DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE WASHINGTON, DC AFI36-2903_AFGM2019-01 15 April 2019 MEMORANDUM FOR DISTRIBUTION C MAJCOMs/FOAs/DRUs FROM: SAF/MR SUBJECT: Air Force Guidance Memorandum to AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel By Order of the Secretary of the Air Force, this Air Force Guidance Memorandum immediately changes AFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel. Compliance with this Memorandum is mandatory. To the extent its directions are inconsistent with other Air Force publications, the information herein prevails, in accordance with AFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management. This memorandum provides policy and guidance for all military personnel serving in the United States Air Force, Reserve and Guard components. The specific changes to AFI 36-2903 are listed in the attachment. The paragraphs listed replace the corresponding paragraphs in AFI 36-2903 or add new paragraphs. Failure to observe the mandatory provisions in paragraphs 3.4.1 and 3.4.2 of this memorandum by Regular Air Force military members, Air Force Reserve military members on active duty or inactive duty for training, and Air National Guard military members in Title 10 status is a violation of Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Air National Guard members in Title 32 status performing full-time National Guard duty or inactive duty for training, who violate the mandatory provisions of this instruction, may be held accountable through similar provisions of their respective State Military Codes. There are no releasability restrictions on this publication. Ensure that all records created as a result of the processes prescribed in this publication are maintained in accordance with Air Force Manual 33-363, Management of Records, and disposed of in accordance with Air Force Records Disposition Schedule in the Air Force Information Management System. Questions should be addressed through your chain of command or by calling the myPers Total Force Service Center at Comm 210-565-0102/DSN 665-0102 or 800-525-0102. This Memorandum becomes void after one year has elapsed from the date of this Memorandum, or upon incorporation by interim change to, or rewrite of AFI 36-2903, whichever is earlier. SHON J. MANASCO Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Manpower and Reserve Affairs Attachment: Guidance Changes AFGM 2019-01 15 April 2019 GUIDANCE CHANGES Chapter 1 – General Information (Change) 1.2.2. Airmen assigned to non-Air Force organizations will wear the Air Force equivalent of the order of dress prescribed. For example, if the non-Air Force organization prescribes a utility uniform as the uniform of the day, assigned Airmen may wear either the Airman Battle Uniform or the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) until OCP wear is mandatory on 1 April 2021. (Change) 1.4.2. Except when authorized by the AF/A1, when participating in activities such as unofficial public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies or any public demonstration, which may imply Air Force sanction of the cause for which the demonstration or activity is conducted. Chapter 3 – Grooming and Appearance Standards (Change) 3.1.3. Hair-Female. No minimum hair length to a maximum bulk of 3 ½ inches from scalp and allows proper wear of headgear. Hair will end above the bottom edge of collar and will not extend below an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground, both front to back and side to side. Bangs, or side-swiped hair will not touch either eyebrow, to include an invisible line drawn across eyebrows and parallel to the ground. See Figure 3.4. When in doubt, assess correct length of hair with Airman standing in the position of attention. Exception: While wearing the Physical Training Uniform (PTU), long hair will be secured but may have loose ends and may extend below the bottom edge of the collar. (Change) 3.1.3.2. Hair accessories. If worn, black hair accessories (e.g., fabric scrunchies, hairpins, combs, clips, headbands, elastic bands, barrettes, etc.) are authorized regardless of hair color. (Change) 3.1.3.3. Locs, braids, twists, micro-braids, french braids, dutch braids and cornrows are authorized. Locs are defined as portions of hair that have been intentionally or unintentionally fused together to form a loc or locs. A braid or twist is two or more portions of interwoven hair. If adding additional hair, it must be a natural-looking color, similar to the individual's hair color. It must be conservative (moderate, being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme) and not present a faddish appearance. Hair must not exceed bulk and length standards and must not extend below the bottom of the collar (see figure 3.6). Headgear must fit properly. (Change) 3.1.3.3.1. All locs, braids, and twists, when worn will be of uniform dimension, no wider than one inch, with natural spacing between the locs, braids, or twists and must be tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional and well-groomed appearance. When worn, multiple locs, braids, or twists shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx. ¼ inches), show no more than ¼ inch of scalp between the locs, braids or twists and must be tightly fused/interwoven to present a neat, professional appearance. A loc, or braid must continue to the end of the hair without design and following the contour of the head, and may be worn loose or AFGM 2019-01 15 April 2019 in a secured style within hair standards in paragraph 3.1.3 above. [Exception: Micro-braids or twists are not required to continue to the end of the hair.] (Change) 3.1.3.4. Unauthorized: Mohawk, mullet or etched design. (Change) 3.4. Tattoos/Brands/Body Markings. For purposes of this instruction, a tattoo is defined as a picture, design, or marking made on the skin or other areas of the body by staining it with an indelible dye, or by any other method, including pictures, designs, or markings only detectible or visible under certain conditions (such as ultraviolet or invisible ink tattoos). A brand is defined as a picture, design, or other marking that is burned into the skin or other areas of the body. Body markings are pictures, designs, or other markings as a result of using means other than burning to permanently scar or mark the skin. Members who violate the prohibitions and mandatory provisions in paragraphs 3.4.1 and 3.4.2 are subject to prosecution under Article 92, UCMJ. [Note: The changes to paragraph 3.4 and subparagraphs became effective upon publication of AFPM 2017-36-01 on 9 January 2017, and remain in effect.] (Change) 3.4.1. Tattoos/Brands/Body Markings. (Unauthorized content/locations). Tattoos/brands/body markings will not be on the hands (except one ring tattoo on one finger on one hand), head, neck (anything visible above the open collar uniform), face, tongue, lips, eyes, and scalp. Tattoos/brands/body markings anywhere on the body that are indecent, commonly associated with gangs, extremist, and supremacist organizations, or that advocate sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination are prohibited in and out of uniform. Indecent tattoos/brands/body markings are grossly offensive to modesty, decency, or propriety, or shocks the moral sense, because of its vulgar, filthy, or disgusting nature, or its tendency to incite lustful thought. It is indecent if it tends reasonably to corrupt morals or incite libidinous thoughts. It must violate community standards. AFOSI maintains information regarding gang/hate group, etc. on tattoos/brands/body markings. Commanders should contact their servicing AFOSI unit for additional information. Extremist tattoos/brands/body markings are those affiliated with, depicting, or symbolizing extremist philosophies, organizations, or activities. Sexually discriminative tattoos/brands/body markings are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on gender. Racially discriminative tattoos/brands/body markings are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. Religiously discriminative tattoos/brands/body markings are those that advocate a philosophy that degrades or demeans a person based on religion. Tattoos/brands/body markings with unauthorized content that are prejudicial to good order and discipline or the content is of a nature that tends to bring discredit upon the Air Force are prohibited both in and out of uniform. Airmen may not cover up tattoos, brands, and/or body markings with bandages or make-up in order to comply with unauthorized content tattoo policy. Failure by Regular Air Force members, Air Force Reserve members on active duty or inactive duty for training, and Air National Guard members in Title 10 status to obey the mandatory provisions in this paragraph constitutes a violation of Article 92, UCMJ. Air National Guard members in Title 32 status performing full-time National Guard duty or inactive duty for training, who violate the mandatory provisions of this instruction, may be held accountable through similar provisions of their respective State Military Codes. (Change) 3.4.1.1. Members who have or receive unauthorized content tattoos, brands, and body markings are required to initiate tattoo, brand, and body marking removal and alteration. At the AFGM 2019-01 15 April 2019 commander's discretion, members may be seen on a space and resource available basis, in a Department of Defense (DoD) medical treatment facility for voluntary tattoo, brand, and body marking removal. When DoD resources are not available, members may have the tattoo or brand removed or altered at their own expense outside of DoD medical treatment facilities. Permissive TDY is not authorized for this purpose; therefore, travel is at member's expense. Members who fail to remove or alter unauthorized tattoos/brands/body markings in a timely manner, or who choose not to comply with appropriate military standards, will be subject to a variety of appropriate quality force actions, including but not limited to reprimand, UIF, control roster, referral EPRs/OPRs, military justice action (Article 15, UCMJ punishment), ineligibility for schools and assignments and administrative discharge.