USAF Authorises Hand & Neck Tattoos
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 33,035
Received 2,908 Likes
on
1,247 Posts
So someone applies to join the RAF and is accepted in, he has a beard.. months later he decides to shave it off and has a tattoo under it... Then what?
If a young person was really keen on a military career, it would indicate that he/she had the discipline not to embellish excluded parts of themselves prior to applying, just as they'd be required to hold all educational qualifications noted in the recruitment brochures. Don't conform, don't get in...
(I realise I'll be written off as a miserable old git.
)
(I realise I'll be written off as a miserable old git.
)
The UK armed forces have suffered from recruitment and retention issues for years
Setting out "standards" that reduce the size of the pool doesn't help - especially when those standards have little to with potential fighting performance and seem more driven by aesthetics
Setting out "standards" that reduce the size of the pool doesn't help - especially when those standards have little to with potential fighting performance and seem more driven by aesthetics
If a young person was really keen on a military career, it would indicate that he/she had the discipline not to embellish excluded parts of themselves prior to applying, just as they'd be required to hold all educational qualifications noted in the recruitment brochures. Don't conform, don't get in...
Younger people are far less likely to smoke than older generations. If you were in the military I'm sure you'll have had many colleagues who smoked. Was that caused by a lack of discipline? Unlike tattoos, smoking might actually impact how well you get the job done. If it's acceptable to recruit people who can't look after their health to the best of their ability, why exclude others on the basis of mere aesthetics?
If what you look like has little effect on fighting performance, why don't we just abolish all that and save a ton of cash on clothing too? More people might want to join then (or even stay in) if they don't have to worry about fitting in, or meeting standards? Coz that's the point, right?
Where is the future line to be drawn? I'll look forward to seeing what RAF 2030 will look like!
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
I can't agree with that. The uniform is a symbol of pride, and I'm sure that those with tattoos are as proud of the force, and their role in is, as anyone.
I'm an old fogey, and I don't particularly like tattoos but if the guy or gal is a good pilot, engineer, administrator, doctor, or any other member of the force, let them get on with it.
I'm an old fogey, and I don't particularly like tattoos but if the guy or gal is a good pilot, engineer, administrator, doctor, or any other member of the force, let them get on with it.
So following that logic, why not bin the dress regs completely then? Only wear uniforms when on parades or when in fighting mode, so just wear civvies; have your hair as long as or in whatever fashion you like; have as many earrings and tatts as you like? So I can grow a full set of face fuzz but can't grow sideburns to the bottom of my ears?
If what you look like has little effect on fighting performance, why don't we just abolish all that and save a ton of cash on clothing too? More people might want to join then (or even stay in) if they don't have to worry about fitting in, or meeting standards? Coz that's the point, right?
Where is the future line to be drawn? I'll look forward to seeing what RAF 2030 will look like!
If what you look like has little effect on fighting performance, why don't we just abolish all that and save a ton of cash on clothing too? More people might want to join then (or even stay in) if they don't have to worry about fitting in, or meeting standards? Coz that's the point, right?
Where is the future line to be drawn? I'll look forward to seeing what RAF 2030 will look like!
Conformity to past mores led us into WW1 trenches and cavalry charges.
Perhaps it's time to move into the 21st century.
If a young person was really keen on a military career, it would indicate that he/she had the discipline not to embellish excluded parts of themselves prior to applying, just as they'd be required to hold all educational qualifications noted in the recruitment brochures. Don't conform, don't get in...
(I realise I'll be written off as a miserable old git. )
(I realise I'll be written off as a miserable old git.
)Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 33,035
Received 2,908 Likes
on
1,247 Posts
Put it this way, 13 years ago U.K. military personnel awarded medals, the first marine has a visible neck tattoo, so nothing new.
Awful. The downward trend prevails. Tattoos are a badge of office and the office is full of working class gits and non-officer types. Well, so my Dad thought (ex Colonel) and as I ventured through life, it appeared to be the case. Loved that scene in "Officer " Gentleman" where Richard Geer made frantic attempts to cover up his hideous arm tattoo when under scrutiny of the fearsome Drill Sergeant..
Apart from all that, they are a real distraction. Immagine a Senior Office facing you off with a izard tattoo snaking it's way out of his collar towards his left ear0le !
Selection Officers faced with people who feel that they must display unity to a certain mind-set must surely loose interest rapidly.
Blimey. What ever next ?
Apart from all that, they are a real distraction. Immagine a Senior Office facing you off with a izard tattoo snaking it's way out of his collar towards his left ear0le !
Selection Officers faced with people who feel that they must display unity to a certain mind-set must surely loose interest rapidly.
Blimey. What ever next ?
The following users liked this post:
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 33,035
Received 2,908 Likes
on
1,247 Posts
And earrings.
In a moment of mid-life madness I recently got a nipple ring.
Hurts like hell, but I always know where my car keys are.
Hurts like hell, but I always know where my car keys are.
"So following that logic, why not bin the dress regs completely then? Only wear uniforms when on parades or when in fighting mode, so just wear civvies; have your hair as long as or in whatever fashion you like; have as many earrings and tatts as you like? So I can grow a full set of face fuzz but can't grow sideburns to the bottom of my ears?"
yes well -your opponents probably dress that way - certainly in many recent conflicts - and it doesn't seem to affect their ability to fight.
A smart uniform really went out at the end of the 19th Century - once camouflage came in. The rest is really dressing up on high days and holy days.
yes well -your opponents probably dress that way - certainly in many recent conflicts - and it doesn't seem to affect their ability to fight.
A smart uniform really went out at the end of the 19th Century - once camouflage came in. The rest is really dressing up on high days and holy days.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: US
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Who is going to decide what is an obnoxious tattoo, what about naked ladies, what words can be in a tattoo, if it’s morally/culture insensitive, etc., etc., etc.
I think we are wandering into a minefield with blinders on.
I think we are wandering into a minefield with blinders on.
With mixed emotions I watch the struggles of people subsequently needing/trying (often unsuccessfully) to remove redesign their tattoos in later life.
All interesting comments. The one on clothes and other items of appearance has been posted. The issue now is what tattoos are acceptable. Just like what clothes are acceptable. If one is joining up, then one accepts the requirements the Defence Force. Admittedly the reason that tattoos have become acceptable is it is far more prominent in society then it has ever been and if your recruiting numbers are down then some of the restrictions have to be lifted.
Once, years ago, we met some fellows who were supposedly trained and prepared to operate “Covert” …geez they luved that term.
They had grown their hair long, sported ferocious beards and talked of sporting “colourful native garb” in order to blend in.
We asked them how their patriotic flag and unit tattoos amongst many others were going to go over with the enemy when they saw them.
They didn’t laugh.
We found it strange that they would be loudly discussing this at “Happy Hour” in a crowded hotel bar in Dubai.
They had grown their hair long, sported ferocious beards and talked of sporting “colourful native garb” in order to blend in.
We asked them how their patriotic flag and unit tattoos amongst many others were going to go over with the enemy when they saw them.
They didn’t laugh.
We found it strange that they would be loudly discussing this at “Happy Hour” in a crowded hotel bar in Dubai.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Hanging off the end of a thread
Posts: 33,035
Received 2,908 Likes
on
1,247 Posts
A lot of my ex RN friends from home got “Made in Carlisle” tattooed around their belly buttons which looked cool