For a tattoo below the neck, male Marines can receive a waiver because their uniforms cover the area, but certain uniforms for female Marines do not.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has asked the Commandant of the Marine Corps to review rules that appear to discriminate against female recruits who have tattoos. Pingree is trying to help Kate Pimental, from Kennebunk, who has volunteered to serve with the Marines but was told she couldn't join because of a small tattoo she has below her collarbone.
"Male recruits get a waiver when they have a tattoo like Kate's because they can wear a t-shirt that covers it up," Pingree said. "But because the Marine Corps uniform for women is cut lower, the same tattoo on a female recruit effectively keeps her from enlisting. That's not right and it keeps smart, capable women like Kate from being able to serve her country."
Although the Marine Corps policy discourages accepting recruits with tattoos, waivers are regularly given when the tattoo can be covered up by the official uniform. For male Marines, that uniform can include a crew neck undershirt that would cover up a tattoo like Pimental's. But the female uniform calls for a v-neck undershirt that leaves more of the recruit's chest area exposed.
In her letter to General Robert Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Pingree said she was writing about "several policies and regulations that, however unintentional, directly affect female Marines’ opportunities to serve. As women take more active roles in defending this country, it’s important that we address some of the discrepancies that provide men with options unavailable to their female counterparts."
Pingree told Neller that Pimental "is bright, strong, motivated, and dedicated to overcoming the barriers currently prohibiting her from enlistment. She meets every prerequisite required by the USMC Recruiting Command other than her ability to obtain a tattoo waiver."
Pimental has been already working out with other recruits and is dedicated to joining the Marines and serving our country.
"I'm going to do this no matter how long it takes," she said. "Serving in the Marines is tough but I know in my heart I can do it. It's going to make me a better person. I'm very grateful that Congresswoman Pingree is going to bat for me."
Pimental's tattoo, which she got when she turned 18, reads: "Let your smile change the world but never let the world change you."
