Cadet Dress Code

Google your branches dress regulations for earrings in uniform.
 
Male or female? What service? May make a difference. I don't need to know.

In general, for everything classified as a uniform, grooming regulations dictate approved types, placement and amounts of jewelry. The Services vary.

In civilian clothes, there may also be regulations about jewelry and piercings. The Services vary.

I don't know whether there are specific regs that cover ROTC cadets in civilian clothes. All these regs can usually be found online.

I am sure you will get posts from current cadets with specifics.
 
Army rotc and I am a male. I've seen many responses in the internet saying it is prohibited outside of uniform as well but I wanted to double check with you guys as well. I will ask my PMS.
 
Army rotc and I am a male. I've seen many responses in the internet saying it is prohibited outside of uniform as well but I wanted to double check with you guys as well. I will ask my PMS.

Chain of command and the regs that apply to your situation should be primary sources.

May I suggest researching the official references first, and if unable to find the answer or need clarification, then consult C of C, starting with more junior levels? When a junior asks a senior (especially a CO, OIC, PMS, PNS, etc.) a question with no prior research into official resources, it's called "upward delegation," and not a good thing. The resourceful and self-reliant officer-to-be does not push work upwards. I was gently taught that as a JO, and in turn taught that to those who worked for me, usually by asking them: "When you researched this in XYZ Reg, what did you find? Show me the regs that you need help understanding. Tell me your research process, and I will coach you on that. I am sure you will arrive at the correct answer, and let's get you on the schedule to brief your class on grooming standards in civilian clothes. Good training topic, very glad you are exploring it, shows initiative, and you can include your research process. While you're at it, Google the classic gem 'The Doctrine of Completed Staff Work', run off copies for class/post to SharePoint, and I will address that in leadership lab." Upward delegation to me almost always turned into a new assignment heading downwards...

Perhaps you have done your advance legwork and are stuck, and still need clarification, in which case, you should be able to work your way up the chain.


There are plenty of references to Doctrine of Completed Staff Work. I think this one is apt for your situation.
http://armystrongstories.com/army-stories/the-chain-of-command-and-staff-work#.V5ysFVT3anM

I know you came here with a simple question. Though retired from active duty, I am still passionate about coaching juniors to excel, hence the notes above.
 
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Here is the question I would like you to answer.

How much do you really care about wearing an earring?
~ Is it about showing your personality? Is it about a tie to something personal...i.e. Grandma died and you wear a birthstone stud to feel like she is always there with you.

I don't see an issue with you wearing an earring on a friday to a party. IMPO, it is like a female officer wearing large hoops off hours. Large hoops are not authorized during your duty hours, but if you want to wear them to church on Sunday, go for it!

Caveat: we are not talking about brow, nose, lip, tongue piercings. Just an earring where the chances of an infection is slim to none compared to the other types of piercings.
 
The Army answer is in AR 670-1 "Wear and Appearance of Army Uniform and Insignia" while Cadet Command has its own policies they probably conform to the Army policy which is found in chapter 3

"c. Attaching, affixing or displaying objects, articles, jewelry, or ornamentation to, through, or under their skin,


tongue, or any other body part is prohibited (this includes earrings for male Soldiers). This applies to all Soldiers on or

off duty. The only exception is for female Soldiers, who may wear earrings consistent with paragraph 3–4d. (The term


“skin” is not confined to external skin but includes the tongue, lips, inside the mouth, and other surfaces of the body

not readily visible.)"
 
Go to the US Army Publication Directorate website, go to search, search AR 670-1, download and save the document.

It will come in handy many times throughout your military career.
 
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