Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class James Finney | Senior Chief Quartermaster Henry Nicol, a native of Hemet, California and the...... read more read more
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For centuries, tattoos have been sewn into the culture of Sailors across the fleet. American and European explorers became exposed to tattooing in the 1700s when sailing to the Pacific islands. Tattoos were also used by tribes to depict social status, religious symbolisms and other cultural phenomenon.
Two centuries later, Norman Keith Collins, also known as Sailor Jerry, had a profound influence on traditional Navy tattoos. Collins enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1930, and while he was previously exposed to tattooing before serving, the art in Southeast Asia during his deployments inspired his craft and style further. He became renowned for his work by his fellow shipmates, and generations of Sailors to follow.
“Sailors are superstitious, especially in the olden days,” said Chief Hull Maintenance Technician William Murphy, assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), explaining that Sailors in the day of sail knew that crates containing animals would float. “In the event their ship wrecked, [the Sailors figured it was good luck to] have the pig and rooster help them to shore and stay above water.”
Sailors were known to have a pig and rooster tattooed on them to keep their feet afloat. Murphy carried on that tradition, and has a tattoo of a pig and rooster on the front of his feet.
“The heritage behind a lot of the designs carries with us into today,” said Senior Chief Quartermaster Henry Nicol, Boxer’s assistant navigator. “Getting a tattoo is not as taboo as it used to be; when I first started getting my arms done, I was told I was ruining my body and I wouldn’t be able to make Chief.”
Years ago it was more frowned upon to display any sort of art or tattoo on one’s person; however, while the Navy may be more accepting with the expression of body art, that doesn’t come without some stipulations.
According to the U.S. Navy Uniform regulations updated in 2016, when a Sailor decides to get a tattoo, there are four criteria that are used to determine whether the tattoos or body art are permitted. The stipulations include the content, location, size and cosmetic tattooing by a medical professional. For example, the content of tattoos that are obscene, sexually explicit and or advocate discrimination are prohibited. No tattoos can be displayed on the head, face, neck or scalp; with an exception to some neck tattoos located behind the ear which can be no larger than one inch in each direction.
The regulation allows for a variety of tattoos as unique as the Sailors who have them, with their journeys in the Navy often reflected in the artwork. Nicol recalls the vast heritage traditional Navy tattoos hold and how his body art is a reflection of his time as a Sailor and places he has been in the Navy, a view shared by many.
“It represents where they navigated through the seas and the different ports they visited during their time in the Navy,” said Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Michael Beebe, Boxer’s G-3 division leading chief petty officer.
The half sleeve Beebe has on his arm is a collection of his values such as his family, religion, rank and a map depicting certain regions of the world in which he has traveled during his time in the Navy. For Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Jordan Stier, assigned to Boxer’s Medical Department, the conch shell tattooed on her arm was more than engraved ink; it was a fond memory that motivated her to join the Navy.
“My grandfather served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and he used to wake up my brothers and I using a conch shell; it was his rendition of reveille,” said Stier. “The conch shell is my newest tattoo addition and it means the most to me!”
Stier also has a compass and world tattoo that reads ‘die with memories, not dreams,’ which demonstrates her love of travel and how the Navy has enabled her to do so.
“The tattoos separate us from the other branches,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Tyler Pitcock, also assigned to Boxer’s Medical Department. “Traditional Navy tattoos are always story starters.”
For Pitcock, each piece he displays on his body has its own history. The caduceus covers his back and represents his love for helping people and becoming a hospital corpsman. He also has a cardinal and 740 on his arm which represent his home state of Ohio. Having these etched into his arm reminds him and others where he comes from.
“Before you ask which way to go, remember where you’ve been,” said Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Katie Young, assigned to Boxer’s C5I Department. “It’s important to remember where you come from and the past events that led you to where you are today; it helps mold the person you are now.”
The Chief anchor on her arm represents her accomplishment of being promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and everything she had to go through that led her to that point. For Young, the tattoos remind her of why she joined the Navy, who she wants to be and the journey that all Sailors must embrace.
| Date Taken: | 10.31.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2023 16:41 |
| Story ID: | 457344 |
| Location: | PACIFIC OCEAN |
| Web Views: | 205 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, A Fleet of Tattoos, by PO2 James Finney, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
USS Boxer (LHD 4)
