How to Remove Fuzz From Air Force Blues

Air Force Regulation on Hair | FAQs

If you are thinking of joining the Air Force, then you will need to know all of the requirements and standards that are expected of you. Joining the Air Force is not an easy feat, and is a decision that should not be taken lightly.

This is why it is vital that you cover all bases, and know exactly what to expect, and how you should prepare and present yourself once in the Air Force.

In particular, there are a lot of hair requirements and regulations that have to be taken into consideration, if you want to be in the Air Force or go through any basic training.

When people think about the military, the Navy or the Air Force, they often picture that clean cut, shaved look for those who are in the force. However, this is not always the case.

Yes, a clean, shaved look is often required for military boot camp, or for basic training, but after a few months in your Air Force career, you will more than likely be able to get your own hair style back.

That being said, there are a number of rules and regulations regarding personal grooming and appearance that you will have to comply with.

What are the hair requirements for the Air Force?

If we are thinking about the hair requirements of the Air Force, then you may be surprised to find that it is not as restrictive as you thought. The basic grooming standard (AFI 36-2903) state that in the Air Force, hair must be well groomed, clean, neat and natural, or dyed in only natural colors.

In addition to this, you are expected to only use a small amount of grooming aids or products, and not excessively, and hair must not touch or cover the eyebrows once it is groomed.

On a similar note, hair is not allowed to protrude below the front band of the accurately worn headgear, however hair may be slightly visible in the front of a woman's flight cap in some cases.

If needed, people may wear hair ties to keep hair out of the way for safety reasons, but these must be of conservative colors, and match the person's hair color, and made of cotton or a synthetic material.

This means that no metal can be found on the hair tie at all. These hair ties must also only be used for supporting or controlling the hair, and not for fashion uses.

Women are also permitted to wear hairpieces and wigs, as long as they are fitted properly, professionally and are of a good quality.

Again, these must comply with all of the other rules, and should be of a natural, conservative color. Men are also allowed to wear hairpieces or a wig, but this must be documented and recorded in their medical records.

AFI 36-2903, DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF AIR FORCE PERSONNEL

3.1.2. Hair-Male. Tapered appearance on both sides and the back of the head, both with and without headgear. A tapered appearance is one that when viewed from any angle outlines the member's hair so that it conforms to the shape of the head, curving inward to the natural termination point without eccentric directional flow, twists or spiking. A block-cut is permitted with tapered appearance. Hair will not exceed 2 inches in bulk, regardless of length and ¼ inch at natural termination point; allowing only closely cut or shaved hair on the back of the neck to touch the collar. Hair will not touch the ears or protrude under the front band of headgear. Cleanly shaven heads, military high-and-tight or flat-top cuts are authorized. Prohibited examples (not all inclusive) are Mohawk, mullet, cornrows, dreadlocks or etched shapes/design. Airmen may have one (cut, clipped or shaved) front to back, straight-line part, not slanted or curved, on either side of their head, above the temple. Part will not exceed 4 inches length or ¼ inch width. Men are not authorized hair extensions.

3.1.2.1. Sideburns. If worn, sideburns will be straight and even width (not flared), and will not extend below the bottom of the orifice of the ear opening. Sideburns will end in a clean-shaven horizontal line.

AFI 36-2903, DRESS AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF AIR FORCE PERSONNEL

3.1.3. Hair-Female. No minimum hair length, to a maximum bulk of 4 inches from scalp and allows proper wear of headgear. Hair will end above the bottom edge of collar and will not extend below an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground, both front to back and side to side unless worn in authorized ponytail or long braid(s). One or two braids or a single ponytail may be worn down the member's back with bulk not exceeding the width of the head and length not extending below a horizontal line running between the top of each sleeve inseam at the under arm through the shoulder blades. The braid(s) or ponytail cannot be worn over the shoulder or pulled in front of the body. It must go down the member's back. Bangs, or side-swiped hair, may touch eyebrows but will not touch or cover eyes. When in doubt, assess correct length of hair with Airman standing in the position of attention. Exception: While wearing the Physical Training Gear (PTG), long hair will be secured but may have loose ends and may extend below a horizontal line running

Do they cut your hair in the Air Force?

You may be wondering if the hair is cut or shaved during military training, and what the processes are for this. From the frequently asked questions section on the US Air Force website, the statement shows that:

'During initial processing for Basic Military Training (BMT), male Airmen will have their heads completely shaved. Female Airmen are not required to have a hair cut; however, hair must be worn up or short enough not to touch the collar.'

The statement shows that males must have their hair shaved, whilst females are not required to have a hair cut, as long as it is tied back and out of the way for safety purposes.

Can guys have long hair in the Air Force?

The short answer to this question is no. Guys cannot have long hair in the Air Force as they are prohibited from wearing their hair in any extreme or fad hairstyles, and cannot exceed a certain length.

In the Air Force, hairstyles for males must have a tapered appearance around the sides and the back of the head.

Men are also prohibited from wearing their hair in a style or length that is against the safety requirements, as the hair cannot touch the ears, and must be closely cut or shaved on the back of the neck by the collar.

Male hair in the Air Force also cannot exceed 2 inches in bulk, no matter what the length is. In addition, there may not be any accessories or foreign items attached.

In conjunction with this, male hair must be neatly trimmed and groomed, along with the sideburns in the same way. Sideburns may not extend below the low part of the ears, and must be kept straight and even, ending in a clean, horizontal line.

If some men have a mustache, then this cannot extend down past the lip line of the upper lip, and it must not extend outwards beyond the corner of the mouth. All hair must be neatly kept, trimmed and in a conservative fashion.

Can guys dye their hair in the Air Force?

In the same way as females, men can now dye their hair in the Air Force. However, the dyed color must be of a natural hue, but it does not have to be the person's natural hair color.

For instance, a natural color is considered black, brown, blonde, brunette, natural red, or grey. Hair cannot be dyed unnatural or bright colors.

Can females have dreads in the Air Force?

Females have to comply with nearly all of the same rules as men, as their hair also has to be kept in a neat manner, clean and professional. In addition, hair may not be dyed in extreme colors or worn in unprofessional styles.

In the past, dreadlocks, locs or dreads were not permitted in the US Air Force, however, as times have changed, the regulations have moved forward, and female hairstyle rules and regulations have been altered.

For instance, In recent years, the US Air Force and military has seen a shift in attitudes towards personal grooming, hairstyles and make up. Previously, locs, dreads and braids were prohibited in the Air Force and military.

However, in 2018, the Air Force lifted its ban on dreadlocks, which is an incredible change for black people, as this hairstyle may be necessary to keep the natural hair in place.

Dreadlocks, or locs, are now considered suitable hairstyles for women in the Air Force. The Air Force defines locs as parts of the 'hair that have been intentionally or unintentionally fused together to form a loc or locs'. This is a pivotal change for black female Airmen, as this hairstyle is a neat, and easy way to keep Afro hair in place.

However, there is a limit on the maximum bulk of the hair, which is ⅗ inches from the scalp, and all loc hairstyles must allow a cover to sit neatly on the head. Any dreadlocks also have to be tightly woven, and must present a neat, professional and clean appearance.

Are ponytails allowed in the Air Force?

Yes, ponytails are allowed in the Air Force for women. When it comes to female Airmen, women are allowed to wear their hair tied up and out of the way.

This can either be done in a ponytail, or in two braids, as long as the bulk does not exceed the width of the head, and the length does not exceed safety limits.

In the same way as men's hair is in the Air Force, females must not wear extreme hairstyles, or violate the safety procedures. This means that hair cannot be worn in fashion styles, or with jewelled pins and accessories. All pins and hair ties must be conservative in nature, or natural in appearance.

Whilst the Air Force has recently changed requirements for grooming and personal appearance, meaning there is no limit on the hair length for women, there is still a limit on the bulk of the hair which is 3.5 inches, for safety reasons.

Can you wear weave in Air Force basic training?

You can wear a weave for basic training in the Air Force, however the same rules apply for natural hair as it does for weaves or sew in hair.

During basic training for the Air Force, hair is allowed on females, but it must be short enough so that it does not touch the collar, or it may have to be trimmed.

However, if your hair is longer, you may be able to wear it in braids, or cornrows so that it does not exceed the length requirements for basic training.

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Source: https://foreverwingman.com/air-force-regulation-on-hair-faqs/

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