Short beard without mustache. Air Force Grooming Standards: Haircut And Beard Regulations For 2019

The United States Air Force has grooming standards in place, just like every other branch of the U.S. Military. Style of wide moustache.

The Air Force enforces different standards for haircuts, including the style and length of hair.

Additionally, the U.S. Air Force also enforces strict guidelines regarding facial hair for men, as well as body piercings for women.

It outlines everything you need to know about Air Force dress code and grooming expectations.

The outline intends to present standards as to what his deemed acceptable and not acceptable while in any Air Force uniform or civilian clothing in an official capacity.

The guidelines in AFI 36-2903 note that the Air Force grooming standards listed in the policy are minimum standards that represent common appearance and are not all-inclusive.

Commanders are allowed to exercise discretion when dealing with dress code and personal appearance, yet not waive appearance standards listed in AFI 36-2903.

In this article, we will examine Air Force hair regulations and other Air Force grooming standards.

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Air Force Hair Regulations

Image: https://media.defense.gov/2009/Sep/03/2000488943/-1/-1/0/090701-F-7799R-030.JPG

Though the U.S. Air Force recognizes that Airmen have the right, within established limits, to express their individuality there are still guidelines that must get met in order to establish the appearance of one cohesive, organized military unit.

As a result, Air Force hair regulations were put in place to determine what is considered acceptable or not acceptable for the professional appearance of an Air Force service member.

Air Force Hair Regulations – Men

The Air Force maintains that is must be clean, well-groomed, present a professional appearance, allow proper wear of headgear, and other military assigned equipment.

Hair must not contain an excessive amount of grooming aids like hair gel or mousse.

Hair must not appear lopsided, make contact with either eyebrow or end below an imaginary line across the forehead at the top of the eyebrows that is parallel to the ground.

Airmen are not allowed to dye or bleach their hair different from what is considered a natural hair color. Therefore, it must complement the soldier’s complexion and skin tone.

Hair must have a tapered appearance on both sides as well as the back of the head, both with and without headgear. Tapered hairstyles are labeled as those that when viewed from any angle outline the hair of the soldier so that it conforms to the shape of the head, as well as curves inward.

Hair is not allowed to exceed 1 1/4 inch in bulk, regardless of length and not longer than 1/4 inch at the termination point.

Hair near the neck may not touch the collar. It also may not touch the ears or protrude under the front band of headgear.

The U.S. Air Force lists natural hair color as; blond, brown, brunette, natural red, grey or black.

Artificial colors like purple, orange, bright red or neon colors are not authorized.

This would clearly not fly (pun intended) in the Air Force. Image: Needpix.com

In general, cleanly shaven heads, flat-tops, or military high-and-tight hairstyles are by far the most popular with U.S. Air Force male soldiers.

Common hairstyle for men in the Air Force. Image: Flickr.com

Flashy hairstyles like Mohawks, mullets, or dreadlocks are not allowed.

Air Force Hair Regulations – Women

Female service members must also maintain hair that is clean, well-groomed, presents a professional appearance, allows proper wear of headgear, as well as other military assigned equipment.

Moustache trimming styles

Minimum hair length is 1/4 inch to a maximum bulk of three inches from the scalp. These regulations are enforced to allow proper use and fitting of headgear.

Hair must end above the bottom edge of the collar as well as not extend below an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground, both front to back, and side to side.

Bangs or side-swiped hair may not touch either eyebrow or pass an invisible line drawn across eyebrows that is parallel to the ground.

Longer hair is allowed to get pinned up so long as it is secured and does not extend upward on the head.

It is difficult to cover every single female hairstyle in one policy though there are some more common ones that are addressed.

Regulations On Buns And Ponytails

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.

Once again, it must only be a single ponytail and one that does not exceed the bulk and length standards of the U.S. Air Force.

It also must not extend below the bottom of the collar.

The underlining rule of all-female hairstyles in the Air Force is they must present a “neat and professional image”.

If you can follow that golden rule, along with other Air Force hair regulations you should be okay.

Hair Accessories, Braids, and Extensions

Hair accessories (hairpins, combs, clips, headbands, etc) are authorized if they match the present hair color.

The accessory must also not alter the hair enough that it would no longer comply with bulk and appearance expectations.

Braids are permitted with specific requirements.

Hair extensions can only be used if they match the natural hair color.

The Air Force defines these hairstyles as authorized if “conservative” and “within reasonable limits”.

Wigs and hairpieces have specific standards as well.

For more details on specialized hairstyles or accessories, please review the full manual.

Air Force Beard and Mustache Regulations

Air Force members are expected to maintain a clean presentation. Image: Picryl

Air Force facial hair is also regulated by the branch of the military.

It’s similar to the expectations you would find with other departments of the U.S. Military.

Male Airmen are allowed to have mustaches.

The Air Force specifies that they must “be conservative, moderate, being within reasonable limits, not excessive or extreme, and will not extend downward beyond the lip line of the upper lip.”

Handlebar mustache styles

Air Force mustache regulations also note that the facial must not extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from both corners of the mouth.

Here’s a graphic demonstrating exactly how it should look:

Sideburns are also permitted if they have a straight appearance with an even width.

They also may not extend below the bottom of the orifice of the ear opening. Sideburns must also end in a clean-shaven horizontal line.

While sideburns and mustaches are acceptable forms of facial hair, the U.S. Air Force does not allow beards of any kinds.

The only exception is when someone is granted a medical waiver.

Also during tours of less than 30 days, Air Force Reserve (AFR) and Air National Guard (ANG) may request a beard waiver for religious observance if consistent with their faith.

Air Force Piercing Policy

Air Force members take pride in their presentation. Image: Wikipedia

Body piercings are not allowed according to Air Force grooming standards.

The one exception is earrings for female members, as well as recent new rules that provide a couple of exceptions for male members.

According to official Air Force policy, members are prohibited from:

“attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, articles, jewelry, or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, eyebrows, lips, or any exposed body part.”

The rules exist to anything that would be visible even through a military uniform, or civilian attire while on official duty.

However, the Air Force recently lightened up its stance on body piercings last year in line with the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps have done recently regarding body appearance.

According to the new standards, male Airmen may wear earrings even while on base, yet only in civilian attire and while not performing any military duty.

Female Air Force members are authorized to wear earrings with several limitations.

However, like men, the regulations have recently been eased giving females more discretion with their earrings.

The Air Force has increased its approval of a wider range of ear jewelry that is authorized.

Previously female members could only wear round stud earrings in diamond, gold, white, pearl, or silver while in uniform.

The new rules designate that square studs are also permitted.

However, they are still limited to wearing only one set of earrings that “match and fit tightly without extending below the earlobe.”

Other Grooming Standards

What else do you need to know about Air Force grooming standards?

Here is a quick breakdown of other considerations regarding male and female appearance:

For Males:

Fingernails

Mail Airmen are expected to closely maintain their fingernails as well as keep them clean.

New indian beard style

Nails must not inhibit the ability to perform any Air Force assigned duty.

Men are not authorized by the Air Force to wear nail polish.

Fragrances (Cologne)

The standards provided by the U.S. Air Force does not specifically address the rules regarding male fragrances, like cologne.

The general rule is so long as the scent is not overpowering and distracting, it is allowed.

For Females:

Makeup

Cosmetics are only allowed for female members.

They may wear makeup so long as it is applied conservatively as well as “in good taste”.

Like most personal appearance items in the U.S. Military, moderation and simplicity are encouraged.

Lipstick

Female Airmen may wear lipstick as long as the shade of the cosmetic does not distinctly contrast the complexion of their skin or detract from the uniform.

“Extreme colors” are prohibited like gold, purple, blue, black, bright red, or fluorescent colors.

Fingernails / Toenails

Fingernails must also not exceed 1/4 inch in length beyond the tip of the finger.

They must not also restrict or prevent a service member from doing their assigned duties.

Nail Polish

Air Force nail polish regulation allows one color for female members.

It must not distinctly contrast with the skin complexion or detract from the uniform.

Like lipstick, “extreme color” nail polishes are not permitted.

Two-tone or multi-tone nail polishes are also not allowed.

Perfumes / Fragrances

Like men, perfumes and other fragrances are not directly regulated by the Air Force.

The best advice is to use them in moderation.

Just make sure the scent is not overpowering, or else you may hear about it from a higher ranking officer.

Conclusion

Air Force hair regulations and grooming standards are enforced to present a professional-looking, well organized military branch.

Aside from a few minor variations between the two genders, Air Force personnel are expected to comply with the same personal appearance standards.

Supervisors have the responsibility to determine compliance of Air Force grooming standards when not explicitly stated in AFI 36-2903.