Yes, you can have tattoos in the Navy, which has a relatively relaxed policy, allowing full sleeves and some neck/hand tattoos, but they must not be offensive, extremist, indecent, or visible on the face, head, or scalp. Content is key, prohibiting anything racist, sexist, intimidating, or drug-related, with commanding officers having final say on appropriateness, though waivers for location are generally not offered.
The US Navy's tattoo policy allows one tattoo on the neck that is no larger than one inch in any direction: Size The only size restriction is for tattoos on the neck and behind the ear. There is no limit to the size of tattoos on the arms, legs, or torso. Location Tattoos are not permitted on the head, face, or scalp.
Size: The size restriction for visible tattoos is limited to the area of the neck and behind the ear only. As a result of this change, leg and arm tattoos can be of any size. Tattoo on the neck or behind the ear will not exceed one inch in measurement in any dimension (height/width).
Can you have full hand tattoo in navy Yes you can as long as the tattoo isn't derogatory, violent, drug/gang related. Won't even need a waiver for a hand tattoo.
Most tattoos and piercings won't prevent you from joining the Royal Navy, providing: tattoos are not visible on a front-view passport-style photograph (e.g. not on your face, throat area or in front of your ears) tattoos are not offensive or obscene (see our policy for full details) any piercings can be removed.
Disqualifiers. Potential recruits can be disqualified for a variety of reasons, including drug use, weight, aptitude, conduct, and dependency. Additional factors such as age and citizenship can disqualify someone from specific entry programs, such as Officer Candidate School.
Navy Tattoo Policy
Hands: You can have tattoos on your hands, including one ring tattoo per hand. Neck: Small tattoos that don't exceed 1 inch. Sleeves: The Navy permits full-sleeve tattoos. Face & Head: Still strictly prohibited, except for permanent makeup.
All Royal Navy vessels have a "no touching rule" that prohibits intimate relationships on board, but the Navy takes a particularly harsh view when it might affect the chain of command.
Army tattoo policy prohibits tattoos on the head, face, neck above the t-shirt collar, wrists or hands other than one ring tattoo per hand that must rest where a normal ring would.
Age limits
Coast Guard: 17 - 41. Marine Corps: 17 - 28. Navy: 17 - 41. Space Force: 17 - 42.
Prohibited Articles
Explosives and incendiaries. Firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons. Illegal drugs. Any other item which is considered illegal or in violation of federal, state, or local laws.
How much does an Entry Level Navy make? As of Jan 8, 2026, the average annual pay for an Entry Level Navy in the United States is $35,227 a year.
Can Pilots Have Tattoos? Yes, pilots can have tattoos, but there are restrictions. Most airlines require that tattoos not be visible while wearing the standard pilot uniform, meaning they should not be on areas like the face, neck, or hands.
Here's a short list of some of the most common employers that either don't allow tattoos or ask you to cover them up at work:
The Navy has one of the most relaxed tattoo policies compared to the other military branches. Sailors can have neck and hand tattoos as long as they are not larger than one inch in diameter. Tattoos located behind the ears are also allowed.
You'll begin attending classes and your physical fitness training. During this time, you must pass a swim test, which is standard for all Sailors. If you cannot swim, you will receive training in a safe, monitored and controlled environment taught by Water Survival Instructors.
U.S. Navy Tattoo Policy
The Navy allows a good amount of flexibility: Tattoos on the neck and behind the ears are allowed (must not exceed 1 inch in any dimension). Sleeves and full body art are acceptable as long as they follow content rules. Tattoos on the scalp or face are still prohibited.
Requirements to join as an enlisted Soldier include: Be between 17 and 34 years old. Be medically and physically fit. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid Green Card.
Laser tattoo removal is your best option for getting rid of unwanted ink that violates the military standard. While the military will not pay for your removal, many laser clinics offer military discounts.
After completion of 6 years TIS, Sailors may then be transitioned to the IRR to serve the remainder of their MSO. On a typical 8-year contract, this would amount to 4 years of active duty, 2 years of SELRES, and 2 years of IRR; hence the popular 4-2-2.
Unmarried couples typically cannot live on base unless under specific circumstances (such as being designated a caregiver for children). That means most cohabiting couples rent military housing off base, often with both names on the lease. Here, the military clause comes into play.
Still, it's clear to see that service personnel tend to struggle with divorce more frequently than many other jobs. This could be due to the increased stress and time spent away from home or might be caused by military members getting married too young in an effort to receive benefits.
The Navy tattoo regulations, updated in 2021, are now some of the most lenient in all military branches. Prior rules prohibited any neck tattoos and limited the amount of ink that could be shown on forearms or legs. New regulations allow unlimited tattoos on the legs, arms, neck, hands and behind the ears.
Navy Weight And Height Requirement
To be an applicant for the Navy, you must be between 57-80 inches tall. The weight standards are about your height and gender. For example, if you're 60 inches tall and a male, you must be 141lb maximum. If you're 70 inches and a female, you cannot weigh more than 177lb.
The shortest military contract for active duty is two years, but an eight-year commitment is required overall. The National Call to Service Program includes 15 months of active duty and reserve duty requirements. Reserve members fulfill their service by drilling one weekend a month and two weeks a year.