My father had a tattoo that read, "USAF" over "56 - ". He said he intended to have the year he completed his time in the AF after the dash but never did. Now, he was 19 when he did his tattoo. I am retired and have been thinking of putting a similar tattoo on my right forearm like his. But mine would read, "US ARMY" over "82 - 03". He passed away in 2005. I consider a DeFacto tribute to him; matching tattoos.