The U.S. Navy has released its most liberal tattoo policy update which now allows sailors to have tattoos even on their necks.
The Navy has done this in order to retain more sailors from the millenial generation in which, as some statistics show, 30 to 40 percent have at least one tattoo on their body.
It has also been said that the updates were made in response to feedback from the fleet and senior enlisted leadership.
“This policy update is being made in response to the increased popularity of tattoos for those currently serving and in the population from which the Navy draws its recruits. It is also meant to ensure the Navy does not miss opportunities to bring in talented young men and women who are willing to serve” , the service said.
Under the new policy which will go into effect on April 30 sailors will be allowed to have one tattoo on their neck that does not exceed one inch in any direction. The sailors can now also have visible tattoos below the elbow or knee with no restrictions on their size or amount.
Additionally, sailors with sleeve tattoos now can be assigned to Recruit Training Command and Recruiting Command positions which was previously not the case.
However, restrictions on the content of tattoos will remain the same, the Navy said.
Tattoos that are obscene, sexually explicit, and or advocate discrimination based on sex, race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin are not allowed. Also, tattoos that symbolize affiliation with gangs, supremacist or extremist groups, or advocate illegal drug use remain prohibited.