Marks of Honor: Warrior Tattoos Tell Tales of the Past, Present, and Future

Tattoos in the military are not just ink on skin; they hold deep symbolism and connection to a rich history of service.

U.S. soldiers began getting tattoos during the Civil War as a form of identification. The trend evolved over the decades as a way for military personnel to showcase their allegiance, achievements, and travels. 

Scroll to see tattoos from some WWP warriors.

Today, veterans and civilians alike widely accept tattooing as artistic expression.

A 2023 Pew Research Center study indicated that 32% of U.S. adults have a tattoo, and approximately 22% have more than one.  Research published in Military Medicine found that more than 64% of soldiers entered the military with at least one tattoo, and almost a third had three or more tattoos.

Given the Armed Forces' connection to tattooing, it’s unsurprising that many military servicemen and women have body art. 

Common Themes for Military Personnel

An informal survey of Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) warriors found that tattoos run the gamut between personal and service-related.

The Pew study noted that almost 70% of people said they got a tattoo to honor or remember someone or something. WWP™ warriors shared the same sentiment, seeing their tattoos as a testament to the people they love and the places they’ve been, both as reminders of the past and inspiration for the future. 

Emblems and Icons

In addition to patriotic iconography, such as eagles, stars, flags, and the Statue of Liberty, common tattoos among military members include art that shows their affinity or affiliation with a particular military branch.

Emblems like swords, anchors, pistols and rifles, branch shields, unit insignia, and medals, including Purple Hearts, are common. Stylized words and sayings, symbols of loss and sacrifice, and other symbols are also prevalent.

A Sense of Identity

“Tattoos can usually give you a sense of what’s important to someone, a bit about their background and what they are into,” says Army veteran Bill Geiger, whose tattoos focus on family, faith, and service. 

Among his baker’s dozen tattoos, Bill has his wife’s and children’s names, Bible verses, a large cross, and various sayings representing his family’s heritage.

He also has latitude and longitude coordinates on one calf. “They are a conversation starter for sure. People will often come up and ask me about it,” he said, noting the coordinates are where he first met his wife.

...tattoos are a testament to the people they love and the places they’ve been, serving as reminders of the past and inspiration for the future.

As a former military police officer, Bill proudly wears the insignia – crossed pistols with his dates of service underneath. His body art also includes a combat action badge and what’s known as the battlefield cross, which honors fallen soldiers.

"My buddies and I have the cross so that we always remember those who didn’t make it home,” he said

My Life's Story

“When I die, someone is going to be able to look at my body and know my story because every tattoo I have speaks to my beliefs, what I’ve been through, the experiences I’ve had, the units I’ve been in, the friends I’ve lost,” said Marine Corps veteran Phil Krabbe, who has more than two dozen tattoos, including St. Michael, the patron saint of warriors, on his left calf.

On his last deployment, an explosion killed several members of Phil’s unit. He sustained a traumatic brain injury and came home with a guilty conscience that led to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To cope, Phil turned to drugs and alcohol. He also attempted suicide before finding WWP.

His experiences with WWP—and, in particular, a fellow warrior, led Phil to a new outlook and new ink.

“Ray Pizarro took me under his wing, got me into programs, guided me through treatment, and coached me on what to do if suicidal thoughts ever crept back in,” said Phil, who has the words “Courage, Forgiveness, Pain, Sacrifice” tattooed on his left hand.

“Ray made me promise him that I would have the courage to survive, so it’s a reminder if I am ever holding a gun, of what I came from before I got involved with Wounded Warrior Project and went through my recovery.”

Purposeful Choices

Although she loved expressing herself through art, Air Force veteran Jessica Coulter did not take the decision to get a tattoo lightly. 

“Though it’s a bit of a tradition for military veterans to have commemorative or patriotic tattoos, the Air Force guidelines were strict, and for me, I wanted my tattoo to tell a story,” said Jessica, who ultimately waited until her military service ended to get body art.

“My first, a phoenix rising above the ashes, was meaningful to me as a reminder of what I can do,” said Jessica, noting it signifies her journey from being a female veteran with PTSD and no steady income to a holistic counselor and entrepreneur who travels internationally, helping others heal through yoga. 

In addition to several yoga-centric tattoos Jessica designed, she also wears a scripted “collar rocker” that aims to show her strength. 

“I am a strong woman, and I wanted something that honors me as a woman, as a military woman, and as a mother. But I also wanted to pay homage to the women who made me who I am,” Jessica said.

Laughter – and a Tattoo – Is the Best Medicine

Many people use humor to help cope with trauma. It is a well-known and accepted technique.

Warrior-turned-tattooist Daniel Wright, Jr., who goes by the tradename Marz, says he’s had some interesting requests over the years, including a soldier who had “one foot in the grave” tattooed on his ankle after his foot was amputated. A similar request came from a veteran who lost a leg. Marz marked him with a perforated line and “Cut Here.”  

But humor aside, some veterans find that designing their own tattoos and having them inked is therapeutic.  

After getting a tattoo in honor of a friend who died, Marz realized that tattooing was the perfect intersection of his love of art and his desire to support his mental health. 

"Tattooing is relaxing to me. Plus, it gives me a sense of purpose,” said Marz, adding that the experience of getting a tattoo by another veteran often helps people open up.

“Sometimes it allows them to release tension and stress that they have been holding onto for years and share the inspiration or the story behind their tattoos.”  

Watch: Warriors Marz and Beth Connect Over Tattoos

Honoring the Past

For Army veteran Beth King, tattoos became a way to heal after an aircraft accident left her with life-altering injuries.

“No one could comprehend what I felt like because there aren’t that many people who have been shot down and then had the aircraft burned under them,” said Beth, whose first tattoo was a phoenix with a person dangling from its claws. The tail number of the Chinook she was flying was etched across the bird's chest. “Since we referred to helicopters and other aircraft as birds, I thought it was ironic to use a bird of fire since mine went up in flames. It was me trying to find some levity.”

Beth designs and gets a new tattoo annually on the anniversary of the accident. “Whatever my vision is, I sketch it out, however horribly. I just let someone else be the artist and give them creative license to make it better,” she said.

Beth likens her tattoos to a journal, which reminds her of all the obstacles she has overcome to get to today. They also bring hope, she said. "The tattoos lead to conversations that help me feel connected, which can lead to [more] healing." 

Contact: Cynthia Weiss – Public Relations, cweiss@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.738.2589

About Wounded Warrior Project

Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers, helping them achieve their highest ambitions. Learn more.