The ROD sets no grooming standards of its own — it defers to the service uniform regulations (ROD § 4-21). Navy rules below come from NAVPERS 15665J, Chapter 2; Marine Corps rules from MCO P1020.34H.
Hair — male
Navy
- Neat, clean, off the ears and above the collar. Max 4 inches long, 2 inches bulk (how far the hair stands off the scalp).
- Tapered from the lower hairline: up at least 3/4 inch, out no more than 3/4 inch.
- Sideburns: not below the middle of the ear, even width, ending in a clean-shaven horizontal line. No sideburns with a shaved head.
- One narrow fore-and-aft part allowed (max 4 in. long, 1/8 in. wide). Natural colors only.
Marine Corps
- Closely trimmed, evenly faded from zero at the hairline. Max 3 inches long (fully extended), 3 inches bulk.
- Sideburns: not below the top of the ear opening; individual hairs no longer than 1/8 inch.
- Cleaning up ("edging") the natural hairline is authorized. No full-head shave required outside recruit training.
- Natural colors only. No eccentric styles — no mohawks, etched designs, or spiking.
Hair — female
Navy
- Must not interfere with headgear; bangs not below the eyebrows.
- Length: may touch but not fall below the lower edge of the collar. Long hair secured to the head.
- Bulk: max 2 inches from the scalp (3 inches for a bun, no wider than the back of the head).
- Ponytails and braids authorized in Service, Working, and PT uniforms: no more than 3 inches below the collar, not visible from the front.
- Locks authorized: max 3/8 inch diameter, spaced no more than 3/8 inch apart — not combined with other styles.
- Accessories match hair color; max two small barrettes. No scrunchies, headbands, or claw clips. Natural colors only.
Marine Corps
- Three lengths: short (within 1 inch of the scalp), medium (no more than 2 inches below the collar), long (secured up so it stays within 2 inches below the collar — except in the PT uniform).
- No slicked-back requirement at any length.
- Half ponytails and half braids authorized in utility, flight suit, and PT uniforms.
- Braids: uniform, about 1/4 inch diameter, no beads or foreign material.
- Natural colors only.
Facial hair
Navy
- Clean shaven. Mustaches authorized: neatly trimmed, nothing below the lip line, extending no more than 1/4 inch past the corners of the mouth.
- No beards, goatees, or handlebars.
- Medical shaving waivers are granted by the commanding officer only: facial hair max 1/4 inch, up to 90 days at a time.
Marine Corps
- Clean shaven except a mustache. Mustache neatly trimmed; individual hairs no longer than 1/2 inch.
- No beards. Shaving waivers are medical only.
Tattoos
Navy
- Prohibited content anywhere on the body: obscene, sexually explicit, discriminatory, gang/extremist, or drug-related. No waivers.
- None on the head, face (including the ear), or scalp.
- One neck tattoo authorized, no larger than 1 inch in any dimension.
- Arm and leg tattoos may be any size — sleeves are authorized.
- Torso tattoos must not show through white uniforms.
Marine Corps
- Prohibited content: drug-related, gang-related, extremist, obscene/indecent, sexist, or racist.
- None on the head or neck (neck = above the collarbone in front).
- Sleeves authorized, stopping at the wrist bone.
- Hands and fingers: none, except a single band no wider than 3/8 inch on one finger per hand.
- Chest and back tattoos must sit below the collarbone and stay covered by a crewneck t-shirt.
Jewelry
Navy
- Rings: one per hand, plus a wedding/engagement set. Thumb rings prohibited.
- Earrings — men: not authorized in uniform or on duty. Women: one per earlobe, 4–6mm ball studs (gold for officers/chiefs, silver for E6 and below in working/service uniforms).
- Bracelets: one max, not on the same wrist as a watch. No ankle bracelets in uniform.
- Body piercing not authorized in uniform.
Marine Corps
- Rings: one per hand, inconspicuous. Thumb rings prohibited.
- Earrings — men: not authorized. Women: one per ear, small studs max 6mm (gold or silver) — not with the utility uniform, in formation, or at ceremonies.
- Necklaces must not be visible in uniform. Watches must be inconspicuous.
Fingernails
Navy
- Women: max 1/4 inch past the fingertip. Polish must be conservative — no white, black, red, yellow, orange, green, purple, grey, glitter, or patterns. French/American manicures authorized.
- Men: not past the fingertips. Clear coat authorized; no colored polish.
Marine Corps
- Women: max 1/4 inch from the fingertip. Clear, nude/skin-tone, French, and ombré polish authorized in all uniforms. Red-spectrum shades authorized in service and dress uniforms; no colored polish in utilities.
- Men: not past the fingertips. No polish.
Sources: NAVPERS 15665J Ch. 2; NAVADMIN 082/16, 162/26, 233/18; MCO P1020.34H; MARADMIN 134/22, 615/22; MCBul 1020 (Apr 2024); ROD § 4-21.