‘Change can be good’: Changes to Army grooming standards take effect in October

KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) - Soldiers at Fort Hood are about to spend a little more time at the barber now that new grooming standards are set to take effect next month.

In 2021 the Army loosened the grooming standards for both male and female soldiers.

Something veterans like Patrick Wilson, who served 29 years and retired in 2022, didn’t agree with.

“I think it was going down a bad road they shouldn’t be going down, but it was a new Army,” said Patrick Wilson, Retired U.S. Army Veteran, Commander of VFW Post 9191. “That’s what they were changing to and sometimes change has got to be viewed before they can say it’s good.”

Earrings, make-up, and hairstyle options were expanded for male and female soldiers and much of is being pulled back starting October 15, 2025.

“At some point you don’t want the females to be masculine figures,” said Wilson. “So, I do agree with the earrings being put in so they can be themselves. When they changed to allow them to have all these colors and everything, I disagreed with it.”

Only allowing clear nail polish, skin tone makeup, shorter hairstyles and what is acceptable with certain uniforms are just some of the changes coming.

Wilson is retired so the new changes don’t affect him, but he does have advice for soldiers that are going to be affected.

“Sometimes change is good, sometimes change is bad, but just be patient and let it play out and it and it will work out for you,” said Wilson.

Other things like medical exemptions for beards are also changing.

The changes to the Army’s grooming standards are set to take effect on October 15, 2025, and soldiers should speak to their command if they have any questions.

Copyright 2025 KWTX. All rights reserved.