BRd 81
0217
Body Art (Tattoos):
(1) Tattoos which are visible when No1 uniform is being worn, whether because they extend beyond the collar or cuff, or because they are being worn on the face, neck or hands, are not acceptable, are contrary to current regulations and must not be acquired. Officer and Senior Rate tropical No1 uniform do expose forearms and lower upper arms. Regulations permit the exposure of tattoos in these areas, provided they conform to the rules governing all tattoos wherever they may be.
(2) Tattoos are not acceptable if they are judged by the Commanding Officer, or at the recruiting stage the Recruiting Officer, prior to enlistment into the Naval Service, reasonably likely to:
(a) Undermine the authority or dignity of the Service or bring discredit to the Service.
(b) Offend others or invite provocation, for example because they are obscene, lewd, crude, or intimidating or are in any way offensive to members of any minority group.
(c) Affect the employability of the wearer, for example by making it unacceptable for that person to parade or stand guard in public, or, depending on Branch/Specialisation and career profile, to engage on special operations.
In addition, visible tattoos must not be garish or numerous or particularly prominent (which will depend on its size and location). Commanding Officers may order personnel with tattoos, which contravene the provisions above, but are not visible in No1 uniform, to cover them up.
(3) Serving personnel who presently have tattoos, which contravene the regulations will be dealt with on a case by case basis by the chain of command who will make a judgement based on when the tattoo was acquired and under what circumstances. Personnel acquiring tattoos that contravene the Service policy set out at sub para (2), will be invited to have their tattoos removed at their own expense. Acquisition of tattoos in contravention of the regulations and policy will result in disciplinary action and subsequent failure to remove tattoos is most likely to result in administrative discharge SHORE after an appropriate period on warning.
