A U.S. Army patch on the sleeve of an American soldier. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army has rolled out a new policy to update its appearance, grooming, and uniform wear standards after a force-wide review.
The Army’s latest policy update clarifies existing rules while introducing new standards, underscoring military appearance as a symbol of discipline, professionalism, and dedication to the Army’s values.
What they're saying:
"What sets the U.S. Army apart is our professionalism, and that’s a direct reflection of committed Soldiers who adhere to and enforce the standards," Sgt. Maj. of the Army, Michael Weimer, said in an online statement.
"This definitive guidance gives leaders the tools they need to do just that. You don’t have to memorize it, but you should know what right looks like."
Dig deeper:
Key revisions outline specific definitions for hairstyles, including authorized lengths, styles, and accessories for both male and female soldiers.
The policy also clarifies standards on cosmetics, fingernails, and jewelry, while further detailing regulations for uniform and insignia wear as well as body composition assessments.
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A military cadet football player and his father leaped into action to pull a man from a burning vehicle in New York’s Hudson Valley in the early hours of August 31. (Credit: Larry Pickett via Storyful)
The backstory:
A representative group of Army leaders and stakeholders influenced the new policy. They aimed to align standards more closely with warfighting priorities and remove ambiguity to ensure a common understanding across the force.
What's next:
Soldiers are required to comply with the updated standards within 30 days of the directive’s release.
Commanders, with support from NCOs, are authorized to enforce appearance, uniform, and body composition requirements in line with the policy’s intent.
The Source: The information in this story comes from the U.S. Army’s official policy update and public statements by Army leadership. The story was reported from Los Angeles.