US Air Force loosens rules on hand and neck tattoos to boost recruitment

The US Air Force has announced that tattoos on the neck and hands will no longer be restricted, with the hope that loosening the rules on the policy will relieve the current recruitment crisis. 

An updated version of the Services' Dress and Personal Appearance Guidelines now allows a tattoo up to an inch in length on each hand and on the back of the neck.

Beards, however, are still not permitted.

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US Air Force officials said: "The Department of the Air Force is committed to recruiting talented and qualified individuals while retaining the experienced Airmen and Guardians currently serving.

"One of the leading barriers currently being tackled is the increased prevalence of hand and neck tattoos among America's youth."

Tattoos are currently the third highest disqualification factor for military service, after physical tests and citizenship criteria, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S Bass said in a social media post.

She added that "the number of tattoo disqualifications has risen every year since 2017".

"In fact, 4,240 leads were closed out, due to tattoos, between fiscal year 2018 to 2022.

"The data shows that 1,352 leads would have qualified for entry into our Air Force every year if hand tattoos had been authorized."

Previously, Air Force policy permitted single-ring tattoos, these can now be in addition to the single tattoo on each hand not exceeding an inch in size.

The location of a single neck tattoo is carefully laid out, as it must be "placed behind a vertical line at the opening of the ear orifice around the back to a vertical line at the opening of the other ear orifice and includes behind the ear".

Tattoos anywhere on the body that are "obscene, commonly associated with gangs, extremist, and/or supremacist organizations, or that advocate sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination" are prohibited in and out of uniform.

Beards continue not be permitted unless grown for medical reasons or authorised on religious grounds, the guidance states.