SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

2101 - General

 2101.1    The primary consideration is to have a neatly groomed appearance while wearing the NSCC uniform or the Alternative NSCC civilian attire. Grooming standards are based on several elements including neatness, cleanliness, safety, military image and appearance. The standards established herein are not intended to be overly restrictive, or to isolate NSCC personnel from society. The limits set forth are reasonable and ensure that personal appearance contributes to a favorable military image. NSCC male and female grooming policies recognize the difference between the sexes, and establish appropriate grooming and personal appearance standards for male and female officers and cadets.

 SECTION 2: SMARTNESS

 2201 - General

 2201.1 IMAGE. NSCC personnel must set and maintain the highest possible standards of smartness in uniform appearance. The military image reflected by attention to detail in wearing of the uniform is a key element in the positive public image of the NSCC.

 2201.2 CLEANLINESS. Uniforms shall be kept scrupulously clean and pressed, with lace, devices and insignia bright and free from tarnish and corrosion.

 2201.3 ARTICLES. No articles shall protrude from or be visible on the uniform, including such items as pencils, pens, watch chains, fobs, pins, jewelry, handkerchiefs, combs, keys, large wallets, tobacco products or similar items. Pagers and or cellular phones may be authorized by a Commanding Officer in situations where the unit leaders require such devices for the safety and control of the NSCC event in progress.

 2201.4 GLASSES. Prescription Glasses cannot be eccentric or faddish in design or style. Conservative sunglasses are permitted, except in military

 2201.5 UNDERGARMENTS. Appropriate undergarments shall be worn to preserve the dignity and appearance of the uniform. Male and female personnel shall wear white undergarments when wearing any of the white uniforms. Cadets shall wear an all white crew neck tee shirt with the jumper (cracker jacks style top).

 2201.6 MILITARY CREASES. Military creases on shirts are an individual option. Sewn-in creases are not authorized. When used, they will conform to current Navy standards. (U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations, NAVPERS 15665 [current release] in Chapter 2, Section 2).

 2201.7 UNIFORM CARE. Long service life of the various uniform articles can be attained only by proper care and maintenance. Even new, properly fitted uniforms will not continue to look their best or keep their shape unless you care for them properly. Uniforms should be stored on hangers. If uniforms are to be stored for a long time, they should be cleaned thoroughly, then packed away in an airtight plastic bag with a packet of desiccant (drying agent which is obtainable in many of the large chain department stores). The Navy Uniform manual should be consulted for the best ways to clean the uniform and its insignia. (U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations, NAVPERS 15665 [current release] in Chapter 2, Section 2). 2201.8 STANDARDS. - No eccentricities or faddish dress, jewelry or grooming will be permitted.

 2202 - Personal Appearance

 2202.1 GENERAL. Because it is impossible to provide examples of every appropriate or unacceptable grooming facet, the good judgment of leaders at all levels is key to enforcement of the NSCC grooming policy.

 2203 - Grooming Standards - Male

 2203.1 GENERAL. - Hair will be neat, clean and present a well-groomed appearance. Hair above the ears and around the neck shall be tapered from the lower natural hairline upwards at least 3/4 inch and outward no greater than 3/4 inch to blend with the hairstyle. Hair on the back of the neck may not touch the collar. The "block out" is permitted as long as a tapered appearance is maintained. Hair shall be no longer than 4 inches and groomed so that it does not touch the ears or collar, extend below the eyebrows when headgear is removed, show below the front edge of the headgear, nor interfere with the proper wearing of military headgear. Bulk of the hair shall not exceed 2 inches. Bulk is defined as the distance that the mass of hair protrudes from the scalp when groomed (as opposed to the length of the hair). Hair coloring must look natural and complement the individual. Faddish styles and outrageous multicolored hair are not authorized. The primary consideration remains a neatly groomed appearance for the hairstyle and the type of hair that the individual has, with 4 inches length and 2-inch bulk the maximum under any circumstances. (Figure 13, Appendix 1, Page 1-13)

 2203.2 BULK. Military headgear shall fit properly and in no case shall the bulk or length of hair interfere with the proper wearing of any military headgear.

 2203.3 TAPER. The unique quality and texture of curled, kinked, waved and straight hair is recognized, and in some cases the 3/4-inch taper at the back of the neck may be difficult to attain. In those special cases, hair must present a graduated appearance and may combine the taper with a line at the back of the neck. One (cut, clipped or shaved) natural, narrow, fore-and-aft part is authorized.

 2203.4 STYLES. Varying hair styles, including afro, are permitted provided these styles meet the criteria of maximum length and bulk, tapered neck and sides, and do not interfere with the proper wearing of military headgear. Plaited or braided hair shall not be worn while in uniform. Faddish and outrageous multi-color hair is not authorized. Exaggerated styles, including those with excessive fullness or extreme height, are not authorized.

 2203.5 SIDEBURNS. Sideburns (if worn) shall be neatly trimmed and tapered in the same manner as the haircut. Sideburns shall not extend below a point level with the middle of the ear, shall be even width (not flared) and shall end with a clean-shaven horizontal line. "Muttonchops," "ship's captain" or similar grooming modes are considered to be merely elongated sideburns and thus are not authorized.

 2203.6 FACIAL HAIR. The face shall be clean-shaven. Unit leaders should use discretion and not require cadets to start shaving until it is required. The wearing of mustaches and beards is not authorized for Sea Cadets. However, NSCC officers/midshipmen/uniformed instructors may wear mustaches, but shall be kept neatly and closely trimmed and no portion of the mustache shall extend below the lip line of the upper lip. The wearing of a beard is not authorized unless required for a medical reason, in which case, a waiver must be requested from Sea Cadet Headquarters who will provide the grooming standards if a waiver is granted. If worn, a mustache will not go beyond a horizontal line extending across the corner of the mouth and no more than 1/4 inch beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth. The length of an individual mustache hair fully extended shall not extend more than 1/2 inch. Handlebar mustaches, goatees, beards or eccentricities are not permitted.

 2204 - Grooming Standards - Female

 2204.1 GENERAL. Hair will be clean and neatly arranged. No outrageously multicolored or faddish hairstyles, to include shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline), or have designs cut or braided into the hair. Hair coloring must look natural and complement the individual. Haircuts and styles shall present a balanced appearance. Lop-sided and extremely asymmetrical styles are not authorized. Ponytails, pigtails, widely spaced individual hanging locks, and braids, which protrude from the head, are not authorized. Multiple braids are authorized. Braided hairstyles shall be conservative and conform to the guidelines listed herein. When a hairstyle of multiple braids is worn, braids shall be of uniform dimensions, small in diameter (approx. 1/4 inch), and tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional, well-groomed appearance. Foreign material (i.e., beads, decorative items) shall not be braided into the hair. Short hair may be braided in symmetrical fore-and-aft rows (corn rowing), which minimize scalp exposure. Cornrow ends shall not protrude from the head, and shall be secured only with inconspicuous rubber bands that match the color of the hair. Appropriateness of a hairstyle shall also be judged by its appearance when headgear is worn. All headgear shall fit snugly and comfortably around the largest part of the head without distortion or excessive gaps. Hair shall not show from under the front of the brim of the combination hat, garrison, or command ball caps. Hairstyles which do not allow headgear to be worn in this manner, or which interfere with the proper wear of protective masks or equipment are prohibited. When in uniform, the hair may touch, but not fall below a horizontal line level with the lower edge of the back of the collar. With jumper uniforms, hair may extend a maximum of 1 1/2 inches below the top of the jumper collar. (Figure 13, Appendix 1, Page 1-13)

2204.2 BULK. Long hair, including braids, which fall below the lower edge of the collar shall be neatly and inconspicuously fastened, pinned, or secured to the head. No portion of the bulk of the hair as measured from the scalp will exceed approximately 2 inches.

 2204.3 HAIR ORNAMENTS. Conspicuous rubber bands, pins or hair ornamentation of any kind is not authorized. A maximum of two small barrettes/combs/clips, similar to the hair color may be used in the hair. Additional bobby pins or rubber bands matching hair color may be used to hold hair in place, if necessary. Fabric elastics and colored rubber bands/pins are not authorized. Hair ornaments shall not present a safety or FOD (Foreign Object Damage) hazard. Hairnets shall not be worn unless authorized for a specific type of duty.

 2204.4 COSMETICS. Cosmetics shall be applied in good taste so that colors blend with natural skin tones and enhance natural features. Exaggerated or faddish cosmetic styles are not authorized. Care should be taken to avoid an artificial appearance. Lipstick colors shall be conservative and complement the individual. Long false eyelashes are not authorized.

 2204.5 EARRINGS. Earrings shall be small 6mm ball (approximately 1/4 inch), plain, screw on or post type. Gold for NSCC officers, midshipmen, uniformed instructors and CPOs, and silver for cadets E6 and below, with brushed matte finish.

 2204.6 HOSIERY. Hosiery shall be worn with skirts. Shall be made of nylon material, individual's flesh tone color, undecorated, and seamless.

 2205 - Grooming Standards - Male and Female

 2205.1 BODY PIERCING. Not authorized. No articles, other than earrings for women specified above, shall be attached to or through the ear, nose, or any other body part.

 2205.2 FINGERNAILS.

      a.   Males. Fingernails shall not extend past fingertips. They shall be kept clean.

       b.   Females. Fingernails shall not extend more than 1/4 inch measured from the fingertip. They shall be kept clean. Nail polish may be worn, but colors shall be conservative and complement the skin tone.

 2205.3 JEWELRY. Conservative jewelry is authorized for all personnel and shall be in good taste. Eccentricities or faddishness are not permitted. Jewelry shall not present a safety or FOD (Foreign Object Damage) hazard. Jewelry shall be worn within the following guidelines:

         a.   Bracelets. Only one may be worn. Ankle bracelets are not authorized.

         b.   Earrings.

           (1) MALES. Not authorized.

           (2) FEMALES. One earring per ear (centered on earlobe) may be worn. Earrings shall be 4mm - 6mm ball (approximately 1/8 - 1/4 inch), plain with shiny or brushed matte finish screw-on or with posts. Gold for officers, midshipman, uniformed instructors and CPOs, and silver for cadets E6 and below. Small single pearl earrings are authorized for wear at formal occasions (dinners, balls, etc.).

         c.   Necklaces/Chokers. Only one necklace may be worn and it shall not be visible.

         d.   Rings. Only one ring per hand is authorized, plus a wedding/engagement ring set. Rings are not authorized for wear on the thumbs or toes.

         e.   Wristwatch. Only one may be worn.

 2205.4 HAIRPIECES. - Hairpieces or wigs shall be of good quality and fit, present a natural appearance, and conform to the grooming standards set forth in these regulations. They shall not interfere with the proper performance of duty nor present a safety hazard or FOD (Foreign Object Damage) hazard