Tattoo Thread - including current policy [MERGED]

[LightFighter]

As a heavily tattooed member of the CF I feel I have quite a bit of experience on this subject.

Any experience in recruiting?

If you go to a recruitment office with pants and a long sleeve or t- shirt on and have no visible tattoos then keep yoir mouth shut about your ink.

Or how about applicants be truthful and honestly answer questions concerning tattoos, etc.

 

[TCM621]

Bottom line is that if you really want to serve you need to fight it. There are a lot of routes to go but get it in writing if you can. I would probably start by writing a letter to get an explanation as to the nature of the offensiveness. It seems to me that the letters  FTS could mean anything.

 

[PuckChaser]

If you really care enough to serve, get it covered up. Justifying what it is won't help you. The letters on their own aren't offensive, but your explanation makes them subversive and counter to the CAF values. Covering it will show that you were willing to do what you can to fit in with the CAF culture when you appeal.

 

[JesseRandall]

I stated that I was more than willing to black it out or laser it off. Honestly, I'd probably take a cheese grater to it too...

That doesn't appear to mean anything to the recruiters.

"We might entertain the idea in a year or so regardless of what you do"

Simply put... that's the message I received.

 

[mariomike]

Once you get in no one cares as Lon as you exercise common sense with what you get and where you get it.

That would likely apply to most union jobs. Once you get in. As per arbitration, "This was a unionized workplace, so the union was able to file a grievance under the collective agreement challenging the new policy. No human rights argument was raised. A unionized employer cannot impose dress and appearance codes based on the personal views and biases of managers."

"Non-union employers can usually impose whatever dress or appearance code they wish, subject to any human rights issues that could arise. Unionized workers clearly have a greater right to personal expression at work."
http://lawofwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OttawaHospital.pdf
"The union’s challenge focussed on the requirement that employees cover up large tattoos while at work"

If you release from the CAF and apply for a job in emergency services, you may wish to read this,

"Tattoos: A Word of Warning"
http://firelink.monster.com/benefits/articles/929-tattoos-a-word-of-warning
"A candidate should understand that having a tattoo may affect his or her chances of getting hired."

OPP tat spat up in air
Provincial police still don’t have an official tattoo policy, two years after Commissioner Chris Lewis imposed a ban on ink when a senior member mistook a constable with tats on his forearms for a gang member,
http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/07/08/opp-tat-spat-up-in-air

Studying Public Perceptions of Police Grooming Standards,
http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=152&issue_id=112003

Where I used to work, Paramedics were required to keep tattoos covered by a long-sleeve Departmental shirt. Regardless of the season. This was grieved by the union. It went to arbitration and the City lost. But, I would delay getting any ( new ) tattoos until after you get hired, and after you complete probation.

I stated that I was more than willing to black it out or laser it off. Honestly, I'd probably take a cheese grater to it too...

I read that people who bought stock ten years ago in companies that do that are getting rich now. 

Good luck with your application.

 

[CombatMacguyver]

I stated that I was more than willing to black it out or laser it off. Honestly, I'd probably take a cheese grater to it too...

That doesn't appear to mean anything to the recruiters.

"We might entertain the idea in a year or so regardless of what you do"

Simply put... that's the message I received.

Just go get it covered up.  Problem solved.

 

[JesseRandall]

I realize now that this might be a giant misunderstanding...

The Military Career Counsellor wasn't allowed to discuss ways around the policy so he couldn't tell me when I asked if I could remove it and still get in.

He also told me that my tattoo would still likely preclude me a year from now as well after I said I would remove it so I thought he meant that after it was gone.

“In accordance with the policy and directives of the Canadian Armed Forces, a member is not allowed to acquire any tattoos that could be deemed to be offensive (e.g., pornographic, blasphemous, racist or containing vulgar language or design) or otherwise reflecting discredit on the Canadian Armed Forces.”

This suggests that any member of the Canadian Armed Forces could not acquire any offensive tattoos at any point.

If all I have to do is get a cover-up... I am seriously sorry for all of this.

 

[Journeyman]

It's in the form of an acronym... "FTS".

I assumed that it was in memory of the Full Throttle Saloon -- the world's biggest biker bar that burned down in Sturgis, South Dakota, this September.  :'(

....although Emmett was saved.  :nod:

 

[JesseWZ]

As a heavily tattooed member of the CF I feel I have quite a bit of experience on this subject. I have heard all kinds of stoys and opinions about the subject from people trying to get in the CF,  ncm's, officers, recruiter's, ect...
for people already in the Forces you are allowed to get tattoos anywhere except you neck, head, and face. Also exercise common sense and DO NOT get a swastika or a naked woman on any bodypart that can be seen in uniform. Also keep in mind swimming PT is a thing.
For those of you trying to get into the forces...lissen carefully.
You can be kept out because of your tattoos even if they are not offence in you opinion.
when you are speaking to a recruiter keep in mind their job is to fill positions. Not to give a crap if you have a skull tattooed on your chest so if you think the recruiter is going to think your hard core and give you a job because of a tattoo you are wrong and it may in fact keep you out.
If you go to a recruitment office with pants and a long sleeve or t- shirt on and have no visible tattoos then keep yoir mouth shut about your ink.
I very much doubt a recruiter is going to ask you to disrobe to see if you have tattoos.
I know a guy who was kept out and pretty much told to stop applying because of his tattoos, his dream of being im the military is gonna because of his tattoos and it is mostly his fault for disclosing that information to the recruiter. Once you get in no one cares as Lon as you exercise common sense with what you get and where you get it.

What a load of horse manure.

1. We don't want liars, even if they are liars of omission. You are actively counseling someone to lie to their recruiter. Would you also counsel them to lie about previous drug use?
Who would have thought those ethics presentations were difficult to understand...

2. Part of the recruiting process involves a medical. Preeeetty sure one has to disrobe for that occasion.

3. I wouldn't take any advice from someone on the internet who told me to "lissen carefully". If you are kept out because of your tattoos, there are options to get rid of them. If they were significant enough to warrant being denied entry, then maybe we are better off as an organization without you.

 

[Loachman]

This is the "Ask a CAF Recruiter" forum. Only Recruiters and DS are supposed to post herein. I have moved the other posts to the Merged Tattoo Thread (including 2012-13 policy): http://army.ca/forums/threads/869.500.html. I shall merge this thread with that one once a Recruiter has responded to JesseRandall.

 

[Warrant Officer Robert]

Please see the READ FIRST posting in our Ask a CAF Recruiter forum --->  http://army.ca/forums/threads/115341.0.html  (We will not answer questions about difficulties contacting your recruiting centre or general inquires with regards to your current application or file.)

Topic moved and available for open discussion.

 

[CountDC]

I agree Jesse, can we say possible release as an irregular enrolment.  If you lie to the recruiter and it is found out later that is what you could be facing.  Who really wants that on their record when they could have told the truth and dealt with it.  If you do lie then you have to be careful that you never ever slip up and reveal it because if the wrong person is around you could be screwed.  Want to see an MP perk right up - mention having used drugs prior to joining the military.  You better have mentioned it on enrolment (and yes somewhere out there this stuff is kept for some time from my personal experience). 

 

[mariomike]

Saw this in Ask a CAF Recruiter,

for Christmas my sister wants to get me the tattoo I've wanted on my forearm. Should I just wait till after basic, or take the picture of it into the recruiter and see what he thinks?

This may help,

Tattoos

Should i make them aware of any more that I get between now and BMQ or am I being too cautious?

Getting a Tattoo while in recruiting process
https://army.ca/forums/threads/116522/post-1330950.html#msg1330950
"I was wondering, if I get a tattoo while still in the recruitment process who would I have to notify that I have a tattoo that I did not have during my interview or medical?"

Question?
"So my birthday just passed and my parents wanted to get me a tattoo. My question is should I get it before BMQ or wait until after?"
https://army.ca/forums/threads/48001/post-418050.html#msg418050

 

[hoping.for.the.best]

Hello,

I was just wondering if it was okay to get a tattoo before basic training or if it would cause problems. Thank you so much

 

[Loachman]

Welcome to Army.ca, comrade94

We have a twenty-two page thread regarding tattoos, as you can now plainly see as I have merged your new thread into it.

There is a ton of information about almost everything CF-related here on this Site already. Please read through older threads and use the Search Function before asking questions that have been asked before, often many times. In doing so, you will likely find answers to questions that have not even occurred to you yet.

Edited to add: The links in mariomike's post above no longer function, as those threads were previously merged into this one.

 

[Pusser]

Hello,

I was just wondering if it was okay to get a tattoo before basic training or if it would cause problems. Thank you so much

What's the rush?  Never rush into getting a tattoo.  Life will just be simpler if you wait until after BMQ (and you may even find like-minded course-mates to go with you).

The movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" addresses this briefly.  It's not a big deal (as long as your tattoo is within regulation), but I would still suggest waiting.  BMQ is not the place to stand out and be "unique."

 

[mariomike]

It's not a big deal (as long as your tattoo is within regulation), but I would still suggest waiting. 

Also, to consider if there is a possibility you may have to go through a hiring process with a future employer should you ever leave the military.

eg: "Tattoos: A Word of Warning"
http://firelink.monster.com/benefits/articles/929-tattoos-a-word-of-warning?page=2

 

[ModlrMike]

Also, to consider if there is a possibility you may have to go through a hiring process with a future employer should you ever leave the military.

eg: "Tattoos: A Word of Warning"
http://firelink.monster.com/benefits/articles/929-tattoos-a-word-of-warning?page=2

To counter though, I would say my tattoos have helped my work more than harmed it. They have given me common ground in an environment where primary care providers are often accused of being aloof and elitist.

 

[mariomike]

To counter though, I would say my tattoos have helped my work more than harmed it. They have given me common ground in an environment where primary care providers are often accused of being aloof and elitist.

All we had to offer was a smile and a shoeshine.  ( And a few bad jokes. )

But, CUPE took it to arbitration, and won,

'Tattoos no longer confined to sailors': The Ottawa Hospital told it can't force nurses to hide body art or remove piercings
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/tattoos-no-longer-confined-to-sailors-ottawa-hospital-told-it-cant-force-nurses-to-hide-body-art-or-remove-piercings
"In 2011, an arbitrator similarly ruled the Ontario Provincial Police could not order officers to cover up their tattoos."

Prior to the CUPE arbitration, we had the same policy as above where I used to work. Even on the hottest days of summer.

Since the CUPE arbitration, the general advice to candidates is to consider waiting until after they are in the union, and off probation.

After that, because of the successful arbitration, there is nothing the department can do about it.

January 21, 2016
Can an employer prohibit tattoos and piercings?
http://www.stewartmckelvey.com/en/home/resources/publications/cananemployerprohibittattoosandpiercings.aspx

Tattoos in non-union versus unionized workplaces are discussed.

See also,

Tattoos and employment
https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=BOUHV_uYLYKN8Qey6LuIDA&gws_rd=ssl#q=tattoos+employment

 

[LJBenoit]

Hi! I read the policy about tattoos and piercings, but had more specific questions, since I'm thinking of joinging this year or the next.

First, I have tattoos on my fingers. From what I understand, it's no problems since it's not offensive. But the US seems to have tightened it's tattoo policy recently. Do you think it could be a problem? More so if I want to apply as officer?

Second, what of ear stretchings? I know we can't wear any jewelry, but it still leaves marks on the ears. Could it be a problem?

Thanks a lot!