After Banning Tattoo Sleeves in 2007, The Marine Corps is Once Again Allowing Them Due to Retention and Recruitment Issues, But They Expand What Tattoos Aren’t Allowed Based on New Extremism Definition
The Marine Corps banned tattoo sleeves and restricted other tattoos severely in 2007. This policy has led to many Marines’ career being cut short in the past which is why rule changes like this are always irritating. Think about all of those who wanted to keep serving, but couldn’t, and now they’d be allowed to again. Sad.
In 2016, the Marine Corps laid off some of the restrictions, but now they are completely getting rid of most tattoo restrictions except for rules forbidding tattoos above shirt collar, head and past the wrists onto the hands. Marines will, however, be allowed to have a single ring tattoo on a finger.
The Marine Corps is not automatically rejoining those from the past that were barred from reenlisting due to previous tattoo policies.
The Marine Corps is saying that retention and recruitment issues were the reason for these changes, but one must wonder that if you weren’t forcing an experimental jab onto Marines, would there be as much of a problem retaining them…
The Corps is also detailing “societal changes” that they need to keep up with. This is kind of curious reasoning as well considering tattoos were a bigger deal in the past than they are today. Makes you wonder if this is more for other reasons and is just a stepping stone to accepting dyed hair and other details that many in their new found market of recruits in the SJW scene may have. Only time will tell.
Past this, the USMC has completely overhauled what tattoos aren’t allowed and have expanded what “extremist philosophies” include. Tattoos were never allowed that are “drug-related, gang-related, extremist, obscene or indecent, sexist, or racist,” but now that list includes those that attack “sexual orientation or gender identity.”
The extremism definition also bans tattoos that “advocate, engage in, or support terrorism; advocate, engage in, or support the forceful, violent, unconstitutional, or otherwise unlawful overthrow of the government of the United States, any state, commonwealth, district, or territory of the United States; or advocates, engages in, or encourages military personnel or DoD or US Coast Guard civilian employees to violate laws or disobey lawful orders or regulation for the purpose of disrupting military activities.”
As a former Marine myself, I have to ask the current leadership and command something very important. What does the Declaration of Independence say about overthrowing one’s government?
“…But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies;…”
– from the Declaration of Independence
We all take an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution from all enemies both foreign, and domestic. We should learn what the Constitution says about overthrowing the government as well.
“…That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on…”
– from the U.S. Constitution
So, is it really unconstitutional? Maybe for the wrong reasons, but I’m pretty sure when the U.S. Government is out there PLEADING for those to be fired if they don’t do as they’re told or jab themselves with something they don’t want that this may be preventing those from securing their life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Let us know your thoughts below. Were you one of the unlucky few to be denied reenlistment due to tattoo sleeves? I know a few myself that were.
