I have been conducting research about tattooing since 1990 and body piercing since 1995; topics areas have included group descriptions, decision-making, health complications, patient education, and regulatory concerns. This information has been published in leading national and international nursing, medical, and sociology journals for 20 years. Our survey instruments have been translated into several languages for international use. In additional to a 47 year old record as a health care provider, I also served in the US Army Reserves (29 years) and Desert Storm, retiring with the rank of Colonel. I currently review manuscripts related to body art for several journals include Military Medicine, Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, Body Image, American Journal of Nursing, Journal of Adolescent Health and Archives of Dermatology. In June 2010 I retired from my tenured faculty position
