The Military Hair Cut

THE MILITARY HAIR CUT

The Army is a uniformed service where discipline is judged, in part, by the way displays him or herself in a particular uniform, as well as by the individual’s personal appearance. Therefore, a neat and well groomed appearance performed by all soldiers is fundamental to the Army and will contribute to building the pride and moral essential to an effective military force. A vital ingredient of the Army’s strength and military effectiveness is the pride, honor and self discipline that we American soldiers bring to our Service through a conservative military image. It is the responsibility of commanders to ensure that military personnel under their command present a neat and soldierly appearance. Therefore, in the absence of specific procedures or guidelines, commanders must determine a soldier’s compliance with standards in this regulation known as AR 670-1. Soldiers must take pride in their appearance at all times, in or out of uniform, on and off duty.

The Army’s requirement for hair grooming standards is necessary to maintain uniformity within a military population or group. Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as they are neat and well maintained. It is not possible to address every acceptable hairstyle, or what constitutes eccentric or conservative grooming. As a result of this, it is the responsibility of the leaders at all levels to exercise good judgment in the enforcement of Army policy. All soldiers will comply with the hair, fingernail, and grooming policies of the Armys AR 670-1 while in any military uniform or while in civilian clothes on or off duty.

Leaders will judge the appropriateness of a particular hairstyle by the appearance of the soldier member’s headgear when worn. Soldiers will wear headgear as described in the applicable chapters of this regulation. Headgear will fit snugly and comfortably, without distortion or excessive gaps and parallel to the marching surface. Hairstyles that do not allow soldiers to wear the...