War Paint: Tattoo Culture & the Armed Forces

by Kyle Cassidy (photographer)

For many servicemen, the battle is over, but the ink lives on. Thousands of soldiers have chosen to commemorate their military service through tattoos, a custom as old as war paint itself. Yet military tattoos go far beyond the usual anchor and eagle clichés, and are often as complex and varied as the military experience. For the first time, documentary photographer Kyle Cassidy has sought out veterans who marked their military service with a tattoo and they are shown here in all their fresh, faded, sometimes intertwined with wounds, physical and otherwise. And the stories behind these tattoos, both conventional and surprising, are just as engaging. In a transient world, with shifting enemies, mores, leaders, and friends, this is a testament to the values of a permanent commemoration. The unique journey into each soldier’s story will captivate you. Not only is this book a great resource for history and military buffs, but it is also a great reference for tattoo artists.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography

176 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Navessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me and my brother during a training exercise

This book hits really close to home for me. I enlisted in 2004 and served during both the war in Afghanistan and the one in Iraq. The missions I worked were incredibly stressful and I saw, did, and read about a lot of things that people who have never been in the military just can’t understand. I could tell you the stories, I could try to explain the worry and the nightmares, and though you might sympathize, you’ll probably never really get it.

These experiences were like ropes and each one bound those I served with closer together until, in a surprisingly short amount of time, we became family. Like all families, we had our ups and downs. We partied together, we laughed together, hell, sometimes we even wanted to kill each other. And when we lost one of our own, we mourned together and we healed together.

One of the other things that we did together was get tattoos. I got three while I served and each time I had my friends with me. They laughed at me while I sat and cringed beneath the needle and then told jokes to distract me as the pain progressed. I did the same for them when it was their turn. Like those in this book, each of my tattoos has a story behind it, a reason for why I chose it and why I got it when I did. The same is true for my friends. The same is true for a lot of servicemen.

The tattoo culture in the military is a long standing one. Tattoos are a way to remember fallen comrades, a way to remember the battles you fought in, the ship you served on, the unit you fought with, the people, the lifestyle, the commitment.

When you get out, tattoos become a way of identifying those that can understand the things you’ve been through. The people that wear them are part of a larger family, one that transcends missions, units, service and rank. That grizzled old WWII Vet with the USMC tattoo? He’s part of my family. That young kid with the shaved head and the “Frogmen” tattoo, just back from his first Seal mission? He’s part of my family too.

I may not exchange my stories with strangers on the street, I may just give them a polite nod and a “Sir”, but that’s all they’ll need to recognize me as one of their own.

I’ve been out for nearly five years and to this day my closest friends are those I served with. Some are still in, spread out across the globe as they work their new missions. Some have gone off to college. Some, like myself, have rejoined the civilian workforce but still serve a service. This book reminds me of the best times I had with those friends. It makes me miss them. It makes me miss the mission.

If you’ve served, you should read this book. If you haven’t, you should still read this book. It might give you a better idea of what I’m trying to explain here. It will also give you a glimpse of the family I'm part of.

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[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a huge amount of respect for the armed forces, these men and women risk their lives for their countries and to uphold our way of life and I'm incredibly grateful to them for everything they do. I'm also fascinated with the tattoos people choose and the reasons behind them so of course I wanted to read War Paint the moment I first heard about it.

Kyle Cassidy has spent years talking to veterans and serving members of the military both young and old, talking to them about their tattoos and the stories behind them. As much as I enjoyed looking at the photographs of the tattoos themselves it was the stories that really captured my attention. This book contains a collection of stories from people who have served in the army, navy and air force anywhere from Korea and Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan. Some of these stories are amusing, more are poignant but all are heartfelt and they make for fascinating reading.

This is the kind of book that you can dip in and out of easily, one that you'll pick up and spend half an hour reading today but happily come back tomorrow to read a bit more. If you have any interest in military history or just a curiosity about tattoos in general then I'm sure you'll enjoy this book.

[Elektra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the last few years, I’ve developed an interest in tattoo art (some of you know why). When I saw the publication announcement for War Paint, the concept immediately intrigued me: photos of tattoos on military personnel by one of the best pros around, and the stories behind the art. It’s always interesting to hear why people get the tats they choose.

Publishing the book on Memorial Day really made sense, too. It was already on my list of books to buy “one day”–and it kept moving up. When I realized that Kyle Cassidy was going to be speaking at Moonstone Arts Center in Philadelphia in just a few weeks, it motivated me to order a copy now–so I could get it inscribed.

In due course War Paint arrived, and I put it down next to the computer to log it in to the library system. Big mistake. The colorful cover images are mesmerizing, enticing you to pick up the book and leaf through it. So I did. I read a few of the stories, and finally put it down and did some work. Then I picked it back up and read some more. The book is positively insidious, sucking you in with beguiling images when you should be working!

Only buy this book if you’re actually interested in reading it, because it will sneak up on you and insist that you look inside. It’s full of well-taken photos paired with fascinating stories--incredible insights into the men and women that defend our country.

It gives the armed forces names and faces and makes them people you know and understand. It makes history personal.

Recommended for anyone who appreciates tattoo art and/or likes hearing “old war stories.” It also makes a lovely gift.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like tattoos and it seems more do daily this might be a great gift for a friend. Warpaint takes and Indian cultural idea and makes it into an American history lesson. It contains interviews with former and current military personnel that explains why they got inked and why they chose what they did to put on their bodies for life.
They commemorates their family, their jobs, their services to our country and, most of all – their individuality. Warpaint is a must-read for lovers of military ad infinitum. It is a great history lesson as well.
I enjoyed this book immensely! The only thing I’d have to say is, if you get the e-book, be sure you have a color reader or you’ll miss the best part – the pictures!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love tattoos. I like seeing them, I like getting them, I like to know the reasons why other people get them. This book was excellent for that. I know Kyle Cassidy's reputation thanks to Neil Gaiman, and when I saw him mentioned on NetGalley, I looked into it.

I like the stories behind a lot of these, like the Vietnam vet who has a tunnel rat on his arm, and says, very succinctly, "They went down in the tunnels in 67, 68. I went down in the tunnels. I don't talk about it."

One of the best things, especially because this was an ebook, was that there were close-ups of the tattoos in the back, so you could see details.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cassidy interviewed veterans and current service members about their military tattoos and why they got them. Ranging from WWII to Afghanistan, each war is unique and brings different scars and victories to it's soldiers. This book shows the personal side of history and war.

Why I picked it up: I was curious about the stories and artwork.

Why I finished it: I was really intrigued by the Navy SEALs tattoos... what they chose since they don't want to announce that they are SEALs if they are captured.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

War Paint is a book about military tattoos. Stories and pictures from World War II to the modern era. I enjoyed reading the descriptions and history behind the designs and decisions. This book hit an emotional resonance with me and I don't have any tattoos nor did I earn the eagle, globe & anchor.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

i completely enjoyed reading the stories behind the different illustrations of the various tattoos...