GROOMING STANDARDS

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 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.

MALES

Hair: Hair will be neat, and 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. The 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 a 4-inch length and 2-inch bulk the maximum under any circumstances. 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. 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. Varying hairstyles, 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. Exaggerated styles, including those with excessive fullness or extreme height, are not authorized.

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.

Beards or Mustaches: Males must be clean-shaven.

Earrings/Studs: Not allowed

Wristwatch: One is authorized.

Rings: One per hand is authorized

Fingernails: Will not extend past the fingertips.

For Greater detail click http://eltorobattalion.org/cadet-resource

FEMALES

Hair: Hair will be clean and neatly arranged. No outrageously multicolored or faddish hairstyles, 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 minimizes 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. The 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 that 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. 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.

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

Hair Ornaments: Barrettes, must be similar to hair color. Conspicuous rubber bands, combs, and pins are 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 the 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.

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

Earrings/Studs: One per ear, centered on the earlobe. Must be a small silver ball. Studs are not authorized in the nose, eyebrows, tongue, lips, or other areas of the face or body visible to any member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Officer Corps. Earrings shall be small 6mm balls (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 a brushed matte finish.

Necklaces: Authorized, but shall not be visible.

Rings: One per hand is authorized.

Wristwatch: One is authorized.

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

Cosmetics: Applied in good taste and colors blend with natural skin tone. Exaggerated or faddish cosmetics are inappropriate. Care should be taken to avoid an artificial appearance. Lipstick colors shall be conservative and complement the individual. Long false eyelashes are not authorized.

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.

For Greater detail click http://eltorobattalion.org/cadet-resource

UNIFORMS:

The Navy allows the NSCC and NLCC to wear the Navy uniform, only modified with a distinguishing shoulder insignia. U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations are adhered to by both the NSCC and NLCC. Officer rank insignias are the same as the Navy. Sea Cadet rate insignia is slightly different in design; the colors are changed to yellow, are in the form of chevrons (V-shaped), and are worn on the right sleeve. The exception to which is on the BDUs (Battle Dress Uniforms, i.e., Cammies); the rate insignia is worn on the cadet's collar and is slightly different from the US Navy Collar devices. These uniforms will be issued upon enrollment and consist of a Navy Working Uniform (Shirt, Pants, Cap, Belt); Dress Blues, Summer Whites; "Dixie Cup" Cover; Necktie; Physical Training Sweats, Sweatshirt, Navy Shirt; and one NSCC, El Toro Battalion T-Shirt. There are some dress shoes available, but they may also be purchased at one of the local military surplus stores. Woodland-style BDUs, BDU 8-Point Cover, BDU belt, and boots will need to be purchased. All patches will need to be ordered separately by each cadet and he/she will have the responsibility for attaching each appropriately. Please see the link below for further information regarding uniforms