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Military Haircuts For Men

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Those who serve in the United States Armed Forces: the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force are characterized by their neat and clean haircuts. These grooming standards are observed to maintain civility in the ranks of a military population.

These standards for military haircuts for men have become the basis of worn even by those who are not a part of the military.

The United States Army maintains grooming standards that are written in Army Regulation 670-1. This manual maintains that the hair on top of the head must be neatly groomed. Those hairstyles that are considered extreme and eccentric are not allowed in the Army rank.

Those who serve in the Army must have and maintain a tapered haircut where the outline of the hair conforms to the shape of the head, and curves inward to the natural termination point at the base of the neck. The taper look must be maintained if a soldier wants to keep a block-cut fullness in the back of his head.

Sideburns must be neatly trimmed too, with bases of clean-shaven, horizontal lines. Generally, hair length should not interfere with head gear, masks, and other equipment, so cornrows, dreadlocks and braids are not allowed. So are wigs and other hairpieces, unless they mean to cover a physical deformity or baldness. Even wigs must conform to the haircut criteria stated in the army regulation.

Soldiers’ faces must be clean-shaven. Mustaches can be worn but they must be neatly trimmed, tapered and tidy.

The standards of military haircuts for men in the Air Force can be found in Air Force Instruction 36-2903.  Like those who serve in the Army, those who are part of the Air Force must have a clean, well-groomed and neat haircut. The usage of hairdressing products should be as minimal as possible. It must not touch the eyebrows when groomed and it must never protrude below the front band of headgear.

The tapered on both sides and back, with and without headgear, must be observed. The regulations provide that hair should not touch the ears and only closely cut or shaved hair on the back of the neck may touch the collar. Regardless of length, hair must not exceed 1 1/4 inches in bulk, and must not exceed 1/4 inch at the natural termination point. Sideburns must be neatly trimmed and tapered in the same manner as the prescribed haircut.

Standards of military haircuts for men in the Navy can be found in Chapter 2 – Grooming Standards of The Navy Uniform Regulations. Like the regulations in the Air Force, the hair of those who serve in the Navy must not touch the ears, collar, and must not extend below the eyebrows when headgear is removed. The hair must also not interfere with properly worn headgear.

Additionally, the hair should not be longer than four inches. Standards observed in the Army and Air observes that hair color must look natural and should complement the individual.Sideburns should also be neatly trimmed and must take after the prescribed haircut.