History of the Military Tattoo
A military tattoo is a common mark which members of military branches use to identify themselves. The tattoo can serve several purposes; it can function as a sign of initiation for new recruits of certain brigades, or as a badge of commitment to fellow troops. It may seem like a tattoo is an odd way to do this, but these tattoos carry a lot of meaning to those who wear them.
The United States Navy has the longest and richest military tattoo tradition. The anchor symbol has become one of the most easily recognizable tattoos in the world. The sailors introduced the practice of tattooing to the other military branches in 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 is integrated into an eagle’s wing or into the shape of a heart, the red, white and blue usually plays a prominent role. Another theme commonly found in a military tattoo, particularly in the Army, is that of the POW-MIA theme. These tattoos pay homage to the prisoners of war who are missing in action.
The United States Marine Corps has it own versions of the military tattoo. Though not as wildly popular in this branch of the service as in the Navy and Army, the Marines still have a long history of tattooing within certain regiments and brigades. One of the most popular Marine Corps tattoos is of a bulldog. Marines are typically the first strike in a United States Military campaign, and they pride themselves on toughness, tenacity, and stubbornness. The bulldog is a perfect symbol for what they represent.
Those who serve in the Air Force typically sport tattoos with wings incorporated in them. Pilots may include numbers or details of a certain fighter. The history of Air Force tattoos is still being written, but as the practice of tattooing becomes more popular, it is growing within the ranks.
A certain connection exists between people who have fought together in battle. They have endured the most trying circumstances and may have even watched their friends die. It is a bond that most people cannot comprehend and one that ties people together long after their terms of service are done. At any time and in any place, people who served together can be united, even if their terms of service were years apart from each other, by the simple recognition of a tattoo.
Fade Away Your Unwanted Tattoo Now!Lotus Flower Tattoos: Meaning And Symbolism
Tags: American Flag, Brigades, Bulldog, Distant Places, History Of Tattooing, Military Branches, Military Campaign, military tattoo, Missing In Action, New Recruits, new tattoo, Pay Homage, Pow Mia, Prisoners Of War, States Marine Corps, Stubbornness, tattoo, Tenacity, Toughness, United States Marine, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy