How should I handle a revolving issue with an E-6 regarding my haircut?

I would print off the page in 670-1 that shows proper and improper hair cuts and ask the SSG which paragraphs you are violating. If he comes back with the old throw down of "fadish", go see your 1SG immediately with the SSG in tow.

BDE CSM

I agree with what MSG Anthony Quintero said below.

Onboard ship we would go to the Barbershop on the ship. NOBODY is supposed to walk out of that barbershop without a haircut that meets regulations. The same should apply to all service members at the PX barber shop.

Are there any other actions/behavior on your part that could be causing them to pick you apart? Are you a team player, do you go above and beyond, do you take initiative? You more than likely have an open door policy to senior leadership, however, before you go there make sure all other facets of your conduct and behavior is on point. NCO's will likely resent the fact that you challenged their call, but if your are certain you are within regs than you can challenge. Battle on!

Have someone photograph your haircut from all sides. Comply with what the SSG told you to do. Then request a meeting with the SSG and 1SG. Bring the photographs and ask the SSG to explain to you and the 1SG what is wrong with the haircut in the photos. I don't profess to understand modern vernacular, but in the Marines, tapered hair was fine, "faded" hair was gonna see your butt in a barber chair or my PltSgt's Barber chair before the end of the day. "Faded" was a highly stylized form of tapering. Highly stylized equals eccentric. Eccentric means out of reg regardless of length. and unfortunately for you eccentric is in the eye of the beholder.

In my firstrifle battalion, all of the infantry 2ndLts had shaved heads. Must be in reg. Right? After the change in command ceremony the new Battalion CO dismissed all the officers except the 2ndLts. He told us that our haircuts were eccentric and that the next time he saw us, didn't matter if it was 5 minutes or 5 days from now, we better have some hair. For about three weeks, the 2ndLts were some masters of Ninja like cover and concealment around the command post.

Get a haircut is in general, a legal order. So you ARE a trouble maker, unless... you do not understand why your current haircut is out of spec. In which case, since it isn't a life or death matter, it is the SSG's responsibility to give you an explanation you can understand, before expecting full compliance.

That said.... It is hair... If it IS currently regulation, how long will it take to grow back from what your SSG expects. Don't give up the fight if you are right, but a frontal assault generally results in more casualties than an attack against an exposed flank. Your position is a lot stronger from immediate intelligent obedience than from, "SSG is wrong and I'm not gonna do what he tells me until someone higher says so."

Sounds like your SSG is on a power trip or just doesn't like you. Either get your 1SG to clear it and stand by for some shit details or give the jackass what he wants. This is life, not always fair but a good lesson in learning how to handle people. Just FYI, go the extra mile, sounds like it shouldn't be hard for you. Make rank, volunteer for stuff and soon he'll be off your back or you'll out rank him.

1SG Hicks, I have to disagree with you on your interpretation. "Tapered" is specifically defined in the portion you cited. It does not mean tapered by buzzing it down with clippers specifically. "A tapered appearance is one where the outline of the soldier's hair conforms to the shape of the head." If the silhouette looks jagged, it isn't tapered. It has literally nothing to do with whether or not the hair is combable. You have to read all of what is written, not just the parts you think you can use to restrict.

But, I do agree with "pick your battles."

Argue if you must, but listen to your next line US ARMY supervisor

go to 1rst sgt, 'just a quick question 1rst sgt,? is my har , still on point '?? :) then after the affirmative , explain you run ins with the ssg. one of you will get squared away ricky tick !! lol

Taking you at your word.

He's harassing you. When you see him. Tell him you will file a complaint against him for harassment if he doesn't lay off.

Request to see someone in the chain of command that can and will handle this guy.