Shaved head in the Army?

Question

I'm in the Army right now, been in for nine years, but the regulations keep changing. Can you shave your head BALD after you're in the Army? I know it's in the AR 670-1, but it always changes and www.usapa.com (where the Army Regulations can be viewed) doesn't seem to be working right now.

Reason Being: My girlfriend thinks shaved heads are sexy.

Answer 1

Long answer, but look under (2) (a) for your specific request.

AR670-1 was updated in July 2002, including some changes to the hair section.

1-8. Hair and fingernail standards and grooming policies

a. Hair.

(1) General. The requirement for hair grooming standards is necessary to maintain uniformity within a military population. Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as they are neat and conservative. It is not possible to address every acceptable hairstyle, or what constitutes eccentric or conservative grooming. Therefore, it is the responsibility of leaders at all levels to exercise good judgment in the enforcement of Army policy. All soldiers will comply with the hair, fingernail, and grooming policies while in any military uniform or while in civilian clothes on duty.

(a) Leaders will judge the appropriateness of a particular hairstyle by the appearance of headgear when worn. Soldiers will wear headgear as described in the applicable chapters of this regulation. Headgear will fit snugly and comfortably, without distortion or excessive gaps. Hairstyles that do not allow soldiers to wear the headgear properly, or that interfere with the proper wear of the protective mask or other protective equipment, are prohibited.

(b) Extreme, eccentric, or trendy haircuts or hairstyles are not authorized. If soldiers use dyes, tints, or bleaches, they must choose those that result in natural hair colors. colors that detract from a professional military appearance are prohibited. Therefore, soldiers should avoid using colors that result in an extreme appearance. Applied hair colors that are prohibited include, but are not limited to, purple, blue, pink, green, orange, bright (fire-engine) red, and fluorescent or neon colors. It is the responsibility of leaders to use good judgment in determining if applied colors are acceptable, based upon the overall effect on soldiers' appearance.

(c) Soldiers who have a texture of hair that does not part naturally may cut a part into the hair. The part will be one straight line, not slanted or curved, and will fall in the area where the soldier would normally part the hair. Soldiers will not cut designs into their hair or scalp.

(2) Male haircuts will conform to the following standards.

(a) The hair on top of the head must be neatly groomed. The length and bulk of the hair may not be excessive or present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. The hair must present a tapered appearance. A tapered appearance is one where the outline of the soldier's hair conforms to the shape of the head, curving inward to the natural termination point at the base of the neck. When the hair is combed, it will not fall over the ears or eyebrows, or touch the collar, except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck. The block-cut fullness in the back is permitted to a moderate degree, as long as the tapered look is maintained. In all cases, the bulk or length of hair may not interfere with the normal wear of headgear (see para 1-8 a (1)(a) , above) or protective masks or equipment. Males are not authorized to wear braids, cornrows, or dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted, individual parts of hair) while in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty.

HAIR THAT IS CLIPPED CLOSELY OR SHAVED TO THE SCALP IS AUTHORIZED. (not yelling, but didn't know how else to make this part stand out)

(b) Males will keep sideburns neatly trimmed. Sideburns may not be flared; the base of the sideburn will be a clean-shaven, horizontal line. Sideburns will not extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening.

Answer 2

Taken from AR 670-1 Page 3 1-8 a (2)(a) Last sentence. "Hair that is clipped closely or shaved to the scalp is authorized."

This is also from the same section, a little further up the page.

AR 670-1 Page 3 a (1)(a)and(b) (a) Leaders will judge the appropriateness of a particular hairstyle by the appearance of headgear when worn.
Soldiers will wear headgear as described in the applicable chapters of this regulation. Headgear will fit snugly and
comfortably, without distortion or excessive gaps. Hairstyles that do not allow soldiers to wear the headgear properly,
or that interfere with the proper wear of the protective mask or other protective equipment, are prohibited.
(b) Extreme, eccentric, or trendy haircuts or hairstyles are not authorized.

The way I read the reg it's up to your chain of command. I am a CW2 and I know that there are guys in my unit that have their heads shaved. best recomendation would be to check with your chain of command. Might be good to sight AR 670-1 when talking to them, they will like that you are just looking for clarification on the reg rather than just asking with out doing your own research. hooah.

Answer 3

The last I knew, deliberately shaving your head was against reg. Some units are more lenient than others and if you're naturally bald of course there's nothing they can do about it.

Answer 4

If your girlfriend thinks it's sexy why are you even asking? Helllloooo?


I know an Army Captain and he shaves his head, so I think you're okay.

Answer 5

If you are already balding you can shave your head, but if you have a ful head of hair, you cannot shave it with a straight razor.

Answer 6

Depends on your chain of command. they can say it's "faddish". Get a high and tight then shave it all off the next week, a sort of Transition haircut

Answer 7

why would the army care? Does it have something to do with the "skinhead" movement? If it was me, I'd go ahead and do it then plead ignorance if questioned about it....but then...I'm not in the military anymore.

Answer 8

my hubby shaves himself bald and he is army.

Answer 9

yes, you can.