Piercing waivers?

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nuclearuser13

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I'm looking to be a part of the class of 2021, and I had a question about my nose piercing. My family's originally from India, and Indian women more often than not have nose piercings, it's a tradition. My mom, grandmothers, aunts, etc. have them and I have one too that I really want to keep. Do you have any information/tips for applying for a waiver, and do you think I could get one? Of course, I would take it out for the sake of the Academy if I couldn't. Furthermore, do you think it would be a good idea to take it out for the congressional panel and BGO interviews?
 
That's a bit down the road, but military service has what they call uniform and grooming standards. At the present, wearing a nose ornament is not allowed in uniform. You will see people in uniform with empty holes in various places while in uniform. Women may wear the earrings (studs) approved for their service, uniform and activity. I don't believe requesting a waiver for the stated reason would be approved, to put it kindly. There are over 1M people in uniform who don't get to wear one, so an exception is unlikely.
When you are on your own time and wearing civilian clothes (not much of that during first year, pretty much during holidays), that's different. And wearing jewelry is usually one of the last things on your mind at a Service Academy. If you went ROTC, different story, in terms of opportunities to wear it, because of less time in uniform.

As far as wearing it at interviews, that is up to you. You are there to market yourself as a candidate, and making it easy for interviewers to envision you in uniform is a good strategy. I respect this is part of your culture, but at present, it is not part of U.S. military culture.
 
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nuclearperson said:
I'm looking to be a part of the class of 2021, and I had a question about my nose piercing. My family's originally from India, and Indian women more often than not have nose piercings, it's a tradition. My mom, grandmothers, aunts, etc. have them and I have one too that I really want to keep. Do you have any information/tips for applying for a waiver, and do you think I could get one? Of course, I would take it out for the sake of the Academy if I couldn't. Furthermore, do you think it would be a good idea to take it out for the congressional panel and BGO interviews?
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If you google "usna piercing" there are some PDFs from USNA with guidelines about how to notify them. There is a waiver process once you become a candidate, where you submit pictures, etc. But that waiver is not about keeping the piercing, but being admitted with it.

According to Navy regs (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-n...ns/chapter2/Pages/2201PersonalAppearance.aspx) you may not wear the piercing in uniform/while on duty. Realistically, you won't be able to keep the piercing.
 
+1 CaptMJ and goforspaatz.

nuclear: waivers are for entry into the service, you will not be able to wear that ornament while in uniform or on duty. Regarding your interviews, I suggest you accept the inevitable and remove the jewelry.
 
USMCGrunt said:
+1 CaptMJ and goforspaatz.

nuclear: waivers are for entry into the service, you will not be able to wear that ornament while in uniform or on duty. Regarding your interviews, I suggest you accept the inevitable and remove the jewelry.
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100% agree.

I've only coached boys, I assume this is true for girls too. Piercings are an injury risk and are not allowed on a basketball court for example. If I'm wrong about girls NavyHoops can correct me but I believe it's the same, at least for HS.

I respect your tradition but I think it may send the wrong message during the interview.

JMHO!
 
Agree some piercings are a safety issue and others are to conform with military standards. From a safety perspective a SA is very physical to include intramural sports, boxing, wrestling and judo classes. Most piercings are a safety issue for sports and even when you throw in an O courses, low crawling, climbing obstacles it's the same thing. From a military standards perspective when in school or dress informs this is a standardization issue. It's the military, if this is a path you want to pursue get used to it. Lots of folks have religious and cultural things... They adapt to the standard.
 
Good grief.

You'll be joining an organization that will make you part of a team. No one should stand out. You already knew that, but you asked anyway.

It's the military.
 
Maplerock said:
Good grief.

You'll be joining an organization that will make you part of a team. No one should stand out. You already knew that, but you asked anyway.

It's the military.
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It's a fair enough question, though. For people who aren't yet in the military, don't come from military families, don't live on or near a military base (etc.), and/or are young and inexperienced, it is hard to imagine what it's like to be a servicemember. It can be hard to understand why women's ear piercings are acceptable, but a small, similarly-tasteful nose ornament is not. And "not standing out" does not mean that all vestiges of individuality are foregone: there's individual variation in (say) running shoe colors (unless you're in the Marines :cool:) and hair styles, to an extent.

It was a fair question, was all.
 
LongAgoPlebe said:
It's a fair enough question, though. For people who aren't yet in the military, don't come from military families, don't live on or near a military base (etc.), and/or are young and inexperienced, it is hard to imagine what it's like to be a servicemember. It can be hard to understand why women's ear piercings are acceptable, but a small, similarly-tasteful nose ornament is not. And "not standing out" does not mean that all vestiges of individuality are foregone: there's individual variation in (say) running shoe colors (unless you're in the Marines :cool:) and hair styles, to an extent.

It was a fair question, was all.
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Sometimes I find myself forgetting that there are occasionally vistiors to this forum who are very young or from a significantly different background than that of the typical household. I try to envision that before I ever reply to a poster in an abrupt or impatient manner as I have done in the past.
 
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Is the piercing a tradition or a religious obligation? That might change things.

The Army has recently granted a waiver for a Sikh WP graduate to keep his beard and long hair since Sikhs are not supposed to share or cut their hair. Similarly if the nose piercing is a religious obligation a waiver might be granted.
 
+1 afmom2020...
I read that as well. In that case, I believe the Sikh captain demonstrated in his appeal that his turban and his beard did not impede using a gas mask. (lots of SEALS and deltas have beards, too).
Body jewelry is a tougher question as it could be a safety hazard.

It's all about combat readiness. That's why the cadets can't leave their hands in their pockets.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...b1fc22-83a9-11e3-9dd4-e7278db80d86_story.html
 
afmom2020 said:
I did not know about keeping their hands in their pockets. I love this forum for the little things I can pick up.
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At least this is true for Army and Air Force regs:


Army reg 670-1 Section 3-6 a (3)

"While in uniform, personnel will not place their hands in their pockets, except momentarily to place or retrieve objects."

Source: http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r670_1.pdf


Air Force:

AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 36-2903


1.3.2. Members will not:


1.3.2.1. Stand or walk with hands in pockets of any uniform combination, other than to insert or
remove items.

Source: http://www.mortuary.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100319-025.pdf
 
afmom2020 said:
Is the piercing a tradition or a religious obligation? That might change things.

The Army has recently granted a waiver for a Sikh WP graduate to keep his beard and long hair since Sikhs are not supposed to share or cut their hair. Similarly if the nose piercing is a religious obligation a waiver might be granted.
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It has religious origins but today it's more of a coming-of-age tradition than anything
 
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