Top 91 Marines Tattoo Ideas – [2021 Inspiration Guide]

To prestigiously recognize the sacrifices of US military and veterans, men everywhere partake in the machismo of marine tattoos. These royal symbols possess a peerless nobility.

For an inscrutably conservative approach to body art, nothing can beat the exhilarating power of an American body art. marine tattoo.

These masterpieces will invoke great pride and passionate responses. indeed, these cunning logos will be worthy of universal exaltation.

It happens that there are many powerful images that appear frequently in marine tattoos. these authorized symbols include eagles, guns, and American flags. many of the illustrations are intended to pay tribute to fallen soldiers. People commonly obtain this type of ink while a beloved family member is currently serving overseas.

To demonstrate the core values ​​that originate in this branch of the military, many men display the Latin phrase “semper fi.” Like the official motto of the Navy, this statement sums up the demonstrative appeal with striking brevity. of course, the translation of this slogan says “always faithful”.

As a bonus, the Marines updated their tattoo policy in 2016 to be much more lenient on body art in general. if you want to implement, just be sure to check their guidelines before committing to decadent inking. In the meantime, enjoy this handpicked selection of military ink:

1. marine bulldog tattoos

the usmc mascot, an english bulldog named chesty pullerton (currently chesty xv in his now fifteenth incarnation), was named after the most decorated marine in american history, “chesty” puller. Both the war hero and his canine namesake are emblematic of the USMC spirit. common refrains among Marines include “chest shooter never gives up!” and “tell chesty puller I did my best.” carrying the spirit of him-the usmc spirit-with you wherever you go is an honor and a privilege.

stylistically, a usmc bulldog tattoo lends itself to cartoon toughness. Some depictions have been made into an actual soldier, but he is usually a grinning bulldog wearing an M1 helmet with a spiked collar. the image lends itself well to the traditional American style, while black and gray with deep shades are also popular. Not many opt for realism in mascot representation, so bold outlines and a limited color palette are the norm.

2. flag-themed marine tattoos/red white and blue

There is no vocation more directly patriotic than a career in the armed forces. the thin red line that stands between the glorious united states and those who would destroy it. So it makes sense that many of the USMC tattoos are flag-themed. What better way to show your love for your country and your dedication to protecting it than with USMC images in red, white, and blue.

there are many layout options here. The eagle, a prominent aspect of the usmc logo, is already at home with the stars and stripes. for a simpler approach, usmc script with a red, white, and blue/stars and stripes background.

3. marine tattoo scripts

The USMC motto “Semper Fidelis” or “Semper Fi”, meaning always loyal, or always faithful, is a perennial favorite of USMC Ink. it is simple and the words speak for themselves, both in their literal meaning and through their association with the body.

These tattoos are stunning for the traditional script and suit a variety of images and color schemes. It obviously has its black and gray, but there’s also red, white and blue, with the theme of the flag or a combination of writing with the USMC logo or other imagery.

Although semper fidelis dominates, a simple usmc or the greek letters for usmc (upsilon sigma mu chi) are also great options.

4. marine tattoos with military images

Using military images for your USMC ink opens the creative doors wide. you’re giving your artist a lot of meat to work with here. silhouettes of soldiers raising the flag on iwo jima, knives, guns, bullet casings are conceptually versatile options and give a lot of room for individual interpretation.

These can be small, simple, hidden tattoos or large, realistic scenes. this is also a way to separate yourself a bit from the pack, as these broader military-themed tattoos are much less common than some of the other styles and applications.

military patch marine tattoos

Military patches are a source of immeasurable pride for many soldiers. At the forefront of the USMC mindset is commitment. commitment to your country, commitment to your brothers in arms, commitment to your unity. getting a permanent representation of a military patch says it all: pride in your loyalty.

6. large and combined marine tattoos

Some people really like to draw attention to themselves with their tattoo. a large tattoo with a unifying theme can be immensely satisfying. With something like a USMC tattoo you could combine the logo, motto, American flag and military symbolism like a soldier. Because these disparate elements complement each other in both size and appearance, this combination looks complete rather than clunky.

7. marines logo tattoos

the logo of the marines is called eagle, globe and anchor or ega. the modern ega is an eagle perched on an anchor spanning the globe with the words semper fidelis emblazoned across the top. The original emblem dates back to 1776. Adopted by the USMC in 1868 and last updated in 1955, this is a symbol with a lot of history behind it.

There’s definitely a trend towards highly stylized artwork that depicts the eagle in the toughest way possible. IMO a simple logo run is powerful enough on its own, but it depends on what look you’re going for overall. minor changes to the logo include the addition of color (usually red and blue) and rendering it in 3 dimensions. If you want a simple USMC tattoo, you can’t go wrong with a small logo. You can also use the eagle to relate to other themes of American and military loyalty.

frequently asked questions about marine tattoos

what does the acronym usmc stand for?

united states marine corps, which is the branch of the united states armed forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations with the united states navy, as well as the army and air force.

what does semper fidelis mean?

semper fidelis is a Latin phrase meaning “always faithful” or “always loyal”. It is the motto of the United States Marine Corps, usually abbreviated as Semper Fi.

Are marines allowed visible tattoos?

yes and no. Marines are not allowed tattoos that are visible outside of a PT uniform (shirt and shorts), except ring tattoos. they are also not allowed full sleeves or half sleeves or anything racist, sexist or obscene. chest, back, torso, upper arms, upper thighs, and groin are permitted.

Enjoyed these marine tattoos but are looking for inspiring ink from the armed forces? click the links below to see more amazing galleries:

• Top 91 Army Tattoo Ideas
• Navy Tattoo Designs
• Top 63 Air Force Tattoo Ideas
• top 101 military tattoo ideas