Posted on Jan 17, 2014
SFC Military Police
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AR 670-1 states " if soldiers use dyes, tints, or bleaches they must choose those that result in natural hair colors. Colors that detract from a professional military appearance are prohibited"

Now it goes on to mention obviously faddish colors but do you think it should be reworded to say " natural hair color to your ethnic group"?

We have all seen soldiers male and female who have changed their hair color to a color that is well known to NOT be common to their ethnicity. I think that definitely does not present " a professional military appearance". 
Obviously it comes down to perceptions of right and wrong.





 





Posted in these groups: Professionalism logo Professionalism
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Responses: 11
SPC Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
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I have a question about this because it does not state that you cannot have more than one color in your hair, but it also doesn't say that you can. I've seen a great deal of females doing it (one was an officer) I was just wondering.
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SSG George Holtje
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I heard several sides to this one. This best answer I heard was natural to the individual. As long as the eyebrows and mustache match. Personally I never bothered because I have a five o’clock shadow by 0800 and that would look real bad with bleach blond hair
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MAJ Operations Officer (S3)
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My personal opinion is that restricting the dye colors to what is natural to your ethnic group is probably a step too far. The wording of the phrase, "Colors that detract from a professional military appearance are prohibited" gives the chain of command the broad authority to use their judgment when enforcing this regulation.
Using this authority a company commander could say, "hey, African-American PFC with blonde hair; not a professional image, change it." Of course, I'm not certain I would use NJP to enforce such an order; probably just include in their counseling statements that such an appearance is unprofessional and they can't go to a promotion board until fixed (consult your SJA for a sanity check).
Always ask if that is their natural hair color first. My youngest brother is an 11B SGT at FT Drum, he has natural, flaming red hair (like if you died your hair orange). I also know at least one female of mixed Asian/Caucasian background with natural blonde hair. Just because you don't think it's natural doesn't mean it isn't.
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