USACC Regulation 145-2 Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Program (Effective 12 August 2022)

8-6. Personal Appearance

a. JROTC is a uniformed organization, which is judged, in part, by how a Cadet

wears a prescribed uniform and maintains their personal appearance. Therefore, a neat

and well-groomed appearance by all Cadets is fundamental to JROTC and contributes

to building the pride, esprit, good order, and discipline essential to an effective unit.

b. Hair Styles: Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as they are neat and

conservative. Hair will be neatly groomed. Hair that is clipped closely or shaved to the

scalp is authorized. The length and bulk of hair will not be excessive or present a

ragged or extreme appearance. If dyes, tints, or bleaches are used, colors used must

be natural to human hair and not present an extreme appearance. Hairstyles will not

interfere will proper wearing of military headgear. The headgear when worn in uniform

will not appear bulging or distorted, and without excessive gaps between the headgear

and the head. There is no minimum hair length for Cadets, and Cadets are permitted to

have natural highlight. Hair that falls over the eyebrows or ears will be pulled back. Hair

holding ornaments (barrettes, pins, clips, headbands), if used, must be transparent or

similar in color to hair, and will be inconspicuously placed. Headbands should not be

wider than 1 ½ inches. Cadets are permitted to wear a ponytail, two braids, or one

singular braid in all uniforms. Cadets are authorized to wear multiple neat-in appearance

hairstyles at once. Colors that detract from a professional uniform

appearance are prohibited. It is the responsibility of instructors to use good judgment in

determining if applied colors are acceptable, based upon the overall effect on Cadets’

appearance.

c. Facial hair: Sideburns will be neatly trimmed. Sideburns will not extend below the

lowest part of the exterior ear opening. The face will be clean-shaven, except for

permitted mustaches.

d. Fingernails: All Cadets will keep fingernails clean and neatly trimmed. Female

Cadets are permitted to wear any color fingernail polish as long as they match in type

and style. Do not extend more than ½ inch for acrylic nails from the tip of the finger.

e. Hygiene and Tattoos: Cadets are expected to maintain good hygiene while in

uniform. Tattoos are authorized; however, tattoos or brands that are extremist, indecent,

sexist, or racist are prohibited, visible with any uniformed activity, as they are prejudicial

to good order and discipline within the unit, the school, and the community. If a Cadet

has a tattoo on the face, it will not prohibit the Cadet from participating in JROTC.

Instructors should advise that facial tattoos could prohibit the Cadet from joining the

Armed Forces.

f. Lipstick: Female Cadets may wear non-extreme shades of lipstick.