A Kentucky National Guard soldier with aspirations of joining a U.S. Army special operations unit wants a federal judge to overturn the military's new regulations concerning soldiers with tattoos.

Staff Sgt. Adam C. Thorogood of Nashville, Tennessee, says the ink covering his left arm from the elbow to the wrist isn't harmful. But he says the Army is using the body art against him and stopping him from joining the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Thorogood sued Thursday in U.S. District Court in Paducah, Kentucky, seeking to have the new rules declared unconstitutional.

The regulations went into effect in March and bans soldiers with tattoos from seeking promotions to warrant officer or commissioning as an officer.

An Army spokesman did not immediately return a message.