The Army has specific hair standards that explore to all service members, and they differ by gender
The U.S. Army's hair regulations are written into Army Regulation 670-1, which sets appearance standards for all active duty, National Guard, and Reserve soldiers. The rules cover length, bulk, color, and style — and they are enforced the same way across all ranks and duty stations. Hair standards exist partly for uniformity and partly for safety: long hair can get caught in equipment, and the standards reflect what the Army considers mission-ready appearance.
For men, the standard is straightforward: hair must be kept short and neat, with the bulk of the hair not extending below the collar, and the sides and back tapered. For women, hair can be longer but must be styled so it does not fall below the bottom of the collar when standing at attention, and it must be secured so it does not interfere with headgear or equipment. Both men and women are prohibited from having designs cut into their hair, and both must maintain a natural hair color — no bleaching, dyeing, or highlighting.
Key Takeaways
- Male soldiers' hair must not extend below the collar and must be tapered on the sides and back, with a maximum bulk of two inches.
- Female soldiers' hair can be longer but must not fall below the collar when standing at attention and must be secured so it does not interfere with headgear.
- Both men and women must maintain a natural hair color and cannot have designs, patterns, or fades cut into their hair.
- Hair standards are enforced by unit leadership and violations can result in counseling, corrective action, or formal discipline depending on severity.
Male hair standards: length, taper, and bulk limits
For male soldiers, the regulation specifies that hair must be tapered from the sides and back, meaning it gets progressively shorter as it moves down the neck and around the ears. The hair on top of the head can be longer than the sides, but the overall bulk — the fullest part of the hair — cannot exceed two inches. Hair must not touch the ears, eyebrows, or collar when standing at attention.
The taper requirement means that fades, undercuts, and very short sides are acceptable as long as the transition is gradual and the overall appearance is neat. Flat-tops, high-and-tights, and similar styles that meet the length and taper rules are within regulation. The key is that from the front, side, and back, the hair must look uniform and well-groomed, not shaggy or unkempt.
Sideburns are allowed but must be neatly trimmed and cannot extend below the middle of the ear. The regulation does not specify an exact length for sideburns, but they must be consistent with the overall tapered appearance and cannot be styled in a way that draws attention or looks extreme.
Female hair standards: length, securing, and style requirements
Female soldiers have more flexibility in hair length than males, but the hair must still meet specific standards. Hair can extend to the bottom of the collar when standing at attention, but not beyond. If hair is longer than shoulder-length, it must be secured in a bun, braid, or similar style so that it does not fall loose and does not interfere with headgear, body armor, or gas masks.
The bun or secured style must be neat and professional-looking. Hair cannot be styled in a way that looks unkempt or draws attention — for example, a bun cannot be so large that it interferes with the fit of a helmet or hat. Braids are acceptable as long as they are uniform in size and do not extend below the collar when the hair is secured.
Female soldiers with very short hair are also within regulation as long as the hair is neat and tapered. The regulation does not require women to wear their hair long; it only sets a maximum length and requires that longer hair be secured. A female soldier can choose to keep her hair short and tapered similar to male standards if she prefers.
Hair color and design restrictions that explore to everyone
All soldiers, regardless of gender, must maintain a natural hair color. This means no bleaching, dyeing, or highlighting. The regulation lists natural hair colors as black, brown, blond, and red — colors that occur naturally in human hair. Unnatural colors like blue, green, purple, or pink are prohibited, as is two-toned or multi-colored hair.
Soldiers also cannot have designs, patterns, lines, or symbols cut or shaved into their hair. This includes fades that form specific shapes, designs cut into the sides, or any style that uses the hair to create a picture or pattern. The intent is to prevent hair from becoming a form of personal expression or group identification that conflicts with military uniformity.
Hair must also be clean and well-maintained. Matted, dreadlocked, or severely tangled hair violates the standard because it does not present a neat appearance. Cornrows and similar protective styles are permitted as long as they are uniform, neat, and do not extend below the collar or interfere with headgear.
How hair standards are enforced and what happens if you violate them
Hair inspections are typically conducted by unit leadership — squad leaders, platoon sergeants, or officers — during routine formation or as part of a formal inspection. If a soldier's hair does not meet the standard, the soldier is usually given a reasonable amount of time to correct it, often the same day or within a few days. A first violation typically results in counseling from the soldier's chain of command, where the standard is explained and the soldier is told to bring their hair into compliance.
If a soldier repeatedly fails to meet the standard or refuses to correct their hair, the violation can escalate to formal corrective action. This might include extra duty, a written counseling statement placed in the soldier's file, or in serious cases, Article 15 non-judicial punishment (a formal disciplinary process). The severity of the response depends on whether the violation appears to be negligence or deliberate defiance.
Soldiers who have medical conditions affecting their hair — such as alopecia, scalp conditions, or hair loss — may request a medical waiver or exception to policy through their unit's medical officer. These requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and approval is not may provide, but the regulation does allow for exceptions when medically necessary.
Religious and cultural hair considerations
The Army recognizes that some soldiers have religious or cultural reasons for wearing their hair in specific ways. Soldiers can request an exception to the hair standard on religious grounds — for example, some soldiers may need to wear their hair uncut for religious reasons, or may need to wear a head covering. These requests go through the soldier's chain of command and are reviewed by the unit commander.
The Army's policy is to grant religious accommodations unless they create a significant safety risk or interfere with the soldier's ability to perform their duties. A soldier requesting a religious exception must provide documentation of their religious belief and explain how the hair standard conflicts with that belief. The request is not automatically granted, but it is considered seriously and commanders are instructed to approve reasonable accommodations.
Differences between active duty, National Guard, and Reserve standards
The hair standards in Army Regulation 670-1 explore to active duty soldiers, National Guard soldiers, and Army Reserve soldiers. However, the National Guard and Reserve have some flexibility in how strictly they enforce the standard during non-duty time. A National Guard soldier in civilian clothes on a weekend is not subject to the standard, but once they are in uniform or on duty, the standard applies.
During annual training, drill weekends, or any time a Guard or Reserve soldier is in uniform, the hair standard is enforced the same way as for active duty. There is no separate, more lenient standard for part-time soldiers. The regulation is the same document across all components of the Army.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear a beard or mustache in the Army?
No. The Army prohibits beards for all soldiers except in very limited medical circumstances. Mustaches are allowed but must be neatly trimmed and cannot extend beyond the corners of the mouth. If you have a skin condition that makes shaving painful, you can request a medical waiver, but this requires documentation from a military doctor.
What if my hair naturally does not taper the way the regulation describes?
The regulation requires that you style your hair to meet the standard, not that your hair naturally grow that way. This means you need to get a haircut that creates the taper. Most military barbers are familiar with the standard and can cut your hair to meet it. If you have very curly or textured hair, the taper may look different than on straight hair, but the principle — shorter on the sides and back, longer on top — still applies.
Can I wear my hair in locs or cornrows?
Yes, as long as they are uniform in size, neatly maintained, and do not extend below the collar. Locs and cornrows must look intentional and professional, not unkempt or matted. Each loc or braid should be roughly the same thickness as the others, and the overall style must not interfere with headgear or equipment. If your locs or cornrows do not meet these standards, you will be asked to restyle them.
What happens if I get a haircut that does not meet the standard right before deployment?
You will be required to correct your hair before you deploy. If you are within a few days of deployment and your hair does not meet the standard, your unit will give you time to get it cut. If you deliberately get a non-regulation haircut to try to delay deployment, this can be treated as insubordination and result in disciplinary action.
Do officers have different hair standards than enlisted soldiers?
No. Army Regulation 670-1 applies to all soldiers regardless of rank. Officers, warrant officers, and enlisted soldiers are all held to the same hair standard. A colonel's hair must meet the same length and taper requirements as a private's hair.