The Army tattoo policy allows unlimited tattoos on the arms, legs, torso, and back, permits small tattoos on the hands, back of the neck, and behind the ears, and bans tattoos on the face along with any content that is extremist, racist, sexist, or indecent. The current rules come from Army Regulation 670-1 as updated by Army Directive 2022-09 in June 2022, and they apply the same way to enlisted soldiers, officers, and applicants.1U.S. Army Recruiting. Army Directive 2022-09 Soldier Tattoos
Where Tattoos Have No Size or Number Limit
Arms and legs are essentially open. Since 2015, there is no cap on the size or number of tattoos on a soldier’s arms and legs so long as the ink stays below the crew-neck t-shirt line.2The United States Army. Army Eases Tattoo Restrictions With New Policy A full sleeve, a single forearm piece, or a calf tattoo all fit within the rules.
The torso and back are also unrestricted for size and number. Anything covered by a standard t-shirt and shorts is fine on placement grounds; content rules still apply.
Small Tattoos Now Allowed on Hands, Neck, and Behind the Ears
Directive 2022-09 opened up several spots that used to be off-limits, but with strict measurements:
- Hands: one visible tattoo per hand, no larger than one inch in any direction. One ring tattoo per hand is also allowed.
- Between the fingers: unlimited, but they cannot be visible when the fingers are closed.
- Back of the neck: one tattoo, no larger than two inches in any direction.
- Behind each ear: one tattoo per side, no larger than one inch, and it cannot extend forward past the ear lobe.
“One inch in all directions” means a circular boundary, not just length or width. A tattoo that bleeds past that limit is non-compliant even if one dimension fits.
Areas Where Tattoos Are Still Prohibited
Some highly visible spots remain closed:
- Head and face, with a narrow exception for permanent cosmetic makeup.
- Front and sides of the neck, above the t-shirt neckline.
- Inside the eyelids, mouth, and ears.
Content That Is Banned Anywhere on the Body
Placement aside, the Army bans tattoos that depict or advocate extremist, racist, sexist, or indecent themes.2The United States Army. Army Eases Tattoo Restrictions With New Policy That reaches hate group symbols, gang insignia, derogatory language, nudity, and imagery promoting illegal discrimination.
Department of Defense Instruction 1325.06 defines “extremist” content as anything advocating hatred or discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, or promoting overthrow of the U.S. government through unconstitutional means.3Defense.gov. DoD Instruction 1325.06 Tattooing of Military Personnel Company commanders decide whether a specific tattoo crosses the line, which matters because fringe symbols don’t always carry an obvious meaning.
The Permanent Cosmetic Makeup Exception
The face ban has one carve-out. Tattooed eyebrows, eyeliner, and similar cosmetic work are authorized as long as the result is modest, conservative, and complements the soldier’s complexion and uniform.4U.S. Army. Army Regulation 670-1 Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia Eccentric or exaggerated styles are prohibited, and so is any makeup designed to cover or camouflage a tattoo in uniform. Male soldiers are barred from wearing cosmetics unless medically prescribed, so in practice this exception applies to women.
Rules for Applicants
Every applicant must disclose all existing tattoos during enlistment or the commissioning process. Recruiters record each tattoo’s size, location, and content and check it against the current standards. Tattoos that fall outside the rules can disqualify an applicant from service.1U.S. Army Recruiting. Army Directive 2022-09 Soldier Tattoos The same standards govern enlistment and appointment; the directive draws no distinction between the two tracks.
Rules for Current Soldiers
Company commanders run annual inspections to check that every tattoo remains within regulation.2The United States Army. Army Eases Tattoo Restrictions With New Policy Any new tattoo a soldier gets must meet the standards in effect at the time of the tattoo, not the rules that were in place when the soldier joined.
Tattoos that were compliant under older rules are generally grandfathered even if newer regulations would prohibit them. Documentation is the catch. Soldiers with tattoos in areas that later became restricted must complete a self-identification memorandum listing each tattoo’s location and description, including photographs, validated by the commander.5U.S. Army Recruiting Command. Self Identification of Existing Tattoos Memo Example The memo goes into the soldier’s file and proves the tattoo predates the policy change. Skipping the paperwork is what causes problems at a later inspection or a permanent change of station.
What Happens if a Tattoo Isn’t Compliant
When a commander identifies a non-compliant tattoo, the soldier is formally counseled and has 15 days to explain whether they plan to have the tattoo removed or altered.2The United States Army. Army Eases Tattoo Restrictions With New Policy The window is for presenting a plan, not for completing removal, which typically takes multiple laser sessions over months.
Refusing to address the issue triggers discipline. Tattoo violations fall under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which covers failure to obey a lawful regulation and authorizes punishment as a court-martial may direct.6Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 10 USC 892 Art 92 Failure to Obey Order or Regulation In practice, consequences can range from non-judicial punishment under Article 15 to involuntary separation.
Who Pays for Tattoo Removal
Removal costs almost always come out of the soldier’s own pocket. Department of Defense policy makes service members pay for elective tattoo removal. The only exception is command-directed removal, where a commander formally orders that a non-compliant tattoo be removed; in those rare cases the military covers the cost.4U.S. Army. Army Regulation 670-1 Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia
Military treatment facilities are not required to offer tattoo removal, and most do not. Soldiers usually get referred to off-post civilian providers. Civilian laser removal generally costs several hundred dollars per session, and full removal can require six to ten sessions depending on the tattoo’s size, color, and age. AR 670-1 does require that soldiers get a “reasonable amount of time” to schedule the procedure, so a commander cannot impose an unrealistic deadline.
Religious Exceptions to Placement Rules
Soldiers who want a tattoo in a restricted area for religious reasons can request an exception to policy. The 2022 update specifically noted that facial tattoo exceptions may be filed for religious purposes.2The United States Army. Army Eases Tattoo Restrictions With New Policy
The request process runs through DoD Instruction 1300.17, which governs religious liberty across the military services. Religious body art must be “neat and conservative,” and visibility in uniform is one of the factors weighed. Requests that can be approved within existing service regulations are handled at the lowest appropriate command level, while requests that would waive Army-wide policy go to the Secretary of the Army.7Defense.gov. DoD Instruction 1300.17 Religious Liberty in the Military Services Soldiers must keep following the existing policy while a request is pending. Getting the tattoo before approval puts you in violation.