Tattoos after the army. Army tattoos are decorations for real men

Army tattoo is a separate category of body designs. They not only have aesthetic beauty, but also have a special meaning that can tell information about the place of service and type of military service of the owner.

Army tattoos and their themes

Army tattoos, like prison tattoos, are not tattooed for beauty, since they indicate a person’s social status, as well as his belonging to certain troops.

Conventionally, military tattoos are divided into several categories:

• by military rank;
• by type of troops;
• at the place of duty.

Today, many soldiers choose to have their body tattooed at their military unit, mid- or late-term. The status does not allow tattooing an image on the body ahead of time: the tattoo is applied only to “grandfathers”, and not to “spirits”. We can say that this is a special insignia for the period spent in a military unit.

It is worth knowing that such army tattoos are not always particularly beautiful if they are performed by an unqualified craftsman. In addition, they have an increased risk of infection during the application and healing process.

Army tattoos by branch of service: meaning and symbolism

The army is a special period in a man’s life. For this reason, many of them want to immortalize him with body art.

All troops have a basic recognizable image. So, for example, for the Airborne Forces it is a parachute, for the RKhBZ it is a gas mask, etc. Often there are inscriptions indicating blood type, motto, military unit number, abbreviations, etc. Basically, the meaning of army tattoos is information about the branch of the military in which the service took place. Let's take a closer look at the tattoos of military soldiers.

Airborne Forces The distinctive insignia of paratroopers is a blue beret and a parachute. They are the main symbols used in tattoos.

The blue beret depicts wolves, tigers, leopards and other animals. And as a result of the fact that when carrying out combat missions, it is the Airborne Forces soldiers who have to land in dangerous areas, the motto “Nobody but us” and “For the Airborne Forces” has become especially popular.

Wolf in a beret

Artillery. Artillery tattoos include crossed cartridges, cannons and other weapons. It is also possible to apply a skull in a beret, accompanied by the inscription “Artillery”, “God of War”, “Gods Fear Us”.

Artillery reconnaissance. The Gunnery Scout tattoo includes the above symbols with the addition of a bat image.

Artillery army tattoo “For RViA”

Marines. Marines wear a wide variety of tattoos. But basically, they include an image of a parachute, against which there are images of animals, a skull in a beret, etc. Also, the inscription is used: “Where we are, there is victory.”

Army tattoo. Infantry motorized rifle troops get tattoos in the form of a grinning wolf's head or a skull with crossed machine guns.

Russian special forces tattoos. GRU special forces tattoos are images of a skull in a beret against the background of a parachute canopy, a helicopter, a bat, the face of a wolf or a tiger. Often the drawings are accompanied by an inscription with years or place of service.

VV Ministry of Internal Affairs tattoos. Tattoos of internal troops represent a five-pointed star, which depicts a clenched fist with a Kalashnikov assault rifle or rifle.

A separate division for operational purposes. Tattoo ODON is a black panther with a grin. As a rule, it is located on the shoulder in tandem with the inscription “ODON”.

Army tattoos of the Russian Air Force. An air force tattoo involves painting blades with wings, airplanes, or the inscription: “For the Air Force.”

JDV tattoo. In the Russian army, employees of the railway troops get a tattoo in the form of a pit bull's head with a rail in its mouth. Sometimes there is an image of a train.

Army air defense tattoos. Basically, air defense troops use an image of an airplane as a tattoo. Less commonly, a bat or bird is killed. Typically, drawings are accompanied by the part number and service life.

Tattoo for clear sky

Tattoo VKS. Soldiers of the military space forces stuff thematic images: rockets, astronauts, etc.

Tattoo SKVO. The army tattoo of employees in the North Caucasus Military District is a scorpion located on the sternum. Moreover, by the position of the tail with the sting, you can find out whether the soldier participated in hostilities. Accordingly, a raised tip means participation, but a lowered one does not.

Tattoo 12 GUMO. The 12th Main Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense uses in the form of a tattoo an image of a double-headed eagle or the inscription: “After us - silence”, “Nuclear forces take care of Russia”.

“For You” tattoo on the arm: meaning

The “For You” tattoo, tattooed on the hand, namely, on the edge of the palm or finger, means that the person is raising the pile for you, that is, for those around him or “For the Entire Army Service.”

Bat tattoo: meaning in the army

A bat tattoo is a sign of military intelligence. It means that the fighter has the same qualities as a bat: he can easily find a landmark in the air, climb various surfaces like a rock climber, and, if necessary, can stay under water for some time.

For the first time, this symbol was drawn by one of the fighters, after which its application became a tradition among scouts. Often, army tattoos with a bat are combined with the moon or the canopy of a parachute.

In the article you will find photographs of army tattoos and learn their meaning.

Only those people who were able to go through the “school” of war or serve in the army get an “army” tattoo. Such a drawing necessarily has a meaning, for example, it indicates which troops the fighter belonged to. Moreover, only those soldiers who have already served fully have the right to get a tattoo.

INTERESTING: It was customary for soldiers to get tattoos many centuries ago. It was believed that a tattoo could identify a person after death if he was severely injured. Or it will be necessary to find out the blood type so that a health worker can save a stranger without documents or any data. However, there were also rules that prohibited some employees from getting tattoos so that they would not be recognized on the “foreign side,” for example, intelligence officers.

It is not customary to get any army tattoo just because you like it or want to have it. An army tattoo had to be earned. However, modern youth are increasingly starting from this rule and independently decide on getting this or that design on their body.

IMPORTANT: It is best to get a tattoo after military service in professional salons and with certified specialists, since “homemade” artists who do it right in a military unit often introduce infected blood to a person with a needle.

Can military personnel get tattoos?

Tattoos are prohibited for certain categories of military personnel. For example, services that are designed for intelligence are absolutely not allowed to have tattoos because the design on the body is a special sign by which a person can be recognized. In addition, ordinary soldiers are prohibited from having tattoos on open parts of the body: head, neck, face (the norm of military ethics).

VKS army tattoos: photos

The Russian Aerospace Forces are military space forces that must defend their state in the space sector.

Army Navy Tattoos: Photos

Navy - navy. Drawings on the bodies of Navy personnel were supposed to protect them from various disasters and natural elements during voyages. Another purpose of Navy tattoos is to “tell” about the merits and victories of a soldier.

The most popular drawings:

• Flag of the Russian Navy – This flag is also called “St. Andrew’s” in honor of the Apostle Andrew, who was an ordinary fisherman until he met Jesus. The tattoo has a simple and at the same time strong energy.
• Polar bear - Such a tattoo was tattooed on the body of soldiers who served in the North Sea.
• Palm trees – a symbol that a person has visited the Mediterranean Sea
• Shark- a symbol that gave fearlessness and helped get out of any difficult situations.
• Turtle- a drawing that “says” that a person has crossed the equator.
• Anchor- a symbol that protected and protected those people who are “attached” to the sea element.
• Sparrow- this drawing was printed only by those who managed to overcome 5000 miles by ship.
• Wind rose, guiding star or compass- a symbol that inspired military personnel with hope of returning home.
• Pigs with roosters (or each animal separately)- a symbol of salvation. These animals were transported on ships in wooden boxes, protecting people from shipwreck and starvation.
• Swallows or seagulls- a drawing that symbolizes land
• Words on fingers Hold AndFast – these words helped the one who held the mooring lines, protecting him from falling into the water.
• Mooring end – drawing for a sailor
• The Dragon - tattoo for a sailor who visited China
• Globe - a symbol that characterizes a person who has seen the whole world.
• Sailboat on the wave - forward movement symbol
• Steering wheel – sign of a person who loves to travel
• Ship - As a rule, a specific drawing of the ship on which the military man served was printed.
• Cannons on the ship (crossed) – a man fought on a ship.

Army air defense tattoos: photos

Such drawings are applied to the body only by those soldiers who are currently in service, and there are only a few months left until its end. On such tattoos It is customary to indicate the service date and part number. These symbols are applied to the upper part of the body, usually the chest, arms or shoulders.

The inscription “for clear skies”, which symbolizes peace on earth, is very popular for air defense. Another popular custom is stuff a plane that's already landing, as a symbol of ending and completion (of service). In some cases it is depicted bat, floating in the air.

Army tattoos RCBZ: photos

RCBZ are “chemical” troops that provide protection to the state at the chemical and biological level.

Army tattoos of the Marine Corps: photos

Marines stuff themselves with:

• Parachute – a symbol of fearlessness and lightness, as well as the true designation of the military.
• Predatory grin - a symbol of strength and masculinity, fearlessness and courage. The grin could belong to any wild animal.
• Predator in a beret - the animal symbolizes strength, and the beret defines the Marine.
• Skull in a beret - symbol of mockery of death

Army tattoos of border troops: photos

Popular tattoos:

• Sword and shield - a bright symbol of the protection and defense of the state border.
• Border pillar -
• Border tower – symbol of service in the border troops.
• Shield and border star – symbol of defense of the Motherland
• Abbreviations and year of service - personal information of the employee
• Green Beret - border guard symbol
• Eagle - a symbol of freedom and strength, as well as the “all-seeing eye.”
• Scorpion - symbol of wisdom and strength

Army artillery tattoos: photos

As a rule, artillery tattoos indicate specific data: year of service person, place where the service took place, and sometimes even military rank. Popular images of weapons, skulls, as well as the inscriptions “Gods of war” and “they fear us.” It is important to know that such tattoos are allowed to be applied to the body only by soldiers who have already served.

Army tattoos of the Airborne Forces: photos

Airborne Forces - military landing forces.

Popular tattoos:

• The grin of a predator - bear, tiger or wolf as symbols of masculinity, strength and power.
• Tiger - a symbol of a fighting character (it is not uncommon for a tiger to be depicted in a blue beret).
• Blue color - symbolizes the sky
• Blue beret - Airborne symbol
• Airplane - airborne service symbol
• Parachute – symbol of lightness, freedom and service in the Airborne Forces
• Bat - strong and intimidating tattoo
• Bird of prey (eagle) – a symbol of air and sky, as well as courage and strength.
• Skull in a blue beret – fearlessness before death

Army tattoos of motorized rifle troops: photos

Motorized rifle troops are the main ground forces of the state. Tattoos for such military personnel are most often images of:

• Weapons (Kalashnikov assault rifle)
• Grin of predators
• Skulls
• Abbreviations and dates
• Steel arms

Army special forces tattoos: photos

Spetsnaz - special forces.

What kind of tattoos do you get:

• Bat
• Skulls
• Airplane or helicopter
• Landscape (usually of the place where the soldier served)
• Predator with a grin
• Star
• Slogans and inscriptions
• Abbreviation
• Blood type
• Firearms
• Bat

Army signalman tattoos: photos

Signal troops - are responsible for the communication system between military formations and armed forces formations.

INTERESTING: Signalmen's tattoos often have lightning as a symbol of speed and an arrow as a symbol of the right direction.

Tattoos:

Which army unit has a sea turtle tattoo?

A sea turtle tattoo is a symbol of strength and endurance. It is filled by those soldiers who are related to the sea and have crossed the equator at least once.

Military tattoos in the Russian Army bat: meaning, photo

The bat is most often stuffed by those soldiers who serve or have served in special forces or intelligence. This animal is predatory and is associated with danger, but at the same time it is stealthy and dexterous.

Military tattoos in the Russian Army Scorpio: meaning, photo

Scorpio is often worn by soldiers as a symbol of strength and courage, fearlessness and endurance. It is interesting that if a scorpion has a lowered sting, this indicates that the soldier did not take part in the battle, and if it is raised up, the soldier fought.

Military tattoos in the Russian Army tiger: meaning, photo

A tiger with a grinning mouth is a symbol of courage, defiance and strength in battle. The bared mouth should inspire threat and fear.

Tiger - army tattoo

Military tattoos in the Russian Army wolf: meaning, photo

A wolf is a predatory animal, which indicates that the soldier is a very strong-willed person, rebellious and dangerous (in battle). The bared mouth of the beast should intimidate and scare away the enemy.

Wolf - army tattoo

Military tattoos in the Russian Army: dragon: meaning, photo

The dragon is a symbol indicating that a person served or visited China.

Military tattoos in the Russian Army, blood type: meaning, photo

The blood type very often complements the drawings on the body, since in battle, if a person is wounded, he needs to be given ambulance (if a person is unconscious and without documents, it is impossible to find out his blood type without prompting).

What military men's tattoos are applied on the shoulder, arm, wrist, ribs of the palm, chest?

Tattoos:

• Shoulders – scorpions, inscriptions, dates
• Hands - skulls, weapons, animals, birds
• Breast - blood type, inscriptions, animals,
• Back - birds, bat, weapons, inscriptions
• Belly – Christian theme, words and inscriptions
• Wrist – blood type, weapons, slogans and words

Do they accept tattoos into military school?

There is no clear law that prohibits entering a given institution of higher education with tattoos. But in some cases, each university has its own separate requirements. Most often, the ban falls on tattoos and designs that are too large-scale and flashy, as well as provocative ones on the head, face, and neck. In any case, remember that tattoos are an identifying mark on the body and in some military services they are not desirable and even prohibited.

Sketches of military, army tattoos: photos

Sketches:

Video: “Different army tattoos”

A cult of tattoos has developed among troops around the world. Army tattoos become proof that a person was part of some troops and from now on he belongs to them. Secrets and types of combat tattoos. Any tattoo has a special meaning for its owner. An army tattoo is not an exception, but rather an additional confirmation of this. Body images become proof that a person was part of some troops and from now on he belongs to them. In addition to affiliation, tattoos can also represent military achievements or awards.

Army tattoos have become a real art. A cult of tattoos has developed among troops around the world. Sketches of body paintings are passed on from soldier to soldier, and every year the works acquire their own “zest” and turn into masterpieces. “Defend Russia” together with the artistic tattoo studio Badbird.Ink offers you to get acquainted with images of tattoos and their meaning.

Armies of other countries

Military personnel in foreign countries have excelled in military tattoo culture. More and more often there are photos on the Internet where parts of the body are completely “clogged” with masterfully executed drawings. Most often this can be found among American military personnel.

Often they depict belonging to a particular branch of the military or the army as a whole...

...or commemorate those killed in battle.

Some paint patriotic images:

Soviet and Russian army

All of the above categories of body designs are, of course, present in Russian army tattoos. Bad Bird Ink tells more about the history of the emergence and development of this culture.

Military tattoos gained popularity during World War II. However, body painting was not encouraged in the service. It was necessary for commanders to monitor such cases. Despite the conditional ban, the art of military drawing on the body continued to develop. There was an unspoken rule that the more difficult your service, the more loyal they are to tattoos. The only exception was for sailors - they were not prohibited from having any images on their bodies.

The army drawing was supposed to reflect the main characteristics of its owner: branch of service, place of service, symbols and emblems, years of service, blood type. The latter image became popular during the war in Afghanistan.

Over time, the attitude towards tattoos in the army became more loyal and the format began to develop. Today, the basic principles of drawing drawings by branch of the military with historical images remain.

Airborne Forces: most often used is the image of parachutes, airplanes, berets and an indication of the place or locality where the service took place.

Marine Corps: the most popular image is the St. Andrew's flag. Elements in the form of animals and places of service are added.

Employees in the North Caucasus: their symbol is a scorpion (denoting being in a “hot spot”).

We have revealed the main symbols of army and military tattoos. But it must be remembered that the military’s wearable images are often a code that can only be understood by the owner or fellow soldiers.

Probably the most common question about suitability for the army after the question about having flat feet is the question about tattoos. Many have heard from friends: I have tattoos on my arms, they won’t take me into the army, and so on. To understand under what conditions the presence of tattoos affects the possibility of obtaining exemption from conscription, it is necessary to understand what generally constitutes the basis for exemption from service.

In addition to administrative and some other reasons, for example, deferment from the army at the birth of a child, one of the main reasons for obtaining an exemption is the health status of the conscript. If for the above reasons it is enough to provide the established package of documents and submit it to the military registration and enlistment office, then with a health examination everything is much more serious. A significant part of the premises of the military registration and enlistment offices are doctors’ offices who examine young men during conscription events.

The procedure for examining doctors is strictly regulated; a document has been developed - a schedule of diseases for 2020, which lists all the diseases for which they are not accepted into the army or are given a deferment. Each doctor examines the conscript according to his specialization, asks if the young man has any diagnoses and certificates of their presence. If there are no certificates, and no obvious diseases are revealed during the examination, then the young man is considered fit.

Here lies the main point that determines whether someone with tattoos is accepted into the army, namely, that the medical examination at the military registration and enlistment office is the last stage at which it is decided whether the young man will serve or not. So, is a tattoo a disease, and does it give you the right not to join the army?

Is tattooing a disease or not? The point of view of the doctors of the military registration and enlistment office

As mentioned above, the activities of doctors at the medical examination are strictly regulated and there cannot be a private point of view regarding tattoos. The schedule of diseases - an official regulatory document - does not contain information about tattoos, therefore, a tattoo is not a disease, therefore, people with tattoos are taken into the army.

However, many have heard that if there are a lot of tattoos, that if a certain percentage of the skin is covered with them, there are tattoos on the face, arms, neck, hands and other areas of the skin, then exceptions are possible, and with such tattoos they are not accepted into the army. Is it so? The answer to these statements will still be “no” - there are no such conditions in regulatory documents, and accordingly there are no methods for measuring the percentage of skin covered with tattoos, and so on.

It should be noted that there is a practice in which young men with certain tattoos received exemption from conscription and were not taken into the army. More on this later.

Exemption from the army with tattoos in 2020

Conscripts at the military registration and enlistment office are examined, in particular, by a psychiatrist. This specialist, as a rule, makes a conclusion after a conversation with a young man. The doctor asks arbitrary questions, including based on the behavior and appearance of the conscript. It is in this case that the presence of special signs in the form of tattoos on the face, fingers, hands, can attract the attention of a psychiatrist, and he can send the young man for a mental health examination. But it is worth noting here that such instructions are not in the documents regulating conscription. A doctor may not notice or pay attention to tattoos, and to another doctor, tattoos may not be something “special.”

Indeed, lately tattoos are no longer a “shocking” phenomenon; many young people get them. Some guys, of course, get a tattoo on the face, or completely cover part of the body with a tattoo, for example, a hand. There are significantly fewer such cases, but every year the number is still increasing. According to statistics, 98.4% of people with tattoos do not have mental health problems, so it is foolish to expect that those with tattoos will not be accepted into the army. If you are sent for a mental examination, professional doctors will be able to clearly determine the presence of a mental illness; they will not be able to deceive them, and feigning an illness is a direct sign of evading the army - a criminal offense punishable by up to 2 years in prison and a large financial fine.

Other grounds for exemption and deferment from conscription

Our long-term practice of providing assistance to conscripts shows that most conscripts have diseases with which they are not accepted into the army. According to official conscription statistics, 76.7% of young men in 2020 received deferments or military ID for health reasons. Since the military registration and enlistment office does not conduct a full examination of the young man’s health, but only studies the certificates provided, then of the 23.3% of the guys who were declared fit, they also potentially have diseases for which they issue a military ID.

Now you know whether people with tattoos are accepted into the army. Our organization organizes independent health examinations of conscripts throughout Russia. We also provide legal support when passing a medical examination at the military registration and enlistment office. Call us for a free consultation.

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The meaning of army tattoos

For a man, the army is a school of life. It is because of this that tattoos made in the army have become an integral part of men's lives. This is a memory of places of service, symbols of honor and courage, as well as the main difference between a guy who served and those who abandoned the army. Often tattoos have a certain character, namely, they indicate the unit of the person who served or simply on the topic of courage, about them. It has spread so much that it has become popular in all countries. Many types of them appeared.

You can often find an image rockets or cartridge. And if a rocket is used in a certain type of military, then the cartridge is a universal tattoo that suits any type of military. Often the date of demobilization is written inside the cartridge.

Army tattoos are rarely colorful due to the fact that they are usually applied not by professionals, but by the guys themselves. The usual phrase about loyalty to the Motherland, loyalty to friends and one's troops is often used.

Symbol of the airborne troops - parachute with the name of the duty station. You can also meet with shield, which depicts beret.

There are also many common tattoos. For example, “for you,” which symbolize the entire army service. They depict an eternal flame or a dushman holding a knife in his teeth.

In general, army tattoos are so diverse that you can talk about them for a long time and a lot. There are a lot of them and more are added every year. The most popular tattoos are in the Airborne Forces. Almost all military personnel get tattoos to commemorate their service. Some soldiers have a tradition of getting a tattoo indicating their blood type. And in many armies in the world this is even a duty. There have often been cases where such a tattoo saved a soldier’s life in battle.

Army tattoos will never become outdated and will not be perceived negatively by other people, because the army is sacred to everyone. And such a tattoo is a memory of those with whom the guy was there and those who did not return from there, and not just for beauty.