Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno confirmed Wednesday that the Army will change its unpopular tattoo policy, with looser rules that allow for more ink to take effect in the near future.
“Society is changing its view of tattoos and we have to change along with that. It makes sense. Soldiers have grown up in an era when tattoos are much more acceptable and we have to change along with that,” the general said while speaking at a conference in Huntsville, Alabama, Army Times reported.
The updated regulation will no longer limit the number and size of tattoos soldiers can have. Racist, sexist, or extremists tattoos are still prohibited. Tattoos are also still not allowed on a soldier’s neck.
Gen. Odierno added that many soldiers felt as though the regulation would hinder their career advancement. A spokesman said the regulation would officially be updated in the near future, Army Times reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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