Are males allowed to wear piercings in Ft Cavazos (Hood) off duty?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 10:54:19 -0400

A female E-6 corrected me yesterday that FT Hood Command Policy states that all male soldiers regardless off wear or if off duty cannot wear ear piercings on post. She did not show me where it states that. I was wondering if it is true, and if anyone can show me.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2023 1:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 13:37:56 -0400

I'd ask your 1SG where the post policy says that. Or you could have fun and ask the Post CSM if that's the case. Then you'd certainly know.

Response by COL Randall C. made Jul 6 at 2023 2:52 PM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 14:52:07 -0400

Agree with CPT Private RallyPoint Member - if you don't know what the policy is, ask your leadership.

However, to your question. Does any of the Ft. Cavazos Command policies prohibit the wear of earrings by males off duty? Neither the garrison nor the Corps' policy letters* prohibit them.

HOWEVER, the garrison has a number of regulations that are additive to Army regulations, but there was a message that the Garrison SharePoint site* where the post regulations are is currently down "while they update the regulations" because of the name change (you can try accessing it yourself to see if you can get in).

They DO have an SOP*, but it's likely outdated (from 2013) which prohibits male Soldiers from wearing earrings while on the installation (regardless if you are on-duty or off-duty). Likely an updated copy is on the internal SharePoint site.

Back to your leadership to get an accurate answer.
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* https://home.army.mil/cavazos/about/iii-corps-fort-Cavazos-policy-letters
* Fort Cavazos internal SharePoint - https://home.army.mil/hood/index.php/phantom-clerk
* Phantom Warrior Standard, v5, Jan 2013 - http://asktop.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/PhantomStandardsBooklet2.pdf

III Armored Corps / Fort Cavazos Policy Letters :: U.S. Army Fort Cavazos

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Response by SSG George Holtje made Jul 6 at 2023 6:53 PM

SSG George Holtje — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 18:53:03 -0400

That’s a good question. It was in AR 670-1 in my day. There was no policy change from 1997 until I retired in 2015. Every post I served at had a post regulation that stated male soldiers were not permitted to wear piercings on a military post.

An NCO that makes any corrections must be able to identify their sources. A soldier corrected by an NCO that disagrees with the correction must be able to produce their sources on the spot.
In this situation, obey the order, do your research and be prepared to show proof if you find that you are correct in the future.

On the subject of piercings, how important is it to drill a hole in your flesh and hang an ornament from it. It’s a common thing in the civilian world now, but you are just drawing negative attention and causing trouble for yourself.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 6 at 2023 11:27 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 23:27:14 -0400

This is a good chance for you to expand your knowledge as an NCO a leader. Dig into the regs, Command Policies yourself. If you can't find it, then go to your first line leader. This way you will learn the Command Policies much better and be better able to help those under you.

Response by SGT Douglas Bruce made Jul 7 at 2023 1:00 AM

SGT Douglas Bruce — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 01:00:06 -0400

Is it part of AR 670-1 or Fort Policy? I think Fort Policy can be more stringent than the AR but not less.

Response by SFC Birk Ellis made Jul 7 at 2023 4:10 PM

SFC Birk Ellis — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 16:10:30 -0400

Been out for a bit but pretty sure AR 670-1 revised the ability for a male to wear earrings while not on duty, on or off post.

Response by MAJ Darnell Stokes made Jul 7 at 2023 5:07 PM

MAJ Darnell Stokes — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 17:07:25 -0400

I recommend contacting III CORPS and asking them for an updated policy. However, according to AR 670-1 pg.15, dtd 26JAN21 "(4) When male and female Soldiers are not in uniform and off duty, earring wear is not restricted as long as the earrings do not create or support ear gauging (enlarged holes in the lobe of the ear, greater than 1.6 mm)."
That NCO needs to get updated on the current regulation, but I'm sure she read about the ponytails they can wear.