Male haircuts
The hair on top of the head must be neatly groomed.
The length and bulk of the hair may not be excessive and must present a neat and conservative appearance.
The hair must present a tapered appearance.
A tapered appearance is one where the outline of the Soldier’s hair conforms to the shape of the head (see scalp line in fig 3–1), curving inward to the natural termination point at the base of the neck.
Figure 3–1. Male grooming standards
Figure 3–1 provides examples and standards for male grooming requirements.
When the hair is combed, it will not fall over the ears or eyebrows, or touch the collar, except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck.
The block-cut fullness in the back is permitted to a moderate degree, as long as the tapered look is maintained.
Males are not authorized to wear braids, cornrows, twists, dreadlocks, or locks while in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty.
Hair-cuts with a single, untapered patch of hair on the top of the head (not consistent with natural hair loss) are considered eccentric and are not authorized.
Examples include, but are not limited to, when the head is shaved around a strip of hair down the center of the head (mohawk), around a u-shaped hair area (horseshoe), or around a patch of hair on the front top of the head (tear drop).
Hair that is completely shaved or trimmed closely to the scalp is authorized.
(See figs 3–1 and 3–2.)
Sideburns
Sideburns are hair grown in front of the ear and below the point where the top portion of the ear attaches to the head.
Sideburns will not extend below the bottom of the opening of the ear (see line A of fig 3–1).
Sideburns will not be styled to taper, flair, or come to a point.
The length of the individual hairs of the sideburn will not exceed 1/8 inch when fully extended.
Facial hair
Males will keep their face clean-shaven when in uniform, or in civilian clothes on duty.
Mustaches are permitted.
If worn, males will keep mustaches neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy.
Mustaches will not present a chopped off or bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line, extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth (see lines C and D of fig 3–1), or extend above a parallel line at the lowest portion of the nose (see line B of fig 3–1).
Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not author-ized.
If appropriate medical authority allows beard growth, the maximum length authorized for medical treatment must be specific.
For example, “The length of the beard cannot exceed 1/4 inch” (see TB Med 287).
Related Guidance — TB Med 287
TB Med 287 provides medical guidance related to grooming accommodations and medical treatment requirements.
Key guidance includes:
- Medical authorization for beard growth
- Maximum authorized beard length
- Medical treatment standards
- Grooming requirements during treatment
Soldiers will keep the growth trimmed to the level specified by the appropriate medical authority, but are not authorized to shape the hair growth (examples include, but are not limited to, goatees, “Fu Manchu,” or handlebar mustaches).
Wigs and hairpieces
Males are prohibited from wearing wigs or hairpieces while in uniform, or in civilian clothes on duty, except to cover natural baldness or physical disfiguration caused by accident or medical procedure.
When worn, wigs or hairpieces will conform to the standard haircut criteria, as stated within this regulation.