Tattoo and Body Piercing Policy

In our current culture, tattoos, brands and body piercing are becoming more prevalent. The Academy has established a policy to address this issue, outlining what is acceptable and unacceptable in this area. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that midshipmen uphold a professional image when in uniform and avoid the serious health risks and long term consequences associated with a tattoo, brand or body piercing.

The following tattoos and brands are prohibited: Any that are on the face, neck or head; any that are prejudicial to good order or discipline, including those with offensive language, patently racist or extremist symbols, or sexually explicit depictions; and any that are partly or fully visible when wearing the Summer
White uniform.

Tattoos or brands falling into one of the above categories must be removed within six months of identification at the expense of the individual student. Entering plebe candidates identified with a prohibited tattoo or brand will have until December 1 of plebe year to have the tattoo or brand removed, or face disenrollment.

The Academy’s policy regarding body piercing prohibits the following: body piercing and jewelry on the tongue, or in areas that interfere with a student’s duties, or that could lead to medical complications.

While in uniform, female midshipmen are permitted to wear single post earrings, one per ear on the earlobe. The earring must be gold, a 6mm (approximately 1/4”) ball, plain with brushed matte finish. Small single pearl earrings are authorized for wear with Dinner and Formal Dress uniforms.

With the exception of earrings authorized for female midshipmen, neither male nor female students are permitted to have body piercings with associated jewelry that are visible when wearing the Summer White uniform or an athletic uniform when engaged in athletic competition.