Mens Haircuts

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:10:07 -0500

What do YOU think about haircuts while on active duty? I know a lot of foriegn militarys have much less strict grooming standards. I am just looking for opinions.

Also in regards to the haircut policy / doctrine I will have to question the safety of US Troops all around the world. The military preaches that you need to blend in with the civilian population in order to stay safer. Walking around with high and tights or military standard cuts does not allow for blending in. Soldiers across the world stick out like a sore thumb.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 18 at 2014 10:14 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:14:25 -0500

I've had a high and tight since I was 12, so I certainly don't mind =) Having said that, I do think we can be a bit ridiculous with our "appearance over substance" approach to doctrine and leadership.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Feb 18 at 2014 10:22 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:22:24 -0500

At some point someone said they didn't like seeing men with long hair, and then qualifed their reasoning with dicipline and health concerns. I personally think that open cuts in the field from early morning shaves or open cuts from a fresh hair cut to be put under a helmet is less than healthy. All the sweat and grim has a good chance to turn into infection. In a garrison enviroment I get it, we are less about a life or death mission, and more about looking pretty in public.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 10:47 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:47:20 -0500

As long as it doesn't impede the SM's abitily to do their job and its not a mullet or something then I find that i dont particularly care.

Response by 1SG Shane Hansen made Feb 18 at 2014 10:49 AM

1SG Shane Hansen — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:49:37 -0500

My personal opinion, we should not compare our military with other military's. We are the best and need not conform just because they do it that way.

Additionally, as long as the hair style presents a clean professional appearance and not faddish, then I don't see a problem with a less strict standard. By faddish I mean we can't have a bunch of joes running around with mullets or mohawks, now can we.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 11:22 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:22:45 -0500

Why all the mullet haters?!?

Of course, that comment is coming from someone who can't go more than two weeks between high fade cuts. LOL

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2014 11:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:31:24 -0500

I believe our current grooming standards allow for quite a bit of leeway IRT hair length. It's the culture though that dictates how close to the standard we are. Regular Army - you'll most likely see high and tights more often than longer hair. Special Units/Outside Traditional Army - you'll see longer hair as the norm. We'll see what the new AR 670-1 brings us, if any changes to hair.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 3:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 03:50:46 -0500

I've had 1SGs that made soldiers have a fresh haircut on Monday, and said that having a low fade was pushing it. Leaders that told me the sideburns could only go to the middle of the ear, and other leaders that would've made fun of me if they had seen with my hair like that. Grooming standards vary greatly depending on where you are or what you do. Just from moving over from artillery to MI there was an obvious difference in standards, and once I got to Group, the only real standard was looking professional. I see the Aussies, who also seem to adhere to the "look professional" rule, and that tapered appearance just looks better when compared to an oval on your head.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2014 4:00 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 04:00:55 -0500

It's not just the haircuts that give us away. When traveling I try to maintain a low profile and not look military, but little things tip people off. I used to let the hair grow out a bit, grow a goatee, and tell people I'm an English teach. People still know!

While backpacking Thailand I had other backpackers ask me if I was military because all of the excess straps on my backpack were duct taped down and didn't dangle like everyone else's. When I was in Bali my French Canadian SCUBA instructor asked if I was military because I said yes sir and followed his instruction better than most students. I've had people ask me in bars and cafes because I orient myself towards the door and size up every one coming in.

Not to mention all the SOFA stamps in my passport!

As for the haircuts, as my hair has gotten thinner I've just embraced the skin tight high fade, 3 on top. Still tell people I'm an English teacher though...

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 31 at 2014 6:28 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 18:28:16 -0400

Hey, equality means just that, right? Separate but equal has been tried, it didn't go well...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2014 7:38 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 19:38:03 -0400

SSG Hedges,

I concur. Some people really don't understand the difference between being equal and being identical. For those of you who enjoy wearing buns, skirts, earrings, acrylic nails, etc., I think you should submit a DA 2028 to the Deputy Chief of Staff. Surely you can't be the only one out there, with the Army having changed as much as it has since 2011.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2014 2:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 May 2014 14:45:53 -0400

I do think the hair regs could change a bit. Nothing crazy like a mullet, but short and natural. The Army teaches us that we should never stand out in the crowd, but thats hard to do when you are rocking the high and tight.