Natural hair colors

2014-01-17T19:43:03-05:00

AR 670-1 states " if soldiers use dyes, tints, or bleaches they must choose those that result in natural hair colors. Colors that detract from a professional military appearance are prohibited"

Now it goes on to mention obviously faddish colors but do you think it should be reworded to say " natural hair color to your ethnic group"?

We have all seen soldiers male and female who have changed their hair color to a color that is well known to NOT be common to their ethnicity. I think that definitely does not present " a professional military appearance".

Obviously it comes down to perceptions of right and wrong.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 17 at 2014 7:47 PM

2014-01-17T19:47:42-05:00

Yes please...

Response by SGT Stacy Grudzinski made Jan 17 at 2014 8:00 PM

2014-01-17T20:00:13-05:00

Please tell me who is going to enforce it. It will give them one more reason to go crying to the EO Rep.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2014 11:42 PM

2014-01-19T23:42:07-05:00

I am considering a change to manic-panic but the problem is my lack of hair. I tell my niece who is five now that I am getting a Mohawk. Even she knows better.

But seriously I could actually seen someone in the military trying to get their hair colored green. They would if they could. Some of them.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2014 11:47 PM

2014-01-19T23:47:53-05:00

Why not say Soldiers can only dye their hair to their own natural color?

This has never bothered me but I have never had a Soldier that took it too far.

Response by SSgt Amanda Boyd made Mar 17 at 2014 8:31 PM

2014-03-17T20:31:28-04:00

Air Force has some of the same rules, and I've seen them enforced with no issue. They do specify that natural colors do not include distinct skunk stripe or ombre highlights, bright reds, purples, blues, etc that would obviously not anyone's natural hair color.

Response by SN Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 6:38 AM

2015-06-29T06:38:28-04:00

I think it should be reworded to say any dye is acceptable. :D.
i love blue, pink and sometimes green hair

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 12:33 PM

2015-06-29T12:33:49-04:00

Might go a bit too far there with ethnic is who is to determine who ethnic group you belong to and what is natural hair color, etc.? It gets a bit dicey there.

Response by MCPO Jim Weatherford made Jun 29 at 2015 12:46 PM

2015-06-29T12:46:15-04:00

Don't think there is any room for misinterpretation. It's says natural appearance. If you are of certain ethnic backgrounds then you pretty much go with what you were blessed with. Someone always seems to want to push the envelope. Had a female who showed up with purple hair one Monday. XO told her to dye it back to natural tones immediately. She replied she couldn't i guess because there is a timeframe you have to wait before dying it again. He gave her the option of cutting it or re doing it by COB. She went and had it all cut off.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 12:53 PM

2015-06-29T12:53:09-04:00

My personal opinion is that restricting the dye colors to what is natural to your ethnic group is probably a step too far. The wording of the phrase, "Colors that detract from a professional military appearance are prohibited" gives the chain of command the broad authority to use their judgment when enforcing this regulation.
Using this authority a company commander could say, "hey, African-American PFC with blonde hair; not a professional image, change it." Of course, I'm not certain I would use NJP to enforce such an order; probably just include in their counseling statements that such an appearance is unprofessional and they can't go to a promotion board until fixed (consult your SJA for a sanity check).
Always ask if that is their natural hair color first. My youngest brother is an 11B SGT at FT Drum, he has natural, flaming red hair (like if you died your hair orange). I also know at least one female of mixed Asian/Caucasian background with natural blonde hair. Just because you don't think it's natural doesn't mean it isn't.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2017 1:42 AM

2017-03-22T01:42:05-04:00

I have a question about this because it does not state that you cannot have more than one color in your hair, but it also doesn't say that you can. I've seen a great deal of females doing it (one was an officer) I was just wondering.

Response by SSG George Holtje made May 15 at 2019 4:09 PM

2019-05-15T16:09:25-04:00

I heard several sides to this one. This best answer I heard was natural to the individual. As long as the eyebrows and mustache match. Personally I never bothered because I have a five o’clock shadow by 0800 and that would look real bad with bleach blond hair