Army Haircut Regulations: A Comprehensive Guide to Standards and Updates

Maintaining discipline and professionalism is paramount in the military, and grooming standards, particularly haircut regulations, play a crucial role. The Army has recently updated its grooming regulations, impacting hairstyles, jewelry, nail length, and makeup use for soldiers. These changes, effective October 15, aim to maintain a conservative appearance while providing clearer guidance for leaders and soldiers alike. This article delves into the specifics of these regulations, exploring the permissible and prohibited styles for both men and women.

Background and Rationale for Change

The Army initiated a review of its existing grooming standards nearly two years ago, identifying ambiguities and difficulties in interpretation. Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer noted that the updates seek to keep a conservative appearance for both men and women. The Army emphasizes that adherence to standards reflects the professionalism of its soldiers. The updated rules aim to provide leaders with the necessary tools for enforcement, emphasizing the importance of understanding the regulations.

The move follows a period of looser standards introduced four years prior, which had allowed men to wear clear nail polish, women to wear lipstick, and soldiers of all genders to have highlights that blended with their uniform colors. The new regulations represent a shift back towards stricter guidelines.

The new rules were created by a representative group, according to an Army release, but the service did not give more details about who developed them. The looser rules introduced in 2021 were the work of a 17-soldier panel established to promote diversity and inclusion, the service said at the time. Suggestions were proposed by troops and voted on by panel members, who came from commands across the force. The panel was made up of 10 Black women, four white women, one Hispanic woman, one Hispanic man and one Black man.

The Army stated that "there was an overwhelming consensus on the need to realign all Army standards with warfighting priorities."

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Updated Hair Regulations

The updated regulations outline specific guidelines for hair, addressing styles, colors, and accessories.

• Shaved Heads: Authorized for both male and female soldiers. The Army directive notes that soldiers are required to have “natural” shades of hair color and that both men and women can opt for fully shaved heads.
• Ponytails for Women: Women are allowed to wear ponytails only with Army combat uniforms and physical fitness uniforms; they’re prohibited in dress uniforms. The maximum allowable length is six inches from top of collar. Female Soldiers with medium-length hair will have the option to wear a ponytail if the individual's hair length or texture prevents them from securing it into a tight bun, Sanders said. The updated standard will also allow females with long hair the option to wear a ponytail while wearing an Army Combat Uniform during physical training, or while wearing tactical headgear during tactical training or combat operations. The Army defines long hair as a length that extends beyond the collar.
• Braids, Twists, and Locs for Women: Women are permitted to wear braids, twists, and locs, if they are uniformly styled. They can be in a ponytail or two braids, with a maximum size of two inches wide and six inches long from the top of the collar. Braided ponytails are prohibited with dress uniforms. For women who sport braids, locs, twists, and cornrows in their hair, they must be “uniformly styled to ensure a cohesive appearance.” Their hair can be worn as a single ponytail or in two braids “equal in length and width” and is a maximum of 2 inches wide, according to the directive.
• Short Sides and Long Top for Women: Women may wear a hairstyle of short sides and a long top if there is a maximum of two inches on top. Buns, braids, twists and ponytails, as well as asymmetrical cuts, are prohibited with this style. For instance, women with shorter hair are no longer allowed to have “asymmetrical” cuts and styles.
• Men's Hairstyles: There are stricter taper and fade requirements for men’s hairstyles. In the previous AR 670-1 regulation, men were allowed to have haircuts that were described as “neatly groomed,” or “neat and conservative.” New updates now prescribe a very precise length and style. Men should have “tapered or faded” haircuts that are “evenly blended around sides and back” with a maximum of 2 inches in length on top and 1 inch on the sides and back of their head, according to a fact sheet provided by the Army.
• Prohibited Styles for Men: Braids, twists, and locs are prohibited for men, as are designs in their hair. When it comes to military haircuts for men, certain styles are strictly prohibited to ensure uniformity and adherence to regulations. Braids, cornrows, twists, and locs are strictly prohibited hairstyles for men in the military when in uniform or on duty in civilian clothes. These styles, along with shaved designs (except for a hard part) and styled sideburns, are considered faddish or extreme and are not allowed.
• Hair Color: Natural hair colors are the only colors permissible for all soldiers, including extensions and wigs. The Army plans to authorize the wear of highlights if it presents a natural appearance and is not a prohibited color. The emphasis is on natural hair colors. It doesn't necessarily have to be a color that is typically seen on a certain ethnic group.
• Faddish Designs: Faddish designs are prohibited for both men and women.

Makeup Policies

The clarified makeup policies emphasize a natural look, with specific guidelines for application and permissible products.

• Even Skin Tone: Makeup is permitted to achieve an even skin tone only.
• Natural Complexion: It must match a soldier’s natural complexion, and the application must be conservative.
• Tattoo Coverage: Makeup cannot be used to cover tattoos.
• Lipstick: Lipstick is prohibited; only clear or skin-toned lip gloss is allowed. Beyond the new additions to soldier grooming rules, the new Army directive also includes specific standards that were part of previous regulations, emphasizing a more “natural look” when it comes to areas like makeup and nail length. The new policy also tamps down on a growing makeup trend and prohibits women from wearing lip liner without a medical exemption.
• Eyelash Extensions: Eyelash extensions of any kind are prohibited. False lashes may be authorized through a medical profile in situations when soldiers have lost their natural lashes.

Nail Regulations

The rules for nails outline specific length, shape, and polish guidelines for women, while men face stricter limitations.

• Women's Nails: Women must keep nails at a maximum of one-fourth inch in length. Only clear nail polish is allowed, and nails must be either squared off or rounded. Women are allowed to wear rounded or square-shaped nails up to a quarter-inch in length with clear polish.
• Men's Nails: Men must keep their nails trimmed and not extending past their fingertips. No nail polish is authorized, including clear polish, unless by medical exemption. Some male Soldiers in certain occupation specialties rely on their hands, which are under constant bombardment while working with tools or harsh chemicals.
• Prohibited Nail Styles: According to the updated policy, extreme colors and nail shapes, such as coffin, ballerina, and stiletto nails, are prohibited while in uniform or on duty in civilian clothes.

Jewelry Standards

The jewelry standards are specific, particularly regarding earrings for women.

• Women's Earrings: Women are permitted to wear only gold, silver, diamond or pearl stud earrings at a maximum diameter of six millimeters. They can wear only one stud per ear, and no other piercings are allowed. Women are allotted specific earring choices while wearing their dress and combat uniforms - but only one in each ear - and include: gold, silver, diamond, or pearl studs. Pearl earrings are not authorized with the ACU, Sanders said.
• Men's Jewelry: All jewelry is prohibited for men.

Additional Guidelines and Considerations

Beyond the specific regulations, several additional guidelines and considerations are important for understanding Army haircut regulations.

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• Hair Grooming: The hair on top of the head must be neatly groomed. The hair must present a tapered appearance. When the hair is combed, it will not fall over the ears or eyebrows, or touch the collar, except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck.
• Prohibited Haircuts: Hair-cuts with a single, untapered patch of hair on the top of the head (not consistent with natural hair loss) are considered eccentric and are not authorized. Examples include, but are not limited to, when the head is shaved around a strip of hair down the center of the head, around a u-shaped hair area (horseshoe), or around a patch of hair on the front top of the head (tear drop).
• Sideburns: Sideburns are hair grown in front of the ear and below the point where the top portion of the ear attaches to the head. Sideburns will not extend below the bottom of the opening of the ear. Sideburns will not be styled to taper, flair, or come to a point. Sideburns should not extend below the top of the ear opening and should not be styled to taper, flare or come to a point.
• Mustaches: Mustaches are permitted. If worn, males will keep mustaches neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy. Mustaches will not present a chopped off or bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line, extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth, or extend above a parallel line at the lowest portion of the nose. Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not authorized.
• Beards (Medical Exemption): If appropriate medical authority allows beard growth, the maximum length authorized for medical treatment must be specific. For example, “The length of the beard cannot exceed 1/4 inch” (see TB Med 287).
• Fingernails: All personnel will keep fingernails clean and neatly trimmed. Males will keep nails trimmed so as not to extend beyond the fingertip unless medically required and are not authorized to wear nail polish.
• Imagery and Videos: The updated standard will also include a link to imagery and videos to provide Soldiers with specific examples of proper grooming and appearance standards.

Historical Context and Evolution

It's worth noting that military grooming standards have evolved over time, reflecting changing social norms and military priorities. While certain hairstyles like braids and cornrows are currently prohibited for men, exceptions have been made in the past. For example, during World War II, the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, adopted the mohawk hairstyle and war paint as a morale boost. This demonstrates that grooming standards are not static and can be adapted based on specific circumstances.

Branch-Specific Regulations

While this article focuses on Army regulations, it's important to remember that other branches of the military have their own specific guidelines. For example, the Air Force has stringent regulations regarding acceptable hairstyles for men, prohibiting styles like the mohawk. The Navy's grooming standards for men's hairstyles require that hair be neat, clean, and well-groomed, with hair off the ears and above the collar. The Marine Corps' guidelines require hair to be evenly graduated from zero length at the hairline, with no outline or edging.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Military personnel must adhere to specific haircut regulations when in uniform or on duty. Hairstyles must keep hair off the ears, above the collar, and not extend below the eyebrows when headgear is removed. Haircuts should not allow hair to show underneath headwear. Military personnel cannot refuse to get a haircut that complies with regulations. If an order is given to get a haircut, it is not open to debate or refusal.

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