About Army Clothing Regulations

The military has strict standards a soldier must go by when donning a uniform. The reason these rules and regulations are so strict is these soldiers represent an entire country of men and women who are proud to be American and soldiers.

Grooming Procedures

While in uniform a female soldier must have long hair pinned above the collar of the uniform. If the female has short hair, it is best to be kept off the collar of the uniform shirt or blouse. Bobby pins, barrettes and clips are permitted for female soldiers, but only if the item is approximately the same color as her hair. No garish or gaudy items may adorn the hair of a female soldier in uniform. Make-up on the face of a soldier in uniform is permitted. The make-up should be applied conservatively and neatly. Nothing over the top or eccentric is wanted or needed when make-up is applied to a female soldier in uniform.

Male soldiers may have facial hair, but only a mustache. It is to be kept neat and trimmed at all times. The chin and sides of the face of a male soldier must be clean and shaved at all times. The hair of a male soldier should not be seen from under any headgear worn with the uniform. Most soldiers prefer the style of a "high and tight" more than most other hair styles.

Uniformity

Soldiers in uniform must be pressed and ready for duty when the hour strikes. There should be no slovenly appearances, no wrinkles and any medals or ribbons should be worn appropriately. There are codes in the rules and regulations book given to every soldier when he or she is in basic training. Those uniform codes of the military will allow the soldier to dress and look appropriate at any given time when in uniform.

Paraphernalia

Uniformed soldiers may wear certain types of jewelry. An identification bracelet, which can be either a POW/MIA or medical alert bracelet, is allowed. Earrings in female soldiers ears are limited to posts and other appropriate earrings. Dangling or hoop earrings are not normally permitted for female soldiers. Any other body piercing on either gender is not allowed. When a soldier is not in uniform, no part of a uniform may adorn the soldier's body. There is no "mix and match" with civilian clothing and a military uniform.