SFC Private RallyPoint Member 114953 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This is going to cause major problems in the Army and a rise in racism issues. <br /><br />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. 2014-04-29T22:03:15-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 114953

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This is going to cause major problems in the Army and a rise in racism issues. <br /><br />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.

2014-04-29T22:03:15-04:00 2014-04-29T22:03:15-04:00 SGM Matthew Quick 114959

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Guess those White House petitions work...

2014-04-29T22:05:08-04:00 2014-04-29T22:05:08-04:00 SSgt Gregory Guina 114968

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SFC I saw that earlier today and posted the same thing.

2014-04-29T22:13:57-04:00 2014-04-29T22:13:57-04:00 MSG Wade Huffman 115143

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Will be interesting to see how this plays out.

2014-04-30T05:17:31-04:00 2014-04-30T05:17:31-04:00 CPT Zachary Brooks 115153

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>All hairstyles removed, everyone is bald. Easy solution there. We are all soldiers, stop making exceptions for a sex or a race. Same standards for all.

2014-04-30T06:16:08-04:00 2014-04-30T06:16:08-04:00 SPC Christopher Smith 115213

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'm happy he is taking action. No one should have the ability to force anyone to use chemicals that cause negative health effects, to be within a standard. Constant perming, direct heat, and other products with cocktails of chemicals destroy not only the hair, but damage the scalp leading to permanent balding, and infections. As far as cutting hair, it becomes a racial issue if you state that cuts must be made if only one group is effected by it. Stop jumping on your sister at arms backs and try understanding that although they maybe SM's they too have the right to lead a healthy lifestyle.

2014-04-30T08:22:52-04:00 2014-04-30T08:22:52-04:00 SFC Lamont Womack 115233

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How will this cause major problems in the Army? What about this will raise racism issues? <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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.

2014-04-30T08:50:04-04:00 2014-04-30T08:50:04-04:00 SGT Ben Keen 115241

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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. <br /><br />And as I said before, the standard is the standard because it's the standard.

2014-04-30T09:02:42-04:00 2014-04-30T09:02:42-04:00 SSG V. Michelle Woods 115252

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I understand the frustrations with all the special accommodations being made for Soldiers however I think good judgement should come into play here. <br />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.

2014-04-30T09:19:29-04:00 2014-04-30T09:19:29-04:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 115280

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am curious to know who is really pushing this issue as most people I talk to agree with the new regulation. Included in those that agree are our 1SG (African American Female) and other females within the command which have all said the same thing "its about time". I won't pretend to know anything about chemicals used or health issues (I will leave that up to the experts), if it is really a medical / health issue, it seems there could be profiles issued (shaving profiles as an example)which would allow a deviation from the standards to prevent any medical or health concerns.

2014-04-30T09:44:02-04:00 2014-04-30T09:44:02-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 115327

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am going to start a petition in the white house page to allow tats wherever we feel like, hopefully some congressmen could back me too<br /><br />And while I am at it, I am going to start a petition so I don't have to shave at all, and any other regulation that seems inconvenient to me

2014-04-30T10:36:05-04:00 2014-04-30T10:36:05-04:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 115396

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It seems this is self inflicted. For the past 13 years, we have been an Army at War, we didn't change standards, we loosened standards (Soldiers took full advantage of it, ie. tattoos, haircuts, piercings, etc.) because we needed to. Now, we are going back to what should never have been changed in the first place and Soldiers are upset. Remember this, the Army is going through a reduction in force, simply put, if you don't like the new standards, you can always join the civilian force, there you can dress any way you like, wear your hair any way you like, even come to work anytime you like and if questioned, you can just quit. I would guess the majority have no issues with the new regulation, to include Arican American females.

2014-04-30T11:33:28-04:00 2014-04-30T11:33:28-04:00 PO1 William "Chip" Nagel 115818

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>A military person has always been able to bring up issues privately through correspondence with their Senator or Congressman and those used to be nightmares for the Command Involved and all Parties Involved. If they can head it off at the pass so much the better because we want to serve and hone our skills and not be constantly bothered by some Washington Bureaucrats

2014-04-30T18:43:17-04:00 2014-04-30T18:43:17-04:00 CSM Private RallyPoint Member 115826

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>When I saw this I thought I was reading a post from The Onion. I cannot believe this is real. All I can say is, Look out USMC; AR 670-1 is coming to screw up the Marine Corps Appearance Standards seeing as how we plagiarized nearly the whole thing from yours. If the Army regulation is changed then so should the Marine Corps regulation. Where is all the outrage from female Marines?

2014-04-30T18:50:42-04:00 2014-04-30T18:50:42-04:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 116705

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Braids do not have to have rubber bands at the end, nor should they need to be braided all the way to the end, that would only create a bulky outcome. Having a neat overall appearance should be the main concern, I am a fan of the ponytail wrapped into a bun. Yes, some hair colors are gaudy and our service members should refrain from using them. The regulation should have tightened up the one that was already in place, instead of completely revamping it. Hair styles don't need to be excessively fashionable, and if we are honest with ourselves, some of the hairstyles being worn are the reason the regs were scrutinized and changed so much. The new regs do need to be reviewed and I am certain that an optimal middle ground will be achieved, there will be no winners or losers. I believe time was of the essence in this matter, I saw many female service members cutting their hair off, taking their braids out and trying to follow guidance as quickly as possible, change takes time, and many service members were caught off guard. I believe the chain of command wasn't properly followed because some service members felt there wasn't enough time. That being said, "you do what your rank can handle" what ever that means. It didn't seem like malicious or criminal intentions were at the heart of the matter, more so... concern and lack of guidance, we do not know how many service members sought guidance only to be told, "I don't make the rules, I just enforce them", which they may have thought was a legitimate answer, just not in every instance. One thing is certain, regardless of the outcome, all service members will conform once all options are exhausted, or get out.

2014-05-01T19:49:34-04:00 2014-05-01T19:49:34-04:00 MSgt Keith Hebert 375929

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>So glad that I am retired

2014-12-18T12:26:53-05:00 2014-12-18T12:26:53-05:00 SFC Michael D. 4681666

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What exactly are they reviewing?

2019-05-30T08:52:06-04:00 2019-05-30T08:52:06-04:00 2014-04-29T22:03:15-04:00