Is there a reg that states females have to shave their legs?

2014-04-24T13:17:07-04:00

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 24 at 2014 1:39 PM

2014-04-24T13:39:31-04:00

Part of me wanted to ask where this question came from... and then I decided maybe I really don't want to know!!! LOL!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 1:52 PM

2014-04-24T13:52:43-04:00

there must be a strange story for that question.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Apr 24 at 2014 1:56 PM

2014-04-24T13:56:29-04:00

Here is the reg for Marines

8. Body Hair. No female Marine will be required to remove
body hair except where leg hair protrudes beyond the appropriate hosiery per
subparagraph 3027.5, or causes a visibly uneven texture under said hosiery.
MARADMIN 504/07

So I guess if she is really hairy then yes it can be required.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 2:12 PM

2014-04-24T14:12:23-04:00

I don't think I've ever seen that in a reg but maybe it's there.

Why do you ask?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 3:14 PM

2014-04-24T15:14:23-04:00

I am more intrigued by the nature of this question because frankly, I just do not see how this is really relevant to any mission. I could be wrong.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 3:32 PM

2014-04-24T15:32:49-04:00

What if I was holding a females feet for situps during the APFT and saw what the socks couldnt cover.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Apr 24 at 2014 4:53 PM

2014-04-24T16:53:35-04:00

SGT Juarez
Do you have a story behind this question?
*crosses fingers*

There isn't a reg mandating it although there probably should be. It weirds me out when women don't shave their legs and it weirds me out when men do shave their legs lol.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Apr 24 at 2014 4:55 PM

2014-04-24T16:55:32-04:00

If not, there should be :-P

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2014 6:04 PM

2014-04-24T18:04:16-04:00

Very touchy situation.

On a deployment many moons ago, there was a female in my plt who grew out some real long dark chin hairs.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 12:42 AM

2014-04-25T00:42:34-04:00

Congrats, Big Sarge. This is now my favorite discussion on RP! I don't think I even have women in my battalion, and I'd still give you two thumbs up if I could. This is the best question ever! Ladies, please don't be offended. I don't care if you shave or not. I just can't stop chuckling.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 12:54 AM

2014-04-25T00:54:14-04:00

SO I was holding the Soldiers feet for the sit up event during the APFT and noticed the hair. I didnt want to call her out or even make a comment about it because of the situation that we were in. APFT are stressful for some Soldiers and didnt want to add more stress or embarrassment to the situation , also I didnt want to make a correction if there is no reg to back me up.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 25 at 2014 6:25 AM

2014-04-25T06:25:54-04:00

It doesn't mandate that they shave anything! Which is unfair, because they can grow beards and we can't...

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 25 at 2014 6:48 AM

2014-04-25T06:48:55-04:00

Will someone interpret what AR 670-1 states in reference to females keeping a feminine appearance as something to do with females having clean shaved legs? Maybe that's a western society expectation. During my 15 years of service I have never heard of the aforementioned being an issue. What about guys shaving their legs? Yep, I just asked that. Obviously I am not a female, but I shave mine with an electric razor because I hate having hairy legs. Before I got married to my wife, some girlfriends past were envious of my smooth legs. I don't get teased or harassed about it at work either. My platoon knows I do it too.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 8:21 AM

2014-04-25T08:21:31-04:00

Really??? Is this a major concern? I'm sure when the day comes that female soldiers have to wear headgear or gas masks on their legs or armpits then they may consider it. Wow.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Apr 25 at 2014 9:09 AM

2014-04-25T09:09:14-04:00

Compliment someone on their mustache, she puts you in the front leaning rest and forgets about you....

Response by SGT Sarah Maxwell made Apr 25 at 2014 11:31 AM

2014-04-25T11:31:54-04:00

I have read through the comments and responses to see the background story on this before making the decision to add my two cents. As previously stated by others, nothing in the regulations. I would ask myself if you think less of her as a soldier for not shaving her legs or less of a woman.

My fellow soldiers in units I have been in previously were good sports about it when they had to hold my feet for sit ups and realized that I had leg hair. But they also knew I am from Northern California and have a good sense of humor.

Have a great day, everyone!

Response by SSG Daniel Deiler made Apr 25 at 2014 4:20 PM

2014-04-25T16:20:52-04:00

I wonder if it does happen to get long enough it will fall under AR 670-1? Like can it be braided? Corn Rows?!? LMBO!!!

Response by COL Robert White made Apr 27 at 2014 12:07 AM

2014-04-27T00:07:38-04:00

Now that is a good question, but one that I will not comment on!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2014 10:56 AM

2014-05-21T10:56:49-04:00

Here is the regulation for the Air Force. Per AFI 36-2903: 3.1.4.
Body Hair. Female Airmen will remove leg hair that is visibly protruding beyond the appropriate hosiery or causes a visibly uneven texture under hosiery.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 21 at 2014 9:05 PM

2014-05-21T21:05:46-04:00

2 ways to start a flaming maelstrom:

A) Let go a willy-pete inside a fully stocked hay barn on a dry July day.

B) Ask questionably legitimate questions like this.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2014 7:42 AM

2014-05-22T07:42:27-04:00

In boot camp we weren't ALLOWED to shave except for holiday routine sundays..... Do you know how fast leg hair grows in a week? :(

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2014 7:56 PM

2014-06-13T19:56:26-04:00

It seems not but you and a DA Form 2028 could change this, since you're the one that brought it to the light on RP.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Jun 15 at 2014 4:11 PM

2014-06-15T16:11:06-04:00

SGT Juarez you made me look and verify what I thought. U.S. Navy Uniform Regs does NOT mention anything about female shaving. Not legs or anything else. Only men are required to shave and that is only facial hair with the exception of very conservative mustaches.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 1:31 PM

2014-06-16T13:31:34-04:00

I just can't even...uhm...

Response by SSG James Doherty made Jun 16 at 2014 3:58 PM

2014-06-16T15:58:56-04:00

I say we implement a whole Army body waxing policy. Everyone must be waxed head to toe at least twice a month. This will solve all uniformity issues.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 4 at 2014 11:19 PM

2014-09-04T23:19:58-04:00

Imagine trying to explain "uneven texture under said hosiery" to said offender. You can't make this shit up.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2014 2:51 PM

2014-09-05T14:51:53-04:00

Funny, I had this issue 5 years ago in Ft. Bragg. There's no reg. for shaving legs, arm pits and facial hair for females. Get a female NCO that can mentor/advise her about that.

Response by PO1 Shannon Drosdak made Sep 5 at 2014 2:55 PM

2014-09-05T14:55:53-04:00

I am actually wondering where this is coming from? I mean on my side of the house (Navy) the only thing we have is a skirt or PT shorts that would show our leg Uniform requirements for skirt are "For females, when wearing slacks or skirt with dress or formal shoes (pumps or flat), hosiery is required" nothing stated about shaving legs.

Honestly I was asked once by a Chief if I could tell my Sailor (e3) to wax her facial hair. If there was an instruction on it, I told him for females there is not, and honestly to tell her that it would have to affect her safety in some way. The instruction only specifies men. To tell the truth there were a few "ladies" I would myself wanted to mention their "mustaches to, but theres no instruction on it, which would make me out of line and offensive. I could see myself standing up at Mast for "hazing" by making a comment if I had. Here is the Navy Instruction for facial hair. There is no (women) stipulation.
shttp://http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregulations/chapter2/Pages/2201PersonalAppearance.aspx
2. SHAVING AND MUSTACHES (Men). The face shall be clean shaven unless a shaving waiver is authorized by the Commanding Officer per . Mustaches are authorized but shall be kept neatly and closely trimmed. No portion of the mustache shall extend below the lip line of the upper lip. It shall not go beyond a horizontal line extending across the corners of the mouth and no more than 1/4 inch beyond a vertical line drawn from the corner of the mouth. The length of an individual mustache hair fully extended shall not exceed approximately ½ inch. refers. Handlebar mustaches, goatees, beards or eccentricities are not permitted. If a shaving waiver is authorized, no facial/neck hair shall be shaved, manicured, styled or outlined nor exceed 1/4 inch in length. Supervisors of individuals with shaving waivers shall actively monitor and ensure treatment regimen is followed.

2201 - Personal Appearance

2201. PERSONAL APPEARANCE. Because it is impossible to provide examples of every appropriate or unacceptable hairstyle or of “conservative” or “eccentric” grooming and personal appearance, the good judgment of leaders at all levels is key to enforcement of Navy grooming policy. Therefore, hair/grooming/personal appearance while in uniform shall present a neat, professional appearance.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2014 2:18 PM

2014-09-06T14:18:21-04:00

When I was on the trail, we prohibited female Soldiers from having razors, however, the male Soldiers would hand them to the female Soldiers, which we caught and imposed UCMJ. It all depends on the unit policy. At then end of my tour as a DS, the female Soldiers were allowed to have razors, and we could not prohibit them from having them.

Response by SGT Jose Rosa made Nov 26 at 2014 11:09 PM

2014-11-26T23:09:36-05:00

Nope. Just like there is no reg expecting male to shave his balls.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 8:11 PM

2015-01-04T20:11:37-05:00

I'm not sure for the army but in the Air Force AFI 36-2903 says that when we wear the skirt with our blues the hair on our legs can't cause a texture under our nylon stockings. So basically it says we have to, without saying we have to.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 3:16 PM

2015-02-17T15:16:02-05:00

Here is the reg for Air Force,

Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2903,
"3.1.4. Body Hair. Female Airmen will remove leg hair that is visibly protruding beyond the
appropriate hosiery or causes a visibly uneven texture under hosiery."

Edit: I have to add, just the thought of having leg hair and wearing snug "hosiery" is not one that is incredibly welcoming. ((shudder))

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Feb 17 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-02-17T15:35:37-05:00

This is an interesting topic. I wasn't going to respond at first, but after thinking about it...

Women shaving is a cultural thing. Women in America remove much more body hair than in most of the world. Many European, Middle Eastern and African women are at least partly "Natural".

Being one who will NEVER be on the cover of GQ or any other fashion plate, who am I to judge a woman for her personal appearance choices.

Also, keep in mind that what you find gross, others may find very attractive or sexy...

So to those who choose to be natural, good for you for being bold in a society fixated on appearance.

Response by Amn Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2015 3:24 PM

2015-04-19T15:24:14-04:00

SSG(P) 68 T
4
0
Is there a reg that

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made May 26 at 2017 9:58 AM

2017-05-26T09:58:44-04:00

I suppose if the female is going to wear pantsuit trousers all the time, it's her biz what she does with her legs.

Response by COL Mary Shively made Jun 24 at 2017 11:22 PM

2017-06-24T23:22:38-04:00

No!