Posted on Apr 29, 2014
Army Leadership tucking tail on new grooming standards
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This is going to cause major problems in the Army and a rise in racism issues.
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel informed members of the Congressional Black Caucus that he is ordering the military services to review grooming standards, particularly those for African-American women.
WASHINGTON, April 29, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel informed members of the Congressional Black Caucus that he is ordering the military services to review grooming standards, particularly those for African-American women.
Posted in these groups: 
Grooming Standards
Policy
Grooming Standards Policy
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 16
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How will this cause major problems in the Army? What about this will raise racism issues?
You must mean a raise in racism issues like one of the largest demographics in the Army feeling like a regulation didn't take in account how certain hairstyles "helped" them stay in regulation. These hairstyles also stopped them from using chemicals in their hair that could cause them health problems or their hair to fall out.
I don't agree with how the issue was brought up but I understand the issue. It's real easy to blow it off when it doesn't personally affect you.
I personally don't have an opinion either way; if they change it they change it, if they don't they don't. However, it always amazes me that those who have no personal stake in an issue always have the most outrage and have things to say about it.
You must mean a raise in racism issues like one of the largest demographics in the Army feeling like a regulation didn't take in account how certain hairstyles "helped" them stay in regulation. These hairstyles also stopped them from using chemicals in their hair that could cause them health problems or their hair to fall out.
I don't agree with how the issue was brought up but I understand the issue. It's real easy to blow it off when it doesn't personally affect you.
I personally don't have an opinion either way; if they change it they change it, if they don't they don't. However, it always amazes me that those who have no personal stake in an issue always have the most outrage and have things to say about it.
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MSG (Join to see)
Ok, I misunderstood the comparison. It now makes more sense. I appreciate the clarification.
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CPT Zachary Brooks
SFC Womack, I actually did not know that the petitions removed the medals for the drone pilots, thats interesting and had I known I would have felt the same way.
SSG McCulley, any good leader will address the concern after listening to the fact, no matter their opinion. Had the soldiers at least attempted to go up the chain properly prior to the petition, that would be a different story. I have always been told throughout my career that you go to your boss first, if they are unhelpful you go to their boss, etc, etc. There is a procedure for this.
Now if you all will excuse me, I need to start a petition that will let me be a fat body, because doing PT just does not agree with my fragile frame.
SSG McCulley, any good leader will address the concern after listening to the fact, no matter their opinion. Had the soldiers at least attempted to go up the chain properly prior to the petition, that would be a different story. I have always been told throughout my career that you go to your boss first, if they are unhelpful you go to their boss, etc, etc. There is a procedure for this.
Now if you all will excuse me, I need to start a petition that will let me be a fat body, because doing PT just does not agree with my fragile frame.
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SFC (Join to see)
After reading a bit of the article, I mentioned to my wife that the Army is hurting my ability to grow a full beard. I desire change.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
My complaint is that Male Facial hair standards are flexible based upon Ethnicity and Creed/religion. For males, either everyone can have facial hair or no one should. To use Race, Ethnicity, or Creed as a discriminating factor toward what is or is not allowed is wrong on so many levels. If a Sikh or a Muslim or a Pagan can have a beard, then this Baptist of Scottish descent should have been allowed to have one. Fair is Fair. As for the Female hair styles, I can not see how braided in hair extensions made of synthetic material that takes literally hours to have woven into their hair can be considered as "Natural Hair" when considering styles. Additionally I would hate to be someone with synthetic braids woven into my hair if there was a fire.
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I understand the frustrations with all the special accommodations being made for Soldiers however I think good judgement should come into play here.
If thousands of black women Soldiers are saying this reg is jacked up...maybe they have a valid point. I don't think they're asking for much here and they deserve to be heard.
If thousands of black women Soldiers are saying this reg is jacked up...maybe they have a valid point. I don't think they're asking for much here and they deserve to be heard.
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SSG (Join to see)
Look it is simple the regualtions are in place it doesnt matter what your religion race origin you signed up knowing what the regulations were so follow them and if you dont like them get out and enjoy civilian life.
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SFC Michael D.
I was the EO NCO in my unit. One of our pilots wanted to put in a complaint. He wanted to be able to grow his hair long. At first I thought he was joking but he was serious. Long story short. No long hair. He probably wasn't the first or the last.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
CPT (Join to see) - Sir I say if one male can have a beard then all males should have the opportunity to have a beard. Use of Race, Ethnicity or creed/religion as a factor in establishing a standard is a violation of the EO policy of the Army or am I wrong? No, I am pretty sure I am correct on this one. I know lots of Jews and Seventh Day Adventists that were not supposed to work on Saturday because of their faiths that the Army said Ooops Sorry for that Peanut, you got duty.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
I can understand the Natural Hair requests, and styles that reflect NATURAL hair. However braiding of artificial or synthetic materials, basically nylon rope into the hair forming the braids is not natural hair and is in fact a safety concern as it is flammable and could melt to a soldier's head.
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So guys, you should start a petition to say that shaving one's head and face is bad too. It leads to sunburns and even maybe an ingrown hair; plus it costs a lot of money.
While I agree that no service member should be told to put something on them that can cause them harm, the military has done it before. Who remembers soaking uniforms in DEET? The older Veterans, remember how they said Agent Orange was safe? OEF/OIF Vets, remember how they it was okay to throw whatever into the burn pits and the smoke would cover our sleeping areas?
Personally, I think that 99.9% of the females in the military just want to serve and be treated equally. They maintain and exceed the standards every day, sometimes out doing their male team members. If the issue with the new regulations is truly based on one's health then make that the point. Don't label it as racism, label it unhealthy. Stop being like all the news agency who find the key words and hit them and shove them in the public's face until the public can't see it but any other way.
And as I said before, the standard is the standard because it's the standard.
While I agree that no service member should be told to put something on them that can cause them harm, the military has done it before. Who remembers soaking uniforms in DEET? The older Veterans, remember how they said Agent Orange was safe? OEF/OIF Vets, remember how they it was okay to throw whatever into the burn pits and the smoke would cover our sleeping areas?
Personally, I think that 99.9% of the females in the military just want to serve and be treated equally. They maintain and exceed the standards every day, sometimes out doing their male team members. If the issue with the new regulations is truly based on one's health then make that the point. Don't label it as racism, label it unhealthy. Stop being like all the news agency who find the key words and hit them and shove them in the public's face until the public can't see it but any other way.
And as I said before, the standard is the standard because it's the standard.
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SSG Roger Ayscue
I think that they should recognize that we serve, because we want to, and we practice the faith that we practice because we want to. If a Sikh or a Pagan or a muslim, who practice those faiths BECAUSE THEY WANT TO can have facial hair, then I should as a Protestant, white male of Scottish descent should be able to have a beard BECAUSE I WANT ONE...OR... We could, for good order and Discipline say NO ONE can have a Beard and if you Want one because of another life choice then make a choice to be a Soldier and shave or to listen for a bell and learn Ding Fried Ready or some other job.
Either way Beards allowed for EVRYONE or NO ONE but as it is now it used Religion and ethnicity to allow some Soldiers to do something that other soldiers are not allowed to do.
Either way Beards allowed for EVRYONE or NO ONE but as it is now it used Religion and ethnicity to allow some Soldiers to do something that other soldiers are not allowed to do.
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