While in BMT, you are not authorized to get a tattoo, brand or body alteration, modification or piercing.
Body Piercing
In Uniform
AF members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, eye brows, lips or any exposed body part (includes any part visible through the uniform).
Exception: females are authorized to pierce earlobes and wear earrings, but it should not be extreme or excessive.
In Civilian Attire on Official Duty or Off Duty on a Military Installation
AF members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the nose, tongue, eye brows, lips or any exposed body part (includes any body part visible through the uniform).
Dental Ornamentation
Teeth, whether natural, capped, or veneered, will not be ornamented with designs, jewels or initials. The use of yellow or white gold or platinum caps (permanent or temporary) to add ornamentation to the teeth and not required by dental or medical necessity is prohibited.
Waivers are not required for permanent yellow or white gold or platinum caps that were applied as a result of dental or medical necessity. Members with official documentation that they received permanent yellow or white gold or platinum caps to add ornamentation (not as a result of dental or medical necessity) prior to 13 June 2011 are grandfathered.
No other dental ornamentation is grandfathered.
Body Alteration or Modification
Body alteration and modification (e.g., tongue splitting or skin gouging) is prohibited if it is intentional and results in a visible, physical effect that detracts from a professional military image. Failure to observe the mandated provisions and prohibitions is a violation of Article 92 of the UCMJ.
Tattoos and Brands
According to AFI 36-2903, a tattoo is defined as a picture, design or marking made on the skin or other areas of the body by staining it with an indelible dye, or by any other method, including pictures, designs or markings only detectable or visible under certain conditions (such as ultraviolet or invisible ink tattoos).
A brand is defined as a picture, design or other marking that is burned into the skin or other areas of the body.
Unauthorized content
Tattoos or brands anywhere on the body of the following nature are prohibited in and out of uniform:
- Obscene or advocate sexual, racial, ethnic or religious discrimination
- Prejudicial to good order and discipline or of a nature that tends to bring discredit to the AF
- Commonly associated with gangs, extremists or supremacist organizations
Members who receive tattoos and brands not meeting the standards are required to initiate removal at their own expense upon notification by their Commander. Members failing to remove or alter unauthorized tattoos in a timely manner may be subject to disciplinary action or involuntary separation. Failure to observe these mandatory provisions and prohibitions is a violation of Article 92 of the UCMJ.
Inappropriate military image
There are no size or area limitations for authorized tattoos on the chest, back, arms and legs. Tattoos, brands and body markings will not be on the head, neck, face, tongue, lips and scalp.
Hand tattoos are limited to one single-band ring tattoo, on one finger, on one hand, and can be no more than 3/8 of an inch in width. Members failing to comply with acceptable military standards may be subject to disciplinary action or involuntary separation.