AR 670-1: 3-3. Tattoo, branding, and body mutilation policy

3-3. Tattoo, branding, and body mutilation policy

Note. This paragraph is punitive with regard to Soldiers. Violation by Soldiers may result in adverse administrative action and/or charges under the provisions of the UCMJ.

a. Tattoos and brands are permanent markings that are difficult to reverse (in terms of financial cost, discomfort,

and effectiveness of removal techniques). Before obtaining either a tattoo or a brand, Soldiers should consider talking to unit leaders to ensure that they understand the Army tattoo and brand policy. The words tattoo and brand are inter- changeable in regards to this policy.

b. The following types of tattoos or brands are prejudicial to good order and discipline and are, therefore, prohibited

anywhere on a Soldier’s body:

(1) Extremist. Extremist tattoos or brands are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philoso-

phies, organizations, or activities. Extremist philosophies, organizations, and activities are those which advocate ra- cial, sex, or ethnic hatred or intolerance; advocate, create, or engage in illegal discrimination based on race, color, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin; or advocate violence or other unlawful means of depriving individual rights under the U.S. Constitution, and Federal or State law (see AR 600–20).

(2) Indecent. Indecent tattoos or brands are those that are grossly offensive to modesty, decency, propriety, or

professionalism.

(3) Sexist. Sexist tattoos or brands are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based

on sex.

(4) Racist. Racist tattoos or brands are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based

on race, ethnicity, or national origin.

c. Tattoos or brands, regardless of subject matter, are prohibited on the head, face (except for permanent makeup,

as provided in para 3–2b(2)), neck (anything above the t-shirt neckline to include on or inside the eyelids, mouth, and ears), below the wrist bone, and hands, except Soldiers may have one ring tattoo on each hand, below the joint of the bottom segment (portion closest to the palm) of the finger. The wrist bone is defined as the joint that bridges the hand to the forearm. Previously documented tattoos on the neck or hands, for which Soldiers have a tattoo validation mem- orandum, continue to be grandfathered. Accessing applicants must adhere to this same policy.

d. Soldiers and applicants, for enlistment or appointment, may not cover tattoos or brands with bandages or make

up in order to comply with the tattoo policy.

e. Commanders will perform an annual check for new tattoos or brands above the neckline, wrists, and hands. If

any unauthorized tattoos are found, the Soldier must be processed in accordance with paragraph 3–3f. Tattoos on the face or head (to include on or inside the eyelids, mouth, and ears) were never authorized locations for tattoos. Soldiers with tattoos on the head or face must be processed in accordance with paragraph 3–3f, unless the Soldier received a written waiver upon entry into the Army. Commanders will also conduct a simultaneous check for extremist, indecent, sexist, and racist tattoos. If such tattoos exist, the Soldier must be processed in accordance with paragraph 3–3f.

f. Commanders will ensure that Soldiers understand the tattoo policy. If a Soldier has any tattoo or brand that is

prohibited under paragraph 3–3b, has any tattoo or brand that is not authorized (such as a tattoo or brand on the face or head, or a tattoo on the neck or hand that is not grandfathered), or acquires any new tattoo or brand in violation of paragraph 3–3c, the commander will—

(1) Counsel the Soldier in writing. The DA Form 4856 (Developmental Counseling Form) will state that the Soldier

is not in compliance with AR 670–1, paragraph 3–3, and will explain how the tattoo or brand violates the specific prohibition in the policy (for example, the tattoo is extremist because it is a known symbol for a specific hate group; or the new tattoo is in a prohibited location).

(2) Provide the Soldier with no less than a period of 15 calendar days to seek medical and/or legal advice, fully

consider all available options, and respond to the counseling, in writing, by informing the commander that they will appeal the finding that the tattoo or brand is in violation of policy, pursue medical procedure(s) to have the tattoo or brand removed (or changed, if applicable), or not have the tattoo or brand removed (or changed, if applicable).

(a) If the Soldier elects to appeal the finding that the tattoo or brand is in violation of policy, the commander will

forward the matter to the first O–6 commander in the chain of command for a final determination.

(b) If the Soldier elects to have the tattoo or brand removed, the commander will counsel the Soldier on a plan for

scheduling the medical procedure(s). Soldiers will receive a reasonable amount of time to schedule the necessary medical procedure(s) and pay for such procedure(s) (if not available at a military treatment facility). Commanders must also determine if operational requirements will delay the medical procedure(s).

(c) If the Soldier declines to have the tattoo or brand removed, the commander will counsel the Soldier in writing.

The DA Form 4856 will state that the Soldier’s refusal to remove extremist, indecent, sexist, or racist tattoos or brands anywhere on the body, or refusal to remove any unauthorized tattoo or brand in accordance with paragraph 3–3b constitutes a violation of a lawful order and will result in adverse action. The commander will then initiate adminis- trative separation proceedings.

(d) Company-level commanders will make determinations for current Regular and Reserve Component Soldiers

that tattoos or brands comply with this policy. This authority will not be delegated further. If a tattoo or brand is discovered to violate this policy, or the Soldier wishes to appeal the determination, the commander must submit the Soldier’s request to the first O–6 commander in the chain of command for decision.

g. Appropriate authorities for accession determinations are listed in paragraphs 3–3g(1) through 3–3g(5). These

determinations are related to tattoos or brands prejudicial to good order and discipline. Requesting exceptions to policy are outlined in paragraph 3–3i.

(1) Accessions recruiting battalion commanders (O–5 or above), or the recruiting battalion executive officer (O–

4) who has been appointed as acting commander via assumption of command orders in the absence of the battalion commander, will make initial entry determinations for new accessions that tattoos or brands comply with this policy for Regular Army (RA) and U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Soldiers. This authority will not be delegated further.

(2) Commanders (O–5 or above) of Soldiers applying for officer accession programs including Reserve Officers’

Training Corps (ROTC), State and Federal officer candidate programs, and warrant officer candidate programs will make initial determinations for their Soldiers that their tattoos and brands comply with this policy including the pro- vision listed in paragraph 3–3g.

(3) Professors of military science (O–5 or above) will make determinations for ROTC cadets, prior to contracting

and prior to commissioning, that tattoos or brands comply with this policy. This authority will not be delegated further.

(4) Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy will make initial determinations for U.S. Military Academy cadets,

prior to enrollment and prior to commissioning, that tattoos or brands comply with this policy. This authority may be delegated further.

(5) The commandants of State and Federal officer candidate programs and warrant officer candidate programs will

make determinations for candidates, prior to starting the course and prior to commissioning or appointment, that tat- toos or brands comply with this policy. This authority will not be delegated further.

h. Determinations for accessions are required when it is reported (either by visual sighting or annotated on the DD

Form 2807–1 (Report of Medical History)/DD Form 2808 (Report of Medical Examination)) that a tattoo may be prohibited per paragraph 3–3b. Determinations will be fully documented, in writing, and will include a description of all existing tattoos and their location on the body. The Soldier or applicant will receive a copy of all documentation. Unless otherwise directed by the DCS, G–1, these determinations are final. If a tattoo is discovered to violate this policy after an initial determination has been documented, commanders must submit requests for an exception to policy or for discharge through the Soldier’s chain of command to the ACOM, ASCC, and/or DRU for approval. Appeals to the ACOM, ASCC, and/or DRU decision will be forwarded to the DCS, G–1 for decision.

i. Exceptions to policy for accessing applicants not meeting the criteria outlined in paragraph 3–3c must be ap-

proved by the Director of Military Personnel Management, DCS, G–1. Such exceptions must be documented and uploaded into the Soldier’s Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR) upon accession into the Army. Any previous delegation of approval authority for exception to policy for accessing applicants is revoked. This authority will not be further delegated.

j. Soldiers are prohibited from any unauthorized form of body mutilation, which is the willful mutilation of the

body or any body parts in any manner. This prohibition does not include authorized medical alterations performed at a medical treatment facility or cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery procedures the commander normally ap- proves. Examples of unauthorized body mutilation include, but are not limited to, tongue bifurcation (splitting of the tongue), ear gauging (enlarged holes in the lobe of the ear that are greater than 1.6 mm), unnatural shaping of teeth, ear pointing (or “elfing”), scarification (cutting to create intentional scarring), or body modifications for the purpose of suspension (hanging by body hooks). Soldiers who entered the Army with approved body mutilation before 31 March 2014 may request an exception to policy from DCS, G–1. See DA Pam 670–1 for processing guidance.