Grooming Standard

[Roger Davis]

Grooming Standard

In addition to basic rules about how and what to wear as far as the uniform goes, military regulations also cover grooming, i.e. hair and other parts of one's appearance.

In short, all military personnel are required to be conservatively groomed and not follow any type of fad or have a "loud" appearance. Basically, you need to be groomed the way you'd go to a serious job interview. I.E. You took a shower that morning, you're not covered in fifty piercings, you don't have a multicolored mohawk, you're not rocking a fu manchu, etc.

For more specific regulations, continue reading.

[Roger Davis]

Male Standard

Head
Hair must be "clean and neat". For men it must also be no longer than approximately three inches in length. In addition, if one's hair interferes with the wear of one's headgear or is even considered "unsightly" as it protrudes from beneath it then it must be cut.

Shaving/buzzing of only portions of the head (aside from the sides and back while leaving it "high and tight") is not permitted nor are other "loud" or otherwise "extreme" hair styles. Basically, if your CO thinks your hair is too much then it is getting cut.

Sideburns
Sideburns are not permitted to extend below the lower most opening of the ear (e.g. the hole, not the bottom of the lobe). In addition, they may not be tapered for flared.


Face
One's face is to be clean shaven. The only exception is that mustaches are permitted. The hair may be no longer than 1/2 inch and the mustache may not extend passed the edge of the mouth.


Other
Excepting "unsightly" hair protrusion from other body parts (e.g. your chest hair comes up and out from your collar) no shaving or any other such measures are required. In addition, one might be permitted to actually have facial hair if given a medical waiver although I don't think anyone on Hyperion will have such a requirement.

[Roger Davis]

Female Standard

Head
Hair length may reach down to the collar bone but may not fall below that. Hair extensions are permitted (so long as they are of the same color as the hair itself). Braids, ponytails, buns, etc. are also all permitted so long as it does not create a lopsided appearance or clash with the overall conservative appearance. On that note, women may not shave anything but the back of the neck (excepting a G.I. Jane full head shave) and may not wear faddish styles.

Any hair style or length that prohibits the proper wear of one's headgear is prohibited. The one saving grace here is that where men with hair sticking out beneath it might be called on it, a woman with hair protruding from the headgear is likely to get away with it.

Face
I don't think I need to cover this. I don't know why anyone would want to play a female character that also has facial hair.

Other
Like men, women are not required to groom any other part of their body excepting when it is declared "unsightly" e.g. noticeable leg hair that cannot be otherwise concealed.

[Roger Davis]

Both Sexes

Hair Dye
Service members of both sex are allowed to dye/highlight their hair. However, once again this must conform to conservative standards. New colors must be natural and complement one's skin tone e.g. you can go from brown to blond hair but not black to purple.

Partial dying/highlighting is restricted for me. They may have their hair ever so slightly tipped in one color. Women have much freer reign but only so long as a superior does not decide it is "unsightly".

Nails
Nails that extend longer than 1/2 inch from the finger are not permitted (just think about how massive nails would hinder you doing your job, ladies). Polish and coloring is permitted for women so long as it is conservative and naturally complementing.

Cosmetics
Both sexes, women allowed more than men, may use other forms of cosmetics but again this is all to be done conservatively. No one is going on duty with extremely heavy eye shadow or extra-long eyelashes. You're killing bad guys not going on a date (fortunately cosmetics are something you can put on and take off for the occasion unlike hair length).

Eyes
Service members are permitted to wear contacts and even colored contacts so long as that color is naturally occurring and conservative. E.g. wearing blue contacts is okay but wearing red contacts is not.

Tattoos and Piercings
Women may wear small and conservative earrings and other limited forms of jewelry (so long as it doesn't get in the way and isn't overly flashy). Multiple piercings, however, are not permitted while on duty.

The military has a love-hate relationship with tattoos. The basic rule is to get it in a place where it can be covered. Shoulders, back, legs, etc. If it can't be seen when you're wearing your uniform then good. If you've got teardrops tatted on your face or barbed wire coming out from your sleeve on your wrist then there is a problem.

General Cleanliness
Military life is hard and dirty, but military personal are expected to remain as clean as is reasonably possible. From one's hair to ones basic bodily hygiene to the dirt under your nails, it should all be taken care of.