moving the trench ten feet closer meant the death of thousands, but marked another victory in the fight for freedom. those who managed to dodge the hail of heavy machine gun fire would still find the trench feet likely to creep closer.
When it comes to the military, countless brave men have risked it all to protect the freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Their incredible stories often end up paying the ultimate sacrifice. Not to mention the night terrors and feelings of loss.
From soldiers to airmen to sailors and marines, I’d like to share with you some popular symbols you’re probably familiar with.
for example, you’ll find many designs including devil dogs, globe, anchor, and eagle for marines. not to mention, semper fidelis, or always faithful in Latin. for the navy, you’ll often see the anchor, while those for the air force tend to feature eagles and flight. I could go on..
however, when it comes to veterans memorial designs, you’ll usually see a red poppy in remembrance of those who helped fight the war.
Irrespective of whether you are in the army or coast guard, marines, etc., you will surely appreciate these top 100 military tattoos for men. From dog tags to incredible realistic tributes to fallen soldiers, each one has a special meaning.
1. military tattoos on the forearm
The forearm, with its well-defined musculature and prominent visibility, is an ideal location for these military-inspired tattoos. The variety of styles and themes that can be applied to the forearm, from photorealism to abstract designs, ensures that there is a tattoo for every soldier.
2. military skull tattoos
One way or another, most soldiers come into contact with death. Whether on the front lines, or as part of the expanding combat infrastructure, soldiers deal with war, and war results in death. It’s no wonder then that many who serve choose to incorporate the ultimate symbol of death into their tattoos, often with surprising results.
3. arm military tattoos
Weapons are what allow soldiers to do their jobs: from firing a rifle to refueling tanks, weapons make it all happen. They are also the most popular body part for tattooing, so it’s no surprise that many of the men and women who serve in the military choose to tattoo their arms.
4. military bicep tattoos
The bicep has long been a popular spot for tattoos for a number of reasons. the large bicep muscles form a large canvas that highlights the masculinity of these military tattoos, and the placement gives the wearer a higher level of discretion regarding visibility than other more prominent locations.
5. military tattoos on the sleeve
Full sleeves continue to gain in popularity as tattoos become more common and acceptable in virtually all sectors of society. The large canvas of the entire arm gives artists the opportunity to use the natural lines created by the musculature of the limb, as well as plenty of room to incorporate a variety of elements and tell a story with a tattoo.
6. military tattoos on the chest and side
The chest and side of the torso have become popular tattoo spots over the last decade, and for good reason. In addition to the back, these are the largest canvases on the body and give artists room to create impressive and intricately detailed designs. These military-inspired pieces demonstrate what’s possible when applying chest and torso tattoos.
7. military tattoos on the back
By far the largest canvas on the body, the back is perfectly suited for large, detail-dense tattoos. While these eye-catching military pieces use a photorealistic black and gray approach, any number of different styles and methods can be applied to the back pieces.
8. military tattoos on the legs
Legs continue to gain popularity in the world of tattoos. The large size and well-defined muscles of the legs, specifically the calves and quadriceps, allow artists to apply larger designs and provide an opportunity to use the natural lines of the body to create more interesting tattoos. these military-inspired designs show just how amazing the results can be when applying ink to legs.
9. black and red military tattoos
In the modern tattoo world, black and red color schemes are most commonly associated with the trash polka aesthetic, although this does not mean that every black and red tattoo is a trash polka. Many of these military tattoos use a black and gray approach and then incorporate a limited use of red for the poppies worn by veterans in remembrance of their fallen comrades.
frequently asked questions about military tattoos
what do military tattoos represent?
To serve in the armed forces of a nation is to make the deepest of sacrifices. the men and women who leave their friends and family behind to risk their lives for the people of our country are the best and bravest thing we have to offer. Due to the traumatic nature of war and combat, as well as the deep camaraderie that develops among soldiers, many servicemen and women choose to commemorate their time in the military with tattoos.
The range of designs and concepts used for these powerful tattoos is as varied as the soldiers who enlist. some people choose to commemorate their service with the names, locations, and bases where they were stationed during an operation. other soldiers use combat imagery to honor their fallen comrades.
The use of powerful imagery is a common element in these tattoos: American flags<span data-contrast=”auto”>, weapons of war, and the red poppies associated with WWI veterans are all there. The Punisher’s mask from the comics has also become a popular design in US military circles thanks to the character’s penchant for dishing out just and violent retaliation.
While each piece will have its own personal meaning attributed by the wearer, all of these tattoos are worn to commemorate soldiers, past and present, and honor the sacrifice they have made.
Enjoying these military tattoos but looking for more inspiration? click the links below to see more galleries:
- navy tattoo ideas
- Top 91 Army Tattoo Ideas
- Marine tattoo ideas
- Top 91 Patriotic Tattoo Ideas
