sailors and tattoos

[CarolJ * Courtney's Mom *]

I know that sailors and tattoos go hand and hand.... just wondering how other moms out there are feeling about this?

added after discussion started:

...she is wanting to get tats that signify members of the family, I know it's her choice , the problem I have is placement. one on ankle and one on top of foot. they are coverable as far as the Navy is concerned but what about when she gets out or wants to dress up in a dress and strappy heels or just shorts and flip-flops. Guess i'm just old fashion.. granted I have thought about it for myself, even went into a shop and talked to the artist, just couldn't bring myself to find something that i wanted on my body for the rest of my life, covered or not.
I know it's her life and her body, and if one of my two sons wanted one later in life i probably wouldn't have such a problem with it.... just the momma of my babygirl coming out in me i guess.

[Anne K. Koziol]

I always told my kids that if they get tattoo'd it has to be something they can live with forever. So far only one has tattoos. He's my sailor boy and all of his are covered by sleeves and any other piece of clothing and they don't show when
he's in uniform. He's shown me each of the new ones he's gotten and I must say they aren't bad.

Suggest to your daughter that she be very choosy and not just get anything. That way she will look at the possibilities and be able to decide on a "nice" one.

Good luck

[Jeanine #762]

My sailor has one on his back shoulder blade from when he was 16. I signed, but it is a cross with a ribbon on it with his Dad and birth and death years. Tastefully done. It was drilled during boot camp into him that it can't show through the whites or below sleeves etc. Young and silly sailors they all are we just have to trust them and love them just the same, tatoos or not. I do agree that those with meaning are more personal and more thought out than those who do it just for the sake of doing it.

[Katrina]

I am lucky, my son already had tatoos, infact my daughter also has them and she bought me one last year, if done right, they are not bad at all.

[Kathy]

BTW, Tatoos are not bad. I'm a mother of three beautiful daughters, who has a tattoo or two. Nothing wrong with it, it's a form of vanity...just like makeup or a hairdo or muscle-building, working out, running or anything else you do to make yourself feel and look good.

[LisaG-WA (PeteG's Mom)]

Hello All! My Dad has a tattoo from WWII, including his serial number. It's a hula girl and when he moves his muscle, she wiggles. Thank goodness my mother, whom he met after getting the tattoo, LOOKS like the figure in the tattoo! I decided I didn't want any tattoos and managed a whole career without one (I was always the sober designated driver to the tattoo parlor!) My Senior Chief ended up with a colorful Pink Panther the entire length of her inner arm, still haunts me to this day.

The current generation are tattooed up and I'm not sure they are thinking of the long term. My husband had one early on in his career and ended up having it taken off surgically....not a pretty site and very painful to boot. Our son, PeteG, got a tattoo after high school graduation and moving into his own apartment. "No Regrets" in caligraphy on his upper arm. My only comment was that he hadn't lived long enough to have any regrets! Then, after joining the Navy, he had our last name tattooed down the back of his calf, like he was going to forget who he was or something. I'm thinking he might put his first name and middle initial down the back of the other calf to make a matching set. At one time, I did think of having my service number tatooed somewhere, then thought I might not be able to sit down...so gave up the thought.

[Suzanne]

Hi Carol, I had really hoped that my son wouldn't get any tattoos but with time he now has 9 of them. A few of them I like and most tell his story. 3 of his tats are on his for arms and I was sure he would be sent to mass for it but it never happened. My husband got one when he was in Vietnam and always said he wished he had not gotten it. They make my husband upset because of the money our son has to spend to get the tats. I say he works for his money, he doesn't ask us for anything, he's a good boy, so its all good with me.

[Debby]

I dont have a tattoo, however I have 2 military sons who both have tattoo's... I always had the feeling that I will pick and choose my battles with my kids and this was not a battle I wanted to fight... their bodies their decision.. I just asked they don't put them anywhere that can not be covered by clothes and they did... Having a tattoo doesnt make them less of hero's in my eyes...

Debby

[Kathy S]

I wasn't too thrilled when my son got his first one shortly after his 18th birthday and before he took his oath. But, I've gotten used to it. While he was stationed overseas, he added to it but you still can't see it under his BDU's so, it's ok. His wife doesn't seem to mind, so I guess that's part of the "growing up and being in the Navy" scene. It's sort of a right of passage. Kind of like girls getting their ears pierced.

[NavyMomK9]

My daughter got her 1st (small "Thumper" on her ankle) right after boot camp 14 years ago. She has since gotten several more and honestly the only one that really bugs me is the 1/4 sleeve on one of her arms. Although it is very pretty(wildflowers) I just keep thinking about how she can hide it when/if she gets married and wears a beautiful wedding gown. Both my girls have tattoos and under severe "peer" pressure on one of Amy's leaves home they talked me into getting one too. It's a 6" vine of flowers on my lower back. And let me tell you, even after 2 natural childbirths that was the worse pain I ever felt!!!!!! Anyway, my opinion is that as long as they arent vulgar and can be covered with clothing it's fine with me.
I do know that there are rules about tattoos in the military. Make sure your daughter checks that out first.

[Cindy]

Interesting that this discussion would come up today! When our son got his first tatoo, he actually called and told me he was going to get it. He wanted my okay. Mind you, I thought it was sweet as he was already 18. He's now in Corpsman A-school in GL's. I received a picture on my cell last night, he has a huge tatoo on his back! It's the medical insignia, only difference is it has a gun going up and down instead of the rod. He made sure that it was below the collar line, as anyone hoping to become an officer can't have any tatoos showing. I was totally shocked. Personally, I don't like tatoo's. Morgan's first one was okay. I'm reserving my opinion until I see this new one. It does look very colorful, though!

Why would a chit be needed to get a tatoo? When they're off base, isn't that considered their own time?

[Sue W]

My son is a corpsman and got a tatoo while he was at GL's. He had his last name tatooed on his shoulder blade. When we saw it my husband asked him if he had it done in case he forgot what his name was! We have teased him about it ever since and I think he's decided one is enough, at least I hope so!

[Leann]

All the boys except my sailor have a tattoo of my dads dog tags above their heart with the words "proud grandson of ..." with the American flag in the background. My Sailor was not old enough last year, but when he comes home that is his plan. They are very beautiful and the art work is superb, maybe I am a little bias, my oldest son designed it. My oldest son has many tattoo's. stars on his shoulders, Momma's Boy across his back, his favorite is his" to do list "on the inside of his forearm. They all waited until they were of age that is all I ask of them