Because it is impossible to provide examples of every appropriate or unacceptable hairstyle or of "conservative" or "eccentric" grooming and personal appearance, the good judgment of leaders at all levels is key to enforcement of Naval Academy grooming policy. Therefore, hair/grooming/personal appearance while in uniform shall present a neat, professional appearance.
Keep hair, neat, clean, and well groomed. Hair above the ears and around the neck shall be tapered from the lower hairline upwards at least ¾ inch and outward not greater than ¾ inch to blend with hair style. Hair on the back of the neck must not touch the collar. Hair shall be no longer than four inches and may not touch the ears, collar, extend below eyebrows when headgear is removed, show under front edge of headgear, or interfere with properly wearing military headgear. The bulk of the hair shall not exceed approximately two inches. Bulk is defined as the distance that the mass of hair protrudes from the scalp. Hair coloring must look natural and complement the individual. Faddish styles and outrageous multicolored hair are not authorized. The unique quality and texture of curled, kinked, waved, and straight hair are recognized, and in some cases the ¾ inch taper at the back of the next may be difficult to attain. In those cases hair must present a graduated appearance and may combine the taper with a line at the back of the neck. One natural, narrow, fore and aft part is authorized. Varying hairstyles, including Afro, are permitted if these styles meet the criteria of maximum length and bulk, tapered neck and sides, and do not interfere with properly wearing military headgear. Plaited or braided hair is not authorized. Keep sideburns neatly trimmed and tailored in the same manner as the haircut. Sideburns shall not extend below a point level with the middle of the ear, shall be even width (not flared) and shall end with a clean-shaven horizontal line. Figure 5-1 refers. "Muttonchops," blocked haircuts, and rounded or square back haircuts are not authorized.
On Induction Day, all male Plebes will receive a crew cut and will be required to keep this standard throughout Plebe Summer. Upon the conclusion of Plebe Summer, Fourth Class Midshipmen will be authorized to comply with the hair regulations below.
Figure 5-1_________INDICATES SCALP LINE
Sideburns shall not extend below a point level with the middle of the ear, as indicated by line "A".
Hairstyle properly groomed shall not be greater than approximately 2 inches in bulk. Bulk is the distance that the mass of hair protrudes from the scalp. No individual hair will measure more than 4 inches in length.Midshipmen are not authorized to wear moustaches unless in a leave status.
This policy applies to female midshipmen while wearing the Navy uniform and when wearing civilian clothes in the performance of duty.
Hairstyles and haircuts shall present a professional and balanced appearance. Appropriateness of a hairstyle shall be evaluated by its appearance when headgear is worn. All headgear shall fit snugly and comfortably around the largest part of the head without distortion or excessive gaps. Hairstyles will not interfere with the proper wearing of headgear, protective masks or equipment. When headgear is worn, hair shall not show from under the front of the headgear. Hair is not to protrude from the opening in the back of the ball cap, except when wearing a bun hairstyle. All buns shall be positioned on the back of the head to ensure the proper wearing of all headgear.
Angled hairstyles will have no more than a 1-1/2 inch difference between the front and the back length of hair. Layered hairstyles are authorized provided layers present a smooth and graduated appearance.
With jumper uniforms, hair may extend a maximum of 1-1/2 inches below the top of the jumper collar. Long hair, including braids, shall be neatly fastened, pinned, or secured to the head. When bangs are worn, they shall not extend below the eyebrows. Hair length shall be sufficient to prevent the scalp from being readily visible (with the exception of documented medical conditions).
Figure 5-2 refers. The bulk of the bun shall not exceed 3 inches when measured from the scalp and the diameter of the bun will not exceed 4 inches. Loose ends must be tucked in and secured.
Hair extensions/pieces must match the current color of hair. Wigs, hairpieces and extensions shall be of such quality and fit so as to present a natural appearance and conform to the grooming guidelines listed herein. Tints and highlights shall result in natural hair colors and be similar to the current base color of the hair.
Hairstyles shall not detract from a professional appearance in uniform. Styles with shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline), those with designs cut, braided, or parted into the hair, as well as dyed using unnatural colors are not authorized. The unique quality and texture of curled, waved and straight hair are recognized. All hairstyles must minimize scalp exposure. While this list shall not be considered all inclusive, the following hairstyles are authorized.
Three strand braids and two strand braids (also referred to as twists) are authorized. Braided hairstyles shall be conservative and conform to the guidelines listed herein.
Multiple braids. Multiple braids consist of more than 2 braids and encompass the whole head. When a hairstyle of multiple braids is worn, each braid shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (no more than 1/4 inch), and tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional, well groomed appearance. Foreign material (e.g., beads, decorative items) shall not be braided into the hair. Multiple braids may be worn loose, or may be pulled straight back into a bun, within the guidelines herein.
Two individual braids. One braid worn on each side of the head, uniform in dimension and no more than one inch in diameter. Each braid extends from the front to back of the head near the lower portion of the hair line (i.e., braids are closer to the top of the ear than the top of the head to prevent interference with wearing of headgear). A single French braid may be worn starting near the top of the head and be braided to the end of the hair. The end of the braid must be secured to the head and braid placement shall be down the middle of the back of the head.
Corn rows. Must be in symmetrical fore and aft rows, and must be close to the head, leaving no hair unbraided. They must be no larger than 1/4 inch in diameter and show no more than approximately 1/8 inch of scalp between rows. Corn row ends shall not protrude from the head. Rows must end at the nape of the neck and shall be secured with rubber bands that match the color of the hair. Corn rows may end in a bun conforming to the guidelines listed herein, if hair length permits.
Rolls. Two individual rolls, one on each side of the head, must be near the lower portion of the hair line (i.e., rolls are closer to the top of the ear than the top of the head and will not interfere with wearing of headgear). Rolls must be of uniform dimension and no more than one inch in diameter.
When hair accessories are worn, they must be consistent with the hair color. A maximum of two small barrettes, similar to hair color, may be used to secure the hair to the head. Bun accessories (used to form the bun), are authorized if completely concealed. Additional hairpins, bobby pins, small rubber bands, or small thin fabric elastic bands may be used to hold hair in place, if necessary. The intent is for pinned-up hair to be styled in a manner that prevents loose ends from extending upward or outward from the head. For example, when using barrettes or hairpins, hair will not extend loosely from the head; when hair is in a bun, all loose ends must be tucked in and secured. Hair nets shall not be worn unless authorized for a specific type of duty. Headbands, scrunchies, combs, claws and butterfly clips, are examples of accessories that are not authorized; this list is not to be considered all inclusive.
While this list shall not be considered all inclusive, the following hairstyles are not authorized: ponytails; pigtails; braids that are widely spaced and/or protrude from the head; and locks. Locks, also called dreads, are fused or coiled strands of hair that cannot easily be combed out.
During Physical Training, midshipmen are allowed to relax hair standards. Hair is not required to be pinned to the head. Hair restraining devices, if worn, willbe navy blue, black or brown. This includes elastic headbands worn to keep hair out of the face. Hair may be worn relaxed in Blue over Khaki. It can be worn down, secured to the head, or
secured with elastic bands in navy blue, black and brown elastics only. In the Blue and Gold Jogging Suit, hair must be secured to the head during official military functions where Blue and Gold Jogging Suits are the prescribed uniform (this includes wearing the Blue and Gold jogging suit to class if authorized in accordance with reference (a)). For non-military function wear, hair may be worn down, secured to the head, or secured with elastic bands in navy blue, black and brown elastics only.
On Induction Day, all female Plebes will receive a haircut that is above their chin. Braids are authorized. After the initial haircut on I-Day, hair may extend a maximum of 1-1/2 inches below the top of the jumper collar. Plebes will be authorized the use of two small barrettes similar to natural hair color over the summer. Rubber bands and bobby pins are not authorized over Plebe Summer to keep hair up with the exception of physical training. Upon the conclusion of Plebe Summer, Fourth Class Midshipmen will be authorized to comply with the hair regulations below.
Haircuts and styles shall present a balanced appearance. Lopsided and extremely asymmetrical styles are not authorized. Ponytails, pigtails, widely spaced individual hanging locks, and braids which protrude from the head are not authorized. Multiple braids are authorized. No portion of the bulk of the hair as measured from the scalp shall exceed approximately 2inches.Hair shall not fall below a horizontal line level with the lower edge of the back of the collar as indicated by line A. When wearing jumper uniforms (e.g. white works), hair can extend amaximum of 1-1/2 inches below the top of the jumper collar.
Figure 5-2
The face shall be clean shaven at all times, unless authorized for medical reasons. If a shaving waiver is authorized, no facial/neck hair shall be shaved, manicured, styled or outlined nor exceed 1/4 inch in length. Midshipmen that are medically exempt from shaving must still comply with reference (a). Midshipmen are not authorized to grow or wear moustaches unless in a leave status or specifically authorized by the Commandant.
If authorized by the Commandant, the following guidance for moustaches applies. Mustaches shall be kept neatly and closely trimmed. No portion of the mustache shall extend below the lip line of the upper lip. It shall not go beyond a horizontal line extending across the corners of the mouth and no more than 1/4 inch beyond a vertical line drawn from the corner of the mouth. The length of an individual mustache hair fully extended shall not exceed approximately ½ inch. Figure 5-3 refers. Handlebar mustaches, goatees, beards or eccentricities are not permitted.
-- Go below a horizontal line extending across the corner of the mouth as indicated by line "B".-- Extend more than 1/4 inch beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth as indicated by line "C".-- Protrude below the lip line of the upper lip as indicated by line "D".
Wigs or hairpieces shall be of good quality and fit, present a natural appearance and conform to the grooming standards set forth in these regulations. They shall not interfere with the proper performance of a duty nor present a safety or FOD (Foreign Object Damage) hazard.
Wigs or hairpieces may be worn by midshipmen while in uniform or duty status only for cosmetic reasons to cover up natural baldness or physical disfigurement.
Wigs or hairpieces meeting women's grooming standards are authorized for wear by personnel while in uniform or duty status.
Cosmetics may be applied in good taste so that colors blend with natural skin tone and enhance natural features. Exaggerated or faddish cosmetic styles are not authorized in uniform and shall not be worn. Care should be taken to avoid an artificial appearance. individual. Lipstick colors shall be conservative and complement the Long false eyelashes shall not be worn when in uniform. Cosmetic permanent makeup is not authorized.
Fingernails shall not extend past fingertips. They shall be kept clean.
Fingernails shall not exceed 1/4 inch measured from the fingertip. They shall be kept clean. Nail polish may be worn, but colors shall be conservative and complement the skin tone. Metallic and iridescent colors are not authorized. French and American manicures (white and off-white tips with neutral base color ONLY) are authorized.
