0703-0029_tattoo Questions

NAVY RECRUITING COMMAND SAMPLE TATTOO QUESTIONS & GUIDANCE

1. All applicants recruited with tattoos must disclose all tattoos to their local recruiter using the NAVCRUIT 1130/104. The NAVCRUIT 1130/104 requires the pinpointed location of each of the applicant tattoos. In conjunction with the completion of the NAVCRUIT 1130/104, the applicant is required to complete a handwritten or typed statement regarding each tattoo listing the following information:

1. Type tattoo

2. Location of tattoo on the applicant body

3. Meaning of the tattoo to the applicant or why the applicant received the tattoo

4. Size of the tattoo

2. NAVCRUIT 1130/104 along with applicant handwritten or typed statements are included in the applicant enlistment package that is delivered to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for applicant physical and processing.

3. During the applicant MEPS physical, the MEPS Medical team list all of the applicant tattoos/body markings on their DD FORM 2808 (medical physical). A copy of the DD FORM 2808 is delivered to the Navy Liaison Office (NLO) upon completion of the applicant physical. The NLO compares the tattoos listed on the NAVCRUIT 1130/104 with the DD FORM 2808.

4. A Tattoo Screening with the applicant takes place by the Commanding Officer or a designated person whom the Commanding Officer has given By-Direction Authority. The following personnel at the command may be granted in authority in writing by the commanding officer to conduct tattoo screenings; Enlisted Processing Division Supervisor (EPDS), Chief Recruiter (CR), Command Master Chief (CMC), Recruiting Operations Officer (ROPS), or the command Executive Officer (XO).

5. The standard questions asked during a tattoo screening by an authorized navy personnel are:

1. Ask the applicant has the applicant been explained the navy tattoo policy

2. Ask applicant to verbally describe and explain the meaning of all tattoos the applicant has whereas screener compares applicant answers with their handwritten/typed statements

3. Reaffirms the navy tattoo policy and inform the applicant not to receive or alter any additional tattoos while they are in the Navy Delayed Entry Program waiting to report to Recruit Training

4. Explains to the applicant, if the applicant decides to get any additional tattoos or alterations to their current tattoos, they could be disqualified for entering naval service

6. If the tattoo screening is approved, the command screener signs the NAVCRUIT 1130/104 and provide comments of the interview conducted. The NAVCRUIT 1130/104 is made apart of the applicant service record and an entry is made on the DD FORM 1966/4 listing who conducted the tattoo screening and final recommendation based on the screening.

7. If he tattoo screening is disapproved, the command screener explains to the applicant why the disapproval (tattoo or tattoos that are not within navy policy or fail to meet good order and discipline). The screener documents the disapproval on the NAVCRUIT 1130/104 and signs the form as disapproved. At no time does the screener inform the applicant how to have their tattoo or tattoos altered to gain an approval from the command!

8. If the initial tattoo screening is approved and the applicant joins the Navy DEP, the now Future Sailor is questioned during their shipping brief at the MEPS on their scheduled ship date whether they had any tattoos altered or received any additional tattoos while in the DEP.

9. If no changes, the applicant is allowed to ship to RTC provided all other qualifications for enlisting are met. If the applicant did alter or received additional tattoos, the Future Sailor must have disclosed the new or altered tattoos during their Shipping physical inspection to be added to their DD FORM 2808 by the MEPS Medical team and a new tattoo screening takes place by the command. (The Future Sailor may not be authorized to continue with their enlistment due to their new or altered tattoos and failure to follow the guidance issued during the initial tattoo screening process whereas the Future Sailor was informed not to go out and get any additional tattoos and not to have any of their current tattoos altered.)