By regulation, is a First Sergeant allowed to cut a SM’s hair?

2021-01-02T17:43:39-05:00

My hair is in regs, I’m just curious if a 1sgt, or anyone, is allowed to actually touch ones hair, or if they can only make you get a haircut.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2021 5:50 PM

2021-01-02T17:50:58-05:00

Maybe things have changed in the time since I retired but you can be told to get a haircut. You can ask the 1SG to cut your hair, you can agree to let the 1SG cut your hair, but without your permission he can’t physically sit you down and cut your hair.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jan 2 at 2021 5:54 PM

2021-01-02T17:54:22-05:00

I’m really starting to wonder what you’re really wanting to ask here SGT Tristen Varney. Unless the 1SG already knew how to cut hair he can make you get a haircut. Just about every active duty 1SG I ever worked with also knew who the barracks barbers were too!

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2021 6:47 PM

2021-01-02T18:47:39-05:00

Without permission, and without the member being in custody, no.

Now, this being said, I was cutting peoples' hair my entire career - from E-1s to an O-8 - with me being an E-3 to E-9... but NEVER without consent. (I will add that the O8 was an emergency cut - they were on leave and got recalled for a major response and was in FULL panic mode to meet with an O10 without a mil cut.)

As an E-3, I charged $1/cut, then quit the "business" side of it and just did it because I enjoyed it and it saved folks some drinking money.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 2 at 2021 7:54 PM

2021-01-02T19:54:05-05:00

I would say, no, an NCO or any body else cannot touch you or cut your hair without your permission. That would be assault. Obviously there are exceptions such as grabbing you to keep you from being injured or killed.

If you can talk with the 1st Sgt, ask him/her how your hair is out of limits so you can correct it. Take the correction to heart and compare it to the refs. If the 1 st Sgt is correct then get a hair cut. If he/she is wrong then you may need to talk with the CO.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 made Jan 2 at 2021 9:13 PM

2021-01-02T21:13:28-05:00

Why would a 1SG bother cutting anyone’s hair? He can make it happen w/o physical engagement!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2021 11:20 PM

2021-01-02T23:20:43-05:00

Just out of curiosity, what brought this question to life?

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Jan 2 at 2021 11:27 PM

2021-01-02T23:27:29-05:00

No your 1SG cannot cut your hair without your permission. Why don’t you let your 1SG tell you if you’re hair is within regs.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jan 2 at 2021 11:31 PM

2021-01-02T23:31:30-05:00

The first sergeant is actually responsible for good order and discipline in the unit. If an SM refuses to cut his or her hair, the first sergeant can cut your hair--or at least they could when I was in. We had a soldier try to grow his hair out after he was notified of a chapter being sought for him, and he tried bringing it up to JAG after the top said to cut his hair or he'd get it cut. Now, perhaps opinions have changed about this issue--and I wouldn't be surprised if they have--but it makes perfect sense why it should be authorized.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jan 3 at 2021 7:51 AM

2021-01-03T07:51:41-05:00

Well, gee......when you are in the middle of nowhere and the 1SG has the only hair clipper, he's the barber.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jan 3 at 2021 9:15 AM

2021-01-03T09:15:22-05:00

If there is it would be fairly new reg. In units that I was in, if the 1SG had a problem with hair length he would get the company barber to cut it, not himself.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jan 3 at 2021 10:36 AM

2021-01-03T10:36:32-05:00

The unit supply maintains a grooming kit. Leadership can order a haircut.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2021 2:24 PM

2021-01-03T14:24:34-05:00

He is NOT allowed to touch you. period. He IS allowed to enforce the 670-1 grooming standards.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2021 11:35 PM

2021-01-03T23:35:03-05:00

No. The state regulates who may cut hair. You have either a cosmetology license (lady's hair stylist) or barber's license. Of course, the 1SG could have a barber's license but damned if I'd consent to anyone trimming my hair if I still had any.

Response by SSG Dale London made Jan 4 at 2021 3:27 AM

2021-01-04T03:27:53-05:00

Bearing in mind that the 1SG does not get to set the standard for grooming but only enforce what army regs and/or the commanding officer defines as acceptable, He cannot physically cut your hair against your will. That said, if you are not within standard (either by regulation or the CO's standard) he can order you to have it cut.
Remember that while the Commanding Officer cannot loosen standards set by regulation, he can tighten them. A good example of this is the fact that a CO can require that you shave your moustache, even if it fits regs, so long as he requires all the other soldiers under his command to shave theirs as well.

Response by SPC Nick Wood made Jan 4 at 2021 11:39 AM

2021-01-04T11:39:48-05:00

if your hair is in regs and doesn't effect your job in anyway you should have nothing to worry about... with that said you can have anyone cut your hair but they have to have your permission to do so.

Response by PVT Curtis Stewart made Jan 4 at 2021 3:08 PM

2021-01-04T15:08:24-05:00

I would have to say if the sm requested it and as long as it is within regulations, I don't see a problem with it. I used to cut my hair when I was on active duty

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Jan 4 at 2021 5:44 PM

2021-01-04T17:44:32-05:00

There might be something in the hygiene regs while on extended field duty/training, such as to stop/prevent a lice outbreak. Not that a Top would neccessarily do it himself. IIRC , back in the 1980's, one of the items in an Armor Company's TOE , was a "barber kit" , which was part of the HQ platoon's gear and was signed for by the 1st Sgt and/or the supply sgt.. I recall this becuase I had to inventory one for an AG inspection. Was in a typical old style green wooden footlocker.

Or course they can order you to get a haircut if it is out of reg.

Response by SGT Rafael Morales made Feb 28 at 2021 4:44 PM

2021-02-28T16:44:25-05:00

In my days we used to get paid in cash by a paying officer. If you didn´t have a proper haircut, you didn´t get paid.

Response by SSG Jerry Pannell made Mar 8 at 2021 1:50 AM

2021-03-08T01:50:05-05:00

When I was on active duty when you were told to get a haircut you didn't question the first Sergeant you got it cut or you paid the piper IE the first sergeant. Would say he could not cut your hair but he could make you wish you had.

Response by 1SG Ed Pablo made Mar 28 at 2021 12:04 PM

2021-03-28T12:04:51-04:00

I absolutely agree that they can make you get a haircut. But absolutely not sit you down and cut your hair without your consent. I have cut my troops hair while deployed but that because they asked me to do so after they cut mine. But no you can't just sit a soldier down and cut his hair.

Response by SPC July Macias made Dec 28 at 2021 4:19 PM

2021-12-28T16:19:06-05:00

If it's within regs, anyone telling you to shave your head is just being abusive. Being fat is against regs, yet lot of soldiers and sailors get away with it every day. And how often do we see females breaking hairstyle or makeup regs, yet get away with it?

Response by PV2 Virgil Bowen made Dec 28 at 2021 4:37 PM

2021-12-28T16:37:49-05:00

It saddens me to see the US ARMY today, there was a time you followed orders 1sgt says cut the hair you cut it F@#$@ your feelings or permission, what the hell has happen to this great fighting force? God help Us

Response by SSG Robert Peterson made Dec 28 at 2021 4:44 PM

2021-12-28T16:44:28-05:00

PSA...It is not a good idea to let your 1SG cut your hair
That us all

Response by PO3 John Keas made Dec 28 at 2021 5:17 PM

2021-12-28T17:17:55-05:00

The regs are clear, but they are the MINIMUMS. if your command has their own guidelines, you have to follow those. The only way you can legit get away with it is to follow the regs. In 2017, the Army changed the guidelines to make Religious Exemptions easier...but if you can't claim it legit, a lawful order is a lawful order.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2021 5:34 PM

2021-12-28T17:34:42-05:00

Shit my 2010 deployment to kandahar province our 1SG cut all our hair. Of course we was in a Company size COP and didn't have access to a barber shop, or PX or any other comfort though.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Dec 28 at 2021 8:56 PM

2021-12-28T20:56:48-05:00

Never heard of any Sr NCO taking on that job, if your told to get a haircut because your out of regs I’d assume they expect you to get your ass to the barber and tell him to Regs.