Personal Appearance
Personal appearance is important-it demonstrates the pride and self-discipline you feel as a soldier in the United States Army. Being neat and well-groomed contributes to the esprit in your unit. Your uniform should fit well and be clean, serviceable, and pressed as necessary.
Your uniform is only part of your appearance. To really look like a soldier, you need to be physically fit, meet acceptable weight standards, and have a neat hairstyle in accordance with Army regulations.
Hairstyle
Many hairstyles are acceptable in the Army for soldiers who have completed basic combat training.
Male Personnel. The hair must not fall over the ears or eyebrows or touch the collar (except for closely cut hair at the back of the neck). Hair should be tapered, except that “block cut” fullness in the back is permitted in moderate degree. Neither the bulk nor length of hair may interfere with the wearing of military headgear. Sideburns must be neatly trimmed, not flared, and must not extend downward beyond the lowest part of the exterior ear opening. The face must be clean-shaven, except that mustaches are permitted. If a mustache is worn, it must be neatly trimmed. No part of the mustache will cover the upper lip line or extend horizontally beyond or below the corner points of the mouth where the upper and lower lips join.
Female Personnel. The hair must not fall over the eyebrows and must not extend below the bottom edge of the collar. Neither the bulk nor length of hair may interfere with the wearing of military headgear. Any hair-holding ornaments, such as barrettes or hairpins, must be of a natural hair color or transparent. Makeup and nail polish should be conservative and complement the uniform. Unless directed to wear another type of footwear, female personnel may wear pumps with all uniforms except field uniforms.
Jewelry
A wrist watch, identification bracelet, and up to two rings (a wedding set is considered to be one ring) may be worn with your uniform as long as they are conservative and tasteful. You may wear a religious medal on a chain around your neck provided neither medal nor chain can be seen.
Body Piercing
No attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the skin while in uniform, in civilian clothes while on duty, or civilian clothes off duty on any military installation or other places under military control except for earrings for females. Females may wear any type of earrings off duty, on or off military installations.
Tattoos
Visible tattoos or brands on the neck, face, or head are prohibited. Tattoos or brands on other areas of the body that are prejudicial to good order and discipline are prohibited. Additionally, any type of tattoo or brand that is visible while wearing a Class A uniform and detracts from soldierly appearance is prohibited.
