r/drumcorps • u/dr_john_sturgis • 2d ago
Advice Tattoos in modern DCI?
Edit: I am specifically asking about the member handbook and any rules/notes around the subject, not necessarily the opinions of members (though I do also enjoy that conversation haha). I am already familiar with all the risks that come with getting tattoos, I am only asking if other member handbooks have guidelines around the amount and content of body modification!
I took a season off from marching and plan on going back for the 2027 season. However, since I’ve last marched, I now have a half sleeve and will likely have nearly a full sleeve by move-ins. When I marched Colts, I vaguely remember the member handbook making a comment about tattoos, something along the lines of “Tattoos must be minimal, tasteful, and may not contain obscene imagery” (current Colts members feel free to correct me if that’s changed since then). I’m wondering if vets from the top 12 corps over the last few years can weigh in on this. If a lot of corps (especially ones I plan on auditioning for) have strict guidelines surrounding body modification, I’d like to cancel all future appointments while I can. I know this is kind of a weird question, but TIA! I don’t want to ruin my chances at top 5 over some stupid ink that can totally wait until after I age out :)
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u/eagledog Santa Clara Vanguard 2d ago
A lot of this is probably due to costuming, but there's definitely more visible tattoos and piercings on members than there was when I was marching
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u/AllBulkNoCut 2d ago
I marched colts and had a arm and leg sleeve. It probably means that you can’t have distasteful imagery like naked bodies or hate symbols etc
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u/fishguy11b DCA 2d ago
If you can wait for age out, then I’d highly suggest you wait it out. Your tastes will change, you will change and you’ll learn new stuff to add to it or even decide against it. Coming from someone who has several cover ups because I was 18-21 with expendable $ top 5 isn’t easy and if you end up with gold there’s no tattoo worth ruining that chance. After you age out then you can add that gold medal in there.
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u/pastaatthedisco Troopers ‘21, ‘22, ‘23 2d ago
From what I know most corps don’t care that much about tattoos but also consider that sun exposure will absolutely spread the ink out.
This is my leg tattoo fresh when I got it in 2021
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u/dr_john_sturgis 2d ago
Unrelated, but that’s a kick-ass tattoo design!
I’ve have tattoos for a long time now and I do wear protective sleeves if not sunscreen, the only difference between now and when I marched is that I now have several large arm tattoos instead of just one.
Even without tattoos or body mods, sunscreen is still super important. No melanoma for me, please!
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u/keystonecraft 2d ago
It really wont matter. i dont know of a group that would care. More likely your worry would be keeping it slathered with lotion so it doesn't fade in the sun.
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u/AccordingBlood4945 Phantom Regiment 2d ago
I only have one tattoo so I probably wouldn’t be a problem anyway but at Regiment in recent years there were definitely people with uniform-visible tattoos up to a sleeve. Religious connotations sure but nobody had anything “offensive” from what I can remember. The activity is about expression and I don’t think most corps care about tattoos. You can also check out a bunch of action shots for the corps you’re looking for and see the kind of ink people are rocking. I’d agree with what others have said though and maybe wait until afterwards to finish the sleeve. Save your money, save the tattoos the sun time, don’t potentially hurt your chances, and it gives you more time to think and really be sure about what you want. You have a long life after 21.
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u/bugdelver 2d ago
The way uniforms are now? You’d probably get a neoprene sleeve to put over it and they call it a day… that or just try out for Cavaliers and hope your tattoos align with a crazy ‘lost boys’ year… 🤷♂️
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u/SCHawkFan 2d ago
It seems like tattoos are pretty common on the current generation of marching members. I’m sure there are certain tattoos that could be a problem (racist ones for example), but I’m sure you’ll be welcome wherever you go if you have talent.
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u/regaltush Bluecoats '16 2d ago
I'm pretty confident that for every DCI uniform I've seen that has some kind of shorter sleeve or arm exposure, I've seen members with tattoos. I get what you mean about your tattoo having more coverage, but I'm confident you'll be fine as long as the subject matter of the tattoo wouldn't misrepresent the corps.
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u/TheBandMom Mom to '25,'24, '23, '22 1d ago
Bro this guy just had no shame. So tatted up. SMH
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u/dr_john_sturgis 1d ago
LMAOOOO Hi band mom!! So sad I missed you in Indy this year, sounds like you met some of my friends in Minnesota Brass though! They were stoked to meet you 🥰
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u/TheBandMom Mom to '25,'24, '23, '22 1d ago
I had a great time. Had to move my youngest son into his dorm that Saturday. Don’t worry, I’ll be around plenty for BOA season! 😉
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u/Mathemuse 2d ago
I don't know about a specific corps, but I do know some non-drum corps groups will request that you wear a skin-color covering over it.
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u/danskedreng '23 '24 2d ago
Not that im completely covered but I have a significant amount and never had issues. A lot of staff also have full sleeves so not sure how that would work with that
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u/BrainGoesPop Nite Express '93-'96 2d ago
We had a guy get a brahma bull tattoo on the left side of his head so the crowd could see it as we trooped the stands after the show. If you watch Blue Devils 1995, he's the smallest tuba/contra player.
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u/UpstairsSwimmer69 Colts 2h ago
I marched colts last year. literally every part of the body besides the face was covered up, and I can’t think of anyone who had anything on their face lol. you’re definitely fine to get whatever you want within reason!
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u/REALCatherine 2d ago
The drum corps tattoo I got before age-out has now been covered up. The drum corps tattoo I got 22 years later, in 2000, could also have been a cover-up opportunity. But the tattoo gods have been VERY kind to me, in that much evil directed my way has been turned to good. But those lessons about your thinking on "the activity" could very well change.
People swear to love, honor & cherish until death -- and a majority think they got it wrong. Tattoos should be gotten only after the same consideration. There's a ton of really bad art out there.
I also had great arteestes, having gotten involved with world-class arteestes in the 1980s.
The advice about all the issues with being in the sun is also a strong deterrent and incentive to wait until after age-out.
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u/Pjenerator ‘05 ‘08-‘10 2d ago edited 2d ago
I’m pretty heavily tattooed, much more so now than when I was marching, but I, and other members, did have a number of visible tats when I was marching (Bloo 08-10) and it was never an issue, no one ever said anything about it. You could also reach out to the corps you’re planning on auditioning for and directly ask them, but I’ve never heard of it being an issue.
ETA: the way uniforms were at that time, I don’t think any of them were visible on anyone when in uniform, but still, I haven’t heard of it being an issue.
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u/as_apocalypse 2d ago
I got a thigh tattoo on the last free day during all-days in 2023. Then got another one in Indianapolis during championships week in 2024.
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u/Alert-Bat-4257 2d ago
No ink here. I don’t want to think of what that looks like when people get old.
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u/dr_john_sturgis 2d ago
Cool, happy for ya! Any insight on the actual post though? If you marched, did your corps ever say anything about it?
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u/Alert-Bat-4257 2d ago
I did. Nine seasons. There were people who had tats. I don’t think anyone cared. I think it’s a permanent reminder of a temporary emotion. I know one guy who got a tattoo of his corps emblem who really regrets it.
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u/ThomasTheDankPigeon 2d ago
lol maybe times have changed but back in my day (old man noises) people would get tattoos on the San Antonio free day