DesertBird Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Hi everyone, I am, or rather, was in the process of getting my packet together. I have been studying everyday and getting myself familiarized with the ins and outs of this program making sure that I have everything up to par at the best of my ability. I recently went to the Army recruiter and was getting my SIFT scheduled. Today, my recruiter messaged me stating that because of my tattoo, he can not go through with helping me because he talked to his commander and was informed that my tattoo was not going to be approved. But he hasn't even looked at my tattoo in person. It is written in Thai and is the word "Family". It is pretty large BUT my hand DOES cover it. It reaches the tips of my fingers and ends at wrist. I just want to know if any of you know what I can do to get this issue resolved? I have my heart set on doing the best I can in this program and to have my chances be completely burned to ashes because of my tattoo is extremely disheartening. Any comment or opinions welcome. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsey Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 AR 670-1. You may have to remove it if you still want to apply for WOFT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamer Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 I'm going to assume the location of your tattoo is below the knee or elbow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertBird Posted February 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Yes, it Is located on my Left Forearm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainbourassa Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 If it is below your wrist bone you are pretty much hosed unless you get it removed so it no longer extends past the wrist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsey Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 From the USAREC WOFT site: "*UPDATED TATTOO POLICY** - ATTENTION ALL ACTIVE DUTY (AD) APPLICANTS (INCLUDING SISTER SERVICES)! Effective 17 September 2014, all AD applicants must be in compliance with REVISED AR 670-1 (Tattoo Policy) dated 15 September 2014. Soldiers are prohibited from having tattoos or brands on the head, face (except for permanent makeup), neck (anything above the t-shirt neck line to include on/inside the eyelids, mouth, and ears), wrists, hands, or fingers. Enlisted Soldiers who have tattoos that were compliant with previous tattoo policies (grandfathered tattoos) may request commissioning or appointment. Commanders should continue to evaluate potential applicants on the whole Soldier concept in making appropriate recommendations. Soldiers, who have unauthorized tattoos that were not in compliance with previous policies, are not grandfathered. Grandfathering applies to Army enlisted applying for officer accession or appointment. Sister Service applicants are not eligible for grandfathering."http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/index.shtml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaw89 Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 One more reason not to get a tattoo. The good news is that there are some good laser treatments out there now. I know a guy who got one removed from his face. It took several treatments and several weeks, but it's hardly detectable now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydenp Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Basically the reason you may not get approved for your tattoo is because the only people the army is letting into the WOFT program with tattoos below the elbow and knee are those who are already in the army and have those tattoos and also are within compliance of the regulations (i.e. no degrading, racial, etc. types of tattoos), therefore they are grandfathered in as the message on USAREC website states and still can apply, all other people entering the army after September 17, 2014 with tattoos below the elbow and knee unfortunately cannot be accepted into the WOFT program, like others said, your best bet is to get it removed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaw89 Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 If you have the money, just get it removed. It's not worth having if it prevents you from joining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ejones Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 That's a bummer, sorry to hear that dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaterRooster Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Such as stupid rule. Sorry man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertBird Posted February 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 I Bet If I Were To Go In And Say That I Wanted To Go Enlisted, They'll Be All About Getting A Waiver For Me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydenp Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 I Bet If I Were To Go In And Say That I Wanted To Go Enlisted, They'll Be All About Getting A Waiver For Me.Oh yea guaranteed, they are more worried about meeting quota for enlisted personnel rather than helping out someone for a WOFT packet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BM1 Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 I paid $3500 to let a Doctor cut on my eyes and shoot a laser into them. If I never get selected it was still worth the risk to my eyesight and the monetary cost. I sure wouldn't let a tattoo get in my way. Weigh your options and decide what the cost of applying is worth to you, but if you can have it removed it would sure as hell show some commitment. Not something I would skimp on either. I read that if the removal leaves burns too bad, they will deny you for having branding instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainbourassa Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 Not something I would skimp on either. I read that if the removal leaves burns too bad, they will deny you for having branding instead.You really think they would mark that as a branding? I would have thought they would just jot it down under scars. I too hand lasik and man oh man was it worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlaw89 Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 I paid $3500 to let a Doctor cut on my eyes and shoot a laser into them. If I never get selected it was still worth the risk to my eyesight and the monetary cost. I sure wouldn't let a tattoo get in my way. Weigh your options and decide what the cost of applying is worth to you, but if you can have it removed it would sure as hell show some commitment. Not something I would skimp on either. I read that if the removal leaves burns too bad, they will deny you for having branding instead. His drinking buddy remove it? If you go to a professional who uses the latest equipment, it's not going to leave burn marks or branding. The tattoo will be hardly detectable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BM1 Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 I'm not claiming to be an authority by any means, but I read an article when they first started the policy that mentioned it. Like anything I'm sure you get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shainbourassa Posted February 23, 2015 Report Share Posted February 23, 2015 Yeah I don't know, I've never known or met anyone who had one removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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