# Is it ok to get a tatoo of a deactivated military unit if you never served? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 17, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143 "2006-08-17T21:48:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/1 "2006-08-17T21:48:21Z")
I [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=382046) thread I talked about the passing of my grandfather. I also talk about his military service, of which I am very proud. He was a combat medic in World War 2. My father, my brother and I are considering getting tattoos of his unit patch as a homage to him. You can see the red and yellow unit patch [here](http://www.45thdivisionmuseum.com/). My question is this: Is it inappropriate or disrespectful of us to have this tattoo if we never served in the military, much less this division? ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/2 "2006-08-17T21:56:24Z")
I would say yes, it is inappropriate. I’d be interested in hearing from people in the military on this, though. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/3 "2006-08-17T22:01:39Z")
I can’t comment from a military perspective, but as a tattoo aficionado I say that it’s your body and select your tattoos because of what it means to you, not to anyone else on earth. As homage to your grandfather and his unit, it’s cool because of the meaning behind it. I doubt too many vets who spy your tattoo and even know what it means would be offended when they hear that your grandfather’s service in that unit made such an impression on you that you did something like get that tattoo. Most would probably be pretty stoked out. Of course, YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/4 "2006-08-17T22:20:56Z")
Is it still possible for you to contact any of your grandfather’s friends from his unit? I think that their opinion could help you make your decision. ---
**Author:** ![ryobserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@ryobserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryobserver)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/5 "2006-08-17T22:27:45Z")
Not a veteran so I probably shouldn’t comment, but how about adding “In Memoriam Grandpa” or something similar around or below the tattoo? That should make it clear to interested persons whose service is being commemorated. ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/6 "2006-08-17T22:45:56Z")
I was in the Army and it would bother me, not that that should affect your decision. I agree with r **yobserver** ’s suggestion of including something about your grandfather that clarifies that you’re not pretending you were in that unit. Maybe his name and the dates he served or some such thing. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/7 "2006-08-17T23:17:24Z")
I hear what you guys are saying. I am not sure how I feel about it yet. I am 34 years old. Id I got “1941~1945” under it, would that be sufficient so that no one thinks I am claiming to have served? What if I just get the yellow thunderbird, without the red background? ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/8 "2006-08-17T23:20:01Z")
I was in the military and I also recommend that you all include an in memorium line such as your grandfather’s name and date. That way it’ll be clear that you aren’t trying to ‘wannabe.’ ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/9 "2006-08-17T23:21:29Z")
And another thing, it is a defunct unit. No one in the military today, or who has knowledge of the unit itself, would think I was in the unit or pretending to be. Its not like I am getting the 81st Airborn or the 3rd I.D. How many of you would see the tattoo and immediately recognize it as the symbol of an infantry division? All of that being said, I see the validity in your opinions. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2006, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/10 "2006-08-17T23:48:37Z")
You could plant a tree in his honor and it will last alot longer than the tattoos. Just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/11 "2006-08-18T00:01:28Z")
Here’s the deal: You can do whatever you want, but if you put it in a conspicuous place and someone sees it they’ll probably try to chat you up, which would lead to a VERY embarassing situation for you. You’ll then have to admit that you were never a member of the armed forces and you will definitely get eyed very hard. Veterans have no time for fakers, and that’s what you’ll be seen as, whether you come clean right away or not. Also: what **Jess** said. Without some sort of proviso it doesn’t matter whether it’s a deactivated unit or not. People will see the tattoo and ask you what unit you were in, and explaining otherwise would be awkward. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/12 "2006-08-18T00:58:09Z")
Personally, I’d see it as honoring your grandfather’s unit rather than your grandfather. [sub](I don’t think I’ve typed a more odd sounding sentence than that recently. Anyway…)[/sub] I doubt that any current or former military personnel would demand that you remove it. Most, I think, wouldn’t care. Some might think you a little pretentious. > [@Gatopescade](#): > > You could plant a tree in his honor and it will last alot longer than the tattoos. Just a thought. Maybe. Maybe not. And a tree can’t say, “It’s in honor of my grandfather.” ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/13 "2006-08-18T03:17:42Z")
[QUOTE=Rysdad] Some might think you a little pretentious. " [/QUOTE] Howso? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/14 "2006-08-18T04:26:40Z")
[QUOTE=Cluricaun] I say that it’s your body and select your tattoos because of what it means to you, not to anyone else on earth. . [/QUOTE] Ya know, so many people don’t get that. I have three tattoos. Two of them are on my back and since I never go shirtless, very few people see them. If I do show them off I almost always get something along the lines of “Why’d you get them on your back, no one can see them.” Well, they’re not for other people, I got them for me. Also, it’s alot easier to pick and choose who I want to sit down and discuss them with. The third one is on my forearm for the whole world to see. Why? Becuase it has virtually no symbolism. Nothing deep anyways. “Why do you have a tattoo of a dog on your arm?” “Cuz that’s my dog.” “Oh.” Sorry if that’s kind of a ramble, but what it comes down to is, your tattoo’s are for YOU, and shouldn’t be concerened about what others will think. Also, if it is for your memory/bonding with brothers, and you don’t want to have to discuss it, but it somewhere easily covered. If you normally where a shirt then it’s not tough to find a spot. > [@](#): > > You can do whatever you want, but if you put it in a conspicuous place and someone sees it they’ll probably try to chat you up, which would lead to a VERY embarassing situation for you. I’m not sure I agree with that. If someone asks him about it, a simple answer of “My grandfather was a combat medic in World War 2, my brothers and I got his division patces tattooed in his memory” and leave it at that. I would hope the people you think it would offend would actually be happy to see the support. Of course you never know what someone will be offended by. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/15 "2006-08-18T09:29:30Z")
October 12th is, among other things, the festivity of the patron saint of Hispanics, also patron saint of the Guardia Civil (a Spanish police corps); it’s a national holiday in Spain, although current politicians are kind of worried about it: they’re not sure what’s worse, celebrating a patron saint or celebrating the anniversary of some convict sailor’s saying “Land!” from the crow’s nest of the Santa María. A few times, myself or my brothers have happened to pick the same Mass as the local Guardia Civil quarters. Someone would remark on how strange it was to see all the Guards there in uniform, we’d inform them that it’s their Saint’s day and, since we usually sit pretty close to the front, one Guard would overhear and come to talk with us later, to ask how do we know this semi-obscure bit of info. They greet us as “Children of the Corps” and introduce us to the rest when we explain that our great-grandpa was a Guard (made Sergeant Major and was later recognized as an officer). We’re family. I imagine any of your grandfather’s old mates would consider you family, too. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/16 "2006-08-18T10:04:44Z")
My husband, a Vietnam combat vet, says it’s ok. I think “in memory of” would make it clearer to those who may question it, but it certainly isn’t required. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/17 "2006-08-18T11:44:58Z")
Here is a really interesting tidbit. Look at what the [division insignia](http://www.fpp.co.uk/Hitler/swastika/Walker_200105.html) was before the thunderbird! :eek: That symbol was a native american symbol, but obviously had to be changed. The thunderbird is a native american symbol as well. I have asked before, but with no answer, how many of you would recognize it as a military patch and not just a native american symbol? ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/18 "2006-08-18T11:51:23Z")
[QUOTE=Jess] I was in the military and I also recommend that you all include an in memorium line such as your grandfather’s name and date. That way it’ll be clear that you aren’t trying to ‘wannabe.’ [/QUOTE] I’m in the military and will second this. It’s a free country and you can do whatever you want, but if I ran across you IRL and found out about the tattoo, I’d probably think you were lying about your reasons for getting it and that you’re just a poser. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/19 "2006-08-18T12:16:02Z")
[QUOTE=flyboy88] I’m in the military and will second this. It’s a free country and you can do whatever you want, but if I ran across you IRL and found out about the tattoo, I’d probably think you were lying about your reasons for getting it and that you’re just a poser. [/QUOTE] With all due respect… This reinforces the fact that I don’t care what other people think. I only don’t want to disrespect my grandfather or his division. If you think I am lying, i don’t care. Can you envision this exchange? Guy Who Served in Army "Nice tattoo. What is it? Me "My grandfather was a combat medic in World War 2. He was with the 45th Infantry and they had the Thunderbird as their symbol. They landed at Anzio and liberated Dachau. I got this tat so I could remember him and the service of his brothers back then. I also like it because it sparks chances for me to talk to other people about him, when normally I wouldn’t be able to. GWSIA “That is sort of pretentious to get a tattoo of a unit in which you never served. What are you? Some kind of poseur?” GWSIA walks away, cursing the wannabe under his breath. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2006, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143/20 "2006-08-18T13:49:57Z")
Then if you want to honor him, get some kind of WWII remembrance thing, not a unit insignia. Those are earned. And yes, I can envision that exchange. But maybe it’s just me. And if you don’t care, that’s fine. But your original question sounded a bit general: “Is it inappropriate or disrespectful of us to have this tattoo if we never served in the military, much less this division?” I would say, Yes, it’s a bit disrespectful of vets and current active duty, and therefore a bit inappropriate. I’m not saying it’s a huge deal, just a little over the “WTF?” line. Again, that’s just my two cents. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-get-a-tatoo-of-a-deactivated-military-unit-if-you-never-served/369143.md?page=2)