Tattoos a form of self-expression, personal stories behind many

By Shane Ersland

Staff Writer

While Soldiers wear their rank on their uniforms to signify a large part of what they’ve accomplished in life, there are some interesting stories behind what is under their fatigues.

Tattoos are becoming more prevalent among military personnel, and Soldiers and Cadets at the Leader’s Training Course have their fair share.

Staff Sgt. Tiffany Brimmer, a drill sergeant for Bravo Co., has eight, getting them all at different sites to mark the various locations she’s served at in the Army. She’s gotten inked at every military location she’s worked.

On the back of her right leg, Brimmer has a red and orange Phoenix she says represents a time in her career when she was on the verge of getting kicked out of the Army, and her squad leader helped her get back on track.

The Aztec god of war decorates Cadet Chayanm Garcia's left shoulder. Photo by Mackenzie Reiss

“Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, I rose up out of my funk,” she said.

Another drill sergeant from Bravo Co., Staff Sgt. Laura Lundequam, has Arabic writing on the top of her foot that says “American Soldier” in English. She got the tattoo after coming home from Iraq to signify her tour overseas.

The Army has made moves in recent years to allow for greater acceptance of body art.

Army Regulation 670-1 was changed in January 2006 to permit tattoos on the back of hands and the back of the neck provided they are not “extremist, indecent, sexist or racist.” The revision was made to bolster recruitment of qualified individuals who might otherwise be excluded.

The modification could pay off. A 2007 Pew Research Center study found 36 percent of Americans between ages 18 and 25 have at least one tattoo.

Co. A 1/46th Inf. Cadet Stein Thorbeck, who attends the University of Minnesota, has both arms covered with over 60 hours of tattoo work. He said his ink is the one aspect left of his appearance that reminds him of his pre-military rocker image.

“They had no problem with my ‘sleeves,’” Thorbeck said, “But I had to cut my hair that hung below my shoulders.”Religion is a popular theme when it comes to body art at LTC.

Cadet Ciera Jackson, from Co. A 1/46th Inf., has 20 tattoos, the most significant one being her favorite Bible passage: Psalm 91.

She noted that she’s been in three serious accidents which she considered herself lucky to walk away from.

“I believe that God’s my shield, and that He protects me,” the Alabama A&M senior said, noting that she also thought it was ironic that when she arrived at LTC, Cadets were given books titled “Psalm 91: God’s Shield of Protection.”

Other cultures are also represented in some body art at LTC.

Cadet Nicole Tamapua, of Co. D 1/46th Inf., is Samoan. She has tattoos covering her legs that were administered in a traditional Samoan manner using a shark tooth to apply the ink. 

Tamapua’s father is a high chief, and her tattoos consisting of stars, triangles and diamonds signify her royal rank as a princess.

“Using the tooth was painful, but I still got it all done in one day,” Tamapua said.