Army Announces Changes to Tattoo and Hair Style Policies

This has to be the fastest revision of AR 670-1 ever:

The Army dialed back some controversial rules on tattoos and women’s hairstyles in an update on Tuesday to the regulation governing appearance and uniform wear.

In March, the Army issued a heavily revised Army Regulation 670-1, a move that spurred grumbling in the ranks and a protest on Capitol Hill with newly restrictive language about a number of appearance issues.

The more stringent tattoo policy issued in March remains largely unchanged, retaining the limits on the size, number and location of tattoos. Full sleeve tattoos are still banned, for instance, and no more than four small tattoos can be visible on lower arms and legs. The rules were meant, the Army said in press release Tuesday, “to maintain the professional appearance of the force.”

While tattoos in violation of rules issued in March could be grandfathered, soldiers with grandfathered tattoos couldn’t seek a commission or appointment without receiving a special exception. That changed Tuesday.

“The updated regulation takes into account that previously authorized tattoos should not prevent a soldier from becoming an officer, but that candidates are to be evaluated based on the whole soldier concept, or all characteristics of a soldier,” the Army said. [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more about the changes to hairstyles as well at the link.