The U.S. Marine Corps has agreed to relax its uniform policy for female recruits with certain tattoos following an appeal by U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, who asked for the change on behalf of a young woman from Kennebunk.
Pingree last month wrote a letter to Gen. Robert Neller asking him to change what she believed was a discriminatory policy. She drafted the letter after hearing from a constituent, 20-year-old Kate Pimental, who had enlisted in the Marines but was told she could not join because she has a tattoo along her collarbone that would have been visible beneath v-neck undershirts.
In a statement Monday, Pingree, a Democrat who represents Maine’s 1st Congressional District, announced that the Marine Corps has agreed to change uniform standards to allow women to wear crew-neck undershirts like their male counterparts, instead of v-neck shirts. The change was authorized on March 10.
“This was a common-sense change and will allow bright, dedicated young women like Kate to serve their country proudly as a Marine,” Pingree said. “I don’t believe the old policy was intentionally discriminatory, but in the end it prevented women with some tattoos from enlisting when their male counterparts with the same tattoos were allowed to sign up. I’m grateful to General Neller for listening to our concerns and appreciate him acting to quickly change the policy.”
Pimental, in a statement from the congresswoman’s office, said she’s thrilled with news of the change in policy.
“There is nothing I want more than to be able to serve as a Marine,” she said. “And I’m so grateful that Congresswoman Pingree stood up for me and helped get this policy changed.”
Pimental’s tattoo runs below her neckline and reads, “Let your smile change the world but never let the world change you.”
The Marine Corps, along with other military branches, has a strict policy on tattoos – especially visible tattoos. Recruits can have no more than four tattoos and they cannot contain any vulgar words or images or references to drugs. Additionally, sleeve tattoos that cover the arm are prohibited, as are tattoos on the face or neck.
However, waivers are often given if a tattoo can be covered up and Pingree’s argument for Pimental was that her ink could be covered up if she were allowed to wear a crew-neck shirt.
Eric Russell can be contacted at 791-6344 or at:
Twitter: PPHEricRussell
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