What are the military standards for hair?

Author: Tyler Wiegand  |  Last update: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

When wearing the uniform or in a duty status, hairstyles/haircuts will have hair off the ears and above the collar. Hair will be no more than 2 inches in bulk, 4 inches in length and not to extend below the eyebrows when headgear is removed or show underneath when headwear is worn.

What are the rules for hair in the military?

Hair: Male soldiers must have hair neatly trimmed, not touching the ears or collar; it should not exceed 4 inches in length. Female soldiers can wear their hair in various styles, but it must be secured and not exceed the length of the collar.

What haircuts are not allowed in the military?

> Styles with shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline), those with designs cut, braided, or parted into the hair, as well as dyed using unnatural colors are not authorized.

What are the new Army hair regulations?

Hairstyle. Hair may be worn in multiple styles, such as ponytail, braid, twists, bun, or locs with a side twist to secure hair. Long hair should be worn neatly pinned above the lower edge of the collar. Your hair must be neat in appearance and not interfere with the ability to wear authorized headgear.

Why is the military so strict about hair?

Uniformity and Cohesion: A shaved head and clean-shaven face promote a sense of uniformity among recruits. This visual standard helps foster a sense of belonging and team cohesion, which is essential for building camaraderie within units.

EASY military bun tutorial | Army Basic Training hair!

What happens if you refuse to cut your hair in the military?

No, 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. Service members are expected to follow such orders without contention.

Does the military hair test you?

Military drug testing is designed to maintain operational readiness and safety by deterring substance use among service members. A comprehensive drug testing protocol includes urinalysis, blood, and hair follicle tests to detect a wide array of illicit and prescription substances.

Are French braids allowed in the military?

A single French braid may be worn and will start near the top of the head and be braided to the end of the hair, down the middle of the back of the head. The end of the braid must be secured to the head, placed in a bun or tucked under itself and neatly and inconspicuously fastened or pinned.

Can guys have long hair in the military?

Hair should be kept neat and well-groomed. Hair should be no longer than 4.0 inches. Hair may not touch the ears or collar. It also cannot extend below the eyebrows.

Can your hair touch your ears in the air force?

Hair will not touch the ears or protrude under the front band of headgear. Cleanly shaven heads, military high-and-tight or flattop cuts are authorized. Airmen may have one (cut, clipped, or shaved) front to back, straight-line part, not slanted or curved, on either side of their head, above the temple.

What is the Secret Service hair policy?

Hair will be clean and neatly groomed. The bulk of the hair will not be excessive or present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance.

Will the military cut my hair?

While men usually have to cut their hair extremely short to undergo basic training in the military, the same is not true of female candidates. In the US military, times are changing, and women are now permitted to buzz cut their hair.

What are the physical requirements to join the Army?

Each service branch requires its own unique fitness test, but generally, they include:
  • Pushups, between one and two minutes, timed.
  • Situps, between one and two minutes, timed.
  • A one-and-a-half, two or three-mile timed run.
  • Other fitness requirements, such as pullups, flexed-arm hang and lifts.

What disqualifies you from joining the Army?

If you have three or more convictions related to driving while intoxicated, drugged, or impaired in the past five years before joining. If you are convicted for five or more misdemeanors. If you are unable to pass a drug or alcohol test, or if you have current charges pending against you.

What hairstyles are not allowed in the Army?

Hairstyles that prevent thorough washing of the scalp and hair (for example, tight braids) may not be worn into the hot area. Prohibited hair styles include, but may not be limited to braids, buns, beads, dreadlocks, corn rows and weaves."

What do military guys look for in a girl?

Military guys, just like anyone else, look for someone they can connect with emotionally, intellectually, and physically. They value qualities such as loyalty, understanding, and flexibility in their partners.

How short can your hair be in the military?

When wearing the uniform or in a duty status, hairstyles/haircuts will have hair off the ears and above the collar. Hair will be no more than 2 inches in bulk, 4 inches in length and not to extend below the eyebrows when headgear is removed or show underneath when headwear is worn.

What are the new hair regulations for the Army?

IN ALL UNIFORMS, THE UNSECURED HAIR WILL BE WORN CENTERED IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD (PLACEMENT OF PONYTAIL WILL NOT BE ON THE SIDE OR ON TOP OF THE HEAD), BE WIDER THAN THE WIDTH OF THE HEAD, AND WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH PROPER WEAR OF AUTHORIZED ARMY HEADGEAR.

Can I have a goatee in the Army?

Per AR 670-1, male Soldiers must maintain a clean-shaven face in uniform, or in civilian clothes while on duty. While mustaches are authorized, Soldiers must keep them neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy. Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not authorized.

Are locs allowed in the military?

The Army directive says that each lock, or dreadlock, "will be of uniform dimension; have a diameter no greater than 1/2 inch; and present a neat, professional, and well-groomed appearance."

Can Soldiers have cornrows?

Under the current standard, Soldiers are allowed to braid, twist, lock, or cornrow their hair if they are uniform and no greater than 1/2 inch in width. Individuals must also have appropriate size and spacing between each braid, cornrow, twist, or lock, and are authorized one distinct type of hairstyle at one time.

What tattoos are not allowed in the military?

The Army tattoo policy was updated and relaxed in 2022 but is still one of the most strict in the military. It prohibits any tattoos on the head, face, neck, wrists, hands, or above the t-shirt collar. Essentially, any visible body tattoos are prohibited.

What fails a hair follicle test?

Hair testing can only detect drugs that have been consumed; it cannot detect drugs that have been injected or breathed. This is a crucial point to keep in mind.

How far back does a hair follicle test check?

The standard 1.5-inch sample taken near the root provides a snapshot of drug use over the past 90 days. When the hair sample is taken from slower-growing body hair (such as from the armpit) instead of the scalp, the detection window widens to up to one year.

What drugs disqualify you from military service?

In most cases, people who have used “non-hard” drugs, such as alcohol and marijuana, will be able to enlist. However, those who have experimented with more serious “hard” drugs, such as heroin, ecstasy, and cocaine, will be disqualified.

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