1. Grooming Standards
Sep 1, 2016

2. 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 , Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personnel

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Hair

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. Hair

11. Hair
Females:

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. Questions?