Hello everyone! I'm a junior in high school and have always been known for my hair. As I'm thinking through my options for after graduation, I'm finding myself attracted towards the military. Does any branch have more lenient rules about hairstyles? I'd appreciate your advice!
The degree of hairstyle leniency in each branch of the military can vary, but there have been recent changes to be more inclusive and accepting of different hair types and styles.
In general, military dress and appearance regulations are intended to maintain uniformity within a military service – a critical component of unity. However, these regulations have become more comprehensive over the years to cater to the diversity of service members.
The Air Force, for instance, has released a new dress code update that allows more flexibility for hairstyles. Women in the Air Force are now allowed to have their hair as long as they want, as long as it can be tied up in a single or double braid, a ponytail, or can be neatly tucked under the uniform cap. Male Airmen are allowed to have their hair up to two inches in bulk, up from the previous limit of 1.25 inches.
However, the Navy has one of the most lenient hair policies among the military branches. Female sailors are allowed to have hairstyles including locks, ponytails, and even wider buns. Male sailors, however, are required to have their hair cut above the ears and neck.
The Army also recently updated its grooming policy allowing female soldiers more flexibility in hairstyles, including short, medium, and long ponytails and braids, as well as dreadlocks/locks and twists.
In contrast, the Marine Corps historically has stricter hair regulations. Women can wear locks and twists for medium and long hair, but men must have their hair trimmed to the scalp extend in laterally from the hair parting line, and sideburns cannot go lower than the bottom of the orifice of the ear.
Of course, each branch of the military has its own specific set of guidelines when it comes to hairstyles. If maintaining your distinct hairstyles is important to you, I would recommend speaking to recruiters from different branches about their current regulations. They will have the most up-to-date information and can provide you with more specific advice on how to maintain your personal style within the constraints of each military branch's appearance regulation.
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