Male Grooming Standards
Figure 3 – 1. Male grooming standards
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.