Longer Hair, Earrings, Lipstick: Army modifies some grooming standards

RallyPoint Shared Content — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 12:53:32 -0400

It’s official: As a female soldier, you can grow your hair to any length and wear it in a ponytail or another style, as long as it’s neat, doesn’t go beyond the collar or interfere with headgear or equipment. You can wear stud earrings in the combat uniform if not deployed or in the field, and put on certain shades of lipstick and nail polish.

As a male soldier, you can join your female colleagues in highlighting your hair in a natural color, or using nail polish, as long as it’s clear. But you still must shave your facial hair (unless you have a medical or religious exception).

These are among the appearance and grooming changes the Army added on March 2, 2021, to the newly updated Army Regulation 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, which became effective Feb. 26, 2021. The March 2 additions are an official part of the AR 670-1, but due to timing issues, were tacked onto the official document in an All Army Activities (ALARACT) message.

“I think this is really good for the Army,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston at a Facebook town hall earlier this year, where he previewed the policy changes, which generally apply to the regular Army, Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. He was accompanied by Sgt. Maj. Brian C. Sanders and Sgt. Maj. Mark Anthony Clark of the Uniform Policy Branch.

“These (standards) aren’t about male and female,” Grinston insisted. “This is about an Army standard and how we move forward with the Army and being a more diverse, inclusive team.”

Retaining female service members

Nevertheless, many of the changes appear aimed at improving recruitment and retention of female soldiers, who make up about 18% of the 1.01 million member Army, but exit at higher rates than male soldiers. A May 2020 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that the likelihood of separation for female service members across service branches is 28% higher than that of males. Factors cited for leaving include child care, family planning, organizational culture, sexual assault and work schedules.

GAO recommended that the Department of Defense develop performance-based plans to improve female recruitment and retention, and DOD agreed.

In the area of child care, the AR 670-1 makes it clear:
· You can breastfeed on federal property.
· You can now wear an optional T-shirt to breastfeed or pump.
· You can unzip or remove the Army combat uniform coat to breastfeed.
· You can remove the coat and unbutton the shirt of the Army service uniform, Army green service uniform or mess uniform as needed to breastfeed.
· As you breastfeed, you don’t need to cover up yourself or your child with additional items.

Grinston commended the diverse group of soldiers for suggesting the changes to leaders and for serving on the panel that considered and voted to approve the recommendations, which he said senior leaders accepted.

The process, Grinston said, broadened his outlook. “I used to say, ‘We’re all soldiers. I just see green,’” he said. “What I learned, even throughout myself, is that when you say that you don’t see me as a soldier.”

Promoting wellness and readiness

Some policy changes were based on the advice of experts in behavioral health, dermatology and other areas. For instance, Sanders said the panel found that previous rules requiring female soldiers to create buns from short hair led some to suffer hair damage or develop alopecia, which can lead to severe hair loss. Readiness was at issue in allowing long ponytails under certain conditions, Grinston said, by letting females fit helmets more snugly.

Additional changes promote diversity and inclusion by standardizing terminology in grooming and appearance, removing potentially offensive words to describe appearance such as mohawk or Fu Manchu, and allowing accents and hyphens to nameplates.

Other revisions to AR 670-1 include:

· Authorizing the carrying of bags, handbags, purses and backpacks and allowing combat uniform sleeves to be rolled up.
· Adding the Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform as an authorized uniform.
· Implementing policy for the new Army green service uniform.
· Adding guidance on wearing of shoulder sleeve insignia for distinctive unit and military operations in hostile conditions.

Keeping the no-beard policy

With more than 100,000 signatories to a change.org petition asking the Army to allow facial hair in a garrison environment, Grinston was asked if male soldiers will be allowed to grow beards.

Although he said this “is not one of the things we looked at” in this review, Grinston reminded leaders that there are valid, authorized exceptions to the no-beard rule.

“If there is an exception to policy to have a beard, there should be no leader out there telling a soldier to shave,” he said. “We have to be better than that.”

Learn more

· Access a U.S. Army page with answers to questions and additional resources on the grooming standards: https://rly.pt/3tY7upw
· Download the AR 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia: https://rly.pt/2P0M7oZ
· Download the ALARACT supplemental to the AR 670-1 (CAC access may be required): https://rly.pt/3lYxxKv
· Read the GAO report: https://rly.pt/3w534is
· View the change.org petition about beards: https://rly.pt/3cnEZLZ
· Watch the AR 670-1 town hall: https://rly.pt/3fj0jUL

STAND-TO!

STAND-TO! provides the official focus of the US Army.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 26 at 2021 7:52 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 19:52:38 -0400

I'm not sure this promotes retention or recruitment but it does seem reasonable

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Mar 29 at 2021 5:11 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 17:11:58 -0400

I have heard that the buns or pulled up gives headaches...plus it is difficult to wear caps and combat headgear. I am all for it...makes operational sense. Foreign governments have been doing this for a long time. Don't know if it helps with retention...changing hair styles and breastfeeding changes etc aren't the issues I am hearing about...I am hearing about sexual assault, harassment, just overall treatment of women in the ranks. Until we get that addressed and under some sort of control, hair styles etc won't mean a hill of beans...I don't think I will ever hear someone say "they let me keep my hair long so I am going to reup!" IMHO.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Apr 1 at 2021 7:25 AM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 07:25:04 -0400

Beards for male Soldier will eventually be allowed at this rate, to bad I retired that would have been fun to watch a CSM explode :) Maybe even ponytails for male Soldiers, no more high and tights. Oh brave new world.

Response by SrA John Monette made Apr 2 at 2021 11:51 AM

SrA John Monette — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 11:51:07 -0400

can the men wear lipstick too?

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Apr 3 at 2021 1:56 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 13:56:18 -0400

Sounds like the Army, Navy and Air Force got together on grooming standards. In what I've read, the changes are similar throughout these services. Congratulations. Now let us get rid of the hat or allow the hat to be worn by "zeros". That way enlisted can see them approaching and be able to render a salute.

Response by 1SG Russell S. made Apr 5 at 2021 12:27 PM

1SG Russell S. — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 12:27:54 -0400

Being the door is open now, does this apply to only biological women or does it apply to those that identify as women too? If you enlist as a transgender which grooming guidelines do you follow?

Response by SPC Darren Lopez made Apr 5 at 2021 11:37 PM

SPC Darren Lopez — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 23:37:30 -0400

The Brig say's that the woman's strong hold is her hair, as long as it's in the guidelines of the military she should

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2021 5:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 17:44:08 -0400

If males want to try to get beards authorized DO THE WORK! Do you know how these things got updated? A group of women - active and veterans - put in the work to do it. They wrote white papers, they did research, they submitted the proper forms to the proper authorities. They didn't just bitch and moan on social media.

So if males want beards, go fight for it. Stop whining about it on social media.

Response by PVT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2021 6:22 PM

PVT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 18:22:21 -0400

Dumb question, im only a future soldier so i was wondering if females can wear mascara(goes on lashes) while in tradoc?

Response by TSgt Ann Smith made Apr 18 at 2021 1:30 PM

TSgt Ann Smith — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 13:30:06 -0400

OMG, I'm in the AF. I did NOT know women in the army could not have long hair! Earrings, or nail polish, or lipstick! Even I struggle a little phycologicaly with female identification because you wear that manly uniform, so I can at least tap into a bit of my femininity with hair, earrings, ect. And if some man thought looking less girly in uniform would STOP sexual harassments, you are WRONG!!!!!

Response by SSgt Ajhadriel Galbreath made Apr 19 at 2021 11:19 AM

SSgt Ajhadriel Galbreath — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 11:19:14 -0400

As long as you can apply and remove the gear (masks etc.) without hair hindrances.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Apr 20 at 2021 5:27 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 17:27:43 -0400

The military has the "I want to play nice and give you some 'beads' if you re-enlist" attitude since Congress screwed-up the retirement system. I foresee much change within the next 15 years in the military, much of which will not good. The changes will be [1] no grooming standards [2] no 'general discharges' [3] weaker UCMJ [4] incentive pay for hard to keep MOSs and [5] unionization.

Response by TSgt Ann Smith made Apr 20 at 2021 6:20 PM

TSgt Ann Smith — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 18:20:09 -0400

Well, look at this pick. Look how the girl on the right is looking at this soldier. And the thing is, I look at various Arabian/ Indian armies and the majority that I've seen don't wear a turban or a beard at all. They wear a beret just like us and I'm sure there are practicing Muslims within those ranks and doesn't interfere with their faith. The only outfit that I saw wearing a turban or a beard is a Royal guard that protects the King directly or it's a special unit, not the norm.

Response by SSG David Brandgard made May 23 at 2021 8:25 PM

SSG David Brandgard — Sun, 23 May 2021 20:25:23 -0400

Are you serious?! Tell me this is an April fools joke! This crap has no place in the army. If you want to wear make-up and play dress up, and breastfeed in public, then don't join! When during the duty say is a female to be around her kids?! That is not productive to good moral or cohesiveness of a unit. How many BS harassment reports are going to be filed because, "he was watching me openly breastfeeding my kid in public, where I wasn't covering anything up." Or "my earing is bothering me, and my nail polishes chipping, and sgt....is this shade of lipstick srxy enough to get me out of duty tomorrow? "

Response by SPC Jennifer Clever made May 27 at 2021 7:26 AM

SPC Jennifer Clever — Thu, 27 May 2021 07:26:18 -0400

Why? The hair I can see to a certain extent. I had long hair and it was tough keeping it french braided and rolled up to meet standards. No need for earrings and lipstick. Put it on after duty.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2021 2:18 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 May 2021 02:18:41 -0400

Incoming new reg for men.

Lets make it happen :))

Response by CPL Barrie D Davey made Jul 10 at 2021 1:36 AM

CPL Barrie D Davey — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 01:36:49 -0400

As a straight male serviceman I demand equal rights to wear the same. IF I WISHED TO.

Response by SSG Russell Busicchia made Jul 14 at 2021 10:25 AM

SSG Russell Busicchia — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:25:43 -0400

I have no problem with these changes except that they do not apply to the men. Why can't a male grow his hair long? Shaving is one thing, see how fast you shave if you are under a gas attack and your mask won't seal. In the seventies you could pick out a soldier a mile away, we were the only men in our 20's with short hair. We had a soldier who was undercover (this was an intel unit) that had to get a haircut for a promotion board. Do you think his cover was blown? Change is good but it should apply to all.

Response by SPC David Batterson made Jul 17 at 2021 10:19 PM

SPC David Batterson — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 22:19:28 -0400

These are good changes, and reflect a new world we're living in. Other countries' military males have had facial hair for years, and don't have to have buzz cuts! Unit cohesion will continue, with these new standards in place. The military knows what it's doing.

Response by SSgt Paul Millard made Jul 29 at 2021 9:17 AM

SSgt Paul Millard — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 09:17:17 -0400

Male soldiers wearing nail polish...how WOKE. I'm sure that was the first thing the "Soldiers" thought of as the landed at Normandy, La Drang or another engagement..This will ruin my nails...nonsense

Response by PO1 Timothy Organ made Jul 30 at 2021 11:19 AM

PO1 Timothy Organ — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 11:19:30 -0400

I understand the uniform to mean that everyone needs to have that corporate ID so they should be similar enough in appearance to be identified with the organization for which you are attached. For most corporations, certain exceptions are being made to give the member some free license of expression which is good for morale and personal esteem so that's always a good thing too. Military has a different need for these requirements and with that I would say that certainly, if they want to give out similar license to their members to express individuality it should still have to conform to the functionality of the uniform, and not conflict with the intended wear of that uniform specifically with regard to any personal protections the uniform offers that wearer (eg, headgear, combat gear, the pattern or design of the material, etc.) If the updates do not interfere with that and they are standard then I have no issue with it.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 6 at 2021 8:53 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 08:53:12 -0400

Seen many service members at Commissary and BX with pony tails lately. Doesn’t detract from their military appearance. Being overweight detracts, but appears to be tolerated.

Response by CPL Barrie D Davey made Aug 6 at 2021 5:03 PM

CPL Barrie D Davey — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 17:03:43 -0400

I would like male equality, not female exemptions and privileges. They get all the sugar we get all the oil. There is a huge disadvantage being a male.