• FORT HOOD, Texas

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) recently opened a Final Touch tattoo parlor inside of the base exchange. 

“We do have a dental clinic and cryotherapy, but the tattoo is another aspect of providing a health service,” said Stephen Shaw, exchange general manager (GM). “[With] quality that’s overseen by Army public health.” 

TATTOO POLICY 

The Army has a tattoo policy and CSM Loyd Rhoades, command sergeant major of Fort Hood Garrison, suggests adhering to that policy. 

“So, just being educated before you come in here, before you make that decision,” he said. “No matter if you do it here or if you go off anywhere else and get a tattoo, understand where you can get tattoos and what kind of tattoos you can get on your body.” 

Every artist at the shop on post is required to follow Army tattoo policies and posters are on the wall in the shop for reference.  

AAFES’s 10 tattoo shops on military bases fall under its Health and Wellness services. 

“HIGH QUALITY” 

Tattoos are said to be of the highest quality.  

“At our tattoo shop, we have really high-quality artist and really top-end amenities,” said Chris Padilla, co-owner of Final Touch Tattoo.   

“If you see our Google reviews, and you can see this in the actual reviews as well, we are a very client-centric tattoo shop,” he noted. “[We make] sure the client is most comfortable and [getting] the highest-quality tattoos.” 

EAGERLY AWAITED 

Some Soldiers said they could not wait for the doors to open. 

“I knew it was opening today but I didn’t expect to walk in on the grand opening,” said Spc. Alexander Holmes-Smith, 1st Cavalry Division Soldier.  

“That’s kind of why I just said, let me just go ahead and get it right now because I’ve been waiting,” he noted as he was planning to get an MTV logo on his shoulder. “I like music, I like TV, MTV.”

Source: KWTX, Waco, Texas (https://www.kwtx.com/2025/10/17/our-artists-are-highest-quality-aafes-opens-final-touch-tattoo-shop-fort-hood/) 

Edited by Larry Lapka