Grooming Standards

MALE GROOMING STANDARDS

Males Hair:

Keep hair neat, clean, and well-groomed. Hair above the ears and around the neck shall be tapered from the lower natural hairline upwards at least 3/4 inch and outward not greater than 3/4 inch to blend with the hairstyle. Hair on the back of the neck must not touch the collar. Hair shall be no longer than four inches and may not touch the ears, collar, extend below eyebrows when headgear is removed, show under the front edge of headgear, or interfere with properly wearing military headgear.

• The bulk of the hair shall not exceed approximately two inches. Bulk is defined as the distance that the mass of hair protrudes from the scalp.

• Hair coloring must look natural and complement the individual. Faddish styles and outrageous multicolored hair are not authorized. 

• The unique quality and texture of curled, kinked, waved, and straight hair is recognized, and in some cases, the 3/4 inch taper at the back of the neck may be difficult to attain. In those cases, hair must present a graduated appearance and may combine the taper with a line at the back of the neck.

• One (cut, clipped, or shaved) natural, narrow, fore and aft part is authorized. 

• Varying hairstyles, including afro, are permitted if these styles meet the criteria of maximum length and bulk, tapered neck and sides, and do not interfere with properly wearing military headgear. 

• Plaited or braided hair shall not be worn while in uniform or in a duty status.

• Keep sideburns neatly trimmed and tailored in the same manner as the haircut. Sideburns shall not extend below a point level with the middle of the ear, shall be of even width (not flared), and shall end with a clean-shaven horizontal line. “Muttonchops,” “Ship’s captain,” or similar grooming modes are not authorized.

Males Facial Hair:

• The face shall be clean-shaven unless a shaving waiver is authorized by the Commanding Officer for medical reasons. 

• Mustaches are authorized but shall be kept neatly and closely trimmed. 

• No portion of the mustache shall extend below the lip line of the upper lip. It shall not go beyond a horizontal line extending across the corners of the mouth and no more than 1/4 inch beyond a vertical line drawn from the corner of the mouth.

• The length of an individual mustache hair fully extended shall not exceed approximately 1/2 an inch.

• Handlebar mustaches, goatees, beards, or eccentricities are not permitted. 

• Fingernails shall not extend past fingertips. They shall be kept clean.

Fingernails:

Shall be neat, cleaned, and trimmed and will not extend past the fingertips. 

Earrings/Studs:

Not authorized for males while in uniform.

Necklaces:

Authorized, but shall not be visible.

Rings:

One per hand.

Watches/Bracelets:

One of each is authorized but no ankle bracelets. 

Sunglasses:

A conservative pair is permitted when authorized by the naval science instructor. Sunglasses are never authorized in military formations. Retainer straps are not authorized. 

FEMALE GROOMING STANDARDS

Females Hair

Clean, neatly shaped, and presents a well-groomed appearance. Lopsided or asymmetrical haircuts and hairstyles are not authorized. The wearing of an approved style is authorized provided it does not prohibit the proper wear of safety gear and allows uniform head gear to be worn squarely on the head. 

Braids and Ponytails: 

Single braid, French braid, or a single ponytail is authorized in Service, Working, and PT uniforms. The initial accessory for the ponytail will not be visible when facing forward. Authorized accessory devices must be consistent with the color of the hair. The end of the braid or ponytail may extend up to three inches below the lower edge of the collar of the shirt, jacket or coat. 

Hair Buns:

Will not exceed three inches from the scalp or extend beyond the width of the back of the head. 

Lock Hairstyle:

Consists of one section of hair that twists from or near the root to the end of the hair and creates a uniform ringlet or cord-like appearance. Locks may be worn in short, medium, and long hair lengths in the following manner: 

(a) Locks must continue from the root to the end of the hair in one direction (no zig-zagging, curving, or ending before the end of the lock to dangle as a wisp or loose hair) and should encompass the whole head. Locks partings must be square or rectangular in shape in order to maintain a neat and professional appearance. 

(b) Locks can be loose (free-hanging where no hair is added to the lock once it is started other than hair extensions that are attached at the end of the natural hair). When worn loose, locks will be spaced no more than three-eighths of an inch apart, diameter/width will not exceed three-eighths of an inch, and locks will be tightly interlaced to present a neat and professional military appearance. Locks may also be worn in a bun provided all hair grooming requirements are met. Locks may not be worn in combination with other hair styles (e.g. twists, braids). 

(c) New growth (defined as hair that naturally grows from the scalp and has not yet been locked) will not exceed one-half inch at any time. 

(d) Locks that do not meet these standards and do not present a neat and professional military appearance will not be worn in uniform. The Senior Naval Science Instructor has the ultimate responsibility for determining when hairstyles are eccentric, faddish, or out of standards. 

NOTE: Ethnic hairstyles are permitted, provided they are groomed to fit within the guidelines 

              stated here. Bizarre hairstyles and faddish or outrageous multicolor hair are 

              unauthorized. Hair, wigs, or hair extensions/pieces must be a natural hair color (i.e., 

              blonde, brunette, brown, red, gray, or black). Tints and highlights shall result in natural 

              hair colors and be similar to the current base color of the hair. 

Hair Ornaments:

Must be consistent with the hair color. A maximum of two small barrettes, similar to hair color, may be used to secure the hair to the head. Bun accessories (used to form the bun), are authorized if completely concealed. Headbands, “scrunchies,” combs, claws, and butterfly clips are examples of accessories that are not authorized. Conspicuous rubber bands, combs, and pins are not authorized. 

Cosmetics: 

May be applied in good taste so that colors blend with natural skin tone and enhance natural features. Exaggerated or faddish cosmetic styles are not authorized with the uniform and shall not be worn. Care should be taken to avoid an artificial appearance. Lipstick colors shall be conservative and complement the individual. Long false eyelashes shall not be worn when in uniform.

Fingernails: 

Shall not exceed 1/4 inch measured from the fingertip. They shall be kept clean. Nail polish may be worn, but colors shall be conservative and complement the skin tone.  French manicures are permitted.

Earrings/Studs:

One per ear, centered on the earlobe. Must be a small gold or silver ball (post or screw on). Studs are not authorized in the nose, eyebrows, tongue, lips, or other areas of the face or body visible to the Naval Science Instructors. 

Necklaces:

Authorized, but shall not be visible.

Rings:

One per hand is authorized, plus the engagement ring or the wedding ring. 

Watches/Bracelets:

One of each is authorized but no ankle bracelets. 

Sunglasses:

A conservative pair is permitted when authorized by the naval science instructor. Sunglasses are never authorized in military formations. Retainer straps are not authorized. 

NOTE: Personal appearance such as the wearing of lip rings, tongue and nose studs, belly rings,  

              and other types of bizarre body jewelry, for both males and females when out of uniform, 

              will be determined by the local school or NJROTC student dress codes.