KENNEBUNK — The reversal of a U.S. Marine Corps policy that U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said was unintentionally discriminatory against women will allow a young Kennebunk woman to pursue her dream of becoming a Marine.

Kate Pimental, 20, had been held back from joining the Marines because of a policy requiring women to wear a white V-neck T-shirt under their uniform, while men can wear a crew neck T-shirt.

In Pimental’s case, the Vneck exposed a tattoo under her collarbone, which she got when she was 18. The tattoo, inked on her skin like a necklace, reads, “Let your smile change the world but never let the world change you.”

Because the Marine Corps only accepts recruits whose tattoos can be covered by a standard issue uniform, Pimental was told she couldn’t join. In January, she wrote to Pingree, who in turn wrote to Gen. Robert Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, to object to the policy.

“As women take more active roles in defending this country, it’s important that we address some of the discrepancies that provide men with options unavailable to their female counterparts,” Pingree wrote in the Feb. 19 letter.

On Monday, Neller notified Pingree that he has agreed to change the Marines’ uniform standards, allowing women to wear the same crew neck shirt as men.

“This was a common-sense change and will allow bright, dedicated young women like Kate to serve their country proudly as a Marine,” Pingree said in a statement. “I don’t believe the old policy was intentionally discriminatory, but in the end it prevented women with some tattoos from enlisting when their male counterparts with the same tattoos were allowed to sign up.”

Pingree also said she is grateful to Neller for hearing her concerns, and appreciates his quick action to change the policy.

Pimental was thrilled with the news.

“There is nothing I want more than to be able to serve as a Marine,” she said in Pingree’s statement. “And I’m so grateful that Congresswoman Pingree stood up for me and helped get this policy changed.”

Pimental could not be reached for comment this morning. In an interview with the Journal Tribune last month, she said she has always known the military would be a good fit for her, and she decided in August that Semper Fi should be her motto.

“The Marines inspire me,” Pimental said in February. “Being a Marine will help me become a better person and a stronger person mentally and physically.”

Pimental has passed the Marines’ physical agility test, and completed the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. With the tattoo barrier removed, nothing stands in her way of becoming a Marine.

— Staff Writer Angelo J. Verzoni can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or averzoni@journaltribune.com. Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells contributed to this report.