Your personal appearance is a very important aspect of your life as a Cadet and a Salvation Army Officer. Your appearance should reflect the high ideals of Officership, both in and out of uniform.
The following information will assist you in your appearance as you adjust to life at the SFOT. The dress code is covered in detail in the Cadet Handbook and Introduction to Campus Living Class.
Full Uniform
Full uniform is defined as uniform with tunic. The following guide will assist you in appropriately wearing your full uniform.
Men Cadets are expected to wear the following with full uniform:
• Regulation pants and tunic
• Regulation uniform shirt
• Plain white crew neck T-shirts are to be worn under all uniform shirts
• Long sleeved shirts will be required as announced. When wearing long sleeve shirts, French cuffs are allowed, and may be worn with Trade issued cufflinks.
• Official name tag worn on the right side (Name tags are provided in your welcome packet.)
• Plain black tie
• Plain black belt
• Black or navy socks
• Regulation cap when announced
• Approved raincoat or approved wool overcoat
• Plain black shoes that can be shined (Leather soled or thin rubber soles are required for dress wear. Dress shoes should not have buckles, tassels, patent leather or wing tips. Athletic shoes are not allowed.)
Women Cadets are expected to wear the following with full uniform:
• Regulation skirt and tunic
• Approved white blouse (The blouse should be fully buttoned including the collar button. The blouse needs to be tucked in so it does not show underneath the tunic. Collar pins are not allowed at the SFOT.)
• Full slip or camisole (T-shirts should not be worn under the blouse.)
• Off-black hose
• Official name tag worn on the right side (Name tags are provided in your welcome packet.)
• Plain black purse (The purse should not have buckles, designs or colored thread)
• Approved raincoat or approved wool overcoat
• Plain black leather pumps with a minimum heel of 1½ inches (Dress shoes should not have buckles, tassels, designs, patent leather or fabric. They should also not have a tongue or chunky heels. Flats are never worn with full uniform. A professional look is expected.)
Classroom Uniform
Classroom uniform is defined as uniform without tunic. Classroom uniform is the uniform standard Monday thru Friday campus wear. The following guide will assist you in appropriately wearing your classroom uniform.
Men Cadets are expected to wear the following with classroom uniform:
• Regulation pants with epaulet shirt and appropriate epaulets as provided by the Trade Department (all shirts will require a regulation tie other than the Patriot shirt).
• Regulation sweater, sweater vest or jacket
• Plain white crew neck T-shirts are to be worn under all uniform shirts
• Plain black belt
• Black or navy socks
• Regulation cap when announced
• Approved raincoat or approved wool overcoat
• Plain black shoes that can be shined (Leather soled or thin rubber soles are required for dress wear. Loafers are allowed. Dress shoes should not have buckles, tassels, patent leather or wing tips. Athletic shoes are not allowed.)
Women Cadets are expected to wear the following with classroom uniform:
• Regulation skirt or pants with epaulet shirt and appropriate epaulets as provided by the Trade Department.
• Full slip or camisole (T-shirts should not be worn under the blouse.)
• Off-black hose or off-black/black knee high hose or trouser socks with pants. Trouser socks must be plain black without patterns.
• Regulation sweater, sweater vest or jacket (When sweaters are worn, blouses must be tucked in so that the blouse cannot be seen below the sweater. In addition, the collar of the shirt should be buttoned or worn outside the sweater.)
• Plain black purse (The purse should not have buckles, designs or colored thread)
• Approved raincoat or approved wool overcoat
• Expectant mothers may wear approved maternity jumpers and pants to class unless tunic is worn for special meetings (When purchasing black maternity pants, pants should be plain black, in a style and material close to the regulation uniform pants, and without back pockets).
• Plain black shoes (Classroom shoes may be flat but they should not have buckles, tassels, designs, patent leather or fabric. Flats should be worn with classroom uniform only. Flats are never worn with full uniform.)
While classroom uniform is more relaxed, it is expected that all Cadets will strive for excellence in the wearing of the uniform. A professional look is expected in classroom uniform, as well as full uniform. Comfort does not take precedence over professionalism.
Hair Styles
Hair for men Cadets is expected to be conservative, neat, clean and styled for uniform wearing. Men’s hair should be off the collar at all times. Beards and moustaches normally are permitted as long as they are fully grown prior to entry to the SFOT. They must be properly trimmed and in a simple style. They are not to be bushy, waxed or curled. It is expected that all men will maintain a clean shaven appearance. Should facial hair be shaven off, it may only be regrown while away from the SFOT on personal time; not at the SFOT or on SFOT assignments (spring missions, summer assignment, Christmas assignment, etc.).
Hair for women Cadets is expected to be conservative, neat, clean and styled for uniform wearing. Hair is to be off the collar when in a standing position. Exaggerated hairstyles and drastic hair colors are not permitted. In addition, drastic changes in hair color or hairstyles are also not permitted. Women may not wear hair that is wet or looks wet. Hairstyles or colors should not be extreme or trendy. While many current hairstyles for women conform to the above, they may not be appropriate for uniform. Hairstyles should have a professional look for the profession that you are pursuing.
Women may not wear headbands, or “scrunches” with their uniform. When hair is put up off the collar, it should be in a conservative style, using plain bobby pins or barrettes that match the hair color. Any hairpieces worn must match the hair color.
A number of hair salon options are provided in this packet for your convenience. You will want to utilize the transportation resources provided this week to correct any issue that you may have with your appearance before you register on Wednesday, August 10, 2011.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics worn are to be in keeping with the Cadet’s high calling and proper uniform appearance. Women Cadets may wear make-up which is tasteful and moderate. Nails may be polished with clear/natural polish or American/French manicures.
Tattooing and Body Piercing
Additional tattooing and body piercing are not permitted for Cadets at the SFOT. All steps must be taken to remove or cover any tattoo that is offensive in nature. However, non-offensive tattoos need not be covered while in uniform.
Jewelry
When in uniform the only jewelry allowed is one ring, and a wristwatch. They should not be too ornate. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and anklets are never to be worn with the uniform.
Appropriate Private Wear
Private wear should reflect the high standards of a Cadet. Appropriate private wear is best described as business casual. The following guide will assist you in making your appropriate private wear selections:
• Clothing is to fit appropriately. Clothing that is too tight, dirty, or torn is not appropriate.
• Shirts must be tucked in unless designed to be worn otherwise.
• Jeans may be worn, but they must not be faded, torn, have holes, be too baggy or frayed at the hem.
• Mid-thigh walking shorts may be worn following dinner on weekdays and all day on Saturday. Shorts are only worn in the dining room for Friday dinner and Saturday brunch.
Recreational Wear
Recreational Wear is best defined as clothing appropriate for recreation, exercise or housecleaning. As with appropriate private wear, anything that is too tight, baggy, dirty or torn is not appropriate. The following guide will assist you in making appropriate recreational wear selections:
• Pajama pants are not considered recreational wear.
• Ball caps are never to be worn inside any building.
• Recreational wear may only be worn in the Cadet Dining Room during Housecleaning, Work Projects and Saturday Brunch.
• Flip-flops may be worn with recreational wear.