AP 3392 Vol 4

Leaflet 1104

ROYAL AIR FORCE POLICY ON TATTOOS AND BODY ART

Introduction

1. Tattoos are popular with both male and female personnel and are generally a personal matter.
However, the RAF, as a disciplined Service, requires higher standards of appearance and bearing than
might be acceptable in other walks of life. The impact of tattoos on other personnel, for example if they
are offensive, is an important consideration in deciding whether or not a tattoo is acceptable. This
policy relates to all permanent body art including scarification and UV tattoos. This policy applies to
regular or reserve personnel who acquire tattoos whilst in the RAF and to individuals with pre-existing
tattoos seeking to join the Service. When reading the policy, where reference is made to commanders,
it should also be interpreted as applying to recruiting and selection officers.

Policy

2. Obscene or Offensive Tattoos. In line with QR 211, the RAF policy prohibits any tattoos that
are obscene or offensive. Personnel are not permitted to have any permanent or temporary tattoos,
whether ordinarily visible or not, which are obscene or offensive (e.g. racist, anti-religion or belief,
crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drugs related or of an extreme political nature). It is impractical to
set down precise guidelines as to what comprises ‘obscene’ or ‘offensive’ tattooing. In establishing if a
tattoo is obscene or offensive, Commanders should take a broad view, taking into account the RAF’s
Diversity and Inclusion Policy, the Core Values and Standards contained within AP 1 and the likely
impact on the wider RAF community and engage with Air Personnel Casework (APC)1 as appropriate.
An offensive or obscene tattoo is unacceptable regardless of its position on the body.

3. Visible Tattoos. The following visible tattoos are permitted in No. 1 SD (see Annex B for
pictorial representation):

a. Finger Tattoo. Tattoos on the hands and fingers are prohibited with the exception of a
single finger tattoo which may be covered by the wearing of a ring which is in keeping with dress
policy detailed within AP 1358 Chapter 1.2

b. Cosmetic Tattoos. Cosmetic eyebrow tattooing is permitted so long as it produces

eyebrows that follow the natural line of the brow, are symmetrical and natural in shape and
colouring.

c. Neck Tattoos. Tattoos will be allowed on the side and back of the neck, provided they are
not visible from the front when wearing No.2A uniform (except for cosmetically tattooed
eyebrows). Tattoos are not to extend beyond the natural hairline (scalp/ facial tattoos are not
permitted).

d. Foot and Ankle Tattoos. These are permitted.

Action to be Taken in Cases of Contravention of this Policy

4. Verification. When Commanders become aware that an individual may have contravened the
Tattoo Policy, the first step is to verify the nature and position of the tattoo(s). If the tattoo(s) are
normally visible in working dress, this is to be done by the chain of command. If the tattoo(s) are not
normally visible in working dress, visual verification may not be possible, in which case a verbal
description of the tattoo(s) should be acquired. Commanders or line managers are not permitted to
inspect any tattoos that are not visible in normal working dress. Likewise, unless there is a clinical

1
In the case of AFCOs and OASC, this is done through the appropriate HQ P2 or P3 Processing Officer.
2
Males. A wedding ring and/or one other plain signet or precious metal ring may be worn. Thumb rings are not permitted.
Females. The prohibition in Para 0157 is equally applied to female personnel who are similarly forbidden to wear jewellery when in uniform.
They may, however wear a wedding and/or engagement ring plus one other plain metal ring. Thumb rings are not permitted.
1
need, doctors have no right to examine an individual’s tattoo(s). Any action taken will need to be
judged on whatever evidence is available. The nature and position of the tattoo(s) is to be recorded on
the proforma at Annex A.

5. Action During Recruitment. Candidates with obscene/offensive tattoos are to be rejected.

Candidates with any tattoos that are deemed to contravene paras 2 and 3 (above) would usually be
rejected. Where a recruiter is in doubt, the issue is raised to the Office Manager or to the Office
Commander for a consideration. If an assessment remains in doubt, a photograph of the tattoo is
forwarded to the R&S HQ for arbitration by Discpline Policy; once a final decision has been made, the
applicant has the right to appeal in writing to ACOS Pers Pol.

6. Action Once in Service. Serving personnel who have tattoos which contravene the regulations
will be dealt with on a case by case basis by their Station Commander (Stn Cdr)3, who will make a
judgement based on when the tattoo was acquired and under what circumstances. A record of that
decision should be made on the proforma at Annex A. Should a Stn Cdr judge that the tattoo is not
acceptable, they are to consider disciplinary, administrative or informal action as appropriate:

a. Disciplinary Action. This would not normally be taken unless the nature of the tattoo is
itself unlawful; advice on this point should be taken from legal staff and APC before proceeding.

b. Administrative Action. The presumption is that an individual, in contravention of the

tattoo policy, will be discharged. Action should be taken iaw AP 3392 Vol 4 Lflt 801- Major
Administrative Action Process however, APC/legal advice must be sought. If an individual on
whom action is commenced voluntarily has the tattoos removed/covered/altered, discharge action
would not then normally be appropriate, although less severe administrative action may still be
considered. Each case will be considered on its own merits on a case by case basis by
APC/legal.

7. Informal Action. Where a tattoo is deemed to be inappropriate in the particular working

environment4 in which the individual is employed, but does not of itself warrant disciplinary or
administrative action, the chain of command may require the individual to cover the tattoo so it is not
visible. APC advice should be sought if there is any doubt.

8. On no account is an individual to be ordered or encouraged to have tattoos removed. No

individual should be advised that removal is the way to avoid disciplinary or administrative action.

9. Should an individual ask whether removal of a tattoo would allow the selection process to
continue or lift the threat of discharge, they should be advised that each case is considered on its
merits and that removal of the tattoo would not necessarily prevent appropriate action being taken
against them. Where an individual is considering having their tattoo removed, they should be advised
to consult the SMO5 with regard to the treatment involved.

Cultural Differences

10. What is inoffensive to some cultures may be offensive to others (in the UK or overseas);
however, the potential for an individual to serve overseas should not necessarily be the basis for
disciplinary or administrative action if this is the only concern about the tattoo. In such cases,
commanders in theatre will need to consider the potential for causing offence and, if necessary, the
individual may be required to ensure the tattoo is appropriately covered when dealing with the local
community or coalition partners in line with the paragraph on Informal Action above.

Temporary Tattoos

11. Temporary tattoos or body decoration are covered by this policy; the same standards are to be
applied in judging whether or not a temporary tattoo is appropriate and the impact of an offensive

3
Or equivalent.
4
This may include, but is not limited to overseas employment including detachments and working in multinational headquarters.
5
In the case of recruitment, applicants or candidates should be advised to speak to their medical practitioner.
2
decoration may not be mitigated by its impermanence. Given their temporary nature lesser
administrative action may be more appropriate in these cases (disciplinary action may still be
appropriate depending on the circumstances). APC advice is to be sought.

Ethnic, Tribal or Religious Markings

12. Care must be taken to ensure that ethnic, tribal or religious markings are not confused with body
art tattoos. Such markings will not necessarily be a barrier to Service in the RAF; each case must be
judged on its own merits. If in doubt, the Commander should take advice from the RAF’s Diversity and
Inclusion Policy staff as appropriate before considering what action to take.

Useful Information

13. Tattoos can have hidden meanings; where the Commander suspects that a tattoo may have a
hidden meaning that could contravene this policy, they should seek advice from HQ Air Discipline
Policy Staff.

(ALXX XXX 19)

3
 AP 3392 Vol 4
Leaflet 1104
Annex A

RAF TATTOO PROFORMA

1. Place a numbered cross on the diagram below to indicate the position of the tattoo(s).

Front view Rear view

2. Indicate the approximate size of each tattoo and give a brief description of the tattoo:

a. Tattoo 1 (Show by inserting 1 above)

Approximate size (specify sq centimetres or inches)

Brief description (including any wording)

4
 b. Tattoo 2 (Show by inserting 2 above)

Approximate size (specify sq centimetres or inches)

Brief description (including any wording)

c. Tattoo 3 (Show by inserting 3 above)

Approximate size (specify sq centimetres or inches)

Brief description (including any wording)

d. Tattoo 4 (Show by inserting 4 above)

Approximate size (specify sq centimetres or inches)

Brief description (including any wording)

Continue overleaf as necessary.

Signed .............................................................

Date...................................................…………. Name ........................................................................

5
 AP 3392 Vol 4
Leaflet 1104
Annex B

VISUAL REFERENCE GUIDE FOR TATTOOS (NECK)

APPROVED below shirt collar
The following would be permitted under the revised policy:

Tattoos will be allowed on the side and back of the neck, provided they are not
ne
visible from the front when wearing No.2A uniform
APPROVED behind ear

The following would not be permitted:

APPROVED Perfect

Extends above the Visible from the front

natural hairline

VISUAL REFERENCE GUIDE FOR TATTOOS (HANDS)

The following would be permitted under the revised policy:

A single finger tattoo which may be covered by the wearing of a ring which is in
keeping with dress policy detailed within AP 1358 Chapter 1 is permitted
6
The following would not be permitted:

Only one finger tattoo is permitted.

Single finger tattoo must be in the location where a ring can be worn.

Single finger tattoo must be no larger than a ring which is in keeping with
dress policy detailed within AP 1358 Chapter 1.