The United States Navy has a long history of regulations and policies regarding how Sailors wear their hair. For reasons ranging from field safety to uniformity and professionalism, these policies are outlined by Navy Personnel Command (NPC), and the Navy enforces them throughout the entire fleet.

"Strict hair regulations make it so people aren't getting distracted from looking at hair," said Personnel Specialist 1st Class Shavaughn Hunter, lead petty officer of the personnel department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). "Also, we're on a ship, so we don't want our hair getting caught in hatches or scuttles. When we have drills, or if there's a casualty, we don't want our hair getting in the way, and possibly causing another casualty because our hair is too long."

There are grooming standards for men and women alike, but for female Sailors, the policies on hair are much longer, covering a far wider variety of hair criteria.

"I look at the NPC website because they'll often update different things that have changed with the uniforms and hair regulations in general," said Chief Personnel Specialist Tiffany Jordan, leading chief petty officer of the George Washington personnel department. "A lot of females have questions about it. Things do change, and there can be misunderstandings or misinterpretations, so you have to look it up."

According to the Navy Personnel Command website, hairstyles and haircuts shall present a professional and balanced appearance, and appropriateness of a hairstyle shall be evaluated by its appearance when headgear is worn. Hairstyles will not interfere with the proper wearing of headgear, protective masks or equipment. Hair is not to protrude from the opening in the back of the ball cap, except when wearing a bun hairstyle.

The Navy Personnel Command website also says that lopsided and extremely asymmetrical hairstyles are not authorized. 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 a vast number of possible hairstyles, it can sometimes be easy for Sailors to wear their hair in a way that accidentally puts them outside of regulation.

"We run into this more often with younger Sailors," said Jordan. "They'll try to maneuver their way around policies because it's not in black and white. Often times, we'll go and see what the hair policy does address, and if there are questions, you can reach out to NPC or the policy writers for clarification. In unclear circumstances, just be professional and make sure it's not faddish."

While the current list of acceptable hairstyles is not all-inclusive, it currently lists and defines buns, twists, two or more braids or corn rows as allowed. Some examples of hairstyles not allowed are ponytails, pigtails, braids that are widely spaced and, or protrude from the head, and locks or dreads.

"Before I get my hair done, if it's something that could possibly be out of regs, I always show a picture to my chief," said Hunter. "I'll say, 'Hey, I want to get this done. Is this going to be acceptable or not?' Also, when I go to get my hair done, I always let the people know that I'm in the military, and it has to be done a certain way. Normally they're accommodating because they know how the rules work."

While hairstyle is a major part of these policies, there are other variables as well.

"One of the most common issues I see is hair coloring," said Jordan. "The policy says you can have natural hair colors such as blonde, red, brown and black. You have Sailors though whose natural hair color is completely opposite, like someone with dark hair who wants to dye it red, and then that gives their hair a tint that doesn't look professional."

The Navy Personnel Command website says that hair, wigs, or hair extensions must be of a natural hair color, such as blonde, brunette, brown, red, gray or black. Hair extensions 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.

If Sailors see that they are out of regulations, or that a fellow Sailor is, it's important to correct it, even if doing so might make them feel uncomfortable.

"I tell my junior Sailors all the time that if they see somebody that's out of regs, or if they aren't sure if that person is within policy to go ahead and talk to that person. Ask them about it, and double-check the policy. It can be difficult to ask, especially if it's a more senior Sailor, but at the end of the day we're all Sailors, and we all follow the same policies."

Sometimes, preventing someone from going outside regulations is as simple a matter as helping keep fellow Sailors informed.

Hunter said that when she hears about policy changes affecting Sailors that she often puts it out on Facebook, since oftentimes it's where a lot of people tend to get their information most quickly.

For female Sailors who may have been struggling with keeping their hair regulation-friendly, the Defense Media Activity created an online hair viewer for the All Hands Magazine website, which displays photographic examples of numerous regulation hairstyles, giving Sailors something visual to reference if needed.

Regardless of rank, U.S. Navy Sailors are all individual parts of one fleet. Keeping to a strict grooming policy may seem like a lot of work, but it allows Sailors, and by extension, the fleet, to maintain an appearance of professionalism that keeps them mission-ready.

For more information on grooming standards, visit the Navy Personnel Command website at www.public.navy.mil, and to see the All Hands Magazine online hair viewer, visit www.navy.mil/ah_online.

Sources:
Navy Personnel Command: http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/pages.default.aspx

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/.