(WWNY) – The Army continues to look for ways to expand recruitment as it struggles to meet enlistment goals in 2022.
Two weeks ago, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth signed a new directive relaxing a restriction on tattoos.
New recruits can now have a single, small, visible tattoo on each hand, one tattoo on the back of their neck, and one behind each ear.
Pentagon officials told the Army Times it is not a lowering of standards, but a realignment with changing societal norms.
Tattoos have been permitted in the past as long as a waiver was granted. A waiver will no longer be needed.
The Army Times reports the Pentagon is also looking into medical standards for things like asthma, which a growing percentage of young people now have.
It comes as Army recruitment is at less than half of its 2022 goal with just 3 months left in its fiscal year.
The military is reportedly struggling with recruitment across all branches.
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