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Marine Cpl. Anthony Williams, stationed near Fallujah, Iraq, sports a USMC tattoo |
RECENT PRESS
The policy, which went into effect April 1, prohibits large tattoos below the elbow and knee. It is designed to stop Marines from getting large "sleeve" tattoos.
In the words of Gen. Conway, "Some Marines have taken the liberty of tattooing themselves to a point that is contrary to our professional demeanor and the high standards America has come to expect from us. I believe tattoos of an excessive nature do not represent our traditional values."
Whose values? Gen. Conway's? His comments indicate that he is a man on a mission to force his own "traditional" values on the Marine Corps as a whole--and that's unacceptable, especially at a time when our nation is at war.
In fact, at a time when the Marines are having difficulty meeting recruiting goals, it's foolish, irresponsible, and lacking sound judgment. Gen. Conway owes it to America to concentrate on issues that actually matter to the security of our nation and the accomplishment of all missions to that end.
In the world of leadership, the most successful leaders are selfless; they can put their own personal desires aside and focus on what's best for the organization and the people they serve.
In recent articles in various publications, Gen. Conway talks about expecting and having been prepared to address more questions and resistance about the new policy from his troops during recent visits to Iraq and ships in the Persian Gulf. To his surprise, most questions were focused on equipment issues and other mission-oriented topics, and he heard very little about the new tattoo policy.
Could this be due to the fact that the Marines actually engaged in fighting this war on terrorism have better leadership skills--or at least a more appropriate set of priorities--than the general?
Blocking our best?This issue hit close to home for me when a good friend of mine, and an eight-year Marine Corps veteran, was denied reenlistment due to a tattoo. That's right: An individual who is well qualified and could be operational again in very short order will not be serving his country due to a tattoo on his chest.
This tattoo is in a location that will not be visible in any required Marine Corps uniform, except possibly during swim qualification--yet he was thereby denied reenlistment.
I can't begin to comprehend the ignorance and shortsightedness associated with this decision.
Tattoos are more accepted in society today than they have ever been. Warriors throughout history have adorned their bodies with tattoos--and Marines are the warriors of our time. As a young Marine, my first tattoo was a bulldog and the letters USMC. This was a rite of passage and I was proud to earn that right. Historically, tattoos have been discouraged for Marine officers; however, due to increased popularity and acceptance in society, even tattooed officers are more common in the Corps.
The general's personal-values based decision either fails to consider, or blatantly disregards, the associated fallout and increased government effort required for its execution. In this case, unit commanders have been burdened with documenting the tattoos that Marines currently have as a baseline against which to identify future violations.
How much time has this taken? Surely this is not the most important task these commanders can be doing during a time when America is at war.
While the Marine Corps is busy tightening its tattoo policy, the Army and the Navy have relaxed theirs. Both of these organizations are experiencing difficulties meeting recruiting goals, and understand that changing policies is both a necessity and a matter of little significance as it applies to the quality of their candidates.
As a former Marine, it disturbs me to see the Army and the Navy out-thinking and apparently out-leading the Marines.
Some law enforcement agencies, and yes, some here in the Fredericksburg region, are also restricting the tattoos that their personnel can have. This is another career field that is having more and more difficulty filling vacant positions.
If tattoos that are visible are not offensive, what does it matter? Does the fact that an individual has tattoos diminish his ability to perform his job?
Are the actions of these leaders oppressing one of the very freedoms that Marines, law enforcement officers, and other public servants are willing do die to protect?
America needs leaders who are willing to do any and everything they can to serve the people and accomplish their given mission.
They must be willing to put their personal agendas aside.
| Bryant Halstead of Stafford County is president of Halstead, Inc. and author of "My Boss Sucks: A Story Book and Survival Guide." He is a former Marine and law-enforcement officer. |
