AFJROTC FAQ

Source documents for the following "Frequently Asked Questions" are as follows:

• AFI36-2903 (7 February 2020 with updated changes dated 12 April 2022) - Verified on 20230210

• AFJROTCI36-2010 (7 May 2018) and its addendum - Verified on 20230210

• Consolidated Operational Supplement (COS) Chapter 7 (15 May 2022) - Verified on 20230210

• Alterations address:

Lee's Rod & Reel and Shoe Repair

3908 Market St #106

Wilmington NC 28403

• • • • Click here for map

Quick Links:

Male hair standards examples - HERE

Mustache standards example - HERE

Authorized female hair style examples - HERE

Unauthorized female hair style examples - HERE

!!! Chapter 7, Attachment 7-1 (how to setup your uniform) - HERE !!!

Do I have to wear a uniform?

    Yes. According to AFJROTCI36-2010:

    Chapter 6.1.1.1.: All cadets enrolled in AFJROTC will meet minimum uniform wear standards and requirements within 45 calendar days from the start of school, or enrollment of the cadet, or they will be disenrolled. Effective upon enrollment, personal appearance and grooming standards are required for all cadets during uniform days. Cadets who have not yet been issued a uniform will comply with grooming standards on uniform days.

    Chapter 6.1.1.5.:    Each cadet must participate in at least one uniform wear day per week.

Do I have to cut my hair?

    If you are male, the short answer is, "yes." If you are female, you don't have to cut your hair, however, there are specific guidelines that you have to follow regarding how you can wear your hair while you are wearing the AFJROTC uniform. As stated in AFJROTCI30-2010, Chapter 6, 6.1.1.1.: Students will comply with the basic uniform wear, personal appearance, and grooming standards prescribed by AFI36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, this instruction and the Operational Supplement when in the Blue uniform, ABUs, and PT Gear (PTG).

What are the hair/haircut requirements for men and women?

For men AND women:

According to AFI36-2903, Chapter 3, 3.1.1. Hair - male and female. Will be clean, well-groomed, present a professional appearance, allow proper wear of headgear, helmet or chemical mask and conform to safety requirements. Will not contain excessive amounts of grooming aids (e.g., gel, mousse, pomade, or moisturizer) or appear lopsided. If applied, dyes, tints, bleaches and frostings must result in natural hair colors. Examples of natural hair colors are brown, blonde, brunette, natural red, black or grey. All Airmen are authorized to wear hair in a natural color regardless of their natural born hair color. Prohibited hair color examples (not all inclusive) are burgundy, purple, orange, fluorescent or neon colors.   

For MEN:

AFI36-2903, Chapter 3, 3.1.2. Hair - Male. Tapered appearance on both sides and the back of the head, both with and without headgear. A tapered appearance is one that when viewed from any angle outlines the member's hair so that it conforms to the shape of the head, curving inward to the natural termination point without eccentric directional flow, twists or spiking. A block-cut is permitted with tapered appearance. Hair will not exceed 2 inches in bulk, regardless of length and 1⁄4 inch at natural termination point; allowing only closely cut or shaved hair on the back of the neck to touch the collar. Hair will not touch the ears or protrude under the front band of headgear. Cleanly shaven heads, military high-and-tight or flat-top cuts are authorized. Prohibited examples (not all inclusive) are Mohawk, mullet, cornrows, dreadlocks or etched shapes/design. Airmen may have one (cut, clipped or shaved) front to back, straight-line part, not slanted or curved, on either side of their head, above the temple. Part will not exceed 4 inches length or 1⁄4 inch width. Men are not authorized hair extensions. Male hair standards examples - HERE

Chapter 3, 3.1.2.1. Sideburns. If worn, sideburns will be straight and even width (not flared), and will not extend below the bottom of the orifice of the ear opening. Sideburns will end in a clean-shaven horizontal line.                                                     Sideburn standards examples - HERE

Chapter 3, 3.1.2.2. Mustaches. Male Airmen may have mustaches; however they will be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) and will not extend downward beyond the lip line of the upper lip or extend sideways beyond a vertical line drawn upward from both corners of the mouth. Mustache standards example - HERE

Chapter 3, 3.1.2.3. Beards. Beards are not authorized unless for medical reasons, when authorized by a medical official, or as authorized pursuant to a request for a religious accommodation. Note: Contact Col. Smith (NC-802 SASI) or MSgt. See (NC-802 ASI) with all medical or religious beard accommodation requests. 

For WOMEN:

AFI36-2903, Chapter 3, 3.1.3. Hair - Female. No minimum hair length, to a maximum bulk of 4 inches from scalp and allows proper wear of headgear. Hair will end above the bottom edge of collar and will not extend below an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground, both front to back and side to side unless worn in authorized ponytail or long braid(s). One or two braids or a single ponytail may be worn down the member’s back with bulk not exceeding the width of the head and length not extending below a horizontal line running between the top of each sleeve inseam at the under arm through the shoulder blades. The braid(s) or ponytail cannot be worn over the shoulder or pulled in front of the body. It must go down the member’s back. Bangs, or side-swiped hair, may touch eyebrows but will not touch or cover eyes. When in doubt, assess correct length of hair with Airman standing in the position of attention. Exception: While wearing the Physical Training Gear (PTG), long hair will be secured but may have loose ends and may extend below a horizontal line running between the top of each sleeve inseam at the under arm through the shoulder blades. Authorized female hair standards examples - HERE ----- Unauthorized female hair standards - HERE

Chapter 3, 3.1.3.1. Pinned-up hair should be styled in a manner that prevents loose ends from extending upward on the head. For example, when using a clip or hairpins, hair will not present the appearance of a rooster tail. When hair is in a bun, the bun must be a single bun; no wider than the width of the head and all loose ends must be tucked in and secured. When hair is in a ponytail, it must be a single ponytail that does not extend below a horizontal line running between the top of each sleeve inseam at the under arm through the shoulder blades.

Chapter 3, 3.1.3.2. Hair accessories. If worn, hair accessories (e.g., fabric scrunches, hairpins, combs, clips, headbands, elastic bands, barrettes, etc.) must match hair color. Black hair accessories are authorized regardless of hair color. Hair must still comply with bulk and appearance standards. Headgear must fit properly. Headbands or fabric scrunchies will not exceed one-inch in width. Ornaments are not authorized (i.e., ribbons, beads, jeweled pins).

Chapter 3, 3.1.3.4. Unauthorized: Mohawk, mullet or etched design.

Am I allowed to have piercings?

COS, Chapter 7, 7.9.4. Body Piercing. Cadets in uniform are not allowed to attach or display objects, articles, jewelry, or ornamentation to or through the ear [other than authorized in para 7.10.7(see below)], nose, tongue, or any exposed body part (including anything that might be visible through the uniform). Cadets may not cover any of these articles with make-up, band aids, or wearing clear post pins to hide body piercings.

Chapter 7, 7.10.7. Earrings. Female cadets may wear small (not exceeding 6 mm in diameter) conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) round or square white diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver earrings as a set with any uniform combination. If member has multiple holes, only one set of earrings are authorized to be worn in uniform and will be worn in the lower earlobes. Earrings will match and fit tightly without extending below the earlobe unless the piece extending is the connecting band on clip earrings.

!!!Do not get piercings that you are unauthorized wear while wearing the AFJROTC uniform and expect to be allowed "healing time." 10 points will be deducted for each infraction during the uniform inspection (example: two nose piercings will equal a 20 point deduction from the inspection score). Examples of piercings that are not allowed to be worn while in uniform include, but are not limited to: Helix, Forward Helix, Industrial, Flat, Rook, Daith, Conch, Tragus, Nose Stud/Ring, Eyebrow, Cheek, Lip/Snakebite, etc.!!!  

What are the rules on fingernail polish?

Chapter 7, 7.10.5. Fingernails. If worn by females, nail polish will be a single color that does not detract from the uniform, nor can the nail polish be extreme in color. Some examples of extreme colors include, but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, bright (fire engine) red and florescent colors. Do not apply designs to nails or apply two-tone or multi-tone colors; however, white-tip French manicures are authorized. Fingernails must not exceed ¼ inch in length beyond the tip of the finger and must be clean and well groomed. Fingernails must not interfere with the performance of assigned duties. Fingernails must not hinder proper fit of prescribed safety equipment or uniform items.

Do I have to do Physical Training (PT)?

Under normal conditions, PT will be performed once a week (typically on Friday). PT Gear (PTG supplied by AFJROTC unit) must be worn or points will be deducted. Supplied AFJROTC shorts and T-shirt will be worn during warm weather and supplied sweatpants and sweatshirt will be worn during cold weather. Col Smith will make a final determination which PT gear will be worn for any particular PT day. 

Do I have to pay for my uniform?

All uniform items that are required to be worn by AFJROTC cadets will be supplied to you by the AFJROTC unit. Each cadet will sign a hand-receipt for all of the uniform items once it they have been issued to them. All of the hand-receipts will be kept on file until the end of the year. All cadets are required to keep their uniforms clean and in good condition during the time they are issued to them. All cadets are required to turn in all of the uniform items that have been issued to them at the end of the school year (or the end of 1st semester if you will not be returning for 2nd semester). If by chance the cadet loses or damages a uniform item, he or she is responsible for the replacement cost of the lost or damaged item. If the cadet does not pay for the lost or damaged item, a due-slip will be filed with the Laney High School bookkeeper.    

Where do I take my uniform for alterations?

Currently, we have an ongoing working relationship with Lee's Rod & Reel and Shoe Repair located at 3908 Market St, Suite 106, Wilmington NC 28403. You are not required to pay for alterations, however DO NOT take your uniform in for alterations or tailoring unless you have been instructed to do so by Col. Smith or MSgt. See, otherwise, you will be responsible for the cost of any alterations made to the uniform. Click here for a map to Lee's Rod & Reel and Shoe Repair

Do I have to join the military after I take AFJROTC?

NO!!! The curriculum for AFJROTC is designed to assist in "Creating Better Citizens" and should not be mistaken as a recruiting operation. While information about the different branches of the military is discussed, and at times, military recruiters may visit the classroom (as they do in many other areas of the school), there is no attempt made to recruit an individual within the classroom setting, nor is a cadet required to serve time in the military because of their association with AFJROTC. However, their time spent in AFJROTC often results in a higher rank upon entry into a military branch, should the cadet decide to enter the military at a later time.