Is it possible for men to get pierced ears?

2018-07-31T09:34:18-04:00

So the Air Force just updated the regs so that makes can wear earrings off duty but in base but how do you get them pierced and filled long enough to have them heal properly if you can't wear them on duty

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jul 31 at 2018 9:44 AM

2018-07-31T09:44:44-04:00

Things are tough all over Nicholas. Perhaps you should reconsider your need of an earring. It really will not do anything for you and may not be viewed favorably by seniors.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jul 31 at 2018 9:46 AM

2018-07-31T09:46:51-04:00

What does your first line supervisor/CoC say?

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Jul 31 at 2018 9:59 AM

2018-07-31T09:59:05-04:00

If this is such a concern I would recommend separating.

Response by 1SG Charles Hunter made Jul 31 at 2018 10:04 AM

2018-07-31T10:04:42-04:00

Yes, it is possible to get pierced ears. Go to the local mall and look for a kiosk selling earrings. You can probably get a free piercing with the purchase of a pair of studs. Should you? Pros? Can't think of any. Cons? Risk of infection, possibility of piercings closing if studs aren't worn. Can you wear studs during off-duty hours only to keep piercings open?

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Jul 31 at 2018 10:07 AM

2018-07-31T10:07:08-04:00

Grow up Nick. Men don't wear ear rings.

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Jul 31 at 2018 10:17 AM

2018-07-31T10:17:14-04:00

I really want to be sarcastic here...but the instructor in me is really trying to believe that, "there are no stupid questions." Here you go...You Can't. Unless you had pierced ears before you joined, with established holes, you can't. You'd have to take two months leave and even that might not be enough. It takes six weeks for the piercing to heal. Even if you did all of that...they would close up while you were at work. You are just going to have to wait until you get out. Perhaps you should just go get a tattoo!

Response by SPC Brent Melton made Jul 31 at 2018 10:34 AM

2018-07-31T10:34:35-04:00

If you absolutely needed to have your ears done, here is what I would do. Procure a flesh colored piece of wire that is the same gauge as the stud they'll put in. Cut it down so that it mates the exact length from front to back of the piercing hole. Insert it, sanitize often and you should be golden. However, who the hell knows, this may be terrible advice lol

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jul 31 at 2018 11:06 AM

2018-07-31T11:06:07-04:00

Why is this a concern for you? If you have any desire to become a leader in the Airforce, maybe you should try to look professional. Having holes in your ears doesn't indicate to your supervisors that you're ready for positions of greater responsibility. Of course, you can always fall back on the old saying, "do what your rank can handle ". I'm not going to give too much trouble as I have several tattoos. That being said, it would serve you well in both the military and eventually the civilian world, if your body modifications are not clearly visible while wearing a long sleeved shirt.

Response by MSgt Dale Johnson made Jul 31 at 2018 11:15 AM

2018-07-31T11:15:47-04:00

Volunteer for an assignment to somewhere in the Pacific, while off duty get them pierced, Under a false name rent an outrigger canoe, stock it with three months supplies, paddle out into the middle of the Pacific and get lost for two and a half months, find your way back.
Or...
Volunteer for an Alaska remote assignment, wait until winter, Never Never take off your Winter Gear Hat and keep the flaps down.
Or...
Join the Marines and ask them to let you begin a Pirate School to honor the beginnings of the Corp, then you can be the HMFWIC.
Or...
Best option, separate if its that important and you will have plenty of time to get them done and heal up.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jul 31 at 2018 11:22 AM

2018-07-31T11:22:03-04:00

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/07/16/loc-hairstyles-off-duty-earrings-for-men-okd-in-new-dress-regs/

That is what he's referring to if people aren't aware - the AF ok'd men to wear earrings off duty. So if he wants to do it, he can. I don't see the point of anyone getting piercings (male or female). I don't have any. I don't need them. If my daughter wants to get hers pierced, she's going to have to wait til she's 18. I'm not dealing with that.

But if you don't have any already, then you're probably going to have to wait until you're out of the Air Force to do it. There doesn't seem to be any way you can properly get them pierced if they're only allowed off duty.

Loc hairstyles, off-duty earrings for men OK’d in new dress regs

The Air Force's new dress regulations allow female airmen to wear their hair in locs and male airmen to wear earrings while off-duty on military installations.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2018 11:22 AM

2018-07-31T11:22:44-04:00

I appreciate all the responses so far however I ask because some co-workers andi were having the conversation and that means that I am not the only one wondering this and it may save someone trouble in the future because as many have mentioned I'll be a supervisor and will need to know how to handle this. It looks more unperfessional to not know the answer to a known problem and not care enough to not search.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 31 at 2018 12:33 PM

2018-07-31T12:33:08-04:00

You should not. But if you do, as stated earlier, take leave so they can heal.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jul 31 at 2018 2:31 PM

2018-07-31T14:31:48-04:00

It's always lovely when on any social media platform you have someone respond to you or message you and then block you before you can respond.

SSgt Baptist - I did read his OP and addressed it here: "But if you don't have any already, then you're probably going to have to wait until you're out of the Air Force to do it. There doesn't seem to be any way you can properly get them pierced if they're only allowed off duty."

Also I have not "stalked" you in any way, shape or form.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2018 2:37 PM

2018-07-31T14:37:34-04:00

Many of these comments are hilarious!!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 31 at 2018 5:15 PM

2018-07-31T17:15:16-04:00

Your problem, maybe you need to what till you go on leave.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jul 31 at 2018 9:34 PM

2018-07-31T21:34:28-04:00

This thread is classic!!! The replies are typical and funny as all hell!!!

Now in all seriousness you should’ve BEFORE posting the question;

1. Go to your first line and tell them you read the regulations and desire to get this done. How do they interpret those same regulations? The higher you ask, normally the interpretation changes with experience. If your first line doesn’t know, then go up until you get to your Shirt. He WILL know being he’s with the commander. If he doesn’t, I guarantee there will be a policy letter very shortly informing you.

2. Ask yourself is this worth it? What one set of NCOs and Officers think is ok only lasts until the next one takes over and it’s their interpretation that matters...then! So that LOC/LOR one didn’t give...the other could.

3. Think of the long term. Having them isn’t a showing of lack of leadership potential or discipline, BUT to those who do not see the regulations the same as you it could lead to a lot of butthurt for you as time goes on. Before we start the whole ‘run to IG’, the IG will look at you, the situation, and advise NOT order your unit. They will using that same regulation and interpret it as to either it’s allowed or it is not. Guess what will end up bouncing it’s way back to you? You’re the lowest on the totem pole....shit is going to stick to you like a tape test on a 60in 300lb man with a 12in neck. It won’t be good.

In parting, just because you CAN doesn’t always mean you SHOULD. Any regulations that are written are written loosely so the commander and his staff can tighten it down as needed. They can add to, but not take away. They can...you cannot. But in the end, do what you feel your collar can handle. I was always told that, and in some cases I won. Most I was hammered on with extreme prejudice.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2018 12:39 AM

2018-08-01T00:39:35-04:00

The bottom line is, there may not be a way for you to get from not pierced to pierced while complying with the regs. That is not the military's problem. But, if you can do it, more power to you. It's allowed and it's my job, as an NCO, to both punish you for violating regs, and protect your rights contained within them.

Response by TSgt John Gordon made Aug 1 at 2018 1:20 AM

2018-08-01T01:20:14-04:00

Earrings just don't fit in the armed forces.

Response by CWO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2018 11:52 AM

2018-08-01T11:52:27-04:00

That’s what happens when you get special treatment from day 1.

Response by Sgt Charles St John made Aug 1 at 2018 5:16 PM

2018-08-01T17:16:23-04:00

I thought “Military Bearing” was 24/7 In or out if uniform. At least it was when I was in.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 2:42 AM

2018-08-02T02:42:41-04:00

Actually, in response to some of the replies to this question, the way to solve this issue is to standardize the requirements. For example, no earrings period, male or female, same regulation haircuts for everyone, male and female. Same uniforms, same pt standards, etc.....
This is the 21st century, male and female can find themselves in combat, you aren't back on the block anymore, nor the local club.......same goes for females. The argument for combat exclusion of females is out the door, which was the basis for them not being drafted. So that means women will at some point have to register as well. The hygiene argument is also out the window, which is the justification they used for short hair back in the day. Same opportunities require the same treatment.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2019 1:36 AM

2019-07-31T01:36:22-04:00

I'm an old guy (24 year E-8, retired) and things may have changed. But when I was an Airman, you'd get your ears pierced and then use skin-colored plastic piercings at work. But, what do I know? I'm off to smoke a J.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2021 9:42 AM

2021-07-27T09:42:59-04:00

Okay I shouldn’t do this…but everything is a teaching opportunity. I don’t think it’s that important to have an earring… BUT:

1. Get a couple days off. 2. Get ear pierced so you can bring more discredit to your already maligned service. 3. Find a medic. A decent one. One with IV gear access. They need the smallest catheter, NOT a 14ga. More like a 23. Or a butterfly. 4. Have them thread an IV catheter needle through the back of your pierced ear as they pull the piercing stud out at the same time. Replacing the stud with the IV needle. 5. Have them remove the needle leaving the clear catheter in place. 6. Snip the ends of the catheter off flush with the front and back of your ear lobe. 7. Leave in until healed. Keeping it clean and making sure it doesn’t fall out (cover with bandaid at night). Wallah! That’s how we did it back in my day when stationed in Germany…In the 1990’s. You know…when earring were cool….kinda …