“The universality of tattooing is a curious subject for speculation…” according to Captain James Cook’s journal, third Pacific Voyage (1776-80). Traditions are at the core of daily life in the Navy, from the ringing of bells to signify time, or the boatswain piping someone aboard. Another tradition that stays true to the Navy is one that is skin deep – tattoos, that to this day, make the Navy stand out. Some of these tattoos convey the Navy’s past and present story.

Sailors aboard the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) recognize International Tattoo Day, July 17, 2023.

The story begins with the British Royal Navy – their travels brought them to Polynesian lands where they encountered the culture of body art. The traditional tattoos those Sailors encountered identified the travels of the Polynesian people. Soon, they would share their body art with seafarers in Europe and eventually America.

These traditions are still alive in U.S. Navy Sailors to this day. Certain traditions and customs can only be found within the Navy’s ranks. From individual rating insignia to common phrases and images that commemorate significant events, tattoos are synonymous with Sailors.

For example, boatswain’s mates (BM) in the Navy have the famous crossed anchors on their hands, which they receive after becoming a seasoned petty officer in their rate.

“I got my BM rating insignia when I was promoted to BM2,” said Chief Boatswain's Mate Mario Maradiaga, from Dallas, assigned to Gerald R. Ford’s deck department. “When I made second class, my BM1 told me to come over and he just started putting crossed anchors on my hand. The tradition that was taught to me was once you made BM2 you had to get crossed anchors and they were done by a BM1 or BMC.”

Boatswain’s mates carry on this naval tradition and stand out within this custom by having their own tattoo specific to their rate.

“BMs are the most traditional rate there is in the Navy,” said Maradiaga. “It’s good to have that tradition going because some junior Sailors get motivated and find a purpose to want to get their crossed anchors.”

These tattoos can mean almost anything, but one commonality between them all is the patriotism of the service inscribed on their body. A memory they will forever remember and a reminder of their service.

“I got a [Sailor] Jerry style shellback tattoo on my shoulder after I crossed the equator for the first time,” said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Richard Abreu, from New York City, assigned to Ford’s deck department. “Becoming a ‘shellback’ was something I was pretty proud of doing.”

Crossing the equator isn’t as simple as just sailing over the 0 degrees latitude. With it comes a ceremony each Sailor must complete to be become a “shellback.” To some Sailors, the memory of becoming a shellback is significant enough of a tradition to get a tattoo to commemorate the ceremony.

“I’ve crossed the equator three times in my career,” said Maradiaga. “So, I got a shellback tattooed on my forearm as a way to remember those parts of my life.”

Just as Sailors have imprints of the history of their career, so do ships themselves. With authorization, Sailors sometimes paint Navy-related images on the bulkheads.

“I do my own paintings and sketches around the ship,” said Abreu. “When Sailors see paintings around the ship, it increases their morale and gives them pride and a sense for what they do. I like to spread that positivity”

Abreu enjoys leaving a lasting imprint on the ship he serves on as a way to keep the Navy’s traditions alive.

“I think tradition is important to the Navy, especially in regards to tattoos because a lot of the things we do are based on tradition and it’s important to pass those things on,” said Abreu.

There is a story behind every naval tattoo. One of which only the holder can explain its value. One of which only a Sailor serving or has served in the United States Navy can tell.

“They tell a history of what I’ve been through and what I’ve had to overcome throughout my naval career,” said Maradiaga. “Every time I look at my tattoos it reminds of how I got to where I’m at.”

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) is conducting a scheduled deployment in support of interoperability and maritime security. The GRFCSG provides and inherently flexible naval force capable of deploying across combatant commands to meet emerging missions, deter potential adversaries, reassure allies and partners, enhance security and guarantee the free flow of global commerce. In total, the GRFCSG is deployed with more than 6,000 Sailors across all platforms ready to respond globally to combatant commander tasking.

Gerald R. Ford is the U.S. Navy’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier. As the first-in-class ship of Ford-class aircraft carriers, CVN 78 represents a generational leap in the U.S. Navy’s capacity to project power on a global scale. Ford-class aircraft carriers introduce 23 new technologies, including EMALS, AAG and Advanced Weapons Elevators. The new systems incorporated onto Ford-class ships are designed to deliver greater lethality, survivability and joint interoperability with a 20% smaller crew than a Nimitz-class carrier, paving the way forward for naval aviation.

For more information about the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/ and follow along on Facebook: @USSGeraldRFord, Instagram: @cvn78_grford, Twitter: @Warship_78, DVIDS www.dvids.net/CVN78 and LinkedIn at USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

Speaking of tattoos, if you are a DOD ID holder that is 18+ with tattoos, we want to hear from you. Scan the QR code above or click on the link to fill out our survey and send us your tattoo pictures: https://forms.gle/eoNzdRvT3rYUZiqd6.