A minor change to the Marines Corps' uniform policy could be the result of Marine administrative message made what 143/16 seemed like a minor tweak to the service's uniform policy, but a the plight of a tattooed woman's plight to join the service may have been a driving force behind the change. It gave female Marines an extra option of the white crew-neck if they choose to wear a T-shirt with the dress or service uniform when reviously, only the white V-neck was authorized.
Marine administrative message 143/16 gives It gave female Marines the extra option to wear a white crew-neck if they choose to wear a T-shirt with their dress or service uniforms. Previously, only a white V-neck T-shirts were authorized for women. But the plight of a tattooed woman to join the Corps may have been a driving force for the change.
The change follows complaints from a congresswoman that the Marine Corps' tattoo policy unintentionally discriminates against women after a recruiter told her constituent, Marine Corps recruiter in February told down Kate Pimental, 20, that she couldn’t enlist because of a tattoo that runs across her neckline. Her tattoo, which reads "Let your smile change the world but never let the world change you," is not visible with a crew-neck shirt.
The Marine Corps does not allow tattoos on the neck that are visible in a standard physical training PT shirt or in the "V" portion of the short-sleeve khaki shirt without an undershirt. While men are allowed to wear crew neck T-shirts, which cover the area, women had only two options: a V-neck option or nothing.
When made aware of that difference, Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, wrote a Feb. 22 letter to Commandant Gen. Robert Neller wrote a letter to Commandant Gen. Robert Neller on Feb. 22 crying foul. but that was not an option for women. When made aware of the difference, Pimental’s congresswoman Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine),
The different uniform standards, Pingree wrote, said the difference were "not right" and kept "smart, capable women like Kate from being able to serve her country."
Marine officials contend, however, that there was more to the decision to bar Pimental from serving in the Corps than her tattoo — that she didn't meet other requirements. Also unknown is whether Pimental will ever get the chance to earn an eagle, globe, and anchor.
"Applicants must meet a variety of prerequisites to enlist, including moral, mental and physical requirements," said Capt. Gerard Farao, a spokesman for 1st Marine Corps District. "The tattoo is only a small piece of the 'whole-person' concept the Marine Corps looks at. When applying the 'whole person' concept to every applicant and after working with her recruiter, Ms. Pimental did not meet all the standards required for enlistment."
Pimental could not be reached for comment.
Kate Pimental stands at the Marine Corps Recruiting Substation in Portland, Maine. Pimental wears a crew-neck T-shirt that covers a tattoo just below her collarbone that says, "Let your smile change the world but never let the world change you."
Photo Credit: Jon Wright via AP
In asking Neller to review the policy, Pingree wrote ’s letter noted that how "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," she wrote.
Whether her efforts helped drive the March 11 change is unknown. Pingree said she never heard back from the Marine Corps. Marine uniform officials did not respond to questions submitted by Marine Corps Times about the change.
"We are very grateful that General Neller acted so quickly, because it was an issue that was resolvable," Pingree told Marine Corps Times. "I don't think anybody wants to see what could be considered a minor issue be a point of discrimination between women and men.
"It is a good day in Washington, it is a good day in the military when you see a problem and it can be resolved quickly."
Also unknown is whether Pimental will ever get the chance to earn an eagle, globe, and anchor.
"Applicants must meet a variety of prerequisites to enlist, including moral, mental, and physical requirements," said Capt. Gerard Farao, spokesman for 1st Marine Corps District. "The tattoo is only a small piece of the 'whole-person' concept the Marine Corps looks at. When applying the 'whole person' concept to every applicant and after working with her recruiter, Ms. Pimental did not meet all the standards required for enlistment."
Pimental could not be reached for comment.
The new policy states that the white crew-neck and V-neck shirts are authorized with the female service and dress uniforms and are worn at the individual's choice, though a commander can require crew-neck undershirts for uniformity in formations, ceremonies or parades. Marines may wear short-sleeve undershirts of any material as long as they meets the command's minimum safety standards and have a Marine Corps approval identification number.
Lance M. Bacon is senior reporter for Marine Corps Times. He covers Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Marine Corps Forces Command, personnel / career issues, Marine Corps Logistics Command, II MEF, and Marine Forces North. He can be reached at lbacon@marinecorpstimes.com.
