Grooming Standards
Grooming Standards
Posted on Nov 17, 2017
Can a company commander ban the wear of a mustache even if it follows AR670-1?
22.8K
25
14
2
2
0
One of the E-5s in my company just informed me that I must shave my mustache because the CO put that out today and im wondering if he can even do that because my mustache follows AR670-1
Posted in these groups: 
DA Pam 670-1
Grooming Standards
DA Pam 670-1 Grooming Standards
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
You must adhere to the grooming standards of AR670-1.. A commander can not disallow what is allowed in Ar670-1 other then uniform items for the sake of duty, safety. uniformity in a formation or ceremony.
Mustache are permitted. If worn, males will keep mustaches neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy. Mustaches will not present a chopped off or bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line, extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth (see lines C and D of Figure 3–1), or extend above a parallel line at the lowest portion of the nose (see line B of Figure 3–1).
The first question is, how important is it to you? Is it a fight wroth fighting for?
Read the cite above.... see the less the clear cut standard? Your "neatly trimmed" may not meet your commanders neatly trimmed.
Your CDR's version of "tidy" may differ then yours.
Those are subjective things, not a clear cut standard ... and with it, comes variables.
If you really want the mustache, use the open door policy to speak to your 1SG.
Know the reg, have three copies, one for you, 1 for the 1SG, and if the CDR gets in on the meeting one for him. "1SG, Im trying to do the right thing here, this is the reg, I believe my mustache meets the requirement...The CDR passed on word it did not...can you help me understand what the issue is?"
You may win the battle, and lose the war.
How many times in a month, quarter, year do you request something that is not by reg owed or required? Are you looking to get recommended to the board? Ask for an early out to go to school? Reenlist? Get a 4 day pass?
A young SSG once reported to Airborne school wearing a mustache that was perfectly within regs., no question.
Said SSG was told he could keep it if he insisted,,,, Said Black Hat then turned to a fellow black hat and said..... "Hey SGT.... has anyone every graduated Airborne school wearing a mustache????? Ever??"
"Why No SGT, I don't think anyone ever has, not one, and not this year anyway"
The formation was dismissed and told we had 10 min to be standing back outside for movement to chow .........
9min 45sec later the entire formation was there ready to go ..I no longer had a mustache....and I graduated basic airborne school 3 weeks later.
Mustache are permitted. If worn, males will keep mustaches neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy. Mustaches will not present a chopped off or bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line, extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth (see lines C and D of Figure 3–1), or extend above a parallel line at the lowest portion of the nose (see line B of Figure 3–1).
The first question is, how important is it to you? Is it a fight wroth fighting for?
Read the cite above.... see the less the clear cut standard? Your "neatly trimmed" may not meet your commanders neatly trimmed.
Your CDR's version of "tidy" may differ then yours.
Those are subjective things, not a clear cut standard ... and with it, comes variables.
If you really want the mustache, use the open door policy to speak to your 1SG.
Know the reg, have three copies, one for you, 1 for the 1SG, and if the CDR gets in on the meeting one for him. "1SG, Im trying to do the right thing here, this is the reg, I believe my mustache meets the requirement...The CDR passed on word it did not...can you help me understand what the issue is?"
You may win the battle, and lose the war.
How many times in a month, quarter, year do you request something that is not by reg owed or required? Are you looking to get recommended to the board? Ask for an early out to go to school? Reenlist? Get a 4 day pass?
A young SSG once reported to Airborne school wearing a mustache that was perfectly within regs., no question.
Said SSG was told he could keep it if he insisted,,,, Said Black Hat then turned to a fellow black hat and said..... "Hey SGT.... has anyone every graduated Airborne school wearing a mustache????? Ever??"
"Why No SGT, I don't think anyone ever has, not one, and not this year anyway"
The formation was dismissed and told we had 10 min to be standing back outside for movement to chow .........
9min 45sec later the entire formation was there ready to go ..I no longer had a mustache....and I graduated basic airborne school 3 weeks later.
(14)
(0)
SPC David Willis
SGT Dave Tracy Right? I just assumed CSMs were SMEs on what surfaces were cleared hot for walking. :P
(0)
(0)
LTC Jason Mackay
SPC (Join to see) if your mustache looks like it does in the photo on your profile, it is not within standards as it extends past the corners of your mouth as indicated in SGM Erik Marquez post. Not trying to pick on you. When you are being called out over an appearance issue you have to step back and ask why are they calling me out on this? There must be something. If your mustache does not grow in fully or evenly, this may appear to your commander as unkempt. Nature of the beast man, I'm 46 years old and it still takes me weeks to get to something full, grown in and presentable. He may also not think that it is tapered. The Sergeant Major's advice is good. Follow the reg, get it resolved through the First Sergeant before it's a pissing contest.
Did your Sergeant say shave it off, or get it to standards? Did he get it second hand from the Platoon Sergeant from the First Sergeant or did the Commander grab your Sergeant to convey this message? Sometimes things are lost as a message is passed or even how you perceive it ( again, not picking on you).
Did your Sergeant say shave it off, or get it to standards? Did he get it second hand from the Platoon Sergeant from the First Sergeant or did the Commander grab your Sergeant to convey this message? Sometimes things are lost as a message is passed or even how you perceive it ( again, not picking on you).
(2)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
The picture on my profile is from when I was on leave. I trim it and line it up daily to ensure I don't get crap for it because I know I gotta keep it right if I want it. And I appreciate the advice Sgm , I ETS in seven months so I'll just deal with it now it's not a big enough deal to go arguing about.. thanks allot!
(1)
(0)
SGM Erik Marquez
That’s a mature wise plan just not worth the fight especially when you’re probably be asking for things like time off work to get yourself ready To ETS
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
SPC David Willis
Yea folks in the military are weird about mustaches. Its like hair cuts. Yea there are guidelines but when you put in wording like "neat and trimmed" it opens itself up to interpretation. We had some pretty gnarly staches at our COP, but stateside there was only one NCO that could get away with one and that was really only because everyone was afraid to talk to him haha.
(0)
(0)
SGM Erik Marquez
"He sure can. You can add to but not take away."
A common misunderstanding and barracks lawyer lore.
That saying has some truth to it, but it is not as clear as most erroneously think it to be.
A common misunderstanding and barracks lawyer lore.
That saying has some truth to it, but it is not as clear as most erroneously think it to be.
(3)
(0)
SPC David Willis
SGM Erik Marquez - What do you mean SGM? I always thought a CO could add to ARs as long as they didn't infringe on the original? I'm actually curious about everything I could have gotten away with during my time in haha.
EDIT: And when I say "I thought" what I really mean is I was told by my CoC :P
EDIT: And when I say "I thought" what I really mean is I was told by my CoC :P
(0)
(0)
CW3 Kevin Storm
Is there a command policy on it, would be my first question. Nothing is supposed to be left to the commander to say "today yours is not acceptable but his is," without it being available for all to know about it.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google