COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- A Kentucky lawmaker wants to warn tattoo parlor customers that getting ink on their necks could stop them from serving in the military.
State Rep. Ron Crimm, R-Louisville, pre-filed a bill that would require tattoo parlors to post a sign reminding patrons of military restrictions on body art.
Crimm told The Kentucky Enquirer that the warnings would serve as a reminder and the bill isn't aimed at hurting tattoo parlors (http://bit.ly/sx3YDo ).
"I thought this would serve as a word to the wise," Crimm said.
Military regulations regarding tattoos don't necessarily prohibit tattoos on arms and legs and vary according to the branch. Generally, the military prohibits neck tattoos and tattoos with racist or other material deemed obscene by military command.
Crimm's proposal would require tattoo parlors to hang a sign supplied by the state that warns "any tattoo on the neck, forearm or lower leg shall automatically disqualify the wearer from military service in the United States Armed Forces."
Tattoo artist Tommy Partin, who works at Designs by Dana in Covington, said most of his customers are aware of the military restrictions.
"I know people that get stuff covered up to get in the military," Partin said. "If they have a pinup girl on the arm, they are asked to put a top on her."
A picture of any tattoo on anyone who enlists in the Army National Guard in Kentucky gets reviewed by Maj. Fred W. Bates V, recruiting and retention battalion commander for the Kentucky National Guard. He can sign a waiver or send it to leadership for a recommendation.
Sometimes the Army tells the enlistee to cover a tattoo or get it removed if the person wants to enlist, he said.
"The military is inclusive, and you don't want a tattoo that racially offends someone else or that's degrading to women," Bates said. "In the military, you have to serve together and fight in combat together. You don't want these issues causing problems. And there are standards in the uniform. There are standards in the Army about haircuts and piercings that people can and can't have."
Tattoos have become more popular since the 1980s when Mark Lind served in the Air Force. Lind didn't have any tattoos at that time but now works as a tattoo artist and owns Lucky 13 tattoo parlor in Covington.
"They weren't popular like they are now," Lind said. "You didn't see people covered. Now, anywhere you go, you're bound to see people covered in tattoos."
Lind said tells customers who want tattoos on the neck or other highly visible areas the potential consequences and what types of tattoos they should consider, such as the names of children instead of names of their partners, which could change.
"Saw a girl last week who got a tattoo of her significant other, his name on her neck," Lind said. "She wants it covered up now, a week later. You try to explain to people, but they want what they want. They'll look at the sign in the same way."
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Information from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com
