Would a man bun hair style for men be in regulation or out of regulation per AR 670-1?

2021-03-09T23:05:57-05:00

An admin for Army WTF posted this on Twitter with the above caption. What are your thoughts?

Here are mine:

Yes and No

YES - Strictly speaking, if you were to read the definition for what defines an acceptable haircut/hairstyle, this man-bun complies with everything, word for word.

NO - Enlisted [esp. JE] will always be at the mercy of interpretation. We will always lose the game of Rock, Paper, Rank.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2021 11:13 PM

2021-03-09T23:13:58-05:00

Until you’re POTUS, someone will always beat you at rock, paper, rank.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 9 at 2021 11:30 PM

2021-03-09T23:30:42-05:00

AR 670-1 para 3.2 a. (2) "... The length and bulk of the hair will NOT BE EXCESSIVE and must present a neat and CONSERVATIVE appearance." (emphasis mine)
AR 670-1 para 3.2 a. (1) (b) "Extreme, eccentric, or faddish haircuts or hairstyles are not authorized."
AR 670-1 para 3.2 a. (1) (a) "Leaders will judge the appropriateness of a particular hairstyle by the guidance in this chapter and by the ability to wear ALL types of headgear (such as beret, patrol cap, or service cap/hat) and any protective equipment (such as protective mask or combat helmet) properly. Hairstyles (INCLUDING BULK AND LENGTH OF HAIR) that do not allow Soldiers to wear ANY headgear properly, or that interfere with the proper wear of any protective equipment, are prohibited. Headgear will fit snugly and comfortably, WITHOUT BULGING OR DISTORTION from the intended shape of the headgear and without excessive gaps between the headgear and the head. Hairstyles that pose a health or safety hazard are not authorized." (multiple emphases mine)

I think the above hairstyle fails AR 670-1 on at least three separate counts.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2021 12:13 AM

2021-03-10T00:13:40-05:00

I would argue that....word for word....this man bun style does NOT conform to AR 670-1 as I see no tapering of that hairline. Yes, it's tapered from the neck, but the minute you get to that other line, there is no tapering. Personally, I do not feel that man-buns present a professional appearance. Especially this one.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Mar 10 at 2021 12:46 AM

2021-03-10T00:46:15-05:00

no - it is faddish.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 10 at 2021 1:44 AM

2021-03-10T01:44:21-05:00

Can't speak for the Army, but I can guess.

Advance to the PX Barber shop immediately, do not pass "go" and do not collect $200.

The Marines would say the same except there would be a whole lotta language your Grandmother wouldn't approve of.

But if you give it a try, be sure to let us know how it turns out for you.

Response by SPC Bill Ratajczak made Mar 10 at 2021 5:37 AM

2021-03-10T05:37:51-05:00

Just say no

Response by PO1 Victor Cotto made Mar 10 at 2021 5:58 AM

2021-03-10T05:58:34-05:00

Absolutely Not in regs.

Response by LTC David Brown made Mar 10 at 2021 8:12 AM

2021-03-10T08:12:16-05:00

Well if you identified as a women...

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Mar 10 at 2021 8:29 AM

2021-03-10T08:29:44-05:00

No - faddish

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2021 8:35 AM

2021-03-10T08:35:15-05:00

why the hell would anyone want to wear a man bun?

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Mar 10 at 2021 10:35 AM

2021-03-10T10:35:38-05:00

.
Jussaying#1504 - Handle With Care.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 10 at 2021 11:16 AM

2021-03-10T11:16:34-05:00

I'm surprised this is actually up for discussion. I copy and pasted this from AR 670-1 from the portion labeled male haircuts. The main points of focus should be on the parts referencing "When the hair is combed, it will not
fall over the ears or eyebrows, or touch the collar, except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck.". This hair would obviously fail that requirement when you comb it out and not put it up.

The second point of failure would be " Haircuts with a single, untapered patch of hair on the top of the head (not consistent with natural hair loss) are considered
eccentric and are not authorized."

(2) Male haircuts. The hair on top of the head must be neatly groomed. The length and bulk of the hair may not
be excessive and must present a neat and conservative appearance. The hair must present a tapered appearance. A
tapered appearance is one where the outline of the Soldier’s hair conforms to the shape of the head (see scalp line in
fig 3–1), curving inward to the natural termination point at the base of the neck. When the hair is combed, it will not
fall over the ears or eyebrows, or touch the collar, except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck. The blockcut fullness in the back is permitted to a moderate degree, as long as the tapered look is maintained. Males are not
authorized to wear braids, cornrows, twists, dreadlocks, or locks while in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty. Haircuts with a single, untapered patch of hair on the top of the head (not consistent with natural hair loss) are considered
eccentric and are not authorized. Examples include, but are not limited to, when the head is shaved around a strip of
hair down the center of the head (mohawk), around a u-shaped hair area (horseshoe), or around a patch of hair on the
front top of the head (tear drop). Hair that is completely shaved or trimmed closely to the scalp is authorized. (See figs
3–1 and 3–2.)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2021 12:52 PM

2021-03-10T12:52:41-05:00

I don't see anything in AR 670-1 or the ALARACT that would allow for males to wear a bun.

https://armyreup.s3.amazonaws.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/04141624/ALARACT_016_2021_US_Army_Appearance_and_Grooming_Modifications.pdf

ALARACT_016_2021_US_Army_Appearance_and_Grooming_Modifications.pdf

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Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Mar 10 at 2021 1:07 PM

2021-03-10T13:07:50-05:00

The bigger question is, why would a man wear a woman's hairstyle?? The exception is if they were a samurai, but then again, the samurai aren't usually serving Uncle Sam

Response by SSG Brian G. made Mar 10 at 2021 6:21 PM

2021-03-10T18:21:31-05:00

You are not here to really discuss this. You are trying to play barracks lawyer. You posted a question and it was answered by several senior NCO and Officers. The regulations, including current AR 670-1 and the subsequent ALARACT were quoted. Just because something is not disallowed does not mean it is allowed. The Regulations do not cover all instances, situations or occurrences as they would then be several volumes in an of themselves.

This hairstyle, while not SPECIFICALLY disallowed is neither conservative or professional. No it does not matter in the slightest what another nations military considers "professional" as we are talking the US military and not another nation. This haircut would fall under the words as yet to be determined that are replacing faddish.

Your argument about larger sized headgear fails the test as you are now HAVING to buy larger sized headgear to specifically accommodate this style of hair. That leads to the fact that the headgear does not and will not fit properly and presents an odd, unprofessional image. Again, just because something is not, in specifics addressed, does not mean it is allowed.

I do not know of a single 1Sgt, Senior NCO or Commanding Officer that would allow this beyond the time it took to approach the troop and issue a direct order to go to the barber and cut it off... or have a impromptu class on field grooming standards.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Mar 11 at 2021 8:45 AM

2021-03-11T08:45:28-05:00

Always when grooming and dress regulations are published, the overriding emphasis is that grooming should not detract from acceptable appearance. This fails.

Response by SGT Erich Nelson made Mar 11 at 2021 8:55 AM

2021-03-11T08:55:02-05:00

Hell no.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2021 5:05 PM

2021-06-27T17:05:06-04:00

Not in our USMC (I hope).

Response by MAJ Hugh Blanchard made Jun 27 at 2021 5:55 PM

2021-06-27T17:55:53-04:00

How would that work with a helmet and/or a gas mask? I think your life is worth more than a jazzy hairstyle. I don't think that a man-bun would allow the individual to properly use protective equipment, and so would be dis-allowed.

Response by SSG Bill McCoy made Jun 27 at 2021 9:52 PM

2021-06-27T21:52:45-04:00

When the regs for females was changed, which I thought was good, I figured some "dude" would say, "Can I have a pony tail too?" or some such dribble.
Good analogy - "Rock, Paper, Rank ... YOU LOSE!" If one of my guys showed up with a feminine "man" bun, we'd have an immediate hair cut party! LOL Seriously though, I'd order him to get to the barber shop, OR we'd be visiting the SGM ... and we all know those SGM haircut preferences! LOL

Response by Cadet 4th Class Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2021 9:15 AM

2021-11-26T09:15:57-05:00

Now many different hairstyles are popular, for a man I think this is a normal hairstyle, even in the army. It's good that bob haircut is allowed there. I can recommend a top https://lovehairstyles.com/stacked-bob-haircut-ideas/ that shows how many varieties of this hairstyle and how it can look. I advise all girls, I am sure you will like this top.

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Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2021 5:02 PM

2021-11-26T17:02:34-05:00

Claim to be a Sikh and maybe you can keep the beard too?