Many people get tattoos for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is because they want to permanently put something on their body that means something to them.
For some, it’s a way of expressing themselves and for others, it symbolizes an important life event or memory.
However, this decision can lead to issues in the future when applying for jobs at the government level.
In order to apply for these jobs, you have to pass background checks which will show any tattoos from your past as well as present ones.
Unfortunately, there are many careers within the government that require you not only be clean but also without any ink anywhere on your body; this includes law enforcement positions where they need every officer wearing a uniform with no exceptions (even if it’s hidden).
Thus, employees who have tattoos can cause problems with uniformity and may even be ineligible for the position.
Other than law enforcement positions, there are a lot of jobs that do not allow tattoos in the federal government which include:
- Customs and Border Patrol
- Transportation Security Administration
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Fema’s Urban Search and Rescue
- Military Sealift Command
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Internal Revenue Service
- Coast Guard
As you can see, there are many different jobs that simply don’t allow tattoos. Even if they are small or even on a part of your body that is not typically seen by the public during an interview for one of these positions.
In the end, tattoos are a personal decision that should be made with no influence from anyone.
Though, if you want or already have a job at the government level and it requires you to be clean, then you need to consider removing any and all body art in order to continue your current employment as well as “get your foot in the door” for any other positions you may be interested in applying for.
Some of the reasons why tattoos are not allowed in government jobs
Government jobs are full of rules, regulations, and restrictions.
There are many reasons why tattoos are not allowed in the government job sector; however, some of the main reasons include:
- No uniformity. Having to have your employees all be “clean free” can cause problems with turning out a uniform product throughout the workday.
- Health issues. Some tattoos have been known to cause major health issues down the road including cancerous skin diseases.
- Religious reasons. Many religions frown upon tattoos because they are viewed as permanent marks on your body that can never be removed or hidden.
- Drugs & Gangs. Tattoos have become a trend for those who are involved in gangs and/or partake in illegal drugs.
- Professionalism. Let’s face it, tattoos are not the most professional-looking thing to see hanging on someone’s body; especially if they are visible at your job interview for government positions.
So again, there are many reasons why tattoos are not allowed for employees in the government sector.
Certain careers that do not allow tattoos or visible body art at all which include
- Customs and Border Patrol: When thinking of a CBP (Customs and Border Protection) officer you probably think of an agent wearing a uniform with no exceptions. Therefore, it would be hard for them to have uniformity if some of the agents have tattoos on their arms or legs, etc.
- Transportation Security Administration: The TSA is somewhat similar to the CBP in that they are another branch of law enforcement where there are no exceptions to having a uniform look among all of the employees. Therefore, again, it would be hard for them to enforce no tattoos if some of the employees have them.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs: The BIA is referred to as “the guardian of America’s native peoples.” They are responsible for caring for American Indians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Thus, having tattoos would be rather inappropriate after you realize that they are also known as the Trustee of American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs.
- FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue: When a disaster situation hits, the first people who are activated by FEMA to provide emergency relief are the U.S. Urban Search & Rescue Task Forces made up of highly trained personnel from around the country. In fact, they have been called into recent disasters including the earthquake in Haiti and the tsunami and nuclear reactor meltdown in Japan. Therefore, they are considered first responders; however, you won’t be seeing any tattoos on these brave men and women as it would be a distraction to their job as well as make them appear less professional looking.
- Military Sealift Command: Considered the U.S. Navy’s “unflagged fleet,” the Military Sealift Command is responsible for providing transportation for goods and materials that include ammunition, food, fuel, and other types of equipment needed to keep our troops across the globe equipped and ready to fight any enemy at a moment’s notice. In fact, tattoos are not allowed in the Navy.
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC): If you are wanting to get a job on any of the waterfronts including oil rigs, cargo ships, etc., there is a strict requirement for security including no visible tattoos. This is because they do not want any potential terrorists gaining access to these restricted areas when under disguise.
- Federal Bureau of Prisons: The majority of prison workers are not allowed to have tattoos on their arms or legs, but there is a small list that does allow tattoos in the lower back and hands/fingers only. There must be no visible tattoos when wearing any Bureau of Prison uniform.
So, as you can see, there are a number of careers that will not allow an individual to have tattoos if they want to pursue those job opportunities. However, as far as the Federal Government is concerned (the Department of Defense), tattoos are allowed as long as they do not interfere with the performance of their duties and/or represent discrimination regarding race, creed, color, sex, age, or national origin/ethnicity.
In fact, the Defense Department has a policy in place that states tattoos must be covered at all times during duty hours except in the following circumstances:
* It does not interfere with the safe and efficient performance of military duties.
* It does not create an appearance of sponsorship of, or affiliation with, any law enforcement agency.
* It does not present a specific hazard to the safety or well-being of the wearer.
* The appearance is generally understood to be that of a temporary tattoo and shall allow for removal within 4 hours without requiring medical attention.
* When healing occurs no permanent pigment is deposited.
* It is located completely within the boundaries of the Saegeumgang-tang (6 tattoo is)
So, you see it’s really up to the individual whether they choose to have tattoos or not.
However, this is just a small list of career choices that will be highly considered as a reason not to hire you. There are plenty more out there so be sure and check it out before getting your tattoos as permanent ink because no matter how much you love them now, they may come back to haunt you later in life if that career is truly what you want.