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Show Tattoo, body piercing, branding guidelines given WASHINGTON (AFNS) While not banning its people from wearing body art, the Air Force is setting forth guidelines on tattoos, branding and body piercing in an interim change to Air Force Instruction Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel. In essence, tattoos or brands should not be excessive, and those that contain inflammatory, obscene, racist, sexist or similar Off duty, on base, -- . conservative and kept within sensi- recognized the increasing popul- content are strictly prohibited. Examples of those that could be considered-excessiv- would include images or brands h that cover more than of an exposed body limb or are visible above the collarbone in an open-colla- r uniform. "Our big goal right now is to educate arity of body art and have adjusted per- sonal appearance one-fourt- ' the community about what the new policies are," said CMSgt. Michael Ogden ALC Senior Enlisted Advi- sor. "It is everyone's responsibility to enforce Air Force standards." The piercing guidelines simply state that males: On base, in or out of uniform, on or off duty, cannot wear earrings or any other visible body piercings. Likewise, the piercing guidelines simply state that females: On duty, on base, in uniform may wear a single, small, spherical, matching earring in each earlobe; Pat-tarozz- i, On duty, in civilian clothes may wear a single, small, spherical, matching earring in each earlobe. No other body piercings should be visible; . policy to set appropriate guidelines for Force, but has not recognized the piercings should be visible. "Basically, we've icy prohibiting people with excessive or offensive tattoos from joining the Air Basically, we've ble limits. No other body pol- long-standin- g in civilian clothes earrings should be had a policy restrict- ing the display of increasing popularity of body art and have adjusted personal body piercing on active duty. As with other issues, he explained, presenting a proper to appearance policy such practices," said Lt.Col. Whit Taylor, chief of the Air Force Quality of Life tattoos, brands and military image at all times is paramount; piercing and body art are not exceptions. "We've tried to provide commanders, first sergeants and supervisors clear guidance on set appropriate guidelines for such practices. Office, which is responsible for uniforms and personal U. Col. Whit Taylor appearance policy. Air Force Quality of Life Office "The Air Force has what is acceptable," Benken said. They long had dress and have the latitude to ' personal appearance t standards, and they are not stagnant," he look at the size and extent of the tattoo said. They are evolutionary and will conand determine what is acceptable ... I tinue to serve as minimum standards, think the guidance i&fair, reasonable and leaving much discretionary judgment to necessary." said to most Benken determine people now wearappropriate cojnmanders appearance and safety requirements ing tattoos are within the boundaries of the new policy. This policy will not affect for their mission profiles." Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force the vast majority of people," Benken said. Eric W. Benken said the Air Force has a The new rules are for those who have taken body art to the extreme." Benken said that because of the Air Force's global mission, airmen should be cautious about personal hygiene and issues that arise from other health-relate- d wearing items on the body. Air Force doctors back up the chief's position. Their medical opinion is that, in terms of tattooing, piercing and scarification (cutting into the skin with a sharp instrument), the most serious potential medical complications include infections such as HIV, hepatitis blood-born- e B and C and syphilis, as well as staph and strep infections. Secondary infections might also occur during healing. Benken added that the Air Force is also concerned about body art on people serving overseas where there are host nation sensitivities. In all these instances, he said, people must take care to present a proper military image as well as look out for their own safety. Air Force officials sum up the new policy in simple terms: Airmen should refrain from obtaining tattoos and brands or from piercing their bodies because of health risks and the faddish image they present Air Force members must be accountable and portray the highest standards of appearance. For more information on this policy, contact your first sergeant, commander or the Military Personnel Division, Ext. Changes present proper image "Dress Changes to Air Force Instruction and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel," were approved June 8. Some of the changes, designed to present the proper military image are: Photo by Su Berk Eyeglasses: Eyeglasses and sunglasses that are free of ornamentation on the frames and lenses are authorized. Conservative, clear, slightly tinted or photosensitive lenses are allowed Indoors or in formation. Conservative lenses and frames may be worn outdoors. Not authorized: faddish styles, mirrored lenses. Sunglasses may not be worn In formation or around the neck. Body piercing: Military members are prohibited from attaching or displaying objects or jewelry through the ear, nose, tongue or any exposed body part while in uniform, while wearing civilian clothes on official duty on the installation. This includes or while y parts visible through clothing. Women may wear one pair of conservative diamond, gold, white pearl or silver pierced or clip earrings on duty, and may wear earrings that are conservative and "within sensible limits" on the installation. while In some situations, a commander can restrict the wear of body ornaments. Factors include safe operation of machinery, posing a health hazard, or interfering with special clothing such as flight suits, gas masks, wet suits and crash rescue equipment - and bracelets must be no wider than one inch and not off-dut- present a safety hazard. Only three rings may be worn at any time. Necklaces must be concealed under the collar or undershirt. Pencils and pens must be off-dut- non-visib- le Tattoos or brands: Tattoos or brands that are obscene or promote sexual, racial, ethnic or religious discrimination are prohibited in or out of uniform. Also prohibited are tattoos or brands that tend to bring discredit to the Air Force. Defined as inappropriate are excessive tattoos or brands that are visible while in uniform. Excesh of the exposed sive is defined as any that exceed body part and those above the collarbone that can be uniform. seen when wearing an open-collMembers with existing tattoos that don't meet stand dards will be required to cover them with uniforms, dark hosiery or other items or volunteer to have them removed. Members receiving unauthorized tattoos or brands after the policy becomes effective must remove them at their own expense. one-fourt- long-sleeve- Clothing will be neat clean, pressed, properly fitted, in good condition, zipped, snapped or buttoned. Footwear will be shined and in good repair. Rain suits, snowmo- bile suits and safety items can be worn when riding or vehicles. operating d Jewelry: Watches and bracelets will be conservative, MMMMMiMMIllllllllf concealed unless carried in the compartment of the left BDU pocket or the left -- pocket of white hospital or food service uniforms. Religious items: Inside, plain black or dark blue religious head covering is worn if approved by the installa- tion commander or chapl- religious head covering can be worn under headgear if approved by the ain. Outside, V... in Cell phones: Cellular phone or pager should be clipped to the waistband or purse, or carried In the left hand. Prohibited unless required to perform duties. - iiw niMf mnd Vim Earrings: Women are authorized to wear one small spherical, conservative, diamond, gold, white pearl or sliver pierced or clip earring per ear lobe. Earrings must match and should fit tightly. installation commander or chaplain. Other religious apparel must be concealed while in uniform. Miscellaneous: Only plain black or dark blue umbrellas, carried in the left hand, are authorized. Headphones, earphones, pagers and cellular phones are prohibited unless required to perform duties. If authorized, pagers or cellular phones are clipped to the waistband or purse or carried in the left hand. Brief cases, gym bags and backpacks are carried in the left hand or over the left shoulder. Members can wear backpacks using both shoulder straps when riding a or using crutches. d vehicle Rings: A maximum of three rings may be worn at any time. |