Do I have to cut my hair by regulation AR-670-1 if I’m retired?

SSG Waldo Yamada — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 18:02:09 -0400

What is the hair and grooming standard for retired personnel? I am planning to go on the Veterans Day parade here at my county and our Yuma Chapter from Team RWB is planning to run a float.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Oct 3 at 2020 6:04 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 18:04:36 -0400

If you are planning on wearing a uniform, I would suggest you look tidy.

Response by SGT Rodrigo Contreras made Oct 3 at 2020 7:00 PM

SGT Rodrigo Contreras — Sat, 03 Oct 2020 19:00:53 -0400

If you are going to wear it then yes you should cut your hair accordingly... but the guidelines are pretty generous as far as hair length.... the problem
Is if you grew out a sick beard.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 4 at 2020 1:27 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 01:27:36 -0400

It doesn't have to be STARC or high& tight, but if wearing a uniform be neat and close the regs.

Response by COL Jeff Williams made Oct 4 at 2020 4:32 AM

COL Jeff Williams — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 04:32:07 -0400

It will grow back

Response by SSG Dale London made Oct 4 at 2020 6:34 AM

SSG Dale London — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 06:34:56 -0400

While you are no longer subject to Army regulations, it would be a common courtesy for you to at least come close to the standards if you intend on wearing the uniform. Showing up looking completely unsat would not bring credit on the uniform, the service, or you.
If you are proud of the uniform, wear it right.
Afterthought - if you were going to show in civvies or the RWB t-shirt or something, you could come looking like ZZ Top and nobody would say a word to you.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 4 at 2020 11:32 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 11:32:27 -0400

If you wear the uniform, you have to adhere to 670-1/DA PAM, including shaving.

If you wear a uniform of a VSO, that is that organization's standards.

AR 670-1 para 21-3
"(b) Wear the uniform in accordance with the guidance provided to AA Soldiers in DA Pam 670–1."

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 4 at 2020 2:36 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 14:36:37 -0400

I would feel awkward wearing a uniform without meeting the grooming standards.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Oct 4 at 2020 9:18 PM

MSG Gary Eckert — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 21:18:45 -0400

Go with what feels comfortable to you. If you check the applicability paragraph in 670-1, retirees are not subject to the grooming portion of the regulation.

Response by SSG Dennis R. made Oct 6 at 2020 10:07 AM

SSG Dennis R. — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 10:07:06 -0400

Stuff it under your hat ... that's what we did in the old days.

Response by SPC Carmen H Ramirez made Oct 12 at 2020 11:57 PM

SPC Carmen H Ramirez — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 23:57:25 -0400

Long hair and a nasty beard. If you want to wear it according to military standards then do so. You are free to do whatever you want now.

Response by SGT Tiik Taaka made Nov 19 at 2020 6:54 AM

SGT Tiik Taaka — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 06:54:51 -0500

There are many photos of vets within the handshake of a president who does not don hair according to AR-670. I'm sure your Veteran's Day parade will not cause some ranking vet or active duty to address your uniform. Of course, while not within AR-670, you technically are not in uniform and anyone might call you out on it...It does not mean they are anal, it only proves that we have been drilled to address inconsistencies in our wear of the uniform.
Thanks for being there and doing that!

Response by SGT Bill Christian made Jan 3 at 2021 8:39 AM

SGT Bill Christian — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 08:39:45 -0500

As I laugh in DD-214, no you are not a uniformed service member anymore. With that being said make your grooming is well kept and you dont look like you just crawled in from a 3 day Singapore slammer weekend.

Response by CW3 Chuck Huddleston made Jan 3 at 2021 2:42 PM

CW3 Chuck Huddleston — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 14:42:39 -0500

Of course not!!!!!!

Response by SGT Erich Nelson made Mar 11 at 2021 8:57 AM

SGT Erich Nelson — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 08:57:18 -0500

No regulation