A question for you military veterans

**jezcruzen** · 08-15-2012, 01:24 PM

I know someone who has gotten a tattoo of a particular airborne division's insignia. This person is not a vet. The reason for getting the tattoo was well intentioned - they lost a family member KIA who was a member of that particular division. The tattoo is the insignia alone. There is no qualifying "In Memory of" or "In Honor of" that would make the intent clear to any vet seeing the image.

Did they unknowingly make a mistake by getting this insignia without qualifying what it is intended for - honoring a fallen family member?

I am of the opinion that they will be explaining this lone insignia the rest of their life.

Thoughts?

**myakka** · 08-15-2012, 02:25 PM

I enlisted, but while I was still in training my wife lost a child, and almost died herself. While dealing with this, I was forced to chose whether to return immediately, or to stay with my ill wife. So I took a general discharge. Being forced to chose this way, and not being able to stay with her, and then return to continue left a bad taste in my mouth towards the commander and the particular personnel who made it an issue.

So I never served or anything, and when asked if I was ever "in the army", I am sort of at a loss to a short answer. I am always uncomfortable when the topic is raised because I wanted to, and was frustrated.
Consequently, I would never think about getting a unit or branch tattoo, because it would be a conversation starter to a topic I don't want to discuss.

However, for this person, that may be the exact point. As soon as someone asks about the tattoo, or comments on it, then they can respond and talk about the loved one. As long as they are doing this for such a valid reason, then it doesn't seem too offensive to me personnally.

Of course it may seem different to those of you who have seen actual service, and possibly combat.

**dalewick** · 08-15-2012, 06:32 PM

It will either make for a long explanation or a short lie.

Dale

**Flip4ford** · 08-16-2012, 04:45 AM

I am going to give them the bennifit of the doubt and say it was to honor somone- and no ill will from me.
But there are allot of Posers out there-- we had a guy wear his uniform to church just out of Basic/AIT- and he had a bunch of ribbons denoting medals and awards -- He was asked buy my dad to take his jacket off and leave it off until he knew what it meant to be a soldier. A small town in the midwest-- Full of vetrans.
I'll never forget that "talk".

**Buggyout** · 08-16-2012, 06:22 AM

I received my first right shoulder patch in 1991: 82nd AB!! The Army has been a huge part of my life since. I know what esprit de corps and fighting for and with your brother means. I know what an honor it is to have served in historical units.

It's funny I have been through two war time Armies and two peacetime Armies. The Army lightened up on tats a few years ago, during the war. NOW..they are back with tough rules on tats, ha ha!

Having said all this.

I personally believe tattoos are trashy and never got one. Living on the backside of Fort Benning, I see soldiers not even fresh out of Basic getting tattoos on their young-soft pre-adult bodies. These kids are the new peacetime Army. I also see the remnants of the war time Army covered in Tats, their wives covered in full sleeve tattoos! Shoot, it wouldn't surprise me if they inked up their dogs! Ha ha!
Girls with sleeve tattoos = Yuck.

Oh, I'm no REMF either. The honor to serve is mine alone, I don't need to show people my war exploits.

- Buggy

**jezcruzen** · 08-16-2012, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by dalewick

It will either make for a long explanation or a short lie.

Dale

This kid is only 16. I know his dad would have had to give permission.

We have a very tight vet community here. In fact, we hold a "support the troops" rally every Friday between 1200 - 1300 at a local downtown war memorial, and have been there since troops were first deployed to Afghanistan. Last Friday was week 557... in a row... regardless of weather! Non-vet supporters are welcome. Posers are not, and there have been a few.

I think allowing him to get this particular tat was a mistake without also getting the qualifier I mention - "In Honor of..." that would explain what it was for. Now, there it sits... big as day... the historic emblem hard won by the few, and tempered in both blood and brotherhood no outsider could really understand.

Dale, I think both you and I see it the same way.

**RICHFL** · 08-16-2012, 09:25 AM

I say go ahead for 2 reasons:

1. He was trying to make a statement that he cared! I remember being spit on when I arrived back in the world after serving my country in Viet Nam and that was from my future Sister-in-Law!

2. He has time to either change it to say in memory of or to attend the same school of hard knocks that the love one before him did! Do not underestimate what this kid might do in time!~!!

PS: I'm a retired Gunnery Sergeant USMC, having served in two wars the the rougher peace in between.

**Morgan101** · 08-17-2012, 01:00 PM

I never served, and have always regretted it. I had a college deferment, and didn't have to join after college. I appreciate all who served, and value your opinions on the subject. Jez, you make a good point that the tattoo should include " In Honor Of " or " In Memory Of ". I would never have thought of that. I would bet that the young man with the tattoo never thought of that either. RichFL makes a good point also, that at that young age he may join up and earn his stripes. One way or the other a private word of advice to the young man may be sufficient, and get him thinking.

I can't think of anything worse than a Poser. To me that is such a slap in the face to those who did serve, and put their lives on the line. I know full well that I never served, and I would die before I put on a uniform, or lied about serving in the armed forces. I never earned that right.

Thank you for all of your service, and for listening to an outsider.

**Buggyout** · 08-17-2012, 06:31 PM

"In honor of..." "In memory of..." is fine with me too, btw.

- buggy

**brushhippie** · 08-17-2012, 09:28 PM

People make alot about nothing, honoring someone in their own personal way is their business. If you are that offended by something such as this....thats sad. Its like wearing your lettermans jacket when youre 50.