She says it's hard being an ethnic woman in the military. Are finger waves allowed?

When I first read this I thought she was taking about some kind of "hello" gesture glad l I'm not the only one who didn't know l what I'm the hell she was taking about at first!

SPC (Join to see) - Right? I was thinking it meant air quotes or something like that.

Read the regulation. AR 670-1 details what is within regulation. Too many 'leaders' bring their personal bias into what they think is 'within regulation'. Know the regulation, and if you don't know, contact your local JAG. Comments such as "When I first read this I thought she was taking about some kind of "hello" gesture glad l I'm not the only one who didn't know l what I'm the hell she was taking about at first!" signifies that you have not taken the time to know what the regulation is, and you are one step from potentially being a leader.

I agree what is a finger wave?

MSG (Join to see) Natural waves are not sculpted. Waves created and held in place with gel are sculpted.

SSG (Join to see) it is clear, and in black and white. Soldiers have been trying to wear unauthorized styles for decades. The standards have changed to be more inclusive, yet the desire to avoid complying remains unchanged.
Yes, it is too hard to list every possible unauthorized hair style, and it isn't practical. It would likely result in multiple changes to the regulation annually, as people would change the name of hairstyles so their style isn't in black and white.

Just the language 'eccentric directional flow' is disturbing. The Oxford Dictionary defines "eccentric" as "of a person or their behavior unconventional and slight strange". This is disquieting to me. Our soldiers are not 'slightly strange'. I hope that this definition is not being used to describe ANY soldier, male or female.

Having joined the Army in 1974, and retiring in 2005 (with a combination of 16 years active, the rest as an IMA), it has appeared to me that one of the major discussions about hairstyles, and especially those of women of color, seem to be a matter of Black vs White. My hair is what some people would be offended to address as 'nappy', but that is what it is. Nappy hair in my case is tightly curled hair laying close to my scalp. It does not grow quickly. If I were to wear my hair, as is, it could possibly be defined as 'masculine' by a Senior NCO. However, the regulation states "short, cropped hair is not inherently considered masculine". A female could actually, by regulation, wear their head shaved, as long as it is not considered 'faddish'. Knowing the regulations before using personal judgement is the best way to approach a question of whether a soldier is correct ;it is the most appropriate, and if you have a question, contact JAG. It appears that too much discussion about hairstyles is a problem that probably needs clarification, both for the leader and their subordinates.

Thanks for indicating that you know what the formal regulation is for female hairstyles. PS- all females in military service are women. We don't recruit girls.

Sgt Michael Caldwell - And by "Brotherhood" I hope that you mean Female Marines as well.

SSgt Estanislado Quinones - I don't agree that discussions about personnel grooming styles is being 'touchy feely'. It is discussing regulations and the ability to clarify what is being said. Remember, this is an All-volunteer Service now, and the military has discovered that in order to keep the ranks 'mission appropriate', it has to consider all lifestyles within reason. Now, a draft can be considered if necessary to increase the ranks, but having lived during the last draft, you would be surprised to find how people avoided the draft because they were able to prove themselves 'outside of regulations'.

SGT Kenneth Stelly - might add poor recruit pool, just a thought