Will Recruitment Rise in Killeen, Texas With New Tattoo Policy?

If you have been wanting to join the Army, but have some tattoos in the wrong places, here's some good news!

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The United States Army is at less than half of its enlistment goal, and according to the Army Times, they are struggling to find military recruits. KWTX is reporting that U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth has issued a new policy allowing soldiers to have small tattoos on their hands, ears, and necks.

New Tattoo Policy for Army

As far as military branches go, the United States Army has some of the most relaxed rules for ink, but to increase its numbers, those rules are even more flexible now.

The following tattoos are currently authorized for Army soldiers:

• One visible tattoo on each hand smaller than one inch in measurement. This tattoo cannot be on the fingers (one ring tattoo per hand is okay, as are 'an unlimited number of tattoos between the fingers, as long as they are not visible when the fingers are closed')
• One tattoo on the back of a soldier’s neck, less than two inches in measurement
• One tattoo behind each ear, no larger than one inch in measurement, and not extending beyond the ear lobe

Prohibited Army Tattoos

Prohibitions on type of tattoo or brand remain in effect. Soldiers may continue to
submit religious accommodation requests for a waiver. 

The U.S. Army prohibits any tattoos that are racist, derogatory, sexist, extremist, or indecent. These types of tattoos are not allowed, no matter where you have them on your body, even they are hidden under a uniform.

Army Benefits

The service is currently offering recruiting bonuses up to $50,000, according to military.com. New recruits will also be allowed pick their first duty station (with some limitations). These incentives come on top of existing benefits, like the GI Bill and VA home loans.