Caleb Carlson, a sophomore studying business with a concentration in international business, served four years in the Army:
“I had my sun tattoo done in 2012, before my first deployment to Afghanistan, as sort of a starting bookend for the journey ahead. My father had a sun tattoo, although dissimilar to my own and on the opposite arm, so it was a symbol that I grew up with and associated with the strength and assertiveness of my father. So I took that symbol and made it my own, both in its image and by placing it on the opposite arm, to represent that while I share aspects with him, I am my own man, with my own legend to build into the symbol.”
Brent Blackwell’s tattoo of a ship represents his journey of military service.
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Brent Blackwell, a junior in pre-med studying kinesiology, served in the Army for seven years:
“I got this tattoo in 2010 while on leave from the military. I was getting ready for my second deployment, so they let us go home for a couple weeks before we deployed. I chose a ship tattoo because I thought it symbolized my journey. I was always on the move, always headed somewhere new. I chose this style because I am a big fan of the "Traditional Tattoo" style, and I chose the middle of my right forearm to encourage me to work toward a whole sleeve. (It unfortunately didn't work. I didn't get further than this).”