New U.S. Army regulations that would prohibit visible tattoos on new recruits are a signature away from going into effect, Stars & Stripes reports.

Under the new policy, new recruits will not be allowed to have tattoos that show below the elbows and knees or above the neckline, Chandler told troops. Current soldiers may be grandfathered in, but all soldiers will still be barred from having any tattoos that are racist, sexist or extremist.

Once the rules are implemented, soldiers will sit down with their unit leaders and “self identify” each tattoo. Soldiers will be required to pay for the removal of any tattoo that violates the policy, Chandler said.

““We’re just waiting for the secretary to sign,” Army Sgt. Maj. Raymond Chandler told troops during a visit to Afghanistan.

(HT Natalie Jones for flagging the story).