Want to tell people you were in the military without telling them you were in the military? Get a military tattoo! Military tattoos are a great way to pay tribute to your time as a soldier. They also serve as a symbol of honor, pride, and respect. And there is no better way to commemorate the sacrifices and service of a fallen soldier than a tattoo.
You don’t necessarily have to be from the military services to get such tattoos. It can be for anyone to express patriotism and courage. Some think of them as motivators to go through the everyday battles of life.
To tell the tale of your life in the military, tattoos are a legacy. It reflects power, strength, and bravery and can serve as an inspiration to all. So be a part of the military tradition and ink some bold designs!
87 Military Tattoo Designs and Meanings:
Everything that you associate with the military sector can be a design for your military tattoos. The designs range from soldiers, patrol caps, guns, grenades, skulls, combat boots, dog tags, and even battlefields. They are often combined to create a meaningful image, to reflect your military journey.
Every combat hat, gun, and soldier has their own story of heroism and sacrifice. To treasure the tales in your heart and skin, take a look at the best 87 military tattoo designs of all time. They are not just special for their artistic beauty and aesthetics. They are loved worldwide for their symbolism of heroism and sacrifices.
Military Sleeve Tattoo
Sleeves are a popular choice for military tattoos for their wide space. You can paint anything and everything military-related on the sleeves. Although minimalistic designs look great on the sleeves, they are mostly known for their big, bold, scenic tattoos. Most seen military sleeve tattoos are of battlefields, flags, and soldiers.
1. Battle in the air:
Choppers on the battlefield reflect the climatic events of the war. The glorious contribution of the air force can be symbolized by this tattoo. The three choppers up in the sky in front of the sun reflect how victory was achieved and the light it brought.
2. Flag of war:
The worn-out American Flag on a battlefield symbolizes the power of freedom and unity. It shows how flags give hope and inspiration in the toughest times of war. A flag tattoo stands as a symbol of patriotism.
3. Paying Tribute:
Pay your tribute to the lost soldiers with a military tattoo like this. Taking a knee in front of the boots and rifles of a lost soldier is a sign of paying respect and tribute.
Military Memorial Tattoo:
If you have lost a loved one in the line of duty, a memorial tattoo can be a meaningful way to commemorate them. Military memorial tattoos can be the image of rifles, patrol caps, or boots of the person being remembered. With a military memorial tattoo, the loved one is always with you in spirit.
4. Honouring a soldier:
The patrol cap held high over a boot with a skull looking over it is an image of spiritual connection with the loved one who passed away. The addition of the skull also serves as a drive for survival.
5. Guns and Boots:
The guns, boots, caps, and dog tags of a lost soldier are his last remains. A tattoo of their military belongings can be a great symbol to honor their lives and sacrifices. This way, you will always have a part of them with you.
6.Torso Military Tattoos:
Torso military tattoos are famous because they are allowed by all forces. Numbers, and symbols related to military life is a meaningful tattoos that will evoke a sense of pride and nostalgia!
Army Military Tattoos
Tattoos of anything that is related to the army can be called army military tattoos. Typically they are of army soldiers, badges, dog tags, etc. In the army culture, they are highly popular as they kindle the dedication, emotion, and experiences of army life as a whole.
7. Soldier with compass:
A soldier in action with a compass tattoo can look great on arms. It shows the strategies and determination of warriors on the battlefield, embracing risks and even death. Here the tattoo of the compass symbolizes the navigation to victory.
8. Soldier with flowers:
This is an image of a soldier paying tribute. Victory in war comes with losses and sacrifices, so this image shows the dual emotions of soldiers after victory. The flowers on the sides symbolize the fallen soldiers.
9. Battlefield Tattoo:
Why not go the extra mile and let the world know about your heroic battles? Battlefield tattoos have complete images of a war one with soldiers on duty and choppers in the air. They are a bold expression of the military life and an inspiration for all.
Military Forearm Tattoos:
If you take pride in your identity as a soldier and want to let the whole world know about it, the forearm would be the right place for your military tattoo. They can fit all types of designs and styles and display it to the world in the best possible way. It will earn you love and respect from the veterans and serve as a symbol of unity with the military.
10.Preparation for war tattoo:
‘Si vis pacem para labellum is a Latin phrase that translates to ‘If you want peace, prepare for war’. It is a very popular tattoo design among the military for its bold expression. Combine this with military weapons, you have a tattoo that screams fearless.
11. Soldier on duty:
This tattoo looks like a scene out of a movie. A soldier on the battlefield with his life in his hand and the dream of victory is truly captured here. The skull at the back represents the ones who lost their lives in the war inspiring them to keep the fight on.
12. American Soldier:
A soldier in front of the American flag is an image of patriotism and passion. It honors all the people engaged in the military and their love for the country.
Military Skull Tattoo
Skull aesthetics are loved by military people for its diverse meanings and symbolism. To some, it symbolizes the acceptance of the potential of death in the service. To others, it may mean courage and strength to endure hardship. All in all, military skull tattoos are an image of power, in and out of the battlefield.
13. Skull of a soldier:
A broken skull with a dog tag shows the dangers and risk of the war. It can be a powerful image to stimulate your warrior spirit and to fight till your last breath.
14. Soldier Skull Aesthetics:
This big and bold military skull tattoo reflects courage. Skulls are commonly associated with death and afterlife. So tattoos like this show how soldiers don’t fear death.
15. Military Skull:
A skull with combat hat is just what you need if you are a military person with skull aesthetics. It will make you feel powerful and strong like a soldier in war.
Traditional Military Tattoos
Military tattoos have now become a longstanding tradition for people in the military service. Traditionally, they were used as a medium to pay tribute to the service of the military. Although the idea of military tattoos have now evolved into many aspects, traditional military tattoos still stand as one of the most powerful, accepted, and beloved designs.
16. Gun in Boots:
The military gears over a flower is a meaningful, heart-touching tattoo. It combines the respect for brave sacrifices with a sweet tribute to the ones who sacrificed their lives.
17. Grenade on Skull:
A skull with a bomb in its mouth reflects the rebellious spirit of soldiers. It shows how soldiers are fearless and brave for their country and people.
18. Skull with Combat Hat:
Display your courage and power with a military skull tattoo. This tattoo reflects your embracement of the horrors of the war. It teaches you to be brave in everyday life.
Military Police Tattoo
Military police tattoos carry special significance for military police. It recognizes their contribution to the state and its people and holds them in a high esteem. Military police tattoos range from images of sword, guns, badges etc.
19. Sword of Honor
A sword with wings and crossed rifles ensemble the entire entity of the military force. Swords are a symbol of warrior spirit, wings represent freedom, and crossed rifles are a sign of courage and protection.
20. Minimalistic Military Tattoo:
If you want to go for a minimalistic design for your military tattoo, this design will be the perfect one. The two crossed rifles are often used on military headstones so nothing says military better than this design!
21. Dagger Through Skull:
This tattoo is a visual representation of how military workers choose victory and fights over their lives. Even with a dagger through the skull, they keep their head high. It is a powerful statement of courage.
Military Tribute Tattoos
If you ask people in military services why they got their military tattoos, a common answer would be ‘to pay tribute’. Military life is all about brotherhood and unity. The bond they form during training, and the fearful events they face together make them ‘the chosen family’. To honor the connection of the heart and soul, military tribute tattoos are a visual and spiritual solution.
22. War of the World:
The spirit of a warrior never leaves a soldier’s body. And to truly capture it, a tattoo of a war can be a powerful idea. This tattoo has scenes of the war in the land and air.
23. The last soldier:
A soldier can never go wrong with a soldier tattoo! It’s patriotic and can carry a lot of valuable meanings for a warrior. Adorn it with flowers around it to pay tribute to fellow soldiers who lost their lives.
24. American War Tattoo:
Nothing says patriotism better than a flag tattoo. The American flag symbolizes liberty and freedom. And a soldier in front of it acknowledges the sacrifices and contribution of American soldiers for the country.
Military Dog Tags Tattoo
Want to carry and cherish your or a beloved soldier’s identity? Consider getting a dog tag tattoo. Military dog tags are a part of any soldier’s life. They are used for the identification of soldiers in the army, so they are embedded with the core existence of military lives. The names, blood type, and religious preference written on dog tags honors the soldiers comprehensively.
25.Military Dog Tattoo:
Dog tag tattoos are the most minimalistic yet powerful version of military tattoos. It says that the fallen soldier is always with you in spirit. They are spiritually powerful and inspiring. Dog tags tattoos look great on arms , chest, torso, etc.
Tattoos are a medium of self-expression. Celebrate your proud identity of being a soldier through the diverse designs of military tattoo. They are a tradition of the military all over the world and you can once again join in with the military in spirit with bold tattoos of military gears. Because, having a military tattoo will make you feel like a soldier, even when you are not in uniform or military gear!
FAQs:
- What are military tattoos? Military tattoos are particular tattoo designs that are affiliated with military lives, uniform , war, and soldiers. Typically, people from the military service get military tattoos to dignify their service to the military, to pay tribute and to cherish their military pride. Military tattoos are a symbol of courage, strength, and protection.
- Can military people have tattoos? Yes, they can, but it is embedded with a lot of rules and restrictions. But in most countries, arms, legs and torso tattoos are fully permitted. But head and face tattoos are strictly prohibited by all forces. Neck, fingers, and hand tattoos fall under the grey area, they are permitted by many, but restricted by some forces. In short, any visible tattoos are prohibited.
- Is there military tattoos for females? Of course! Military tattoos are completely gender neutral and suitable for both men and women. Females serving in the military can also opt for dog tags, guns, swords, and war ad soldier tattoos to display courage and pay homage.
- Can I get a military tattoo with tags? Certainly. Dog tag tattoos are perhaps the most liked form of military tattoos for its meaning and symbolism. It remembers soldiers with their totality, and honors the military values and principles.
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Patriotic Military Tattoos
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Military Chest Tattoos
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Military Cross Tattoo
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U.S. Military Tattoo
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Military Flag Tattoo
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Navy Military Tattoos
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Till Valhalla Military Tattoo
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Military Compass Tattoo
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Air Force Military Tattoos
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Military Back Tattoos
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Military Portrait Tattoo
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Military Wings Tattoo
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Australian Military Tattoos
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Military Boots Tattoo
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Military Helicopter Tattoos
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Military Helmet Tattoo
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Military Ptsd Tattoos
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Military Special Forces Tattoos
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Common Military Tattoos
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Russian Military Tattoos
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Military Grandpa Tattoo
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Scottish Military Tattoo
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