An airman shaves his mustache during an event at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., March 31, 2023. (Callie Norton/U.S. Air Force)
Neck tattoos are in, but shaved sides with a bun are out, according to the updated, clarified grooming and uniform regulations for airmen and guardians released recently by the Air Force.
The republished dress and personal appearance instruction, DAFI36-2903, consolidates changes over several years “to simplify, clarify and amplify many changes for airmen and guardians,” according to an Air Force news release Thursday.
“Revisions were made over a number of years, but we felt the need to revisit the entire document to remove redundancies, out-of-date information and decrease subjectivity,” Lt. Gen. Caroline Miller, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, said in the release.
The 149-page guidelines apply equally to the Space Force.
Neck tattoos, according to the instruction, must not exceed 1 inch and must lie behind a vertical line extended from the ear orifices, according to the instruction. Tattoos may not show inappropriate “content,” including sexual references, gang insignia and markings associated with extremist groups.
The instruction outlaws neon and other brightly colored nail polish for women, along with some hairstyles, including multiple buns, unnatural highlights and hair pulled into a bun with the head shaved on the sides.
The republished dress and personal appearance instruction, DAFI36-2903, consolidates changes over several years “to simplify, clarify and amplify many changes for airmen and guardians,” according to an Air Force news release Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. (U.S. Air Force)
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne Bass posted the updated guidance along with an easy-reference graphic on her official Facebook page and noted the “rewrite just dropped.”
“When it comes to standards, our Airmen need the best guidance we can offer,” she said in the news release.
“These changes and updates to the publication are meant to clarify professional military appearance and uniform standards across the Air Force and empower all Airmen to hold themselves, and others accountable,” Bass said.
Some items highlighted in the instruction are explained using enhanced visuals, improved navigation and use clearer language, according to the release.
“We’ve reviewed the policy in whole to make certain we are communicating standards clearly, making it an easier tool for commanders, supervisors, Airmen and Guardians,” Miller said.
The updated instruction also provides guidance on the religious accommodation process, beverage consumption while walking in uniform and heritage morale patches on the flight duty uniform, among other topics.
“Part of being a Profession of Arms is embodying the higher set of standards that comes with serving our great nation,” Bass said in the release. “Accountability matters. Standards matter — and the ones we walk by, the ones we ignore, are the ones we accept.”
