Ink belongs in skin like Sailors belong at sea: Ink to the Past

Ink to the Past:

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andre T. Richard, Carrier Strike Group 

Tattoos have long been a part of culture and tradition around the world.

According to “Tattoo History Source Book” by Steve Gilbert, Ancient Egyptians used them as therapeutic or medicinal remedies. Japanese Samurai, who were forced to disband and burn their armor, used full body tattoos to replace the armor stripped from them, according to Margaret Lock in the Encyclopedia of World Cultures “Japanese” volume. 

Maori leaders of New Zealand used their personal family facial tattoo, or “moko,” to symbolize achievements and sign treaties according to National Geographic article “Tattoo Pigments of Imagination” by Cassandra Franklin-Barbajosa.

Tattoos are an evolving art form and Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) have a variety of tattoos ranging from traditional to modern.

“I am Hawaiian, Samoan, Filipino and Japanese and all those art forms are on my body,” said Hospitalman Tre Kobota, from Hauula, Hawaii.

In Samoan culture, full body tattoos are considered a rite of passage. They take multiple sessions and can be extremely painful.

“It’s the pain that shows not only physical but emotional strength,” said Kobota. “Tattoos, positive or negative, are a form of expression and that pain is a reminder.”

Sailors around the globe are responsible for tattoos’ migration and popularity in Western society. The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word “tatau,” which Capt. James Cook introduced into the English language from his expeditions to Polynesia in the late 1700s (Cassandra Franklin-Barbajosa).

Tattoos became popular among American Sailors following the Revolutionary War. They would get tattoos to distinguish themselves from British sailors and avoid being forced into public service for British Royal Navy ships (Gilbert). As tattoos moved around the globe, their symbolism evolved over time.

Tattoos of swallows represented a safe journey home; they also represented every 5,000 nautical miles a Sailor traveled. A dagger through the heart symbolized the end of a relationship due to unfaithfulness, and was commonly adorned with a ribbon saying ‘Death Before Dishonour.’ Some of the more common Navy tattoos are simply Sailors’ rating badges.

“I have a tattoo of the helm wheel because it deals with my rate as a quartermaster, which is one of the oldest [rates],” said Senior Chief Quartermaster Henry Nicol, from Hemet, California. “I have tattoos that represent who I am as a Sailor and as a chief.”

Tattoo artists like Norman Keith Collins, aka “Sailor Jerry,” created a standard for traditional Naval tattoos in the late 1960s. With technological advances, like evolving from boar’s tusks to needles, artists are able to create tattoos with more details and color.

“Some people like the old style of tattoos with solid black lines [and] little color or shading,” said Legalman 1st Class Christopher Ash, from Bartlett, Illinois. “Then there are those of us who like the modern day art with more detail and shading.”

Tattoos can mean a lot to an individual, so figuring out what to get can take some thought.

“Each one of my tattoos symbolizes something significant in my life,” said Ash. “I take what I observe and what I do and put it into my artwork to be reflected onto my body.”

Attitudes and Navy policy about tattoos have changed over time as well.

On March 31, the Navy updated its tattoo policy with the release of NAVADMIN 082/16. The instruction, which goes into effect April 30, allows Sailors to have one tattoo on their neck that does not exceed one inch in any direction and have visible tattoos below the elbow or knee, with no restriction on size or amount. The policy update will also allow Sailors with arm length tattoos, or sleeves, to be assigned to Recruit Training Command and Recruiting Command positions, which was previously not allowed.

“The instruction clearly states it was changed to allow more people to join the military,” said Nicol. “Before, having a tattoo was kind of taboo, and now almost everybody has a tattoo.”

The tattoo policy will not only allow more people the opportunity to serve but will also open up more opportunities for those already serving.

“More and more people are coming in with not only tattoos, but tattoos that are visible [in uniform],” said Ash. “The Navy allowing us to have these visible tattoos means that they are not only starting to embrace the cultural shift but also recognize that people can come in and still do a job despite what ink they have on their skin.”

Tattoo art has been engrained in Sailor culture since the first days of the Navy. The art has changed over time with trends, culture and advances in technology. With the update to the Navy’s tattoo policy, Sailors will be able to put links to their past on themselves and carry a permanent reminder with them to the future.

Some Traditional Sailors’ Tattoos 

Anchor: Originally indicated a mariner who had crossed the Atlantic. In the present day, an anchor in one form or another may be the first nautical tattoo a young Sailor acquires (often during his or her first liberty from boot camp) and is essentially an initiation rite into the naval service.

Braided rope/line: Usually placed around left wrist; indicates a deck division seaman.

Chinese/Asian dragon: Symbolizes luck and strength—originated in the pre–World War II Asiatic Fleet and usually indicated service in China. Much later, dragons came to symbolize WESTPAC service in general (also worn embroidered or as patches inside jumper cuffs and on cruise jackets).

Compass rose or nautical star: Worn so that a Sailor will always find his/her way back to port.

Crossed anchors: Often placed on the web between left thumb and forefinger; indicate a boatswain’s mate or boatswain (U.S. Navy rating badge).

Crossed ship’s cannon or guns: Signify naval vice merchant service; sometimes in combination with a U.S. Navy–specific or patriotic motif.

Crosses: In many variations—worn as a sign of faith or talisman. When placed on the soles of the feet, crosses were thought to repel sharks.

Dagger piercing a heart: Often combined with the motto “Death Before Dishonor”—symbolizes the end of a relationship due to unfaithfulness. 

Full-rigged ship: In commemoration of rounding Cape Horn (antiquated).

Golden Dragon: Indicated crossing the international dateline into the “realm of the golden dragon” (Asia).

“Hold Fast” or “Shipmate”: Tattooed across knuckles of both hands so that the phrases can be read from left to right by someone standing opposite. Originally thought to give a seaman a firm grip on a ship’s rigging.

Hula girl and/or palm tree: On occasion, hula girls would be rendered in a risqué fashion; both tattoos indicated service in Hawaii.

Pig and rooster: This combination—pig on top of the left foot, rooster on top of the right—was thought to prevent drowning. The superstition likely hearkens back to the age of sail, when livestock was carried onboard ship. If a ship was lost, pigs and roosters—in or on their crates—floated free.

Shellback turtle: Indicates that a Sailor has crossed the equator. “Crossing the line” is also indicated by a variety of other themes, such as fancifully rendered geo-coordinates, King Neptune, mermaids, etc.

Ships’ propellers (screws): A more extreme form of Sailors’ body art: One large propeller is tattooed on each buttock (“twin screws”) to keep the bearer afloat and propel him or her back to home and loved ones.

Sombrero: Often shown worn by a girl. May have indicated service on ships homeported in San Pedro (Terminal Island, Los Angeles) or San Diego prior to World War II, a liberty taken in Tijuana, or participation in interwar Central and South American cruises.

Swallow: Each rendition originally symbolized 5,000 nautical miles underway; swallows were and still are displayed in various poses, often in combination with a U.S. Navy–specific motif or sweetheart’s/spouse’s name.

How a decade made a difference:

03/31/2016 In response to feedback from the fleet and senior enlisted leadership, the Navy announced two changes to its uniform policy, March 31, in NAVADMIN 082/16.

First, the Navy is updating its tattoo policy and will authorize Sailors to: 
* Have one tattoo on their neck that does not exceed one inch in any direction.
* Have visible tattoos below the elbow or knee — no longer restricting their size or amount.
* Allow Sailors with sleeve tattoos to be assigned to Recruit Training Command and Recruiting Command positions — previously not allowed.

The Navy’s tattoo content restrictions will remain the same: no tattoo located anywhere on the body can be prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale, or be of a nature that brings discredit upon the naval service.

This policy update is being made in response to the increased popularity of tattoos for those currently serving and in the population from which the Navy draws its recruits. It is also meant to ensure the Navy does not miss opportunities to bring in talented young men and women who are willing to serve.

a Decade Earlier 2006:

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. John C. Harvey Jr. released a message April 21 clarifying the Navy’s regulations regarding tattoos, body art and/or mutilations and dental ornamentation.

The message underscores Navy policy that already prohibits any body art deemed prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale or of a nature to bring discredit upon the naval service.

“This is directly tied to the public appearance of our personnel,” said Rear Adm. Gerry Talbot, director, Military Personnel Plans and Policy Division, Chief of Naval Personnel. “How we look in uniform, how we represent our Navy and our nation should be something we consider on a daily basis, on duty or off.” 

Navy policy stipulates that any tattoo/body art/brand that is obscene, sexually explicit or advocates discrimination of any sort is prohibited. Administrative separation could result for personnel disregarding this guidance.  

Four criteria have been issued to commanders to assist them in determining whether a tattoo, body art or brand should be permitted: content, location, size and whether the item is required for cosmetic purposes.

“It is important to clarify our policy to ensure everyone understands the criteria,” said Talbot.

Location is as important as the content of the tattoo. Tattoos/body art/brands cannot be visible through the white uniform and cannot be on the head, face, neck or scalp regions. Items on the lower arm can be no larger than the wearer’s hand, fingers closed.

The message also points out Navy policy restricting intentional mutilation of any sort. This is defined as radical alteration of the body, head, face or skin for the purpose of an abnormal appearance. 

Dental ornamentation – the use of gold, platinum or other veneers or caps for decorative purposes is also prohibited.  

Waivers for pre-existing conditions will be considered on a case-by-case basis by local commanders. They have discretion to determine whether removal is required, but items may be waived if they are not prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale.

Even if body art/tattoos/branding/mutilation occurred prior to the Navy’s original guidance released in January 2003, commanders still have the option to recommend separation if medical authorities determine removal is not feasible.