Military Tattoo Designs

Before You Ink...

Before we discuss military tattoo designs, we have to talk about changing standards and regulations. While many a soldier has a tattoo or two to show for their time in the service, the practice is not overlooked by commanders the way it once was. Today, brass is frowning on tats, and is setting limits on what the rank and file can have, as well as where they can get inked. In some cases, it may be easier to wait until your time in the service is finished before you get a commemorative tattoo.

Military Tattoo Designs for Every Branch

Some of the designs we're going to talk about are suitable for more than one branch of the service, so if you see something you like and the designs fits you can certainly have it inked.

Army

• Camouflage: Camouflage makes a great half or full sleeve tattoo, but due to regulations, you'll have to wait until you're out before you can have this extensive of a tattoo.
• Red beret: The red beret is worn by members of the Airborne Division. You'll often see this beret sported by a skull. This is basically symbolic of the fact that the Airborne Division is always ready for rapid deployment, and since that usually means being dropped into areas of active fighting, death is a constant companion.
• Green berets: The green beret belongs to special forces units. It's often paired up with skulls or wings.
• Tanks: The ultimate symbol of "Git R Done"!

Navy

• Navy Emblem: This design consists of an eagle clutching an anchor and a flag, surrounded by gold chain links. The next ring proclaims "United States Navy" on a blue background, and a rope makes up the outermost layer. Technically you need to have the Navy's permission to use this emblem exactly as is, so most service men opt to personalize the design.
• Anchors: "Anchors away" as the song goes. This design has been popular for ages with the Navy as well as other sailors.

Air Force

• Wings: Wings are obviously the kind of tattoos most often associated with this branch of the service. Pilots frequently combine their wings with the Air Force logo.
• Jets: Fighter jets are another popular theme with the Air Force, usually with flames incorporated into the design.
• Air Force logo: This is a star on a ribbon background. The design is often enhanced with eagles, flags and other patriotic symbols.

Marines

• Bulldogs: Bulldogs are the unofficial mascots of the Marines.
• Crash, Fire and Rescue: Members of this unit of the Marines are extremely proud of their service, so this emblem is a very popular tattoo design. The look varies, but the emblem resembles a Maltese cross and has the words individually inked on the west, north and east compass points of the shield. And eagle and globe are usually part of the design.
• USMC: Many Marines choose the classic Old English lettering of "USMC" as the basis for a tattoo. This basic design is often enhanced by a flag or banner.

Coast Guard

The US Coast Guard emblem is by far the most popular tattoo design worn by members of the branch of the military. The center of the design is a badge-shaped flag, surrounded by a disc that says "United States Coast Guard". This design is layered over a pair of crossed anchors.

Other Coast guard designs incorporate:

• Gun boats
• Cutters
• Helicopters
• Life preservers

General Military Tats

• Dog tags: This is one of those military tattoo designs that is suitable for other branches of service, although the Army tends to be most closely associated with it. Some soldiers, especially those who are being deployed to hot spots, choose to have the information from their dog tags permanently inked. This way there is another way to quickly identify themselves should their tags become lost.
• Malta cross: This symbol is associated with the Sovereign Order of Malta, and is typically worn by medics and other military hospital personnel.

See for Yourself

If you want to see some great military tats for yourself, visit MilitaryTattoos.us They cover every branch of service.

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