Female Grooming Standards
This policy applies to female members in uniform or when wearing civilian clothes in the performance of duty. Hairstyles must present a professional, balanced appearance. Do not wear styles with shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline), those with designs cut, braided, or parted into the hair, or those dyed using unnatural colors.
- Hairstyles must not interfere with the proper wearing of headgear, protective masks or equipment. Headgear must fit snugly and comfortably around the largest part of the head without distortion or excessive gaps. Hair must not show from under the front edge of the headgear.
- Except when wearing a bun or ponytail hairstyle, hair must not protrude from the opening in the back of the ball cap except when wearing a bun or ponytail hairstyle. For example when wearing the recruit ball cap, or the NSCC ball cap when authorized by the unit Commanding Officer or COTC.
- Do not wear lopsided or extremely asymmetrical hairstyles. Angled hairstyles have no more than a 1-1/2 inch difference between the front and the back length of hair.
- Members may wear layered hairstyles that present a smooth and graduated appearance. Hair length, when in uniform, may touch, but not fall below a horizontal line level with the lower edge of the back of the collar. With jumper uniforms, hair may extend a maximum of 1-1/2 inches below the top of the jumper collar.
- Keep long hair, including braids, neatly fastened, pinned, or secured to the head. Bangs must not extend below the eyebrows. Do not wear widely spaced or protruding braids. Do not wear pigtails.
- Single braid, French braid, or a single ponytail may be worn in NWU, khaki service uniform or while in PT uniform.
- Except for documented medical conditions, hair length must prevent the scalp from being readily visible. Minus the bun, hair bulk as measured from the scalp must not exceed 2 inches.
- The bulk of the bun must not exceed 3 inches when measured from the scalp. Bun diameter must not extend beyond the width of the back of the head.
- Wigs, hairpieces, and extensions must be of a natural hair color and match the current color of hair.
- Fit and quality of wigs, hairpieces and extensions must present a natural appearance and conform to grooming standards. Tints and highlights must be natural and similar to the current base color.
- Female members may wear cosmetics. Apply in good taste. Use colors that blend with natural skin tone and enhance natural features. Do not wear exaggerated or faddish cosmetic styles in uniform or on duty. Take care to avoid an artificial appearance. Lipstick colors must be conservative and complement the individual. Do not wear long false eyelashes when in uniform.
Additional Standards Apply - Refer to Uniform Regulations Manual
Male Grooming Standards
This policy applies to male members in uniform or when wearing civilian clothes in the performance of duty. Keep hair neat, clean and well groomed. Members may wear varying hairstyles if they meet the criteria of maximum length and bulk, tapered neck and sides, and correct wear of military headgear.
- Taper hair above the ears and around the neck from the lower natural hairline upwards at least 3/4 inch and outward not greater than 3/4 inch to blend with hairstyle.
- Hair must not be longer than four inches. It must not touch the ears, collar, extend below eyebrows when uncovered, show under front edge of headgear, or interfere with properly worn military headgear.
- Bulk is the distance that the mass of hair protrudes from the scalp. It must not exceed two inches.
- Hair coloring must look natural and complement the individual. Do not wear faddish styles or outrageous multicolored hair.
- The NSCC recognizes the unique quality and texture of curled, waved, and straight hair. Where the 3/4 inch taper at the back of the neck is not practicable, cut for a graduated appearance. This may combine the taper with a line at the back of the neck.
- Members may cut, shave, or clip one natural, narrow, fore and aft part.
- Do not wear plaited or braided hair in uniform or in a duty status.
- If worn, 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 of even width and shall end with a clean-shaven horizontal line. Do not wear flared sideburns, "muttonchops", "ship's captain", or similar styles.
- Unless granted a waiver or religious accommodation, male cadets must be clean-shaven. Exercise reasonable discretion with younger cadets.