Changes To Army Grooming Rules Emphasize Uniformity Over Expression

New rules take effect next month for Fort Hood Soldiers

New Army Grooming Standards Take Effect Next Month

The days of soldiers expressing themselves through hairstyles, jewelry and manicures will be over on October 15,2025. The move is a reversal of a Biden Administration order in 2021 that threw out long held grooming standards for male and female soldiers.

A Return to the Army Being About Conformity and Not Individuality

The Biden Administration reversed a long-held tradition of soldiers being a unified group in action and appearance. Individual hairstyles, make-up, and earrings were approved for male and female soldiers. That will end on October 15th. New requirements only allow clear nail polish, skin tone makeup, and shorter hairstyles.

Medical Exemptions for Facial Hair Within the Army Are Changing

In an August 20th memo, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth mandated that troops seeking exemptions involving facial hair must receive final waiver approval through their unit commander. This approval must come with the recommendation of a medical officer. According to the Military Times, soldiers requesting the medical waiver must seek treatment. If the issue does not respond to medical treatment within one year, the soldier will face separation.

List of Updated Grooming Rules for Fort Hood Soldiers

Below is sample of the Updated Grooming Rules

Hair:

-Shaved heads are authorized for both male and female soldiers.

-Women are allowed to wear ponytails only with Army combat uniforms and physical fitness uniforms

-Braids, twists are prohibited for men

-Natural hair colors are the only colors permissible for all soldiers

Makeup Policy:

-Makeup is permitted to achieve an even skin tone only. It must match a soldier’s natural complexion

-Lipstick is prohibited; only clear or skin-toned lip gloss is allowed.

-Eyelash extensions of any kind are prohibited.

Nails Policy:

-Women must keep nails at a maximum of one-fourth inch in length. Only clear nail polish is allowed

-Men must keep their nails trimmed and not extending past their fingertips. No nail polish is authorized

Jewelry Policy:

-Women are permitted to wear only gold, silver, diamond or pearl stud earrings at a maximum diameter of six millimeters.No other piercings are allowed.

-All jewelry is prohibited for men.