Army Directive 2025-18: Appearance, Grooming, and Army Body Composition

SUBJECT: Army Directive 2025-18 (Appearance, Grooming, and Army Body Composition

Program Standards)

1. References.

a. Army Regulation (AR) 600–8–2 (Suspension of Favorable Personnel Actions (Flag)),

b. AR 600–9 (The Army Body Composition Program), 16 July 2019

c. AR 670–1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia), 26 January 2021

2. Purpose. This directive establishes updated policy for appearance, grooming, body

composition, and uniform wear standards, emphasizing military appearance as a reflection of

discipline, professionalism, and a shared commitment to the Army’s values. The intent of this

directive is to reinforce uniformity and discipline while fostering consistency and

professionalism across the Army.

3. Applicability. This directive applies to the Regular Army, Army National Guard/Army

National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve.

4. Policy. Within 30 days of the date of this directive, all Soldiers will be required to meet the

appearance, grooming, and body composition standards in this directive. This period serves as a

transition to facilitate understanding and compliance for both Soldiers and leadership. All

Soldiers will comply with hair, fingernail, grooming, and body composition policies while in any

military uniform or while on duty in civilian attire. The standards for appearance, grooming, and

body composition are necessary to maintain uniformity and discipline, which are fundamental to

military service.

a. Adhering to policies and regulations regarding appearance, including uniform wear and

grooming standards, demonstrates a shared commitment to maintaining a professional military

appearance. A well-maintained military appearance reflects disciplined attention to detail,

respect for authority, and pride in oneself and the Army that are critical to building cohesive

teams and enabling an effective warfighting organization. Commanders, supported by the

noncommissioned officer support chain, will enforce the standards prescribed in enclosure 1

(Personal Appearance Policies) and enclosure 2 (Wear of Army Uniforms and Insignia

SUBJECT: Army Directive 2025-18 (Appearance, Grooming, and Army Body Composition

Program Standards)

Standards) to this directive. Maintaining unit cohesion and discipline is paramount, and any

Soldier can address a situation that warrants an on-the-spot-correction to uphold these standards.

b. Revisions to the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP) ensure we maintain the edge

on the battlefield, transforming the Army into a more lethal force. By streamlining the ABCP,

we reinforce our commitment to ensure all Soldiers achieve and maintain optimal well-being and

performance under all conditions to assist in establishing and maintaining operational readiness,

physical fitness, health, and a professional military appearance in accordance with Army

Regulation (AR) 670–1 and to prevent Soldiers from being retained in the ABCP longer than

necessary. See enclosure 3 (Army Body Composition Program Standards) for updated ABCP

policies and procedures.

5. Proponent. The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) has

oversight responsibility for this policy. The Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 will incorporate its

provisions into AR 600–8–2, AR 600–9, and AR 670–1 within 1 year of the date of this

directive.

6. Duration. This directive is rescinded on publication of the revised regulations.

Encls Dan Driscoll

DISTRIBUTION:

Principal Officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army

Commander

U.S. Army Forces Command

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

U.S. Army Materiel Command

U.S. Army Futures Command

U.S. Army Pacific

U.S. Army Europe and Africa

U.S. Army Central

U.S. Army North

U.S. Army South

U.S. Army Special Operations Command

Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command

U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command

(CONT)

2

SUBJECT: Army Directive 2025-18 (Appearance, Grooming, and Army Body Composition

Program Standards)

DISTRIBUTION: (CONT)

U.S. Army Cyber Command

U.S. Army Medical Command

U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Army Military District of Washington

U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command

U.S. Army Human Resources Command

U.S. Army Corrections Command

U.S. Army Recruiting Command

Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy

Commandant, U.S. Army War College

Director, U.S. Army Civilian Human Resources Agency

Executive Director, Military Postal Service Agency

Director, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division

Director, U.S. Army Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office

Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery

Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center

CF:

Principal Cyber Advisor

Commander, Eighth Army

3

PERSONAL APPEARANCE POLICIES

1. Haircuts and Hairstyles

Certain hairstyles are prohibited when wearing a military uniform. This includes any hairstyles

that distort the fit of prescribed headgear, interfere with the proper use of protective equipment,

or create any health or safety hazards. These restrictions apply regardless of whether the

headgear is being worn at the time. Headgear will fit snugly and comfortably without bulging or

distorting its intended shape. There will be no excessive gaps between the headgear and the

head. Soldiers will not wear oversized headgear to fit bulky or protruding hairstyles.

a. Male Haircuts and Hairstyles

(1) Hair Color. Hair color must present a professional and natural appearance (defined

as any shade of hair that grows from the scalp without artificial coloring). Only natural shades of

hair coloring are authorized, and must be applied in a blended, subtle manner. Hair color must

be free of abrupt or extreme artificial contrasts in shading.

(2) Hair Style.