Can I wear earrings off duty?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 23:39:37 -0400

I have never had pierced ears before, but am interested in getting them pierced. I'm in the National Guard. I've been to basic, but not AIT, I vaguely remember being told something like I can't have piercing holes when I go to training. So does this mean I'll have to wait till after to get my ears pierced? If someone could give me information on wearing earrings outside of uniform I'd appreciateit

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jul 17 at 2017 11:45 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 23:45:14 -0400

Well that definitely wouldn't fly in the Marine Corps because in the Marine Corps male Marines don't wear earrings. How the National Guard is, I don't know, but remember, you represent your branch 24/7, not just when you punch the clock.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 17 at 2017 11:48 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 23:48:52 -0400

AR 670-1
(4) When male and female Soldiers are not in uniform and off duty, earring wear is not restricted as long as the ear-rings do not create or support ear gauging (enlarged holes in the lobe of the ear, greater than 1.6mm).

Having said that, check your Blue Book and/or local command policies.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Jul 17 at 2017 11:50 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 23:50:48 -0400

This is what the 2014 version of AR 670-1 stated:
c. Attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry, or ornamentation to, through, or under their skin, tongue, or any other body part is prohibited (this includes earrings for male Soldiers). This applies to all Soldiers on or off duty. The only exception is for female Soldiers, who may wear earrings consistent with paragraph 3–4d. (The term “skin” is not confined to external skin but includes the tongue, lips, inside the mouth, and other surfaces of the body not readily visible.)

Note that the last sentence in parenthesis would pertain to nipple and belly-button piercings also.

If there have been other changes directly related to this since then, I do not know.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2017 4:59 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 04:59:23 -0400

New regs say no.

Response by SSG Tl Brooks made Jul 18 at 2017 9:59 AM

SSG Tl Brooks — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 09:59:44 -0400

AR 670-1

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2017 9:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 21:24:19 -0400

From AR 670-1 25 May 2017 Effective 25 June 2017

3–4. Jewelry

(4) When male and female Soldiers are not in uniform and off duty, earring wear is not restricted as long as the ear-rings do not create or support ear gauging (enlarged holes in the lobe of the ear, greater than 1.6mm).

Response by Cpl John Barker made Jul 18 at 2017 10:46 PM

Cpl John Barker — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 22:46:55 -0400

Dude don't do it, just because you can doesn't mean you should...no idea what the standards for the guard are, but you're not helping the jokes if you get your ears pierced and you're still a boot...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2017 8:20 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 08:20:04 -0400

Can you wear earrings outside of uniform, pretty sure it's a yes because you as a NG will not be on a military post. HOWEVER, I would suggest you wait till after AIT. I am assuming you did the spilt op such as basic between JR and SR year of high school and AIT after you graduated from high school. I was told no new ink or piercings till after AIT and believe that is still the rule. If you want to do it, wait till after AIT but check your drill schedule with your new unit prior to doing it as when you get your ears pierced you are supposed to leave them in for at least 6 weeks before you take them and depending on when you drill it could cause you to have to take them out and risk them closing up or becoming infected. Also check with what yours unit/MACOM's policy is on the subject.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2017 10:02 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 10:02:39 -0400

NO as long as you wear the uniform regardless of drill or active duty.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2017 6:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 18:24:40 -0400

As long as you show up to formation IAW AR 670-1, you should be fine.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2017 9:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 21:00:36 -0400

Google updated AR 670-1 25 May 2017 earrings will be section 3-4 Jewelry and read from 3-4 b- d4. It will tell you the guidelines for earring wear for both male and female.

To answer your question since you are in the national guard/civilian and may not do it full time like active duty, you can wear your earrings. Just can't wear it basically while in uniform whenever you have duty.

Response by Sgt Dee Watts made Jul 31 at 2017 11:41 PM

Sgt Dee Watts — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 23:41:23 -0400

If wearing women's jewelry is that important to you, get out of the service and where whatever you like. But if you have to ask if you can get away with something regardless of how it reflects on your unit and the military in general, the answer is usually that you simply should not do it.

Response by SGT Philip Bahr made Jun 29 at 2019 1:14 PM

SGT Philip Bahr — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 13:14:20 -0400

Join the navy if you want to be a pirate!

Response by PO3 John Keas made Jun 29 at 2019 2:15 PM

PO3 John Keas — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 14:15:52 -0400

I think they are in limited authorization, regardless of the branch...HOWEVER...check the regs.

I know when I was in...they were authorized...but you couldn't wear anything large or flashy. Studs were permitted...you just had to remove them while in uniform

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jun 29 at 2019 7:20 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 19:20:27 -0400

Ear rings? You joined the army, they could send you to Afghanistan right, and your worried about wearing ear rings? You might need to rethink things, go get a tattoo.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2019 7:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Jun 2019 19:40:33 -0400

Ask your recruiter and RSP NCIOC the answer to that question, instead of going around them!

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Jan 8 at 2021 3:22 PM

1SG Ernest Stull — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 15:22:28 -0500

Can anyone please give me a definitive definition of off duty. I have always been under the impression that a soldier is in a duty status 24/7 unless he. Or she is in a leave.