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Military.com Forums Hot Topics & Current Events Point-Counterpoint Declined , but still trying|
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Basic Training |
ok, so here's the story
my name is Christopher S. Griffin i am 18 years old, and i want to join the military... however when i went to gather some more information on the subject of the coast guard which i was very interested in i was told i was unable to join because of a tattoo i have of a pentacle about an inch long on the back of my neck( mind you it is a religious symbol for pagans... i understand the situation, however... i still wish to join... the recruiter suggested joining the National Guard... The reasons why. i have found myself wanting to become a police officer for several reasons, but, as i'm sure you are aware of you must be 21 to do such a job. at the moment, i am currently working security, yet wish to be doing something more with my life than what i am. so, my idea was to join a force and serve as Military police, so instead of being lazy for 3 years i could pursue my goal early and get experience for what i would like as my carrier. so now i am stuck in a gamble and don't know what my options are... i spoke with a national guard recruiter... however, i did not like his sale's man like tone... i want to know all the pro's & con's about my idea, and the navy and National Guard thanks for reading please post back your thoughts... Christopher S. Griffin |
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Everyone dies. It's how you live that defines your existence and writes your epitaph. |
Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but, I believe wiccan was recognized by DoD about 4 years ago.
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Joining the Military and Air Force Forums Moderator |
Nat,
I don't think its about the reigious symbol, I think its about the location of the Tattoo that is DQ. |
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Basic Training |
Yeah I think it's more the placement of the tattoo than the content. I know most (if not all, I'm not certain) services have a policy regarding visibility of tattoos while in uniform...and that one would definitely be visible.
Still, it's always worth talking to a recruiter to see what your options are. :-) Having a plan of what you want to say when you go in is always a good idea. Makes it easier for all involved. Recruiter knows what you want and you don't risk being misunderstood. And don't hesitate to ask right out "what do you think of my plans? How would being a (whatever military job you're interested in) work with these plans?" |
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Recruiting Forum Moderator Authentic USCG Recruiter Minneapolis MN |
For the Coast Guard it is the "placement" of the tattoo in question that is the DQ. The content is fine if it's religious. CPO Kalbach |
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Member |
Doesn't matter if it's Jesus - it's the location of the tattoo, not the content, that they object to. That tatttoo would be within the Army policy, so try being an MP. As for law enforcement, many civilaian police departments don't allow any visible tattoos, so that may be an issue if you want to continue as a civilian LEO. |
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Basic Training |
You just learned a hard lesson in life. Think before you act. I have no idea why people put tattoos in certain places or have those hideous holes in their ears. Not earrings, but the large hole things.
You must think about your future before you act in the present. You learned a hard lesson. The rules are there for a reason. I have no sympathy. |
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Basic Training |
at 15 years old were you really thinking of your future?....... i do not regret the tattoo, maybe the location of it at the moment... and i will agree it is a lesson learned. |
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Highly Experienced Member |
I know I was when I was that age and I accomplished my dreams. But that's me. I'm sure there are others too. |
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Joining the Military and Air Force Forums Moderator |
Thats why its illegal to get tattoo's unless your 18. Let a few more years go by and lets see how you feel about the placement then. I know underage people can get tattoo's if thier parents are with them, but if this is the case, I feel those parents should be jailed !!!!
Although I do think this is more about the placement, I also have to point out that DoD policy states that religious tattoo's are of concern as some can be deemed offensive. |
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Recruiting Forum Moderator Authentic USCG Recruiter Minneapolis MN |
I know who is to blame now. CPO Kalbach |
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Basic Training |
so what your saying is.. even if it was on my Back. they still may not take me... to me this seems a bit discriminatory... i am a US. citizen i am fit, and 18 years of age... and your telling me .. that someone who had a Jewish, catholic, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist,... symbol in the same place ( on the back, within regulation.) may be o.k, however a religion that is not that well know... is more questionable than others?... because i'm sure... if it was a cross.. or a star of David they would not care..( again, within regulation)... and who is to say that someone may not find.. a cross offensive?.. i dont mean to pry at the subject... but is it not one of my constitutional rights to have my own religious beliefs.. and if i wanted to get a tattoo, of a symbol from my religion, your telling me there is a possibility im going to be discriminated against by a "job" ?.... and i say job because that is what the military is, it is a lot harder than most, and you are risking your life to serve your country..so your telling me that it is a possibility that i cant serve my country because of my beliefs? if any other "job" said i could not have the job that would be discriminating. and is being discriminative in a work place not illegal?? and yes i know that the military is a voluntary job, in which they can disqualify people from joining. But if for some reason a draft came into place.. would they really care if i had a tattoo?! No. to be honest.. thats just messed up, and no i don't know a lot about the military but i do know that it is a well respected job. and i thought that if i wanted to serve my country i could... does it really matter if i have a tattoo on my neck ? i would serve the same as anyone who does not. i would die the same way for my country even if i didn't have it... so i guess in the end i am minimally crossed. with the military. but again i understand that the tattoo may be "unprofessional" , and yes maybe i was young, im so sorry that at 15 i was not thinking of the damn consequence. again i would love to meet the person that was at 15 was focused on their life goal.... and thought about everything they did... im sure there are a few individuals out there who did.. but not many. |
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Recruiting Forum Moderator Authentic USCG Recruiter Minneapolis MN |
Ok, this isn't Point/Counterpoint, it's for questions, not rants about what you think is right or not. If you want to post that, then go and post it on the appropriate site: Point Counterpoint, matter of fact, I'll go ahead and move it for you. Go talk to each service(besides CG, it's DQ on your neck, for placement, not content) see what they say. Post moved to PC/P. CPO Kalbach |
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Member |
I had Soldiers in my unit who had visible tattoos. What I would recommend is that you send a letter to MEPS asking what the specific policy is. Tell them that you have a 1-inch religious tattoo, and give them the precise location. The particular religious symbol shouldn't be of concern, so don't go into details.
Whatever their response is... well, that's just the way the rules work. Nobody should discriminate because you have a Pentagram and not a cross or other mainstream symbol, but as many of us are aware, certain factions within our military think that the only religions that should be allowed in the military are Judeo-Christian in origin. I know that trainees are allowed to keep a small, plain religious pendant on a necklace, but I was told to remove mine because the DS didn't consider it to be a real religion. So yes, I know that discrimination against pagans is rampant in the military, even though Wicca has been officially recognized. (NOTE: By the way, to the non-pagans reading this, you should know that Wicca is only one of MANY pagan religions, and that just because the military recognizes Wicca as a religion doesn't mean that the rest of us are being given a fair shake.) If you're not allowed because you have a tattoo - ANY tattoo - above your collar, then it's not discrimination. If they'd write a waver for a Jesus tattoo, but not a Pentagram, then there's a problem. DON'T ASSUME DISCRIMINATION. Approach it neutrally, and if the rule is being applied fairly, accept it. |
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Member |
when i was in the navy in the late 80's they came out with a bulliten stating that all future tattoos had to be in a non-visible place while in uniform. i don't know if this was policy before i joined in 87 or after i was in, but i do recall that because all 4 of mine were placed in non-visible places on my arms and legs.
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Set This World Ablaze |
If you really want to join, you'll get the tat removed.
Which is more important? |
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Member |
Sounds like you have more issues than just wanting to get into the military. Killswitchengage made a good suggestion.  "They love our milk and honey but they preach about some other way of living When you’re running down my country, Hoss you’re walking on the fighting side of me" - - Merle Haggard |
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"I messed with Texas." Hot Topics Moderator/Wars Fought/Revolutions Started/Assassinations Plotted/Governments Run/Uprisings Quelled/Stud Service/Cougars Tamed/Bars Emptied/Computers Verified/Ricks Rolled  |
Hell boys, I smell troll.
There's two ways to make a man change what he thinks about you. You can set him on fire, or you can slap him. |
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Member |
Right. There are easy laser procedures to remove tattoos now. If you couldn't figure out that for yourself, here's a link for you to read up on it: Tattoo removal |
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Far East Ambassador and Cultural Liason Has Been 4  |
silent7,
1. Joining the military isnt a right it is a priviledge. 2. As said if that tat is more important (removal)than the military, then your service is not needed. Joining our military requires some sacrifice and our military is not the place for people to express all their whims of the moment. Serious people only need apply.... |
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Experianced Member |
Chris,
Try posting your story here, there are recruiters that should be able to steer you in the right direction.... Joining the Military Good Luck. |
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