Personal Grooming Standards When Wearing Military Uniforms

Hair Styles. Overall, hair should be clean, well groomed, and neat. Avoid using an excessive amount of grooming aids. You may dye your hair if you wish, but it must look natural. Hair must not touch the eyebrows when groomed or protrude below the front band of properly worn headgear. EXCEPTION: Hair may be visible in front of the women's flight cap.

Men: Men's hairstyles must have a tapered appearance on both sides and back, both with and without headgear. A tapered appearance outlines the individual's hair to conform to the shape of the head, curving inward to the termination point. The bulk, or thickness, of hair must not exceed 1-1/4 inches, regardless of length. The bulk may not exceed 1/4 inch at the termination point. The hair must not touch the ears and only the closely cut or shaved hair on the back of the neck may touch the collar.

Women: Women's hairstyles must present a professional appearance. The hair must not extend in length on all sides below an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground at the bottom edge of the shirt collar at the back of the neck. Hair must not exceed 3 inches in bulk or be styled in a way that prevents proper wear of headgear.

Hairnets

Wigs and Hairpieces

Mustaches: When worn, mustaches must not extend downward beyond the lip line of the upper lip or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corner of the mouth. 

Sideburns: When worn, sideburns must be neatly trimmed and tapered in the same manner as the haircut. They must be straight and of even width (i.e., not flared). They must end in a clean-shaven horizontal line. Sideburns must not extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening. 

Cosmetics/Nail Polish

Bracelet: You can wear one bracelet if it is conservative, presents a proper military image, is no wider than 1 inch, and doesn't subject the wearer to potential injury.

Earrings: Women may wear small conservative diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver spherical pierced or clip earrings with all uniforms unless safety considerations dictate otherwise.

Eyeglasses and other ornaments: Ornaments on the head, visible ornaments around the neck, and ornamentation on eyeglass lenses or frames are prohibited while on duty or in uniform. Conservative eyeglass frames may be worn as needed and when not prohibited by safety regulations.

Undergarments. You must wear proper undergarments with all uniforms. Long-sleeved undershirts will not be worn with the short-sleeved uniform shirt or blouse.

Men: Men will wear undershorts and white undershirts (either V-neck, U-neck, or athletic style) with all service uniforms.

Women: Women will wear bra and panties with all uniforms. They must wear an undershirt with BDUs (same guidelines as above). Women may also wear other appropriate garments as necessary.