Can a tattoo sleeve prevent you from joining the US Military?

The Marine Regulations clearly state you cannot have a limb's length of tattoos.

The Army might allow you to enlist if the sleeve isn't sexist, racist, or distasteful.
 
Yes, it will absolutely prevent you from entering. Sleeve tats are an automatic DQ. You would have to get it removed to serve.

The reg states that a tattoo must cover no more than 25% of any body part and must ot be visible while in uniform. considering that the uniform has long and short sleeve components, a sleeve tattoo would be readily visible.
 
Odds of getting into the Marines are slim to none. They've recently changed their tattoo policies, and your odds of getting a waiver for a sleeve are pretty much zip. The Army is the least strict out of all the branches. I spoke to my recruiter about my concerns, and we had to fill out paperwork and waivers documenting the size, location, what the tattoo is, and what it means. All tattoos need to be evaluated, but as long as it's nothing gang related, racist, sexist, extremist, or offensive you should be fine.

So no naked ladies. Just make sure your paperwork's in order before you go to MEPS.

Edit -- the Army did change its tattoo policy in 2006 to bolster enlistment. There is no set rule in the army, as in the other branches, regarding percentage of the limb tattooed. The Army now also may allow tattoos on the hands and the back of the neck as long as they are approved and within guidelines.
 
It is really different depending on the branch. With the AF, the tattoo cannot cover more than 1/4th of the body part it's located on. My half sleeve, thankfully, takes up more shoulder than arm, so I was fine.

Here's some sites that could give you the answers, because I'm not Army or Marines.
 
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