Military hairstyle of choice and the men who wear them

CW2 Jonathan Kantor — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 14:23:13 -0400

My hair is considered to be long by Army standards.  I don't like the buzz cut/flat top style of hair.  It makes me look like a tool.  So I wear my hair the way I like it and have been chastised my entire career--even though I keep it in regs all the time.  Some folks have called me Elvis, which I take as a compliment. Post your favorite hairstyle, preferably as a picture of you.  How do you feel about the standard Army cut and those that aren't similar? Even better, do you have a story of a Troop who went out of their way to grow their hair so they could squeak by the regs just enough to sort of be ok?

Response by CW2 Jonathan Kantor made Apr 15 at 2014 2:27 PM

CW2 Jonathan Kantor — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 14:27:07 -0400

Here's a better pic of my super long Army hair.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 3:24 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 15:24:15 -0400

It must be nice to have hair.

Response by SGT Thomas Sullivan made Apr 15 at 2014 3:49 PM

SGT Thomas Sullivan — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 15:49:57 -0400

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/jeffrey-sinclair-hair-too-fucking-long.jpg

Response by SGT Thomas Sullivan made Apr 15 at 2014 3:51 PM

SGT Thomas Sullivan — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 15:51:34 -0400

I guess Generals can be exempt

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 15 at 2014 7:45 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 19:45:14 -0400

I wore as much hair as looked good until I became a CPL and got ready for PLDC, from that point on until I retired back in October, I wore a high and tight flattop. Now I am growing my hair as long as I can, just to see how it looks...I was a late '70s-early '80s hippie before I enlisted and wanna see how I look 26 years later.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 8:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 20:07:21 -0400

For a long time I would just buzz it with a one on the clippers. Due to heavy persuasion from household 6 I now keep it at a middle fade with a little on the top. The deal was though I'll keep my hair only as long as she learned how to cut it and cuts it every week. I did threaten her though once I retire I'm growing a mullet "professional in the front party in the back"..

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 8:59 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 20:59:35 -0400

I like to max out the length (3 inches) and go for a medium regulation (fade from a zero). If you didn't know, we have to get a haircut once a week, fresh for mondays, and it's always a zero fade.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 8:44 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 20:44:36 -0400

I'm balding, so I shave my head.  I usually remind people, God only made a few perfect heads, the rest he put hair on.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 17 at 2014 9:10 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 21:10:37 -0400

Flat top...since '85. You can see it in my profile pic

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 10:52 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 22:52:48 -0400

So the biggest question is do you wear your hair the same on a daily basis as you do on your DA Photo?

If so, great.

If not, why not?

If your daily wear hair is not professional enough for your official photo that is used for consideration for promotion, then please explain why is it professional enough for daily wear.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Apr 23 at 2014 8:03 AM

SFC Vernon McNabb — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 08:03:43 -0400

In Iraq (BIAP), there was an Arkansas NG SPC who came strolling through the DFAC with a mohawk. He walked by senior NCOs and officers alike. I was SGT at the time, and when I saw this, I wasn't sure what to be mad at more, the fact that he thought he could wear that type of hairstyle, or the fact that none of the SNCOs and Officers said anything. I proceeded to get up from my dinner and follow him. I asked him to step out of the line and pulled him to the side and corrected him, politely. He said his haircut was in reg, and turned his back to me and walked away, at least he tried to walk away. I lost it, at that point. I commenced to giving him the third degree about disrespecting an NCO, and told him to fix his haircut. I also told him that if I caught him out somewhere on the compound with the same hairstyle, I would personally low-crawl his arse to the barber shop to get it fixed.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 7 at 2014 6:48 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 07 May 2014 18:48:46 -0400

You all just making fun of me again! They shaved my head in Boot Camp and it never did grow back right. Had a Caesar Wreath ever since.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2014 5:47 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 May 2014 17:47:07 -0400

I keep my hair shorter and shorter just to hide the gray!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2014 9:19 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 21:19:27 -0400

I keep it about an inch to an inch and a half on top and do a medium skin fade up.

Sometimes I shave my head because it is convenient and looks professional when I have to constantly take headgear off and on. My hair loves to readjust itself and stick straight up after I pull off my PC and we won't even talk about when I wear a beret.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2014 12:13 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 00:13:16 -0400

sigh.....warrant officers....

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2014 11:26 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 23:26:33 -0400

High fade, 1 or 0 on the sides depending on the season.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 9:23 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 09:23:17 -0400

Had a sailor that was similar to you - his ego was just too big to "fit in". The COC rode his ass for 2 years - mostly becuase he was always just "that close" to being out of regs. I can't tell you how many counseling chits he had written up on him - it was in the hundreds after the first year. Finally, his luck ran out.....the barber onboard got sick and had to be flown out to a hospital. We're still deployed..... His hair finally reached the point the COC nailed him to the wall for failure to obey...and busted him down two pay grades based on "a repeating pattern of refusal to comply" due to the hundreds of counseling chits in his file.

Personally, I don't care if you decide you're going to challenge the system and play the game that way if your hairstyle is worth that much to you. If your ego is that large then you need to just accept the hits from the COC and not complain or brag.

However, with all that said - what example are you setting for those beneath you? Are you educating those individuals on how to slide to the edge but not cross over? Are you teaching those beneath you that it's ok to "game the system"? Maintaining discipline is a fine thread woven in between those things we do and those things we do not do. Trust me, those junior SM's are watching you; they see you "game the system"/dare the lion. You lead by example. The junior personnel don't listen to one word in one hundred and forty you spout out - but they hear every movement, every action, everything you don't do that you should and they emulate that to the nth degree.

Is your ego that important that you're teaching the soliders below you how to "game the system"?

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Aug 10 at 2014 10:50 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 22:50:48 -0400

Actually your hair is well within regs. Nowhere does it say that you have to have a Ranger flattop. And you could probably argue that a Ranger flattop is a "faddish" cut.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2014 12:04 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 00:04:55 -0400

High and tight on and off since 1979. Pretty steady now since 95. Except only get it cut every other week instead of every week now that I'm retired. Also gets rid of the gray. And in this picture is as long as it gets. Nice getting out of the shower and one wipe with the towel pesto dryo.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2014 7:09 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 19:09:18 -0400

If your hair looks like it does in the photo, no issues. My problem with it is when people don't get their weekly trim to BARELY keep within regs. My LT's are killing me right now. I haven't seen a larger group of hair farmers since the 1980's. If someone comes in with their hair on their ears...and if I have to get close to you to tell...it's touching your GD ears...I give them 24 hours to get it straight or they get the SCO cut (I'm bald). Haven't had to break the clippers out yet. It honks my log that people prefer to try and squeak by though. It matters.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2014 10:56 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 22:56:46 -0400

I like to have a full head of hair. With aspirations of being a ODA commander one day I must be prepared to look the part. Plus it would be a shame to cut such a glorious head of black silky hair.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2014 1:13 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 01:13:21 -0400

Ever since I could go to the barber in AIT, I've always asked for a medium-low skin fade that goes down in the back and usually leave about 1-2" on top. With a buzz cut I look like an alien and I have a broad face so getting a #1 on the sides and a #3 on top makes me look like a bulldog. As for high and tights, as you put it Sir, make me look like a tool. Plus I used to work in fine dining, so a nice conservative hair cut that still looked some what civilian-ish was perfect. I choose the skin fade because my hair grows all the way to the top of my ears. I'll edit my post later to add some photos.

Response by SSG Dave Powell made Aug 14 at 2014 1:39 PM

SSG Dave Powell — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 13:39:19 -0400

I have gone back and forth on hair length for the last 15 years. I finally wised up and made it easy. Now its wash and wear with no one saying, your getting a little close. I was always within regs but that is down to who is interpreting "what is within and what is not" in the regs. I keep it shaved twice a week for now. The Boss said when I retire, it will be a pony tail and a beer belly so I can rebell for her.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2014 5:07 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:07:59 -0400

I'm rocking the fattest pompadour ever right now, but I keeps that mother looking neat and the sideburns trimmed up and whatnot, as much in regs as I can you know... but then again I'm in the navy and we seem to get away with crazy big hair more than other services.

Response by Sgt Nicholas Shafer made Aug 14 at 2014 11:54 PM

Sgt Nicholas Shafer — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 23:54:01 -0400

We had a couple guys in my platoon during my second tour that would rock the mohawk just before going out for a while. We made damn sure that they didn't have that hair-do after we got back in camp and had to be around everyone else. IMO I never liked military hair cuts, I always felt they looked captivatingly ridiculous, although I do understand the need for the regulation. I kept a nice medium reg while I was in (and had the choice) as I felt that was the better looking of the options for my noggin.

Response by CPL Jay Strickland made Aug 15 at 2014 7:01 AM

CPL Jay Strickland — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 07:01:50 -0400

When I was in Korea I grew my hair to near shoulder length. To hid it I would wake up every morning gel, hair spray, and blow dry my hair then fold it over its self and slightly spike it to make it look short. During the week I looked army with typical grunt hair. Once the weekends looked around I looked like a hippie college kid.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 10:32 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 10:32:47 -0400

Look at mine, 3 inches on top with product and a medium fade on the sides. Well within Reg's

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 12:30 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 12:30:30 -0400

We are told that we are supposed to connect with the civilian community, my view is that it imperative that we not look completely different so we do not continue to ostracize ourselves from those that we have sworn to uphold and protect.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 3:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 15:08:09 -0400

I have always struggled with why people are upset with soldiers who are "only just within" regs. Within regulations is within regulations. Why set standards and then chastise people for being within them?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2014 7:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 19:31:09 -0400

I've been shaving my head for 2 years now. It's the easiest for me and I don't have enough hair to grow a decent looking hairstyle anyway. One of the main reasons I like shaving my head is that when our leadership talks about lack of haircuts I can just kinda daze off for a moment.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2014 1:12 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 01:12:50 -0400

Ok guys its just hair...for most of us it grows back...senior NCO's are suppose to set the example not give jrs a reason to fight the system

Response by PO3 Steve Nellett made Aug 16 at 2014 9:16 AM

PO3 Steve Nellett — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 09:16:21 -0400

During Desert Storm, we had some bored intel guys in CIVIC on the Saratoga who decided to see how long they could get away with growing their sideburns before someone said something. Since they were often working in a fairly dark and cool area, it was awhile before anyone noticed or said anything. As I understand, the first person to say something was the Admiral when he bumped into one of them stepping out into the passageway.

Response by SGT Timothy Rice made Aug 16 at 2014 9:09 PM

SGT Timothy Rice — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 21:09:58 -0400

While I keep my hair short, to keep from sweating, I do not think it is fair that females and males have different regulations. When you think about it, what in the military that covers your head is made different for males and females, excluding the dress uniform headgear.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Aug 17 at 2014 6:21 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 06:21:39 -0400

15 years out, I still get a high and tight. Although, its refreshed every 3 weeks as opposed to every 4 or 5 days.

Response by SGT Joshua James made Aug 17 at 2014 4:22 PM

SGT Joshua James — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 16:22:19 -0400

This was my afghanistan hair. But... it wasn't too much shorter when I went back to Korea.

Response by SFC Christopher Brown made Aug 17 at 2014 6:43 PM

SFC Christopher Brown — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 18:43:11 -0400

I once had a soldier who grew out his Afro, but kept it high and tight on the sides, kind of like the dude from Kidd and Play, but not so tall. He kept the top so tight that it looked like it was maybe only an inch and a half or so off his head. No one really noticed it or really cared until one day he came in to work with it shaped like a beret (flash and insignia included). STILL no one noticed until he got in the building and was told to remove his headgear. We laughed and laughed... He had to borrow $5 to get a buzz cut...

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2014 2:58 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 14:58:50 -0400

Good news peeps! The GWOT is over!!!

It must be, since we have battalion staff NCOs and officers conducting haircut inspections, rather than focusing their energies on winning wars...

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 18 at 2014 4:22 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 16:22:16 -0400

In the days prior to berets, I used to "like", ok was bemused by, the style - I believe they eventually regged it out of existence - that guys wore where it was shaved or close to it around the sides but they had enough hair on top that it looked like a hat block for there cover when they removed their patrol caps.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2014 11:12 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:12:54 -0400

Was on travel to some Engineers courses, no uniforms, civilian clothes and civilian regs. Had a little fun with it while I could. Now I am back to the uniform Navy

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2014 2:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 14:38:03 -0500

Probably the most famous haircut that is not bald in the past five-ten years. Of course within Army Regulations.

Response by SSG Daniel Deiler made Dec 27 at 2014 2:54 PM

SSG Daniel Deiler — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 14:54:16 -0500

I was stationed with a Soldier in Germany who, when he combed out his hair straight, would extend to just below his chin. What he would do when in uniform was comb back his hair then flip the other half so it looked like it was combed forward. He used a lot of mousse/hair spray but nobody was ever the wiser aside from those of us who partied with him on the weekends lol

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 28 at 2014 3:21 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 15:21:49 -0500

CW2 Jonathan Kantor, there was a period of time in the seventies when soldiers were actually authorized to wear wigs to cover long (like shoulder length) hair! Imagine what was an authorized haircut! I'll try to find a photo of a soldier wearing a wig!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2019 8:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 20:01:41 -0500

I keep a high and tight with the sides razor shaved weekly

Response by SSG Dennis R. made Feb 19 at 2023 11:18 AM

SSG Dennis R. — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 11:18:44 -0500

I never had to think about haircuts. Nope. The length of my hair and mustache were often the topic of conversation. Great fun. Reminded me of the battles I had with my father about the same thing.

Response by SGT Dennis Shoemaker made Feb 19 at 2023 8:27 PM

SGT Dennis Shoemaker — Sun, 19 Feb 2023 20:27:53 -0500

Back in the '70s, many of us did everything possible to not "look" military with our haircuts & mustaches, lol. I had a roommate that "addressed" the Vaseline jar every morning, lol. The only hair within regulation length were those above his collar...everything else was held in place by massive amounts of Vaseline. He also had a major handlebar that he twisted up & tucked between his upper gums & cheeks. After duty, he washed his hair, pulled his stache out & went downtown Colorado Springs looking like a civilian, lol.