Military 362 words College Essay Example

esteemed group. A person's uniform provides valuable insight into their professional identity.

Both the profession and the level of pride one takes in it are signified by wearing a uniform, which depends on how well-maintained the uniform and personal appearance are. Although not a critical factor, appearance has a significant impact on one's identity and performance. Failure to meet prescribed guidelines could impede one's ability to fight for their country. The guideline promotes unity and is crucial for career success, highlighting the importance of maintaining high standards.

The soldier gains strength from the image, emphasizing the importance of following regulations both on and off duty. As a member of the military, it is expected that you are representing at all times, whether in uniform or not. This means not only your physical appearance but also your behavior should represent the military's standards.

Despite comprising only 10% of one's professional appearance, leadership qualities are highly regarded by subordinates. Therefore, I am writing this essay to express my disappointment in my failure to uphold these standards and show proper respect to my leaders.

As a soldier, it was my duty to understand and follow the set standards. Even if I lacked knowledge, I accept complete responsibility for my error and assure that it won't recur. Consistently following these expectations is vital for preserving the military's tradition and power that are critical to its success over many years. Though it may appear easy, staying committed to maintaining the excellent standard anticipated from every military personnel requires discipline and daily practice.

One effective way to motivate soldiers is by encouraging them to improve themselves. When a soldier sets an example for their unit,

it can inspire others. However, negativity can occur when soldiers observe their peers wearing unkempt uniforms, stained clothes, or ill-fitting gear.

If soldiers fail to meet the military's physical fitness and grooming standards, it could result in a loss of motivation and a breakdown of all military standards. One expectation is that soldiers have well-groomed hair, with messy or excessively bulky styles not allowed. Hair should be tapered to fit the shape of the head and curve inward towards the natural end point at the base of the neck.

When styling hair, it is important to avoid having it extend beyond the ears or eyebrows, or touch the collar, except for short hair at the back of the neck. A moderate amount of fullness resulting from block-cutting is acceptable as long as a tapered look is maintained. Hair volume and length should not interfere with headgear, protective masks or equipment. Men are not allowed to wear braids, cornrows, unkempt twisted or matted dreadlocks while in uniform or on duty in civilian clothes. Men can have shaved or closely-clipped hair. Sideburns must be kept tidy.

Both in and out of uniform, males are required to keep their face clean-shaven, with the exception of neatly trimmed and tapered mustaches that do not extend beyond a vertical line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth and do not cover the upper lip line. Furthermore, sideburns must not be flared and must begin at a cleanshaven, horizontal line. Additionally, sideburns must not extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening.

Soldiers are not allowed to have facial hair styles such as handlebar mustaches, beards, and goatees unless

advised by a medical professional. In the case of medical necessity, the length of the beard must be specified. Soldiers must keep their beard growth trimmed to the directed length and cannot shape it into certain styles. Men cannot wear wigs or hairpieces while on duty in uniform or civilian clothes except for covering natural baldness or physical disfigurement resulting from an accident or medical procedure. If worn, wigs and hairpieces should follow standard haircut criteria.

The US military's grooming regulations state that males are not allowed to use cosmetics, including nail polish. It is required for all personnel to maintain clean and well-groomed fingernails, and for males specifically, their nails must be trimmed so as not to exceed the fingertip length. (Source: http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/army/a/armygrooming_2)

According to the standards outlined in the html, women are expected to keep their hair neat and well-groomed, ensuring that it is not overly long or bulky and avoiding ragged or extreme styles. Additionally, trendy cuts that involve shaving parts of the head (except for the neckline) or intricate designs are not allowed. While braids and cornrows are permitted, they must be conservative in style, fit the head closely, and be secured with appropriate hair accessories. Dreadlocks, which are unkempt and tangled clumps of hair, are not permitted in uniform or while on duty in civilian clothes.

During normal activities or when standing in formation, hair must not extend beyond the bottom edge of the collar and should not be seen over the eyebrows. Long hair that falls naturally below the collar's bottom edge, such as braids, must be secured neatly and discreetly using fasteners or pins. No hair should be hanging freely. This

applies to hairstyles worn while in the physical fitness uniform/improved physical fitness uniform (PFIU/IPFU) and prohibits unbalanced or lopsided styles.

Prohibited hairstyles include ponytails, pigtails, or braids that hang freely, extreme styles that protrude from the head, and widely spaced individual hanging locks. However, authorized hairstyles may include extensions, weaves, wigs, and hairpieces as long as they resemble the individual's natural hair. Grooming policies must be followed for any wig, extension, hairpiece, or weave used. For females, hairstyles must not interfere with military headgear or protective masks and equipment. Hair must not extend below the bottom edge of front headgear or collar when worn with headgear. Hair-holding devices are only allowed for the purpose of securing hair.

Decorative hair-holding devices are not allowed for soldiers. The devices must either be plain in color or as close to the color of the soldier's hair as possible. Authorized devices comprise small, plain scrunchies, barrettes, combs, pins, clips, rubber bands, and hair bands. Devices that are excessive, conspicuous or decorative are not permitted.

Prohibited devices that are not allowed include but are not limited to large, lacy scrunchies, beads, ows, or claw clips, clips, pins or barrettes that have butterflies, flowers, sparkles, gems, or scalloped edges. Additionally, bows made from hairpieces are not approved. It is important to have standards for cosmetics just like with hairstyles to avoid an unmilitary appearance. Females can use makeup with any uniform but it must be applied conservatively and complement the uniform while still being in good taste. Leaders must use good judgment in enforcing these policies at all levels.

Cosmetics are allowed for females as long as they are conservative, complement the uniform and their

complexion. However, eccentric, exaggerated or trendy cosmetic styles and colors are prohibited, including makeup that covers tattoos. Permanent makeup such as eyebrow or eyeliner is allowed if it meets the established standards. Lipstick and nail polish colors that contrast with the complexion or detract from the uniform are also not permitted. Extreme shades are also forbidden for females.

Examples of extreme colors such as purple, gold, blue, black, white, bright (fire-engine) red, khaki, camouflage colors and fluorescent colors are allowed. However, soldiers should refrain from applying designs or two-tone or multi-tone colors on nails. Women should follow the cosmetics policy whether in military uniform or civilian clothes while on duty. Clean and neatly trimmed nails are required for all personnel. Women's nail length should not exceed 1/4 inch from the fingertip.

In the case that longer nails on females impede the military image, pose a safety risk or disrupt job performance, commanders may require them to be shortened.