Can your hair be gelled down so as long as you're in regulation?

As long as it doesn't present a "faddish" appearance then yes. That being said, your opinion on it doesn't count. Your 1SG and your commander have that opinion. We're not here for a beauty contest. Everyone wants to maintain some form of individuality, but this is one of those areas where it's best to stay well within the guidelines so as not to draw fire. There are easy ways to make life hard in the military...this is one of them.

Go and ask your 1SG and see what they tell you.

SPC (Join to see)
It sounds like you just want to skirt the regulations and push the boundaries. Do you not have any plans on being promotable and eventually taking on a leadership role? This is not a good start of showing your leadership qualities. You are in the military and there are rules to follow.

From the thousand yard stare to a well kept hair cut, military bearing is prevalent in every facet of military life, though military bearing is much deeper than just appearances; it is the cornerstone of any military career. Military bearing encompasses every facet of life in the military and can be applied to any situation. Military bearing itself is gleaned from several places such as, the articles of the UCMJ, The eleven general orders of a sentry, as well as our own soldiers Creed. From these guidelines one can learn to conduct oneself on a daily basis, on and off duty. To fully understand military bearing in its entirety, one needs to examine the building blocks of military bearing; the your Core Values.
Doing the morally right action even when no one is watching, and the integrity that one takes upon oneself in order to responsibly carry out the orders of ones superiors. Without one of the core values, the other values would not exist, and without the core values, military bearing would not exist.

Military bearing is more than outward appearance. The pressed uniform and close haircut and spit shined boots, back when black boots were worn, is motivated by pride in appearance. You're bearing comes from inside, it is pride of accomplishment, and a culmination of your experiences.

I am an American Soldier.

I am a warrior and a member of a team.

I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.

I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am an American Soldier.