Can anyone assist me with a Female Hair regulation question?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 May 2018 14:37:39 -0400

Need some assistance with a hair regulation question. I have a female Soldier in my unit who has faded hair on the sides. He supervisor told her that her hair was too short. I referenced AR 670-1 and do not see anything specific execpt “faddish and exaggerated hair styles To include shaved portions of the scalp other than the neckline..” were not authorized. Does a fade count as faddish? Does a fade count for shaved portions? No negative comments please, seeking professional assistance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2018 2:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 May 2018 14:38:20 -0400

Regulation.. it would help if I could spell

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2018 3:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 May 2018 15:34:22 -0400

The problem is that Faddish is very much open to interpretation. From what you have said it does to appear to be faddish to me. There is nothing wrong with a female with very short hair look at the female soldiers that go to ranger school there hair is cut very short.

Response by SPC Nicole Holden-Kemp made May 2 at 2018 3:36 PM

SPC Nicole Holden-Kemp — Wed, 02 May 2018 15:36:34 -0400

Yes a “faded” hair cut is “faddish” it is not within regulations.

I cant understand why it is hard for some females to just keep their hair simple, under the headgear and above the neckline. When i signed up for the army. I made the decision to follow regs to the letter. I did not feel the need to “push the boundary” that is a part if being a soldier. Following regs not pushing them.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made May 2 at 2018 5:21 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 02 May 2018 17:21:56 -0400

I don't believe that it is against regulations. I've seen females have fades similar to their males counterparts for years.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2018 10:56 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 May 2018 22:56:42 -0400

I was once told by a commandant at NCOES that when it comes to the definition of faddish, it is in the eye of the commander as to what he/she considers faddish.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 6:52 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 May 2018 06:52:57 -0400

Short hair for females cannot be shorter than 1/4 inch from the scalp and can be tapered (or faded) no further than 2 inches from the hair line. So, it really depends on those parameters. A female cannot have a traditional "high and tight", for example, but can have a very short, tapered cut. As far as whether or not it's faddish, that's open to interpretation by the leader. Leaders are expected to use their best judgement.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 10:30 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 May 2018 10:30:03 -0400

A fade on a female is faddish. It's one of the "IN" hair styles right now. Unless it's done all over then I say yes, the female is out of regulation.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 10:56 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 May 2018 10:56:58 -0400

I would consider a fade on a female faddish.
I don't think that this is the hill she will want to die on.
Give the counseling statement and since it will take a while to grow out, time for her to correct it.
If she wants to push the limits, then it becomes an order for her to obey or not.
It is not that hard to follow the rules.

Response by PO2 Bill Kuiper made May 7 at 2018 5:10 PM

PO2 Bill Kuiper — Mon, 07 May 2018 17:10:41 -0400

Grow it out a little and get on with your hitch.

Response by SFC Tane Anderson made May 7 at 2018 5:21 PM

SFC Tane Anderson — Mon, 07 May 2018 17:21:06 -0400

Makes no sense that women can’t have a high and tight. But if that’s the refs you have to do it. I hate the Army in garrison. Nobody would give two shits while being deployed in Iraq.

Response by SGT Aric Lier made May 7 at 2018 5:23 PM

SGT Aric Lier — Mon, 07 May 2018 17:23:29 -0400

In todays day and age..... it might be best to find out what she identifies with.... everyone is citing male/female regs.....

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made May 7 at 2018 6:27 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Mon, 07 May 2018 18:27:52 -0400

best advice I can give you - read 670-1 - interpret as best you can - get your 1sg advice as well - then make a decision - and I say get 1SG advice to cover your ass in the event of an EO/Sharp complaint.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2018 6:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 May 2018 18:46:53 -0400

Reference tapered cuts for females in ar 670-1. If she's within those guidelines, you can't do much. Also it is up to the Commander to determine whether it is faddish.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2018 3:03 PM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 May 2018 15:03:42 -0400

The regs have ALWAYS completely sucked - and have never reined in the definition of "faddish." My last tour in the Army had a unit whose CO decided that the HIGH AND TIGHT was "faddish." And to make issues worse, this was an Infantry company in the 101st. I've also seen units that called shaved heads faddish... which really sucked for those folks who lost their hair because of genetics (and helmets...).

The definition is totally subjective, and what one person considers normal, another will consider totally faddish - and I've seen loads of racist crap because of it. The military in general needs to either provide legit definitions of what is acceptable - or get rid of that word entirely.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2018 12:53 AM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 May 2018 00:53:49 -0400

So as a female who just cut off 27 inches of hair and was BUTCHERED, I recommend checking the actual regulations and then asking what happened.
I cut my hair for multiple reasons, and I went to someone who was recommended. I wanted a pixie cut and she messed up so bad that I had nearly BALD spots. It had to get fixed and I looked a hot mess until it was grown in. There are reasons that could be at play. Talk to her first. Sometimes, the hair dresser really just messes up. Also, the Navy did a website on hair regulations (attached) perhaps your branch has too? http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/um/femalehair.html

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2019 5:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 17:02:35 -0400

I have not referred back to the regulation in a while but if my memory serves me correctly the hair has to be even all the way around so if she fades the side it has to reach around the back to the other side in a straight line

Response by Cpl Steven Horsley made Feb 21 at 2021 10:26 PM

Cpl Steven Horsley — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 22:26:24 -0500

The term "faddish" would consider this troop to be dressed or "styled" in a major that makes her stand out from her fellow troops. If the style is far different than the majority, then it could be "faddish". If the whole platoon styles their hair like hers, that could almost work but then the platoon stands out against the company, so on and so forth. It would have to stand out to be considered "faddish" but any standing order is usually up to command discretion or interpretation and should be brought to hire ups if contested.