sellen, that sounds like really good, sensible advice, both items. THANK YOU! I would imagine the noise scares a lot of younger customers. And I've heard people complain often that their piercing was angled wrong, especially on lobes that don't hang straight down, but have maybe a little fold or other "feature." I'm big on checklists; they ensure that I don't forget steps in a process, and leave my mind free of the worry that maybe I forgot something. So I'm sure I'll make myself a checklist for ear piercing. I'll be sure to include your advice, and even a discussion with the customer about the angle of the piercing if they do have a fold in their lob.
I've decided to definitely move forward with the ear piercing venture, but haven't decided whether to approach the Army folks about getting approval, or simply hope for forgiveness if I do happen to bend a military regulation. My conscience is telling me one thing, but my common sense is telling me the other. I hate quandaries like that!