Why don't any of them have tatoos?

[sidney]

I don't think BA even had any.

Is the Vietnam era early for military men to get tattoos? I always thought military units did that sort of thing - but maybe I'm just affected by too many tv shows and movies that overdramatize everything.

[amyk]

There's a pretty interesting article about the history of tattoos on military men here: www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2016/8/a-short-history-of-military-tattoos

Here's one part of it: "Army Regulation 670-1 has been updated frequently in the past few years—most recently no longer limiting “the size or number of tattoos soldiers can have on their arms and legs.” (Army Times, April 10, 2015.) Air Force regulations (AFI 36-2903) allow tattoos as long as they are not excessive (defined as visible in uniform on more than 25% of the exposed body part). As of April 2016, the Navy’s current regulations allowed sailors to sport one neck tattoo and full sleeves (tattoos covering the entirety of a person’s arm)."

Maybe the A-TEAM didn't get tattoos because they didn't feel a need for them, either to inspire camaraderie or to show they were tough or to deal with any issues? If they had gotten any tattoos, I feel like it would have been to memorialize fallen fellow soldiers....like maybe getting a tattoo in memory of Ray?

But doesn't BA (Mr. T) actually have at least one tattoo? I feel like we just had some discussion recently about that, and that it is three letters but I can't remember what those letters stand for if anyone knew.

[Katia]

Simply probably that back in the time of the show, tattoos maybe weren't considered "wholesome" enough for the team? (IOW, real-world reason, not in-universe reason.)

[sidney]

I just gave them tattoos in my story. I decided they're getting them.
What should it be of? Where would they get it? Most military men get it on their arm, bicep or forearm, right?
Would they get insignia? What is the special forces insignia for the army in Vietnam? I'm going to look it up right now.

[HoudiniDerek]

I do kind of agree that it would feel less wholesome for the time period. But from a practical standpoint, it would not surprise me if they didn't get one so they could not be identified with the type of unit they are, the location of their base, etc.