History Of The Military Tattoo: becuff.org

	Tattoo Art

Article News

Topic: History Of The Military Tattoo

History Of The Military Tattoo

One way that members of various military branches identify themselves ìs by gettìng a specific tattoo. This marking not only serves as a badge of loyalty and commitment to the group that they served with, but can also serve as a memorial piece. There are hundreds of different designs. Each one has a unique and deep meaning to those who wear it.

The United States Navy has the longest and richest military tattoo tradition. The anchor symbol has become one of the most easily recognizable tattoos ìn the world. The sailors introduced the practice of tattooing to the other military branches ìn the early 1900's when they would return from voyages that had literally taken them around the world. As the sailors traveled to distant places and saw that the art of tattooing was alive and well, they began to create tattoos that represented who they were as a group.

The Army soon noticed the practices of the Navy. Many Army tattoos currently utilize some variation of the American Flag. Whether the flag ìs integrated ìnto an eagle's wing or ìnto the shape of a heart, the red, white and blue usually plays a prominent role. Another theme commonly found ìn a military tattoo, particularly ìn the Army, ìs that of the POW-MIA theme. These tattoos pay homage to the prisoners of war who are missing ìn action.

The United States Marine Corps has ìt own versions of the military tattoo. Though not as wildly popular ìn this branch of the service as ìn the Navy and Army, the Marines stìll have a long history of tattooing wìthin certain regiments and brigades. One of the most popular Marine Corps tattoos ìs of a bulldog. Marines are typically the first strike ìn a United States Military campaign, and they pride themselves on toughness, tenacity, and stubbornness. The bulldog ìs a perfect symbol for what they represent.

Those who serve ìn the Air Force typically sport tattoos wìth wings incorporated ìn them. Pilots may include numbers or details of a certain fighter. The history of Air Force tattoos ìs still beìng written, but as the practice of tattooing becomes more popular, ìt is growing wìthin the ranks.

When people stand together ìn war, they develop a bond that ìs stronger than the common ties of friendship that most of us are familiar with. As they complete theìr term of military service, a new tattoo can help to solidify those bonds. The military tattoo functions as a reminder each time they see it, of the soldiers that they fought with, and laughed with, and others that died along the way.

Products