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Glam Monitor

Can you have a full sleeve tattoo in the Air Force?

Author

Rachel Davis

Updated on August 26, 2026

Yes, under the recent changes in 2017 the Air Force now allows tattoo sleeves. It is possible to have a half or full sleeve tattoo on the arms or legs in the Air Force. Previously, airmen were not allowed to have tattoos that covered 25% of their body which largely made tattoo sleeves unauthorized.

Can you get a tattoo while in the Air Force?

The Air Force does not allow tattoos that are very visible such as on your face, neck, hands, wrists, and head. The rules have changed in recent years to include a little more allowance for tattoos, such as allowing tattoos when they cover less than 25% of the body and the removal of size stipulations.

Can I have full sleeve tattoos in the army?

Tattoos are not allowed on the sleeves, the legs and arms of the soldiers. The tattoo must not be visible on any part of the body of the soldier that is exposed while wearing any of the military uniforms. The army bans having a tattoo on the head, neck, and face.

Can I join the military with a sleeve?

Last week, the Marine Corps revised its policy, allowing the “sleeve” (whole arm) tattoo and also permitting officers more than four tattoos visible in uniform. Both officers and enlisted can now tat themselves up as much as they want, as long as it's not on the face or neck.

Can you join the military with a full sleeve?

You can't have hand tattoos except for a single ring tattoo 3/8 of an inch or smaller. Any tattoo has to be smaller than your hand. Meanwhile, arm tats must be two inches above or one inch below your elbow, and half- and full-sleeves aren't allowed.

43 related questions found

What tattoos are not allowed in the Air Force?

There are no size or area limitations for authorized tattoos on the chest (below an open collar), back, arms, and legs. Tattoos, brands, and body markings are prohibited on the head, neck, face, tongue, lips, and scalp. Hand tattoos are limited to one single-band ring tattoo, on one finger, on one hand.

What military branch allows tattoos?

The Navy tattoo policy, updated in 2016, is the most lenient in all the branches. Navy tattoos can be anywhere on the body except the head, face, or scalp. The Navy is the only branch that allows tattoos on the hands.

What is the Air Force motto?

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Incorporating extensive inputs from all ranks and career fields in the development effort, Airmen have selected "Aim High ... Fly-Fight-Win" as the service's motto.

What does the Air Force yell?

Hooah /ˈhuːɑː/ is a battle cry used by Soldiers in the U.S. Army, Airmen in the U.S. Air Force, and Guardians in the U.S. Space Force.

What is the Air Force logo called?

Description The USAF symbol was thoughtfully crafted to represent the Air Force's history as well as the promise of the future of the armed forces branch. The symbol can take on two different forms depending on how you choose to see it: a medal of valor in service or our nation's emblem of freedom, an eagle. future.

What is the Air Force song called?

"The U.S. Air Force" is the official song of the United States Air Force, adopted in the late 1940s, and is often referred to as "Wild Blue Yonder".

Why are tattoos not allowed in the military?

Soldiers are prohibited from getting tattoos that are cowardly, personally degrading, prejudicial to good order, and discipline or service discrediting. The Army regulations for tattoos are outlined in Army Regulation 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.

Will military pay for tattoo removal?

Generally speaking, visits to a tattoo removal clinic will be on your own dime—the government will not pay for you to have a tattoo removed, nor will health insurance. Fortunately, we do offer special discounts for military recruits, active duty, and veterans – it's our way of saying, “thank you for your service!”

Can you have a tattoo behind your ear in the Air Force?

Unauthorized Tattoos and Brands

Those in the Air Force are also not allowed to have any visible piercing while in uniform. This includes piercings of the ears, nose, tongue or any other body part that is not covered by or can be seen through clothing.

Can you have a hand tattoo in the military?

No, the Army does not allow tattoos on the face, neck, or hands. The only exception is a small ring tattoo that can exist on each hand (limit one per hand). Face and neck tattoos are highly discouraged in the U.S. Army.

Can I join the military with a neck tattoo?

Tattoos are prohibited on the following body parts/locations: Hand, fingers, and wrist (with the exception of one ring as previously discussed) Head or neck (definition below) Face, including in or around the mouth, eyelids, etc.

Can you have tattoos in the Army Reserve?

You will NEVER be allowed to enlist in the Regular Army, Army Reserves, or Army National Guard if you have any of the non-waivable disqualifying tattoos below. Depending on abundance of recruits, standards may be more strict than listed: Tattoos located on the head, face, neck, wrists, hands, or fingers.

Can you get a waiver for hand tattoos in the Army?

You can get a waiver, or you may not need one -- provided that the tattoo is not offensive in any way. Tattoos on the neck above your collar when you wear a regulation shirt, if it can be seen, is disqualifying. Tattoos anywhere that are racist, sexist or offensive in any way are disqualifying.

Can I join the Marines with tattoos?

Here are the key takeaways for the Marine Corps tattoo policy: You CAN have tattoos anywhere on your chest, back, torso, upper arms, upper thighs, and groin. There are no restrictions as to the size, shape, colors, or number of tattoos. There ARE restrictions on tattoos that are visible outside of a PT uniform.

Can I have a forearm tattoo in the Army?

The following graphic shows where tattoos are and are not accepted in the US Army in 2020. On the visible part of the arm (i.e. forearms) tattoos must be one inch below the elbow and tattoos cannot extend onto the wrist or hands. For upper arm pieces, tattoos must start two inches above the elbow.

Is Air Force ranked?

Enlisted Air Force ranks are broken down into three levels: Airmen (E-1 through E-4), non-commissioned officers (E-5 and E-6) and senior non-commissioned officers (E-7 through E-9). The Air Force is the only one of the five branches of the U.S. military where NCO status is achieved at the grade of E-5.

How much of the Air Force song do you need to know?

For example, you need to know all the general Air Force ranks and the chain of command at BMT. You'll be expected to know how to report to a superior and the basics of saluting. Recruits should also learn the three core values of the Air Force, the Airman's Creed, and at least the first paragraph of the Air Force Song.

Is the Air Force song copyrighted?

Licensing. This work is in the public domain because it was published in the United States between 1927 and 1963, and although there may or may not have been a copyright notice, the copyright was not renewed.

What color are Air Force uniforms?

The word color for the name, U.S. Air Force, and rank is midnight blue; name tapes and rank insignia background are tan and are sewn on using a matching tan color thread. The ABU adopts the battle dress uniform hat style for primary use and the floppy hat design is used in some deployed areas.

What do you call a woman in the Air Force?

In the Army, all are Soldiers. In the Marine Corps, it's Marine. And in the Air Force, all service members are Airmen (male or female — an awkward problem we can fix in the space service.) We must include gender neutrality in our choice to reflect modern sensibilities.