ARMY DIR 2025-18 — Appearance, Grooming, And Army Body Composition Program Standards
ARMY DIR 2025-18 governs Army appearance, grooming, body composition, and uniform wear standards for Soldiers.
- Publication number: ARMY DIR 2025-18
- Title: APPEARANCE, GROOMING, AND ARMY BODY COMPOSITION PROGRAM STANDARDS
- Date: 09/12/2025
- Proponent: ASA (M&RA)
- Status: ACTIVE
View ARMY DIR 2025-18 on armypubs.army.mil
It requires Soldiers to meet the directive’s standards within 30 days and addresses hair, fingernails, cosmetics, jewelry, and uniform wear. It also establishes updated Army Body Composition Program policies and procedures.
Applies to: This directive applies to the Regular Army, Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve.
Topics covered
- Haircuts and hairstyles
- Cosmetics
- Fingernail grooming
- Jewelry earrings
- Army Body Composition Program
- Army Green Service Uniform nameplates
Questions and answers
When must Soldiers meet the appearance and grooming standards?
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. (paragraph 4)
Are locs, braids, or twists authorized for male Soldiers?
Male Soldiers are not authorized to wear locs, braids, or twists. (paragraph 1)
How long may female Soldiers’ fingernails be?
Female Soldier fingernails will not exceed 1/4 inch in length as measured from the tip of the finger. (paragraph 1)
When are earrings prohibited?
Earrings are not authorized to be worn during physical fitness activities, in tactical/field environments, during combat or operational-related deployments, or in locations where access to regular hygiene is not available. (paragraph 3)
What lip products are prohibited?
Lip liner is not authorized unless by medical exemption. (paragraph 1)