The new womens mess dress slacks will provide Air Force women an option in addition to the current mess dress skirt and mens mess dress trousers. The Navy's argument for maintaining its fairly strict no beard policy has largely focused on the idea that sailors with beards would not be able to get an effective seal for a gas mask around their face, thus impacting their ability to fight a potential shipboard fire. Airmen are also permitted to have tattoos on their legs, arms, chest, and back, and there are no size restrictions. However, female Air Force members do not have their heads shaved when they enter basic training. If you do have a beard, it is important to keep it neat and tidy at all times. Natural colors are brown, blonde, brunette, natural red, black or grey, the release said. Hair must not contain an excessive amount of grooming aids like hair gel or mousse. Air Force to Allow Scalp Tattoos and Morale Patches as Part of Raft of Supervisors have the responsibility to determine compliance with Air Force grooming standards when not explicitly stated in AFI 36-2903. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. The update will also drop language prohibiting airmen from placing hands in their pockets while walking or standing in uniform. It is a good idea to use perfume moderately and make sure it is not overpowering. For example, USSF personnel are not authorized to wear morale patches.. The labor required to effect hair policy change was research, data, knowledge of processes and policy, individuals willing to commit to the cause, leadership support, and persistence says Maj. Alea Nadeem, U.S. Air Force reservist and team chief of the Air Force Womens Initiatives Team, the group responsible for bringing the Air Force hair standards change to fruition. The US Air Force (USAF) has officially updated its regulations governing hair grooming standards for women, which is set to take effect on 25 June. An alumna of the chief of staff of the Air Force Strategic Ph.D. program, she holds a Ph.D. in political science and womens studies from the Ohio State University. Here are the new PT uniforms coming to the Air Force The views expressed here are the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government or any part thereof. Here is the basic information you need to know about haircuts for the Air Force! Following the Department of the Air Forces initial review, a diverse panel of Total Force Airmen completed a second review of Air Force grooming and appearance guidance in order to enhance inclusiveness while maintaining Department of the Air Force professional standards, the release said. Department of the Air Force makes additional updates to dress and Air Force Changes More Grooming Rules to Drive Inclusion Extreme Cold Weather Parka Starting in October, airmen will get access to a thinner, more breathable version of the OCP uniform with flame protection that does not melt or drip, the service said. ", The notice added that the hair "must be neatly groomed and be in keeping with a professional appearance.". The duty of determining whether or not a tattoo is obscene falls to commanding officers. Also, if you choose to dye your hair, the color must look natural, and remember that the shades allowed are brown, blonde, brunette, natural red, black, or gray. Longer hair is to be pinned up as long as it is secured and does not extend upward on the head. - Wing commanders may authorize the local wear of approved OCP morale patches on Fridays or during special events The maximum bulk is 3 inches from the scalp. Experience: 10 years. As a result, Air Force hair regulations were put in place to determine what is considered acceptable or not acceptable for the professional appearance of an Air Force service member. Hair ties must be made of synthetic material or cotton. Some of the changes to be updated this fall in Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Appearance of Air Force Personnel, are: Bulk hair standards for men will increase from 2 inches to 2.5 . It should curve inwards until it meets the natural finishing point. However, these items have to be recorded in the male Air Force members medical records.