Star Army Uniform and Appearance Policy

The Star Army Uniform and Appearance Policy is a regulation of the Star Army of Yamatai that dictates the use of Star Army Uniforms. Proper grooming and wearing of the Star Army Uniform are part of the Star Army's organizational culture. Soldiers of the Star Army of Yamatai must maintain a tidy and professional appearance while on duty.

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the wear and appearance of the Military Uniform of the Star Army of Yamatai. The policy is gender-neutral and aims to ensure that all soldiers maintain a professional and respectful appearance.

Soldiers of the Star Army of Yamatai will present a professional appearance at all times. It is the responsibility of individual soldiers to exercise good judgement regarding their appearance. The unit commanders (e.g. the captain and/or first officer) have the authority to punish soldiers that do not meet the standards in their judgement.

Violation the specific prohibitions and requirements may result in adverse administrative action and/or charges under the provisions of the Star Army Articles of Military Justice.

The Director of Star Army Personnel or her designated subordinates is authorized to grant waivers to grant reasonable exceptions to the uniform and appearance policy at her discretion. Waivers will be requested and posted in an individual's records record (OOC: Orders Thread). For example, an sexually explicit tattoo might be permitted if it is normally not visible in any Star Army uniform because of its location in a private area).

Uniforms must be well maintained. No stains, hanging threads, rips, holes, or conspicuously frayed edges should be visible. Uniforms should be clean and free of any foul odors.

Uniforms should not appear wrinkled or oversize. It is prohibited for pants to be worn at an excessively low level that reveals undergarments or for skirts to be excessively short.

It is not permitted to make unauthorized personal customization or additions to the uniform.

When on duty, soldiers should wear the Star Army uniform selected by their commander.

Soldiers will not mix and match duty (blue) uniforms or their components with field (green) or utility uniforms, except:

1. The field Jacket may be worn over the bodysuit

Volumetric uniforms are authorized; they must be opaque and meet the same standards as physical uniforms.

No soldier of the Star Army of Yamatai shall:

• Use or possess chewing gum or bubble gum or chew on any other non-food objects while in uniform.
• Use or possess cigarettes, cigars, dip, or any other tobacco product, at any time or use simulated items of the above while in uniform.
• Spit in public
• Eat while walking around in uniform.
• Become intoxicated while in uniform.

Star Army uniform regulations for standards of personal appearance and grooming are as specific as is practicable in order to establish the parameters with which Soldiers must comply.

Star Army soldiers must both be and appear to be a healthy adult.

1. Star Army Soldiers may not look or act like children. All soldiers must exhibit a demeanor and appearance consistent with adult military personnel.
   1. The minimum height for non-miniaturized humanoid personnel is 145cm tall, with an exception for Phods.
2. Star Army Soldiers must maintain physical fitness and adherence to acceptable weight standards
3. Star Army soldiers may not appear excessively sexualized. Examples include, but are not limited to:
   1. Disproportionate or exaggerated physical features such as bizarrely large breasts, buttocks, or muscles that draw undue attention and detract from a professional military appearance.

Hairstyles must not interfere with the proper wearing of headgear and equipment such as caps, spacesuits, helmets, and protective masks. Hair must not appear unkempt or be excessively long or bulky, or block the eyes or vision, or be unclean or smelly. Hair-holding devices (clips, barrettes, rubber bands, headbands etc) are authorized only if they are plain, solid colored or transparent, and inconspicuous.

• For males, short hair (e.g. high and tight) is recommended but not required.
• For females, it is recommended that freely-hanging hair not pass the waistline.
• Any wigs must meet the same requirements as natural hair.

Fingernails must be neatly trimmed and, on humanoids, should not extend past the top of the finger.

If used, cosmetics should be applied conservatively and tastefully.

Star Army soldiers are permitted to wear the following jewelry as long as it is safe to do so:

1. A wrist watch
2. An identification bracelet and/or fitness activity tracker on the opposite wrist from the watch
3. 1 ring (or paired wedding ring set) on each hand.

Watches and bracelets must be conservative in style. Ankle bracelets, toe rings, necklaces (other than those described in para 3 – 15), faddish (trendy) devices, medallions, amulets, and personal talismans or icons are not authorized for wear while in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty.

Soldiers in general are authorized to wearing earrings with the Star Army Duty Uniform. They can be screw-on, clip-on, or post-type earrings made of gold, silver, white pearl, or diamond. The earrings must not exceed 6mm in diameter and should be of a basic spherical design. Earrings may only be worn as a matched pair, with only one earring per ear lobe. When worn, the earrings should fit snugly against the ear.

Nekovalkyrja are named after a food or flavor are also permitted to wear earrings that resemble their name (for example a soldier named Pineapple can wear earrings that are pineapple-shaped).

Norian soldiers are also permitted to wear their traditional cage-like Norian elf earrings.

Attaching, affixing, or displaying objects, articles, jewelry, or ornamentation to, through, or under their skin, tongue, or any other body part is prohibited.

The use of metallic caps, or caps of any unnatural color or texture (permanent or removable) for purposes of dental ornamentation is prohibited. Teeth, whether natural, capped, or veneered, will not be decorated with designs, jewels, initials, or similar ornamentation.

Pens and/or pencils of any color may be worn exposed in the pen and pencil slots on any uniform with such slots.

Glasses worn with the uniform should be black, brown, or metallic in coloration and conservative in style.

Tattoos that are offensive, negative, or obscene are prohibited.

Norians are permitted to wear their traditional tattoos so long as the tattoo does not cover more than one quarter of their facial surface. Other facial tattoos are unauthorized with the exception of basic solid-colored shapes in the Nekovalkyrja tradition.

The use of NanoInk Veil to hide tattoos to meet appearance guidelines is authorized (YE 45.8).

Figure 3.7: Nekovalkyrja Tattoo Example

The duty uniforms are used primarily in climate-controlled or optimal environments such as indoors or aboard starships. When appropriate, duty uniforms can be accompanied by the black Star Army Service Dress Coat and blue service dress cap. It is customary for Star Army personnel to travel in duty uniform when under orders (reporting to a new assignment, etc).

1. Caps can be worn with any duty uniform or with the service dress coat. For all Star Army soldiers, the cap is a blue-gray round cap with an embroidered black ribbon.
2. The Star Army Coat, Type 32 is optionally worn as weather requires.
3. Dress shoes must be black or jet black (see Star Army Uniform Colors) and have an even, polished appearance.
4. Footwear should not feature excessively long, sharp, or exotic heels.
5. No items should protrude or be visible on the duty uniform, such as civilian communicators, pens, watch chains, jewelry, and bulky wallets. Star Army communicators attached to the belt are authorized.
6. Belt buckles for the duty uniform should be a polished brass rectangle.
7. Unit patches are authorized for the Duty uniform. Patches must not be obscene or negative in nature and must be approved by the fleet commander prior to wear.

Field uniforms shall be worn in by the Star Army Rikugun as necessary.

See: Star Army Exercise Uniform, Type 40

The exercise uniform is used only for physical training activities, as sleepwear, and selected medical activity.

Personal swords are authorized for wear with the Duty uniforms; and, at the unit commander's discretion, with field uniforms and power armor.

It is authorized to use or carry an umbrella with the duty uniform in the rain as long as it is a plain black or transparent one.

If a soldier is found to have willfully disregarded the above regulations, he/she is subject to one or more of the following punishments:

• Hard labor
• Forfeiture of previously earned pay of up to three months
• Forfeiture of future pay of up to three months
• Forfeiture of leave and/or shore leave
• Reassignment to a less favorable unit or location
• Demotions or being barred from promotions
• Dishonorable discharge

It is also suggested that the commanding officer require a counseling session and that the soldier write an essay on the importance of taking pride in the uniform.