12:14pm UK, Thursday March 30, 2006

The US Army is relaxing its policy banning certain types of tattoos in a bid to attract new soldiers.

It will now allow recruits and current soldiers to have tattoos on their hands and the back of their necks.

180-US Army Marine iraq nasiriyah tattoo

Tattoo policy has been relaxed

However, the tattoos must not be "extremist, indecent, sexist or racist."

And the Army will still not allow tattoos anywhere on the head, face or throat.

Lt Col Bryan Hilferty said: "Clearly, if you have a sexist, a racist or a gang tattoo, you are unfit for duty - you have been and you continue to be."

The Army has also decided to allow women recruits and soldiers to wear "permanent make-up" - as long as it is "conservative".

The change in policy marks the latest move by the Army to attract recruits.

"The Army is America. We are America's sons and daughters. America's sons and daughters are getting tattoos," Lt Col Hilferty said.

"That means that American soldiers are getting tattoos."