B-V5: Veterans in Tattooing: Stories From the Studio

Every one of the veteran tattoo artists working today started as a beginner, and Joe Kendall is on that path right now. He’s a military veteran training with Ink Different in Rhode Island, and his story shows what the move from service to the tattoo studio really looks like.

This page tells Joe’s story in his own words: what pulled him toward tattooing, how he’s fitting training around two jobs and a family, and the mindset he says matters most. You can also watch Joe’s full Apprentice Spotlight interview.

Why do veterans make great tattoo artists?

Tattooing rewards focus, commitment, discipline, and the ability to relate to people from all walks of life. If you’ve served, you may already have strong habits in those areas. But the best way to see how that plays out is through a real story.

Joe Kendall has loved art his whole life. “I’ve always been into art, ever since I was a kid,” he says. He won his first art competition in sixth grade. But it was during his military service that tattooing really grabbed him.

This page is for you if you’re leaving the military or already out, you’ve always been drawn to art or tattoos, and you want to hear from someone who’s actually making the switch.

What military skills translate into tattooing?

Focus, commitment, discipline, and relating to people all carry over. For a deeper look at each one, read Military Skills That Transfer to a Tattoo Career.

Joe is honest that tattooing still asks for a new skill set on top of the one you bring. He came in with years of drawing, plus art school, and he still had to adjust. “A pencil is much different than a needle,” he says. “You have to be willing to learn a new skill set on top of your skill set.”

He’s also clear about the attitude it takes: “You can’t come in and be like, ‘I’m the best painter in the world, I’ll be the best tattooer.’ That’s not how it works.”

The biggest thing, in his words, is patience: “With tattooing, you have to be patient.”

What stories come out of the studio?

Joe’s story starts long before he walked into one.

During his service, he saw tattoos from all over. “Going out on liberty and stuff and seeing the different styles and the different pieces of art really got ahold of me,” he says, “especially on the ship, like my shipmates having great American traditional.”

In San Diego, he noticed Chicano-style portrait work. But American Traditional stuck with him most: “The vibrant colors, the bold lines, all that.” He likes that it’s “very readable,” with pieces that make a statement.

That’s when it clicked. “I was like, ‘Well, I can do art. Why wouldn’t I try and gravitate towards that?’”

After the military, he went to college for art. His charcoal work and a digital self-portrait were selected for the student show his freshman year. Today, he’s training with Ink Different under his Mentor, J Breeze, at our Rhode Island location. He’s nearing the end of phase two and will move into supervised tattoos in Providence.

You can hear him tell it in his own words in Joe’s Apprentice Spotlight video.

Why is tattooing an ideal second career for veterans?

For Joe, it’s about doing the work he loves without limiting himself. He isn’t locked into one style. “All styles are art, and I love art,” he says.

He wants to be ready for whatever a client brings in. “I want to do it all,” he says. “I don’t want a client to come in and say, ‘Oh, I want to do this,’ and me be like, ‘Oh, it’s not really my thing.’” For Joe, the goal is simple: “I want to be able to help everybody that comes my way.”

Also, he wants to help clients get something that’s truly theirs, easing them toward “something that’s one of one.”

And it’s human work. Every tattoo starts with a conversation and a client who trusts you, which is why tattoo artists are still essential. 

How can a veteran start a tattoo apprenticeship?

Joe’s path shows you don’t need a perfect setup to start. He lives in Massachusetts, trains in Rhode Island, and works two jobs: one in the plumbing industry and one driving a forklift at a distribution center. He works about three days a week, then spends the other four tattooing and taking care of his kids.

Here’s how to start your own path:

• Step one: Decide you’re ready. A tattoo apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months of steady effort.
• Step two: Plan around your life. Look at your work schedule, your family time, and how you’ll fit in practice.
• Step three: Choose a structured tattoo apprenticeship. Look for hands-on mentorship from professional Tattoo Artists and a clear phase-by-phase structure.
• Step four: Apply Now. Apply for the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship at a location near you.
• Step five: Stay open and patient. As Joe puts it, you have to be willing to learn “a new skill set on top of your skill set.”

Before you start, read up on the mistakes aspiring tattoo apprentices should avoid. 

What is the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship?

Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship takes 18 to 24 months across four phases. It trains beginners into working Tattoo Artists, with licensing support and a guaranteed job offer when you finish.

We’ve been training new Tattoo Artists since 2011, and the Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is available at 60+ tattoo studios nationwide. No prior art experience is required.

• Phase one, Art and Design Principles: Drawing, design, and building your first portfolio.
• Phase two, Machine Mastery and Practice Tattooing: Machine work and core techniques, at your own pace.
• Phase three, Supervised Tattoos: Tattooing real clients under a lead Trainer.
• Phase four, Junior Artist Externship: Working with clients and earning an income while you keep building your skills.

How fast you move through each phase depends on your practice and progress, and licensing timelines depend on your state. Joe’s still in training, and his story is still being written. 

What is Master Mentorship?

The Master Mentorship is Ink Different’s one-year, in-person intensive for experienced Tattoo Artists who want to master a specific style, grow their career, and build a business.

You train with celebrity and award-winning Master Mentors, including Al Fliction, Liz Cook, Kyle Dunbar, Boneface, and Jordi Pla. It’s built for working Tattoo Artists who want to take their skills and career to the next level. 

How does Ink Different make training accessible?

The Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship is available at 60+ tattoo studios nationwide, so there’s a good chance you can train close to home, like Joe does in Rhode Island. We also have Spanish-speaking locations in Denver, Orange County, New York City, Miami, San Antonio, and San Diego.

You also join our “Good Humans” community, a crew of Mentors and fellow tattoo apprentices who support each other from your first lines onward.

Ready to become a Tattoo Artist?

Joe went from seeing his shipmates’ tattoos to training for a career in the craft, while working two jobs and raising his kids. His goal is simple: “I just want to get up there with the big dogs.”

Watch Joe’s full Apprentice Spotlight interview to hear his story in his own words.

Ready to start your own story? Apply Now to Ink Different’s Traditional Tattoo Apprenticeship. Not sure yet? Fill out our quick questionnaire for personalized support. 

Keep reading in this series:

• Tattoo Artist: A Career for Veterans Without a Degree
• Military Skills That Transfer to a Tattoo Career
• Career Change After the Military: How to Plan It
• Commitment and Craft: What Tattooing Asks of You