USAF Uniform Standards

Grooming Standards

Members must comply with the requirements of this paragraph and sub-paragraphs to wear the USAF-style uniform. These grooming standards are not all inclusive. Please reference CAPR 39-1 for more specific guidance on uncommon circumstances.

All Genders

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.

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 detectable 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.

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.

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.

Female

Hair (Female). No minimum length to a maximum bulk of 4 inches from 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.

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).

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 and must not extend below the bottom of the collar. Headgear must fit properly.

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. 1⁄4 inches), show no more than 1⁄4 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.

Unauthorized: Mohawk, mullet or etched designs.

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).

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

Fingernails. 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 1⁄4 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.

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.