NEW USAF GROOMING STANDS: GOODBYE MUSTACHE MARCH?
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Mustache March is an annual event occurring, appropriately, in the month of March, where members of the United States Air Force grow mustaches to honor a legendary Air Force fighter pilot named Robin Olds. Every March 1st, participants start growing mustaches. If you start in February, you’re disqualified.
The idea stems from an early USAF tradition in which members, typically from the aviation community, would grow mustaches in good-natured protest against facial hair regulations. The act of growing a mustache is seen as a gesture of mild defiance against dogmatic leadership and is attributed to USAF triple-ace Robin Olds, who grew an extravagantly waxed handlebar mustache, which most certainly did not comply with USAF regulations. See for yourself.
From Mustache March to Movember
In recent years, USAF personnel have doubled down and added November to the mustache-growing calendar. They call it “Movember” and it is held for a different, and less defiant, cause than Mustache March. Movember is meant to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide.
In some squadrons, male members were also “required” to grow mustaches while on deployment. In 2001, while deployed to the Combined Air Operations Center during Operation Enduring Freedom, those of us assigned to the Master Air Attack Planning Cell were “fined” five bucks if we showed up to work with a clean-shaven upper lip. I never paid a fine.
New USAF Grooming Regulations Released
On October 29, the USAF released more specific regulations regarding grooming standards for airmen’s mustaches and sideburns. The impact on Mustache March and Movember could be significant.
The updated USAF guidelines match up with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s memo issued on September 30 that directed the establishment of uniform grooming standards across the services.
In a memo that Hegseth sent to DoD Senior leadership on August 20, he outlined his vision for proper military appearance.
“As I stated when directing the Rapid Force-Wide Review of Military Standards, the strength of the military is our unity and our shared purpose,” Hegseth stated in the memo. “The Department must remain vigilant in maintaining the grooming standards which underpin the warrior ethos.”
The new USAF standards are not markedly different from previous guidance, but the language is a bit more specific. A USAF spokesperson said,
“The new guidance mandates that sideburns must be above the ear opening and mustaches are prohibited from going beyond the corners of the mouth or into a respirator seal zone.”
The memo outlines how, if worn, sideburns should be straight and not flared, with an even width above the ear opening and ending in a clean-shaven horizontal line. Mustaches must be neatly trimmed and match the natural hair color of the airmen’s head, per the memo. Other styles of mustaches, like handlebar, twists, curls, or goatees, are prohibited. That means you, Colonel Olds.
Shaving Waivers and Religious Accommodations
The new regulations also address restricted shaving waivers. Under the new guidance, shaving waivers may be allowed for religious accommodations and only temporarily for medical conditions. Those waivers must now be approved by unit commanders.
The memo states that,
“At the start of each duty day, male Airmen must be clean-shaven. Beards are not authorized unless for medical reasons, when recommended by a medical official, and approved by applicable unit commander or as authorized pursuant to a request for a religious accommodation.”
The shaving guidelines match earlier verbal guidance from Hegseth. Mustache March and Movember just got a little bit sportier.
The Future of the Mustache in the USAF
With the new regulations in place, the mustache might be a little shorter—but its symbolism remains strong. Mustache March and Movember continue to represent both camaraderie and purpose, whether in playful protest or for a noble cause.
While Robin Olds’ legendary handlebar may no longer meet today’s standards, his spirit of bold individuality and leadership endures. For airmen everywhere, the mustache remains more than facial hair—it’s a proud emblem of Air Force heritage, resilience, and unity.
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BY GEORGE RIEBLING
National Security Analyst at VeteranLife
Air Force Veteran
George Riebling is a retired USAF Colonel with 26 years of distinguished service as an Air Battle Manager, including operational assignments across five command and control weapon systems. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism, Radio & Television from the University of Missouri. Following his military c...
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George Riebling is a retired USAF Colonel with 26 years of distinguished service as an Air Battle Manager, including operational assignments across five command and control weapon systems. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism, Radio & Television from the University of Missouri. Following his military c...
