Photo By Sean A Elliott | ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 11, 2017) -- A photo of a traditional "Don't tread on me." tattoo...... read more read more
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Anchors, marlinspikes and wooden ships are a few of many traditional Navy tattoo designs Sailors have branded to serve as milestones in their career and memories for their travels. Sailors of the past inked these tattoos on their bodies, giving meaning to traditional navy tattoos and passing on this tradition to many of today’s Sailors.
“We are carrying on a sense of heritage, and you can see it throughout the years,” said Chief Warrant Officer Scott Bryson, USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) communication officer. “It is pride and ownership of the job.”
A traditional navy tattoo can portray camaraderie, heritage, and history.
“Sailors and sea-faring cultures have always been tattoo cultures. They carried on the tradition as a way to identify one of their own,” said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Figueroa, assigned to Ford’s supply department. “I’m all for carrying on the traditions of the Navy.”
Tradition has given meaning to Navy tattoos and designated certain tattoos for specific feats in a Sailor’s career.
“When [Sailors] are out to sea and they pull into a port, they want something to commemorate the accomplishments and milestones they’ve worked so hard for,” said Bryson.
Some significant milestones Sailors commemorate are traveling 5000 nautical miles while underway on a ship and becoming a “shellback” after crossing the equator.
“I have a sparrow on my wrist, which represents my first 5000 nautical miles on deployment,” said Chief Electrician’s Mate Jay Akins, assigned to Ford’s engineering department. “I plan on adding a few more sparrows to mark the miles I’ve acquired since then.”
“Crossing the equator usually results in tattoos of Davey Jones, King Neptune, or turtle shells, to name a few,” said Bryson. “These pay homage and respect to the sea and the Sailors that started the tradition before them.”
Many Sailors with traditional tattoos give credit to a famous influence for expanding the naval tattoo culture.
“During my tour in Oahu at Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37 ‘Easy Riders,’ I made several visits to the original Sailor Jerry tattoo parlor,” said Figueroa. “This sparked my interest into the tradition of Navy tattoos.”
Akins said he was introduced to the culture of traditional Navy tattoos after reading a book on Sailor Jerry when he first joined the Navy.
Sailor Jerry, also known as Norman Keith Collins, was a renowned American tattoo artist who was known for his style and for tattooing Sailors for more than four decades.
As the years go by, tattoo styles, like clothing or jewelry styles, are constantly changing. Unfortunately, unlike clothing or jewelry, tattoos are permanent.
“These days, some Sailors are modernizing traditional Navy tattoos, making them more colorful and cartoony,” said Akins. “But there still is a huge following for the original look.”
| Date Taken: | 08.09.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2017 10:30 |
| Story ID: | 255090 |
| Location: | AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 345 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Naval Ink, by PO3 Sean Elliott, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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