, and command approval. The waiver typically authorizes ≤1/4" beard length with regular trimming; full beards are not generally permitted under medical waiver. Religious accommodation requests (separate process) sometimes allow longer beards.
Do religious accommodation requests work?
Yes, with caveats. Each service has a religious accommodation regulation (AR 600-20 / OPNAVINST 1730.1 / MCO 1730.7 / DAFI 52-201 / COMDTINST 1730.4). Sikh service members have successfully obtained beard and turban accommodations. Muslim service members have obtained beard accommodations. The process is documentation-heavy and timelines vary, but the legal posture is favorable post-2017 DoD policy revisions and follow-on case law.
Why does the Army have the most permissive policy now?
Army leadership concluded that strict tattoo standards were hurting recruiting in a tight market. Army Directive 2022-09 was an explicit recruiting-pressure response. Other branches have followed in varying degrees — the Navy in 2022, Coast Guard in 2024, Air Force gradually. Marines remain the strictest, consistent with their broader cultural emphasis on uniform standards.
Will this tool be wrong eventually?
Yes — service grooming and tattoo regulations are amended every 1-3 years on average. Each policy carries the citation to the underlying regulation (with a link to the official PDF) and the date of the most recent material change. Before relying on a specific permission for a high-stakes decision (recruiting, MEPS visit, new tattoo placement), verify against the current edition of the cited reg.