Effective February 1, Airmen will adhere to revised uniform, grooming, and appearance standards, as announced by senior Air Force leadership on January 29. These updates encompass several key areas, including the discontinuation of Duty Identifier Patches, stricter hair grooming guidelines for men, daily shaving mandates (unless medically or religiously waived), and refined nail polish regulations for female Airmen. Furthermore, Airmen currently holding shaving waivers will undergo re-evaluation within 90 days of their next Periodic Health Assessment (PHA), commencing March 1.
These updated appearance standards are formally detailed in a memorandum from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, who communicated these changes to the force on January 29. Accompanying this, a separate memorandum addresses the revised shaving waiver procedures.
These new directives follow closely on the heels of General Allvin’s announcement three weeks prior, signaling a review of dress and appearance standards and a commitment to stricter enforcement of existing regulations.
In an email to Airmen, General Allvin emphasized the rationale behind these adjustments: “Earlier this month I released a video explaining why our service is reviewing certain policies and standards to ensure they are easy to understand, easy to comply with, and easy to enforce across our entire Air Force. Today, I am following through on my promise to swiftly distribute updates. As you review the memoranda and take action to ensure compliance, never forget that discipline and accountability are, and always will be, the backbone of an effective and lethal fighting force. Complying with and enforcing standards demonstrates shared commitment to our winning team, as well as an understanding of the gravity of our profession in today’s volatile security environment.”
General Allvin also released a video further clarifying the decision to eliminate Duty Identifier Patches, also known as Career Field Identifier patches. These patches, representing specialties like “SF” for Security Forces, “MUNS” for Munitions, or “PA” for Public Affairs, have become widespread on Airmen’s uniforms. However, as of February 1, they are no longer authorized.
Air Force Instruction 36-2903 previously authorized over 130 different patches.
“This is a lot of tabs,” General Allvin stated in his video message. He elaborated on the decision, explaining, “Under the principle that we have of ‘easy to understand, easy to comply with, easy to enforce,’ this fails that test. But there’s a bigger issue at play here: as we identify ourselves as one type of Airman or another, with one specialty or one skillset or another, we really diminish ourselves. While that is a contribution we make, our real value is our integral part of a winning, warfighting team. And that’s what we want to emphasize: that we value the team over the individual.”
Despite the removal of Duty Identifier Patches, arch-shaped tabs indicating special qualifications or training, such as “Air Advisor” or “Arctic,” remain authorized. Graduate patches, like those from the Air Force Weapons School, and command patches are also still permitted.
Updated Shaving Waiver Policy
The newly issued shaving waiver guidance, applicable to both the Air Force and Space Force, arrives approximately five years after the Air Force initiated five-year medical shaving waivers for Airmen diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), commonly known as razor bumps. PFB is a skin condition resulting from ingrown hairs, causing painful shaving and potential scarring if the skin is not allowed to heal.
Lt. Gen. John J. DeGoes, the Air Force Surgeon General, addressed a deficiency in the previous policy in a statement released on January 27. He pointed out that the prior guidance lacked clear distinctions between PFB and mere shaving irritation, which can often be managed with proper shaving techniques and topical steroids.
“This lack of standardized guidance has led to inconsistencies in how shaving profiles are issued and managed across our force,” Lt. Gen. DeGoes explained.
A memorandum from Lt. Gen. DeGoes clarifies that extended duration shaving profiles are primarily intended for severe PFB cases. Conversely, mild to moderate cases may benefit from more frequent evaluations, follow-ups, and temporary shaving profiles.
Starting March 1, updated guidance will be implemented to assist healthcare providers in more accurately differentiating between PFB and simple irritation, according to Lt. Gen. DeGoes. This necessitates the re-evaluation of all existing shaving waivers by a healthcare provider. While current shaving profiles remain valid for now, they will expire 90 calendar days following the waiver holder’s next periodic health assessment (PHA). It is important to note that this policy change does not affect religious accommodation shaving waivers.
An anonymous healthcare provider informed Air & Space Forces Magazine that the objective is to introduce new tools, including a clinical algorithm, refined guidance, and a MHS Genesis workflow, to enhance consistency in PFB waiver decisions.
“We’re going to take a second look at every waiver, and we’re trying to provide healthcare providers with more tools to make more informed decisions, just to ensure that everyone who’s on a waiver actually needs that waiver,” the provider stated.
The provider acknowledged that the algorithm is not foolproof, as even experienced dermatologists can find it challenging to distinguish between PFB and skin irritation. In civilian settings, avoiding shaving is a readily available option, leading to less research and definitive guidance on differentiating between PFB and irritation.
However, for Airmen or Guardians with borderline cases, providers may recommend exploring alternative shaving methods and topical steroids to mitigate irritation. If these approaches prove ineffective, and if laser hair removal is not desired, the five-year waiver remains an option.
The re-evaluation of all shaving waivers is anticipated to create a significant administrative workload. While PHAs are routine for all Airmen and Guardians, they are often conducted virtually and primarily serve to identify patients needing specialist referrals.
“Airmen and Guardians are going to have to make a separate appointment with their provider to then have it looked at,” the anonymous provider noted. “It’s a huge administrative burden that they’re going to be putting on the providers to support this over the next 365 days.”
These providers may, in turn, refer patients to dermatologists, some of whom already face wait times of up to three months.
“They’re basically just going to be running shaving waiver clinics,” the provider predicted, suggesting that many providers might simply reaffirm existing waiver decisions to manage the anticipated backlog of re-evaluations.
Nail Polish Restrictions
The updated policy concerning nail polish for female Airmen now limits options to “clear or French and American manicure.” This typically involves white tips with a clear or skin-toned base. This change significantly reduces the range of permitted colors compared to the expanded list approved last year. Service officials were not immediately able to provide a comprehensive guide to currently authorized shades.
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi issued a statement emphasizing that all the new regulations are essential for maintaining readiness.
“Our unmatched war winning capability is built on the strength and readiness of our Airmen. Clear and enforceable standards are the bedrock for our ready and lethal flying force,” CMSAF Flosi stated. “Our Airmen live a life of service; we are in the Profession of Arms. We are committed to defending our nation, deterring our foes, and, if necessary, we will defeat them.”
The Air Force clarified that these changes are not a response to recent executive orders from President Donald Trump aimed at altering military culture and policy.
“Gen. Allvin and service senior leadership—both officer and enlisted—have been collaborating on an approach to renew our force’s commitment and adherence to standards for months now,” explained Lt. Col. Karl Wiest, a spokesperson for General Allvin. He indicated that this issue was discussed at senior leader meetings, including the CORONA gathering last year, which occurred during the Biden administration.
“These updates were not directed by the new administration, but they do effectively contribute to the Department of Defense’s renewed focus on lethality, accountability, standards, and readiness,” Lt. Col. Wiest added.
