If you've made it to this point in life without having any tattoos, you owe yourself a pat on the back. If, however, you're not so lucky, don't bother trying to convince anyone else of your tattoo's special significance (kids names, family "crests", AF insignia, barbed wire, or whatever tribal BS you picked out for your bicep)...that's what photographs & memories are for, FYI. Like it or not, there is a large segment of the population that simply dismiss your tattoo as an indicator of lacking judgement, regardless of the sincere thought & significance you've placed on it - right or wrong, that's a fact. And those people, by the way, are your present/future employers, spouses, kids, in-laws, etc...essentially the people who's opinion of you matters most.
In today's world, having no tattoos is the new version of having a tattoo. It's a good thing mullets & parachute pants weren't permanent...I'm sure as hell glad the expressions of individualism I made 20 years ago aren't looking me in the mirror every morning.