'Today's Air Force' features changes in tattoo policy

News > 'Today's Air Force' features changes in tattoo policy

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"Today's Air Force" is a long-format, weekly news show featuring in-depth stories about the Air Force's people, programs, technology, exercises, operations and more. (U.S. Air Force photo/Lance Cheung)
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'Today's Air Force' features changes in tattoo policy

Posted 12/14/2009

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12/14/2009 - San Antonio (AFNS) -- In this edition of Today's Air Force, Air Force officials do an about face on a controversial tattoo policy. Plus, see how a new driving simulator in Germany prepares Airmen for the Autobahn. And Airmen in Belgium take time to remember some of the heroes of WWII.

For two weeks the Air Force had a policy prohibiting recruits from entering service if they had tattoos on their saluting arm. The ban now has been lifted and Air Force officials are conducting a review of Air Force policy enforcement to make sure that tattoo regulations are being adhered to consistently.

Driving in Europe is a lot different than driving in the States and if Airmen take that difference for granted, the results can be deadly. A new driving simulator in Germany is helping to prepare Air Force members to tackle the Autobahn safely.

World War II ended more than a half century ago, but Europeans and Americans alike still take time to remember the fallen heroes of that bloody conflict.

The 30-minute, weekly news show can be seen every day on The Pentagon Channel and on American Forces Television Service stations around the world. The show also airs on more than 140 public cable-access stations within the United States. If you would like your local public access station to carry this program, send a request to DMASA.Marketing@dma.mil.

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This week's line-up includes:

Segment A
       Straight from the Top - Air Force Tattoo Policy Review
       Flight Safety Record
       New Web site
       Space-A Travel
       Fire Fighter Challenge

Segment B
       Driving Simulator
       Medics Support Jump
       Civil Engineering Ambush
       Aircraft Parts Supply
       Afghan Weather
       School Donations
       This Week in Photos

Segment C
       Buddies of the 9th Air Force
       Honor in Paris
       Sesame at Eielson

Comments

1/25/2011 8:35:59 PM ET
I am very disappointed at the Air Force's view on tattoos. I am attempting to join the Air National Guard now and due to a tattoo that comes up to far on the back of my neck I may not be able to join. I am otherwise qualified - scored very well on the ASVAB and want to serve my country in the Air Force as my father and grandfather did. I find it very sad that I cannot do so simply because tattoos seem to be such a taboo. I hope the Air Force will reconsider it's tattoo policy asap.

Lee, Bama

6/8/2010 7:44:51 PM ET
Does anyone know if the Air National Guard adheres to this policy as well?

Robert, California

12/16/2009 7:26:19 PM ET
I have had to enforce the rules on covering tattoos on Earl in this string of posts. Although I think its stupid to tell him to wear his long pants in 100 degree weather, I'm forced to because it is a rule. I think that our leaders have lost focus so badly on trivial things. The leadership has been so concerned with gaining velocity but have failed to provide adequate direction. The PT uniform was a failure. The ABU was initially a failure. The knee jerk reactions to perceived problems have caused us to be a force changing so rapidly that we don't know where we are going and have forgotten where we came from. May Curtis LeMay rest in peace. Long live SAC

NKAWTG, NC

12/16/2009 4:29:31 PM ET
I am shipping off to Basic Training in January and have heard rumor of this rule being under review. I agree with every comment posted here. I have a small tattoo on my left arm so I am not personally concerned but I had my right arm reserved for my USAF tattoo I can understand if the tattoo is obscene or whatever but as long as the airman can do his job why should it be a problem

Roger, Columbus OH

12/16/2009 1:19:30 PM ET
Once again the AF focus' on the wrong issues. I consider myself new to the AF and find myself constantly embarassed with leadership. Why not tell new recruits that they can't get in without passing a real AF PT test before they leave for basic rather than turning someone away for a tattoo We let the fatties in as long as they don't have body art yet turn good recruits away because some general didn't want to see a tattoo when he was saluted

Michael, Texas

12/16/2009 12:00:00 PM ET
Senior AF officials should iron out better accountability for PT failures and abusers of the PT system versus wasting manpower on quality airmen who chose to wear ink in good taste. Clearly just another form of sneaky discrimination. Setting the example of pathetic management leadership.

Jake, Arizona

12/16/2009 10:59:53 AM ET
Jerry, I am retired and still embarressed...things like this are what made me retire...no real leadership.

Brian, USAFA

12/16/2009 10:57:23 AM ET
Our enemies should fear us and if tattoo's add to that then so be it. If our leaders want us to look more corporate then send IBM to war.

Tim, Iraq

12/16/2009 9:08:06 AM ET
I feel that the tattoo reg was understandable at first. But times have changed along with regs. I personally have tattoos that cover both of my legs. And I chose that area of my body so that I could adhere to the reg that was placed on them when I joined. But now that the Air Force has made the PT gear an actual uniform. It now stands that I am out of uniform and have to go out of my way to cover them. And in my mind and many other tattoo fans that are in the Air Force believe that we are being unfairly discriminated against and something needs to change I enjoy serving my country in the Air Force but have found myself leaning towards another branch cause of things like this that have NO influence on how well someone can perform thier job

Earl, Seymour Johnson NC

12/16/2009 6:47:45 AM ET
Ah...fly...fight and win...what a concept...we should be focusing on passing ORIs training for deployments and overall winning...tattoo's really...what's that have to do with how good you can fix an airplane or perform any duty that the Air Force requires you to do?

Robert Bove, Aliquippa Pa

12/15/2009 1:50:59 PM ET
So the Air Force is now a Service set on appearance and not ability. What is the military turning into? If I was not so close to retirement I would leave due to embarrassment.

Jerry, Tyndall AFB

12/15/2009 8:46:26 AM ET
A policy that we should enforce more and worry about is the PT standards. There are too many Airmen who are unable to pass the PT test and look horribly in uniform and are given up to four chances before admin separation. Fit to fight Whatever happened to that motto? I don't have any tattoos but I don't judge the quality of an Airman by the amount of tattoos he/she has. I judge based on work ethics, responsibility and of course because it's a cliche the Air Force Core Values. The term professionalism is so subjective anyhow. Tattoos do not inhibit an Airman from serving, obesity and truly not meeting standards should though. I would fly fight and win with a tattooed Airman over a big-boned individual.

JINS, Langley AFB

12/14/2009 5:17:00 PM ET
Whoever is in charge of 'policies' may need a smaller job. I suggest something less than one-quarter the size of what they had.

Jack, San Antonio

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