A Confederate flag tattoo means an Arkansas teenager won't be allowed to fulfill his dream of becoming a U.S. Marine.
Anthony Bauswell, 18, of Greenbrier, Arkansas said a recruiter told him on Jan. 18 he was disqualified from joining the service because he has a Confederate flag tattoo on his ribs. The tattoo, which is about the size of his hand, includes the red and blue Confederate flag with the words "Southern Pride" written on it.
Bauswell said the tattoo is not mean to be racist.
"I definitely don't want it to be seen as racism, which is 99 percent of the reason I got Southern pride on it," Bauswell told NBC Arkansas.
Bauswell said he is not sure what he will do now.
"I felt pretty low. My own government wasn't going to let me serve my country because of the ink on my skin.
According to the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, recruits cannot have any tattoos that are "prejudicial to good order, discipline or morale," including tattoos that are sexist, racist, vulgar, anti-American or related to a gang or extremist organization. Marines are also prohibited from having tattoos or brands on their heads or neck, as well as large sleeve tattoos.
Marines who had the tattoos prior to April 2007 are grandfathered in.
The Marines Corps recently announced it is updating its tattoo policy. The changes are expected to provide additional flexibility as to what types of tattoos are allowed.
The new policy is expected within the next month.
Controversy surrounding military tattoos is not new. The Army updated its policy last year, giving soldiers more leeway on the types and location of tattoos that are allowed.
Poster Comment:
It's the same thing as having a Nazi swastika tatooed on his arm.
