Grooming and Appearance Standards

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Chapter 3. Grooming and Appearance Standards.

3.1. Personal Grooming Standards. This chapter outlines personal grooming while wearing the USAFstyle or Corporate-style uniforms. Commander’s discretion may be used to determine if individual’s personal grooming is within standards of this regulation. Commanders do not have authority to waive grooming and appearance standards except as identified in this regulation. The personal grooming standards listed are minimum standards that represent common appearance issues and are not allinclusive. Although members have the right, within established limits, to express their individuality through their appearance, this regulation defines what is and what is not, an acceptable, professional image for CAP members. Except for minor variations based on gender differences, all CAP personnel must comply with the same personal grooming standards dependent on the uniform they are wearing (USAF-style or Corporate-style). Commanders have the responsibility to determine compliance with the letter and intent of this regulation and to correct the obvious violations regardless of whether the situation identified is clearly written in this regulation. 

3.2. USAF-style Uniform Grooming Standards. Members must comply with the requirements of this paragraph and sub-paragraphs to wear the USAF-style uniform. All cadets must meet USAF-style grooming standards regardless of which uniform combination they wear. 

3.2.1. General Requirements for Hair. Will be clean, well-groomed, present a professional appearance and allow proper wear of headgear 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 members are authorized to wear hair in a natural color regardless of their natural born hair color. Prohibited examples (not all-inclusive) are burgundy, purple, orange, fluorescent or neon colors.  

3.2.1.2. 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 ¼ 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 design. Men 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 ¼ inch width. Men are not authorized hair extensions. See Attachment 3 for sideburns, mustache, and graphic examples of male hair standards. 

3.2.1.2.1. 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. 

3.2.1.2.2. Mustaches. Male members 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. 

3.2.1.2.3. Beards. Beards are not authorized with USAF-Style Uniforms unless a waiver outlined in paragraph 1.5 has been obtained. When authorized for medical reasons, members will keep all facial hair trimmed not to exceed ¼ inch in length. Individuals granted a shaving waiver may shave or trim their facial hair to present a neat, clean, professional image but will not shave or trim in such a manner as to give a lined/shaped appearance. 

3.2.1.3. Hair (Female). No minimum length to a maximum bulk of 4 inchesfrom scalp and allows for proper wear of headgear. If worn loose, 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. If hair is pulled back and secured behind the head, radius will not exceed 6 inches from the point where the hair is gathered (i.e., no more than 6 inches to the left and 6 inches to the right, 12 inches total width; and 6 inches protruding from where hair is gathered) and must allow for proper wear of headgear. One or two braids or a single ponytail may be worn with 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/equivalent cannot be worn over the shoulder or pulled in front of the body. They shall extend 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 the member standing in the position of attention. 

3.2.1.3.1. The intent is for pinned-up hair to 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 hairstyle 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. As with all hairstyles, a neat and professional image is essential. 

3.2.1.3.2. Hair accessories. If worn, black hair accessories (e.g. fabric scrunchies, hairpins, combs, clips, headbands, elastic bands and barrettes, etc.) 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). 

3.2.1.3.3. Locs, braids, twists, micro-braids, French braids, Dutch braids and cornrows are authorized. Locs are defined as portions of hair that have been intentionally or unintentionally fused together to form a loc or locs. A braid or twist is two or more portions of interwoven hair. If adding additional hair, it must be a natural looking color, similar to the individual’s hair color. It must be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) and not present a faddish appearance. Multiple locs, braids, twists or cornrows may come together down the back in one or two braids or a single ponytail as described in paragraph 3.2.1.3. Hair must not exceed bulk and length standards. Headgear must fit properly. 

3.2.1.3.3.1. All locs, braids and twists, when worn, will be of uniform dimension, no wider than one inch, with natural spacing between the locs, braids, or twists and must be tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional and well-groomed appearance. When worn, multiple locs, braids or twists shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx. ¼ inches), show no more than ¼ inch of scalp between the locs, braids or twists and must be tightly fused/interwoven to present a neat, professional appearance. A loc or braid must continue to the end of the hair without design and following the contour of the head, and may be worn loose or in a secured style within hair standards above. Exception: Micro-braids or twists are not required to continue to the end of the hair. 

3.2.1.3.4. Unauthorized: Mohawk, mullet or etched designs. 

3.2.1.3.5. Hair color, highlights, lowlights and frosting will not be faddish and will be natural looking hair color for human beings, similar to the individual’s hair color (e.g. black, brunette, blond, natural red, and grey). 

3.2.1.3.6. Body Hair. Female members will remove leg hair that is visibly protruding beyond the appropriate hosiery or causes a visibly uneven texture under hosiery. 

3.2.2. Fingernails. Male members are not authorized to wear nail polish. If worn by females, nail polish will be a single color that does not distract 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. 

3.2.3. Cosmetics. Male members are not authorized to wear cosmetics. Female members may wear cosmetics; however, if worn, they will be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) and in good taste. Female members will not wear shades of lipstick that detract from the uniform, or that are extreme colors. Some examples of extreme colors include but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, bright (fire-engine) red, and fluorescent colors. 

3.2.4. Tattoos/Brands/Body Markings. For purposes of this regulation, a tattoo is defined as a picture, design, or marking made on the skin or other areas of the body by staining it with an indelible dye, or by any other method, including pictures, designs, or markings only detectible or visible under certain conditions (such as ultraviolet or invisible ink tattoos). A brand is defined as a picture, design, or other marking that is burned into the skin or other areas of the body. Body markings are pictures, designs, or other markings as a result of using means other than burning to permanently scar or mark the skin. 

3.2.4.1. Tattoos/Brands/Body Markings (Inappropriate Content/locations). Tattoos/brands or body markings will not be on the hands (except one ring tattoo on one finger on one hand), head, neck (anything visible above the open collar uniform), face, tongue, lips, eyes, and scalp. Tattoos/brands/body markings anywhere on the body that are indecent, commonly associated with gangs, extremist, and supremacist organizations, or that advocate sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination are prohibited in and out of uniform. Indecent tattoos/brands/body markings are grossly offensive to modesty, decency, or propriety, or shocks the moral sense, because of its vulgar, filthy, or disgusting nature, or its tendency to incite lustful thought. It is indecent if it tends reasonably to corrupt morals or incite libidinous thoughts. Extremist tattoos/brands/body markings are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies, organizations, or activities. Sexually discriminative tattoos/brands/body markings are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on gender. Racially discriminative tattoos/brands/body markings are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. Religiously discriminative tattoos/brands/body markings are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on religion. 

3.2.4.2. Tattoos (Authorized). Tattoos are authorized on the chest and back (below the open collar uniform), arms, legs, and a ring tattoo on one finger on one hand (per para 3.2.4.1). Ring tattoos are limited to a single band of no more than 3/8 of an inch in width, below the knuckle and above the finger joint (portion closest to the palm). Chest and back tattoos will not be visible through any uniform combination(s) or visible while wearing an open collar uniform. There are no size or placement limitations on tattoos as long as they are in accordance with this publication. 

3.2.4.3. Cosmetic tattooing. Tattooing for cosmetic purposes is authorized when directed by licensed, qualified medical personnel to correct a medical condition, illness or injury for both men and women. When not medically directed, cosmetic tattooing is permitted for women if done to apply permanent facial makeup (i.e. eyebrows, eye liner). The cosmetic tattooing must have a natural appearance and be conservative, moderate, within reasonable limits, not excessive or extreme, not distinctly contrast with their complexion, and in good taste. 

3.2.5. Body Piercing/Ornamentation. With the exception of earrings for women (see paragraph 6.3.1.1.1), all members are prohibited from attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, articles, jewelry or ornamentation to or through the ear, nose, tongue, eye brows, lips, or any exposed body part visible while in uniform. 

3.2.6. Dental ornamentation. Teeth, whether natural, capped, or veneered, will not be ornamented with designs, jewels, initials, etc. The use of yellow gold, white gold, or platinum caps (permanent or temporary) merely to add ornamentation to the teeth and not required by dental/medical necessity (such as braces) is prohibited. Waivers are not required for members with permanent yellow gold, white gold or platinum caps that were applied as a result of dental/medical necessity. 

3.2.7. Body Alteration/Modification. Intentional alterations and/or modifications to a member’s body that result in a visible, physical effect that disfigures, deforms or otherwise detracts from a professional military image are prohibited. Examples of prohibited conduct include (but are not limited to) tongue splitting or forking, tooth filing, acquiring visible, disfiguring skin implants, and gouging (piercing holes large enough to permit light to shine through.)