Getting inked is a standard practice amongst servicemen. Members of the Marine corps choose to get marine tattoos to display their pride in their service. Read more about the various designs that are commonly used by them.
Servicemen take pride in fighting for their country, hence, a number of servicemen opt to get tattoos to represent their service experience. With these, they also want to show their love for fallen soldiers. There can be memorial designs to commemorate their fellow servicemen who were not fortunate enough to return alive from active duty.
Servicemen may choose to pay tributes to whole units as well. Such tattoos are often made before the serviceman gets deployed or goes abroad. It is nothing different with the people serving in the Corps.
A Marine Corps service member may choose to get an EGA or a bulldog which are very popular designs among them. A seaman on the other hand may opt for an anchor.
Designs Ideas
As of now, there are thousands of Americans who are at present, or had at some time been, members of the United States Marine Corps.
Active duty members, reservists, war veterans, and retirees are known to share a camaraderie despite each one of them having belonged to a different unit, platoon, battalion, or brigade with its own illustrious past.
Many of them have chosen to commemorate their service and pride by getting their own unique tattoos. The Marine Corps is often looked upon as the meanest and toughest of all branches of service.
Bulldog
Amongst all designs, the USMC bulldog is the most popular marine tattoo for girls as well as guys. The tradition of using an English bulldog as a lucky mascot for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) has its roots in the early part of the previous century.
The interesting bit of information about this design is that it does not come from within the Corps ranks, but comes from the hard-earned respect from their foes. The German soldiers referred to the Corps as "teufel hunden", meaning "devil dogs", undoubtedly referring to their fighting ability.
Initially a dachshund wearing a spiked helmet with an Iron Cross looking backwards, as it ran from an English bulldog, which wore a helmet with the Marine's globe and anchor insignia, was the symbol chosen. However, later the English bulldog was adopted as a mascot.
Nautical Star and Anchor
Anchor and nautical star designs were very popular among the Corps.
A number of young navy cadets get themselves these after their first sail across the Atlantic Ocean. It stands for remaining steadfast against all storms, and not going astray.
Skull
A lot of war veterans choose to get themselves tattooed with skull and sword. There are many other variations which can be made. It can also be combined with crossed guns, barbed wires, or may also be made with bald eagle motifs to depict their love for the country.
In the recent past, there has been a change in the Marine Corps tattoo policy. Marine tattoos cannot be made on the head or neck. The design cannot be anti-America, sexist, racist, anti-social, or may also not display any extreme affiliations.
With the recent policy, there cannot be a large tattoo made on the sleeve either. Hence, if you are planning to get inked and you are serving, you will have to confirm the new rules before you get started.