The US Coast Guard Has Updated Their Tattoo Policy

Get ready for all the new Coastie ink that’s about to pop up in your feed

Companies across the globe are being forced to finally get with the times and update their policies regarding tattoos, and the U.S. Coast Guard is no exception.

On Thursday, October 3, Coast Guard Officials announced that service members now have no limitations to the number of tattoos they are permitted to have. So ink up your chest all you want, the Coasties are willing to take you either way.

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HITRON consists of much more than aviation. Our support departments manage everything behind the scenes while our aircrews are deployed to ensure HITRON continues running smoothly and our members are taken care of. These departments complete daily tasks such as managing administrative/pay issues, intel gathering, ensuring medical readiness, conducting hangar/facilities maintenance, armory/range control, and ordering supplies. Being the largest rotary wing air station in the Coast Guard, it takes a true team effort to keep meeting mission demands. #uscg #uscglantarea #HITRON2020

A post shared by U.S. Coast Guard (@uscg) on Sep 28, 2019 at 7:03pm PDT

Not only are service members permitted to have any percentage of their body covered, they’re now allowed to have a single one inch tattoo and one ring tattoo on each hand. Chest tattoos are allowed as long as they are not visible above the collar of U.S. Coast Guard official uniform.

This change was made in an effort to make it possible for more people to enlist in the Coast Guard, as it’s more common to see people with visible tattoos applying. Formerly, enlistees were not permitted to have any tattoos on their hands or fingers, making it impossible for some people to apply. While tattoos on the face and neck are still forbidden, this change is a step in the right direction to allow service members to express themselves through their bodies.