Why can't guys have long hair in the military?

The Army defines long hair as a length that extends beyond the collar. Army standards require this hairstyle to be neatly and inconspicuously fastened above the collar's lower edge. "We can't tell a Soldier to cut their hair so their helmet can fit," Sanders said.
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Why can't males have long hair in the army?

Hair and the military have a long history, for good reason. Armies of the ancient world prohibited beards and long hair because they made it easier for enemies to grab and kill them. Shaven and short-haired men were harder to catch.
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Will the military ever allow long hair for men?

“In observance with your Christian faith, you may wear uncut hair in accordance with Army uniform and grooming standards provided in Army Regulation (AR) 670-1,” a memo from the head of army personnel wrote. “You may grow your hair in accordance with the standards for long hair set forth in AR 670-1.”
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Can your hair be long in the military?

Hair should be no longer than 4.0 inches. Hair may not touch the ears or collar. It also cannot extend below the eyebrows. Hair bulk cannot be more than 2.0 inches.
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How long can hair be men Army?

Hair cannot be longer than four inches and cannot touch the ears, collar, or eyebrows. The length and bulk of the hair cannot interfere with properly worn headgear and may not be styled in a manner that allows the hair to extend more than two inches from the scalp. Hair color must look natural and be complementary.
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Mandatory Covid vaccines for military, male soldier can have long hair and more Army news



Are mullets allowed in the Army?

Multiple hairstyles are now allowed as long as it maintains a neat professional appearance and doesn't impede the use of headgear. The hairstyle is not considered acceptable if when combed it falls over the ears or eyebrows, or touches the collar.
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Why are beards not allowed in the military?

Military history buffs know that our military has had an on-again, off-again love affair with facial hair. The invention of chemical weapons ended the affair for good. Beards were prohibited across all branches for two reasons: Hygiene and the need for a good seal while wearing a gas mask.
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Do males have to cut their hair in the army?

Haircuts are a rite of passage during military basic training. Almost immediately after arrival, your hair will be cut so short that it almost feels like you were shaved bald (guys only). After the initial haircut, you'll get a trim at least once per week during basic training.
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Will the army ever allow beards?

Effective 22 January 2014, the U.S. military expanded its policies on religious accommodation and now allows all officer and enlisted personnel to request permission to wear beards and articles of clothing for religious reasons.
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Are dreads allowed in the military?

The US Army Has Finally Lifted Its Ban On Dreadlocks.
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Can you have dreads in the Army male?

Males are not authorized to wear braids, cornrows, or dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted, individual parts of hair) while in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty.
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How long can Marines grow their hair?

Hair is not permitted to be longer than three inches and may not touch the ears, collar, extend below the eyebrows (when headgear is removed), or show under the front edge of headgear when on. All in all, hair must never interfere with the safety or practicality of military headgear.
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Can you have a man bun in the Air Force?

Hair in a bun is allowed, so long as it is only one bun as well as no wider than the width of the head. All loose ends must also get tucked in and secured. Ponytails are also authorized.
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Are beards allowed in the US Navy?

Navy Won't Kick Out Bearded Sailors Who Can't Shave Due to Skin Conditions Under New Policy. Sailors who grow beards to avoid routine shaving issues will not be kicked out of the service if they can't find a treatment that works for them, according to a new Navy policy released Wednesday.
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Are tattoos allowed in military?

With three months remaining in fiscal 2022, the U.S. Army has only attained 40 percent of its enlisted recruiting goal. The following tattoos are now authorized for Army soldiers: One visible tattoo on each hand smaller than one inch in measurement.
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Why can Navy SEALs have beards?

Beards remain, by and large, the distinctive hallmark of special operations forces in Afghanistan. They allow Afghans to distinguish regular U.S. and allied military units from special operations forces, the highly trained teams like the Green Berets and Navy SEALs.
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Can special forces have long hair?

Trivia answer: Special Operations Forces are allowed to have beards and long hair so that they have the opportunity to blend in with the communities they work in, such as in Afghanistan, where beards are common.
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Can male soldiers have braids?

Males are not authorized to wear braids, cornrows, or dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted, individual parts of hair) while in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty. Hair that is clipped closely or shaved to the scalp is authorized.
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Is it rude for civilians to salute?

TLDR – Civilians should face the flag and place their right hand over their heart during the National Anthem. Saluting the flag is a gesture reserved for the military. While civilians can salute soldiers, many veterans consider it inappropriate or awkward.
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Are mustaches allowed in the military?

"No portion of the mustache will extend below the lip line of the upper lip," the updated policy reads. "Additionally, the mustache will not go beyond a horizontal line extending across the corners of the mouth and no more than 1/4 inch beyond a vertical line drawn from the corner of the mouth."
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Do soldiers have to shave off duty?

- Male Soldiers will no longer need to shave while off duty wearing civilian clothing on a military installation. - Earrings may now be worn by males while off duty in civilian clothes regardless of whether they are on or off post. - Female hair standards will now follow all guidelines of AR 670-1.
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Can retired military wear uniform with beard?

Grooming standards are obviously not enforced when a veteran wears any of the uniforms, but it is common courtesy to wear the uniform as if you were still in the military conforming to all the hair, facial hair, finger nail, and other grooming standards of the military branch you represent.
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Why do veterans grow beards?

Why Do Veterans Grow a Beard? Simply put, because they can! So many regulations while serving prevented you from doing so. No Handlebar mustaches, no long sideburns, and especially, no hair on your chin.
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Are cornrows allowed in the Army?

The newest changes mean women can keep their hair either a bun, single ponytail, two braids or a single braid; locks, braids, twists or cornrows can come together in one or two braids or a ponytail; and braids or a ponytail can go as far down as the bottom of the shoulder blades.
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Are box braids allowed in the Army?

The Army removed the requirement that no more than 1/8 of an inch of scalp could show between braids. The Army requires braids, twists and cornrows worn against the scalp be uniform in appearance and have the same general size of spacing between them.
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