AFI 36-2903 - Ornamentation and Accessories Standards (Male & Female)

3.4. Tattoos/Brands/Body Markings

- For purposes of this instruction, 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 detectible or visible under certain conditions (such as ultraviolet or invisible ink tattoos). - A brand is defined as 22 AFI36-2903 7 FEBRUARY 2020 a picture, design, or other marking that is burned into the skin or other areas of the body. - Body markings are pictures, designs, or other markings as a result of using means other than burning to permanently scar or mark the skin. - Members who violate the prohibitions and mandatory provisions in paragraphs 3.4.1 and 3.4.2 are subject to prosecution under Article 92, UCMJ.

3.4.4. Individuals who are initially accessed and do not meet standards

- Individuals who are initially accessed must disclose any tattoos or brands not meeting the above criteria and receive appropriate Air Force Component Recruiting Service review (AFRS, AFRCRS, ANG) to determine eligibility when questionable for enlistment or appointment - Complete removal or alteration of unauthorized content and/or excessive tattoos/brands/body markings is otherwise required prior to being accepted in the Air Force.

3.6. Body Alteration/Modification

- Intentional alterations and/or modifications to a member's body that result in a visible, physical effect that disfigures, deforms or otherwise detracts from a professional military image are prohibited. - Examples of prohibited conduct include (but are not limited to) tongue splitting or forking, tooth filing, acquiring visible, disfiguring skin implants, and gouging (piercing holes large enough to permit light to shine through). - Members who intentionally alter and/or modify any part of their bodies in order to achieve a visible, physical effect that disfigures, deforms or otherwise detracts from a professional military image may be subject to disciplinary action or involuntary separation, as determined appropriate by the member's commander. - Failure by RegAF members, AFR members on active duty or inactive duty for training, and ANG members in Title 10 status to obey the mandatory provisions in this paragraph constitutes a violation of Article 92, UCMJ. ANG members in Title 32 status performing full-time National Guard duty or inactive duty for training, who violate the mandatory provisions of this instruction, may be held accountable through similar provisions of their respective State Military Codes

3.3. Cosmetics

- Male Airmen are not authorized to wear cosmetics. - Female Airmen may wear cosmetics; however, if worn, they will be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) and in good taste. - Female Airmen will not wear shades of lipstick that distinctly contrast with their complexion, that detract from the uniform, or that are extreme colors. Some examples of extreme colors include but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, bright (fire-engine) red, and fluorescent colors. - Cosmetics will not be worn during field conditions.

3.2. Fingernails

- Male Airmen are not authorized to wear nail polish. - If worn by females, nail polish will be a single color that does not distinctly contrast with the female Airman's complexion, detract from the uniform, or be extreme colors. Some examples of extreme colors included, but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, bright (fire engine) red and florescent colors. - Do not apply designs to nails or apply two-tone or multi-tone colors; however, white-tip French manicures are authorized. - Fingernails must not exceed ¼ inch in length beyond the tip of the finger and must be clean and well-groomed. - Fingernails must not interfere with the performance of assigned duties. - Fingernails must not hinder proper fit of prescribed safety equipment or uniform items.

3.4.1.1. Members who have or receive unauthorized content tattoos/brands/body markings

- Members who have or receive unauthorized content tattoos/brands/body markings are required to initiate tattoo/brand/body marking removal/alteration. - At the commander's discretion, members may be seen, on a space and resource available basis, in a Department of Defense (DoD) medical treatment facility for voluntary tattoo/brand/body marking removal. - When DoD resources are not available, members may have the tattoo/brand removed/altered at their own expense outside of DoD medical treatment facilities. Permissive Temporary Duty is not authorized for this purpose; therefore, travel is at member's expense. - Members who fail to remove/alter unauthorized tattoos/brands/body markings in a timely manner, or who choose not to comply with appropriate military standards, will be subject to a variety of appropriate quality force actions, including but not limited to reprimand, unfavorable information file, control roster, referral enlisted/officer performance reports, military justice action (Article 15, UCMJ punishment), ineligibility for schools and assignments and administrative discharge. - If removal at government expense is not possible, the member's affirmative responsibility for complying with this AFI or the Air Force's responsibility to enforce it with any or all available options does not change. - Failure by RegAF members, AFR members on active duty or inactive duty for training, and ANG members in Title 10 status to obey the mandatory provisions in this paragraph constitutes a violation of Article 92, UCMJ. ANG members in Title 32 status performing full-time National Guard duty or inactive duty for training, who violate the mandatory provisions of this instruction, may be held accountable through similar provisions of their respective State Military Codes.

3.4.3. Cosmetic tattooing

- Tattooing for cosmetic purposes is authorized when directed by licensed, qualified medical personnel to correct a medical condition, illness or injury for both men and women. - When not medically directed, cosmetic tattooing is permitted for women if done to apply permanent facial makeup (i.e. eyebrows, eye liner); the cosmetic tattooing must have a natural appearance and be conservative, moderate, within reasonable limits, not excessive or extreme, not distinctly contrast with their complexion, and in good taste.

3.4.2. Tattoos/Brands/Body Markings (Authorized)

- Tattoos are authorized on the chest and back (below the open collar uniform), arms, legs, and a ring tattoo on one finger on one hand (per para 3.4.1). - Ring tattoos are limited to a single band of no more than 3/8 of an inch in width, below the knuckle and above the finger joint (portion closest to the palm). Airmen with tattoos on the hand prior to this policy may be grandfathered; however, hand tattoos other than as described above are unauthorized after 9 January 2017. Grandfathered tattoos on the hand must be documented on the member's AF Form 4428, Tattoo Screening/Verification (see attachment 5 for form completion instructions). Hand tattoos that are grandfathered, and arm, leg, and ring-tattoos can be exposed and visible while wearing any uniform combination(s). - Chest and back tattoos will not be visible through any uniform combination(s) or visible while wearing an open collar uniform. - There are no size or placement limitations on tattoos as long as they are in accordance with this publication. - Failure by RegAF members, AFR members on active duty or inactive duty for training, and ANG members in Title 10 status to obey the mandatory provisions in this paragraph constitutes a violation of Article 92, UCMJ. ANG members in Title 32 status performing full-time National Guard duty or inactive duty for training, who violate the mandatory provisions of this instruction, may be held accountable through similar provisions of their respective State Military Codes.

3.4.1. Tattoos/Brands/Body Markings. (Unauthorized content/locations)

- Tattoos/brands/body markings will not be on the hands (except one ring tattoo on one finger on one hand), head, neck (anything visible above the open collar uniform), face, tongue, lips, eyes, and scalp. - Tattoos/brands/body markings anywhere on the body that are obscene, commonly associated with gangs, extremist, and/or supremacist organizations, or that advocate sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination are prohibited in and out of uniform. Indecent tattoos/brands/body markings are grossly offensive to modesty, decency, or propriety, or shocks the moral sense, because of its vulgar, filthy, or disgusting nature, or its tendency to incite lustful thought. It is indecent if it tends reasonably to corrupt morals or incite libidinous thoughts. It must not violate community standards. - Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) maintains information regarding gang/hate group, etc. on tattoos/brands/body markings. Commanders should contact their servicing AFOSI unit for additional information. - Extremist tattoos/brands/body markings are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies, organizations, or activities. - Sexually discriminative tattoos/brands/body markings are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on gender. - Racially discriminative tattoos/brands/body markings are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. - Religiously discriminative tattoos/brands/body markings are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on religion. - Tattoos/brands/body markings with unauthorized content that are prejudicial to good order and discipline or the content is of a nature that tends to bring discredit upon the Air Force are prohibited both in and out of uniform. - Airmen may not cover up tattoos, brands, and/or body markings with bandages or make-up in order to comply with unauthorized content tattoo policy. - Failure by RegAF members, AFR members on active duty or inactive duty for training, and ANG members in Title 10 status to obey the mandatory provisions in this paragraph constitutes a violation of Article 92, UCMJ. ANG members in Title 32 status performing full-time National Guard duty or inactive duty for training, who violate the mandatory provisions of this instruction, may be held accountable through similar provisions of their respective State Military Codes.

3.5.3. Dental ornamentation

- Teeth, whether natural, capped, or veneered, will not be ornamented with designs, jewels, initials, etc. The use of yellow gold, white gold, or platinum caps (permanent or temporary) merely to add ornamentation to the teeth and not required by dental/medical necessity is prohibited. - Waivers are not required for Air Force members or recruits with permanent yellow gold, white gold or platinum caps that were applied as a result of dental/medical necessity. - Members with official documentation that they received permanent yellow gold, white gold, or platinum caps which were not applied as a result of dental/medical necessity, prior to 13 June 2011, are grandfathered. No other dental ornamentation is grandfathered.

3.5.4. There are situations where the commander can restrict the wear of non-visible body ornaments

- Those situations would include any body ornamentation that interferes with the performance of the member's military duties. - "The following factors (not all inclusive) are considered when making a determination to restrict the wear of non-visible body ornaments: - whether it impairs the safe and effective operation of weapons, military equipment or machinery; - does it pose a health or safety hazard to the wearer or others; -or does it interfere with the proper wear of special or protective clothing or equipment such as helmets, flak jackets, flight duty uniforms, camouflaged uniforms, gas masks, wet suits and crash rescue equipment

3.4.6. Per paragraph 2.10

Commanders will retain the authority to be more restrictive for covering tattoos, body ornaments and personal grooming based on legal, safety, sanitary, and/or host nation agreements

3.4.5. Commanders will use these provisions

Commanders will use these provisions in determining the acceptability of tattoos, brands, and body markings displayed by members in uniform.

3.5.2. In civilian attire on official duty on or off a military installation

With the exception of earrings for women (see paragraphs 7.3.1.1), all members are prohibited from attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to and/or through the ear, nose, tongue, eye brows, lips, or any exposed body part (includes visible through clothing).

3.5. Body Piercing/Ornamentation: 3.5.1. In uniform on or off a military installation

With the exception of earrings for women (see paragraphs 7.3.1.1), all 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 visible through the uniform)