Grooming Standards Sep 1, 2016

Overview Cadets should always present a neat, clean and professional military image Five overarching standards for wearing the uniform - Neatness - Uniformity - Cleanliness - Military image - Safety AFJROTC cadets will follow grooming standards published in AFI 36-2903, Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personnel

Hair Males & Females: Will be clean, well-groomed, present a professional appearance, allow proper wear of headgear Will not contain excessive amounts of grooming aids (e.g. gel, mousse, pomade, moisturizer) Will not appear lopsided, touch either eyebrow, or end below an imaginary line across the forehead at the top of the eyebrows that is parallel to the ground Dyes, tints, bleaches and frostings must result in natural, human hair colors (brown, blonde, brunette, natural red, black or grey) Prohibited colors (not all inclusive) are burgundy, purple, orange, fluorescent or neon colors

Hair Males: Must not touch your ears or eyebrows, and only the closely cut or shaved hair on the back of your neck should touch the collar Must not exceed 1-1⁄4 inch in bulk regardless of the length * Note: Bulk is the distance that the hair projects from the scalp when groomed (as opposed to length of the hair) Must not protrude below the front band of the headgear Must have a tapered appearance on both sides and back, both with and without headgear Shaven heads, military high-and-tight or flat-top cuts are authorized Mohawks, mullets, cornrows, dreadlocks, etched designs and hair extensions are not authorized

Hair Males: Sideburns: Must be straight and even width (not flared); will not extend below the bottom of the orifice of the ear opening; will end in a clean-shaven horizontal line Mustaches: Must be conservative 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 Beards: Not authorized unless for medical reasons

Hair

Hair Females: Minimum length is one (1) inch to a maximum bulk of three (3) inches from scalp * Note: Bulk is the distance that the hair projects from the scalp when groomed (as opposed to length of the hair) Hair will end above the bottom edge of collar and any side of an invisible line drawn parallel Fabric scrunchies, hairpins, combs, clips, headbands, elastic bands and barrettes must match the hair color (i.e., blonde, brunette, natural red, black, grey); hair must still comply with bulk and appearance standards; headbands and scrunchies will not exceed 1-inch in width Ornaments (i.e., ribbons, beads, pins) are not authorized

Hair Females: When hair is in a bun, the bun must be a single bun; no wider than the width of the head with all loose ends tucked in and secured Braids, twists, micro-braids, French braids, Dutch braids and cornrows are authorized; if adding additional hair, it must be a natural looking color, similar to the individual's hair color; conservative and not present a faddish appearance All braids/twists, when worn will be of uniform dimension, no wider than 1 inch, with natural spacing between the braids/twists and must be tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional appearance

Hair Females: When worn, multiple braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx 1/4 inches), show no more than 1/4 inch of scalp between the braids and must be tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional appearance; a braid/twist must continue to the end of the hair without design and follow the contour of the head, and may be worn loose or in a secured style; Exception: Micro-braids or twists are not required to continue to the end of the hair Locs and shaved heads are not authorized 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)

Hair

Hair Females: http://www.navy.mil/ah_online/um/femalehair.html

Fingernails Males & Females: Must be clean, well groomed & no longer than 1/4 inch beyond the tip of the finger Females: Nail polish, if worn, must be a single color that does not distinctly contrast with the cadet’s complexion, detract from the uniform, or be extreme colors Extreme colors included, but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, bright (fire engine) red and florescent colors Designs and two-tone or multi-tone colors are not authorized White-tip French manicures are authorized Males: Nail polish is not authorized

Cosmetics Males: Not authorized Females: Must be conservative and in good taste Shades of lipstick will not distinctly contrast with the female cadet’s complexion, detract from the uniform, or be extreme colors Extreme colors include but are not limited to, purple, gold, blue, black, bright (fire-engine) red, and fluorescent colors

Tattoos & Brands Generally discouraged Not authorized if they are obscene or if they advocate sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination May not be excessive (1/4 of exposed body part) Will not be exposed or visible (including visible through the uniform) while in uniform Direct further questions to SASI/ASI

Jewelry Wristwatch: Conservative in style & color; no wider than 1 inch Rings: No more than three (3) total; no thumb rings Bracelet: No more than one (1); neat and conservative; 1/2 inch wide or less; no colored bracelets that support a cause Earrings: Males: Not authorized Females: One (1) small spherical (diamond, gold, white pearl, or silver) pierced or clip earring on each earlobe; must match and fit snuggly against the ear Body Piercing: Not authorized in ear, nose, tongue or any exposed body part while in uniform

Eyeglasses / Sunglasses No ornaments on the frames or lenses Conservative, clear, slightly tinted, or photosensitive lenses may be worn in uniform while indoors or while in military formation Sunglasses are not allowed while in military formation Can not be worn around the neck while in uniform

First inspection on grooming standards Mark your calendars! September 15, 2016 First inspection on grooming standards

Questions?