Grooming Standards

Males: Hair must be evenly faded from zero at the hairline and neck (sides & back of the head), to no more than 3 inches (on the top of the head).  (Ask c/ Sgt Maj Jay Viroja for examples). 

• Shaving: faces must be clean shaven (no peach fuzz), moustaches are allowed- however they must be neatly trimmed & tidy (cannot cover the upper lip line).

"Hair will be neat and closely trimmed. The hair may be clipped at the edges of the side and back and will be evenly graduated all the way around the head (blended or faded and not edged as an outline) from zero length (skin) at the hairline to at least the top orifice of the ear circling around the back of the head, where it may then extend to the maximum hair length. Hair will not be over 3 inches in length fully extended (an extended hair, not the style, determines proper length) on the upper portion of the head. The bulk of the hair shall not exceed approximately 2 inches. Bulk is defined as the distance that the mass of hair protrudes from the scalp when styled. The back and sides of the head below the hairline may be shaved to remove body hair. 

1. Sideburns will not extend below the top of the orifice of the ear, as indicated by the line A-A' in figures 1-1 and 1-2. Sideburns will not be styled to taper, flare or come to a point. The length of an individual hair of the sideburn will not exceed 1/8 inch when fully extended. " - Marine Corps Order 1020.34H v2

Hair Color: "If applied, dyes, tints, bleaches and frostings, which result in natural colors, are authorized. The hair color must complement the person's complexion tone. Color changes that detract from a professional image are prohibited (excessive colors like pink/ purple/ blue, etc)."  - Marine Corps Order 1020.34H v2

Females: 

• Simplified: If your hair extends past the collars lower edge (covers your ranks), then your hair must be put up into a bun. The bun must be neat and have minimal to no flyways. (there will be videos linked to show tutorials- it is a learning process and practice makes perfect. Please put in maximum effort, it shows how much you care!) If your hair does not extend past the collars edge, it will be put up into a half up half down & will be gelled to reduce flyways (see c/ Franco for details or advice). No excessive colors (like blue/ pink/ purple, etc)... only natural tones are permitted.) Hair ties, bobby pins, etc must be black, clear, or not easily identifiable (no colors). 

• PT: You don't have to wear a bun while in PT gear, it just has to be up (a ponytail is fine). The hair ties must be black or neutral tones (no claw clips, scrunchies, etc.)

Detailed explanation from MCO: Page I - 14, I - 15, and I - 16