What rules address if or how a veteran can wear a dress uniform to attend an event if they have long hair?

SPC Daniel Bertram — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 00:21:51 -0400

I am a prior service member medically discharged under honorable conditions. I've also grown my hair to my shoulders since my discharge. My question is, if the situation arose to where I was to attend an event where I would like to wear my dress uniform, how would that work with my long hair? I have no problem shaving my face, that grows back much faster than hair to my shoulders. But can I tie it back into a ponytail like the old colonial military? Haha

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jun 26 at 2021 12:28 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 00:28:18 -0400

I would ask SFC Private RallyPoint Member. He is extremely knowledgeable about Army regulations!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 26 at 2021 12:50 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 00:50:55 -0400

You’d need to comply with AR670-1. There is a section that covers retirees and prior service personnel

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2021 1:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 01:11:13 -0400

Does 670-1 have a section for retirees and prior service? Sure. That stated, you could have pigtails down to your belly button, and there isn’t a single thing in the world the Army can do to you. It’s your uniform, wear it how you see fit.

It’s the age old “can I/should I?” debate.

Response by CPT Andrew Wright made Jun 26 at 2021 4:00 AM

CPT Andrew Wright — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 04:00:10 -0400

I am remembering back in the 60s and 70s and National Guardsmen would wear short hair wigs over their long hair to go to drill. I would vote pull it back as much as possible. They let women soldiers wear long hair in ponytails now which seems unfair to males. Maybe a turban is an option?

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jun 26 at 2021 7:35 AM

Cpl Vic Burk — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 07:35:42 -0400

I don't know the answer but this this is the way I see it. If I were to break out my uniform to put on I would personally want to represent the Marines in the most upstanding manner I could from the hair cut, shave and down. It is a matter of pride, respect, and honor for the uniform and the time you served.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jun 26 at 2021 7:38 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 07:38:49 -0400

If the uniform means enough to you to wear it, taking the time to grow back your hair shouldn't be a problem.
It's not a matter of being disciplined, but how would you feel if you took the time to put the uniform together, then got publicly corrected by another vet or an active duty person at the event. Would sort of take the shine off the occasion.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 26 at 2021 7:47 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 07:47:47 -0400

I've seen several former members of the military with longer hair than stipulated by military standards wearing their dress uniform, in my opinion, as long as the hair isn't greasy but neatly taken care of, go for it brother @SPC Daniel Bertram.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 26 at 2021 8:10 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 08:10:19 -0400

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 26 at 2021 10:28 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 10:28:36 -0400

Please trade AR 670-1. Bottom line is you can do what you want, there is no possible recourse. That is not the question. What is the right thing to do, that is to respect the service and the uniform. Doing the right thing always trumps personal desires. You can be in an alley pick up a rock and break a warehouse window, and likely not be caught, is it the right thing to do. Respect the Service and the uniform. Again, in the end it is your decision.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Jun 26 at 2021 12:06 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 12:06:40 -0400

As I understand the regs regarding the wear of my uniform after I retired, I have to be in proper grooming standards. Why would I want to be seen in any other way wearing my uniform?

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jun 26 at 2021 12:09 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 12:09:42 -0400

My answer is I won't wear My Military uniform at all unless I'm 100% proper in the wear including the haircut. The fact I no longer have regulation shoes to go with the uniform I won't even wear it although it still fits fine. I do wear My service ribbons with My American Legion uniform. I think wearing Your ribbons or medals would be ok just not the uniform itself unless You are within Military Standards. (picture of Me below in My American Legion uniform) I don't have long hair anyway or a beard or mustache but the Legion uniform or other Veteran's organizational uniform that would be ok. A civilian style veteran's hat also would ID You as a veteran. By all means be proud of Your service which I'm sure You are but an improperly worn uniform isn't a good refection on any branch of service. I think that may answer Your question and it sounds like You may already actually had known the answer. I hope what I said helps

Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 26 at 2021 12:36 PM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 12:36:29 -0400

As an old guy, I've found something out. If I'm questioning whether or not I should do something, or not; I probably shouldn't. If you are asking yourself, something deep inside you is dropping a hint. Listen to that voice. Hair grows back.

There are plenty of ways to show your service pride. But if you are going to don the uniform, in my opinion you should meet the grooming standards and weight standards of the service. In addition I'd make sure that it is still tailored to fit. Got a good friend at the VFW who wears his Army Class "A's" for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Veteran's day. He has a beard about 6" long, and his hair hangs about an inch below his collar. His blouse and shirt buttons are about 2 inches from buttoning up. It isn't a good look.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jun 26 at 2021 1:37 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 13:37:43 -0400

Get yourself a copy of AR 670-1. It'll tell you everything you need to know about wearing your uniform. You may find Chapters 3, 11, and 23 most informative. To distill down the reading...wear it properly or don't wear it. See the last three sentences of Maj John Bell's response.....

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 26 at 2021 2:05 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 14:05:10 -0400

SPC Daniel Bertram, AR 670-1 governs wear of the uniform. Chapter 3 governs appearance and grooming policies and Chapter 23 governs wear of the uniform by reserve, retired, separated and civilian personnel, to include when and what uniforms may be worn.
Long hair for males is not allowed per Chapter 3 of AR 670-1 and the AR governs wear of the uniform.
SFC Michael Hasbun has even highlighted how the AR still applies to your situation.
I would say that the answer to your question is no.

Response by SSG Steve Chesney made Jun 26 at 2021 2:43 PM

SSG Steve Chesney — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 14:43:26 -0400

Put it in a pony tail. I’ve seen men wearing it like that for many years.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 27 at 2021 9:29 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 09:29:32 -0400

Response by SSG Jeff Forker made Jun 27 at 2021 11:08 AM

SSG Jeff Forker — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 11:08:07 -0400

As a veteran you are under no uniform or dress regulations. Go however feels right to you. Long hair? Oh well. Some guys may give you a sour look, but no now has the right or authority to tell you shit or bar you from the event. I have been to a lot of veteran events over the years and I have seen lots of mixed uniforms, upstanding, short-haired vets wearing cammie, military blouse with civilian slacks, with all sorts of covers/hats/berets. I was in Army SF and I know many, MANY retired SF SGMs and LTCs who have long hair and show up at veteran events with long hair and wearing ear-rings and black leather jackets covered in patches because they belong to an SF MC (motorcycle club). No one ever calls them out. No one can. (Calling out a retired SGM is never a good idea, of course.) There is a guy who shows up al the time at KC metro area veteran events who has very long white hair, claims to be a Nam vet, and Native American, and wears a buckskin coat covered in military patches, many of which do not make sense for his military duty and assignment claims, and a 6 ft walking stick covered in yarns and ribbons and military pins. He looks like a shaman-Yoda-veteran. But, has anyone ever called him out? Never. I have chatted with him, and he is probably a Stolen Valor poser (much of his story doesn't make sense), but that's a whole other mess. So, you showing up with long hair and whatever clothing you wear is not going to be a problem. You will probably get nods and smiles from the other long-haired vets. You are a veteran. You earned the right to wear whatever the hell you want to wear to vet events.

Disclaimer: I have short hair. I tend to dress conservatively (whatever that means anymore). But I will not try to dictate or lecture on dress codes or regs to any veteran. I've been to too many veteran events to know that would be ridiculous. You'd be better off trying to herd cats.

I recall seeing at a 4th of July parade in the late 1970s, when I was in high school, and one of the groups in the parade was a platoon-sized groups of vets in various mixes of military and civilian clothing. Many had long hair. All the other veteran groups in the parade had short hair and uniforms to regs and blazers with patches, etc. A WW2 veteran was running around complaining about the long haired vets to cops and politicians and other veterans. Everyone just stared at him. My dad, short-haired Nam vet with jacket and tie, laughed when I asked him what was going on. He said the frustrated vet needed to wake up and was probably trying to live in a military fantasy world that probably didn't even match the military reality he served in.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 27 at 2021 12:40 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 12:40:26 -0400

There isn't a separate grooming standard for SM and Veterans. If you wear the uniform there is the expectation that you wear it correctly to include adhering to the grooming standard. You wouldn't be the first veteran to be out of uniform but just know it will step on some toes. You could always wear a lapel pin and maybe some mini ribbons/mini medals. There are other ways to be proud of your service without wearing the uniform incorrectly.

Response by Cpl James R. " Jim" Gossett Jr made Jun 27 at 2021 12:51 PM

Cpl James R. " Jim" Gossett Jr — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 12:51:51 -0400

I guess I'm Old Fashion, NO LONG HAIR!!!!!!!

Response by SPC Zach Lockhart made Jun 28 at 2021 11:29 AM

SPC Zach Lockhart — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 11:29:41 -0400

Last time I wore mine was nearly 3 years after I got out. I shaved and got a haircut…

Response by SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott made Jun 28 at 2021 12:33 PM

SPC Patricia K. (Williams) Elliott — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 12:33:01 -0400

This is my opinion, but if you can't wear the uniform properly, which includes regulation haircut, then don't wear it!! It's a matter of respect to the uniform and the U.S. Army.

Response by PO3 Scot Fahey made Jun 28 at 2021 2:06 PM

PO3 Scot Fahey — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 14:06:56 -0400

1978 Beards for Naval Uniforms was legal.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Jun 29 at 2021 2:18 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 14:18:11 -0400

If you wear the uniform your uniform and hair should be to the standard in the Army Regulations. You aren't respecting what the uniform stands for if you show up looking like a S$%T WAGON! Just my humble opinion!

Response by LCpl Erik O’Neal made Jul 24 at 2021 12:30 AM

LCpl Erik O’Neal — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 00:30:24 -0400

Personally, (if I could fit in my dress blues) I wouldn’t wear them if I couldn’t comply with grooming standards.

Response by SPC Brian Pritchard/Hall made Sep 25 at 2021 8:14 PM

SPC Brian Pritchard/Hall — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 20:14:37 -0400

Common sense? Just get a haircut. It grows back. If it important enough for the uniform get the cut.