How do Soldiers get away with waves in hair and cornrows?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:27:10 -0500

I understand that some soldiers' hair grows naturally with waves, but I see a lot of soldiers "putting in the work,"in order to get their hair wavy. In my opinion, it appears faddish in appearance. <br>Corn rows, to the best of my knowledge, do not grow in naturally. How do Soldiers get away with this. <br>It comes off a little one sided, but I am not trying to push on any side of EO, just general curiosity. 

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2014 12:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 12:41:56 -0500

I have often seen Soldiers do this prior to going to the field or what not in order to keep their hair neater and appear less unkempt. There is nothing at this point in my belief that detracts from the Soldierly appearance when wearing hair in this manner as most have an easier time maintaining that appearance by doing so. Again since it doesn't detract from appearance or ability to wear head gear than at this point I see no issue with it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 8:53 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 08:53:55 -0500

Isn't this the problem with current Regulations? They're too open to interpretation. All it takes is for one person to say they don't like it, toss in terms like "unprofessional" or "faddish" and boom: in effect bullied into changing your appearance.<div><br></div>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2014 10:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 22:17:28 -0400

I've said it elsewhere on this page... implement a 100% shaved head policy across all genders and races. Hair will be required to be kept at less than 1/4 inch in length. It can't be called racist or sexist. It's good for hygene and keeps everyone uniform and professional. Everyone would also save a bunch of money on shampoo.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Aug 14 at 2014 7:56 AM

PFC Zanie Young — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 07:56:54 -0400

That would be difficult, since I am African American. Our hair is considered to be unkempt by society. Our people, more often than not, go through great pains (and a lot of money) to make our hair appear neat, especially the women. As for men, keeping it cut while in the uniform and then putting on a little pomade and brushing is all it takes to keep it neat. Women, however, take a lot more work (I won't go into the details) to keep their hair looking neat while in uniform. That's my $0.02.

Response by SGT Zila Winstead made Dec 18 at 2014 5:00 PM

SGT Zila Winstead — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:00:11 -0500

Relating it to a male and female perspective, it would be a double standard to say that a male cannot put in work to make their hair wavy, because females are capable of perming their hair curly and straight. But it wouldn't be known what a female does to her hair as long as it stays above the collar or stays neat in appearance while in a bun. At the end of the day, as SFC Adam J. Rosenlund put it, as long as it doesn't detract from appearance or ability to wear the head gear than there should not be an issue.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Feb 16 at 2015 9:39 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 21:39:45 -0500

I wouldn't know. Mine's been less than 1/2" for over 20 years.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 3:17 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 03:17:01 -0500

"Faddish" hair is such a broad term that one leader could view things one way and another leader in a complete different light. Some people could say shaving your head is "faddish," or the overly long Air Force "sweep the hair across" comb over-esque look is*. To another leader, there is nothing unprofessional about it.

Leaders interpretation is key, and enforcing it is on you.

*No offence, Air Force.

Response by TSgt Terry Hudson made Feb 18 at 2015 12:15 AM

TSgt Terry Hudson — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:15:38 -0500

Well no offense but African American hair does not grow straight and thin like our Caucasian brothers and sisters. It's thick, coarse, and ridiculously curly or as we typically call it NAPPY! Lol. Waves are merely naps in formation. We have to constantly maintain that formation until our hair starts growing as waves. I'm pretty sure you would prefer to see a service member with a clean cut set of waves over a nasty head of naps. It's a lot more presentable. That's why African American males try so hard to get waves. I've been maintaining mine since the age of 12.

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Feb 18 at 2015 9:52 AM

SPC Neil Hood — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 09:52:00 -0500

Grooming standards should remain the same.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 9:55 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 21:55:03 -0500

As long as it doesn't hinder a gas mask and is "neat" (I'm sure I'll hear the 'how do you define neat?") then it is fine. If I had such an issue with wearing my hair in regs then I need to find a new job. Keep it up, keep it neat.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 5:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 05:21:03 -0400

You say get away with this like it's a crime? I guess we are all supposed to be bald and if not bald have an afro.... but wait then that would not be considered neat. The regulation states females can have cornrows and gives guidance. Everyone doesn't have the same texture of hair. What's wrong with a soldier having pride in the way they look? If they didn't get haircuts and brush their hair they would really be in trouble.

Response by 1stSgt Jeff Blovat made May 24 at 2017 9:49 PM

1stSgt Jeff Blovat — Wed, 24 May 2017 21:49:18 -0400

It all comes down to leadership and supervisors egually and fairly enforcing regulations in a consistent manner. As long as no partiality is shown, you have naught to fear.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Jun 8 at 2017 5:52 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 17:52:33 -0400

SGT (verify to see) VERIFIED
Ii think it's a lot of pc hooey, get with the program of whatever arm of service you're s part of or GET OUT! Quit expecting them to conform to the style of the day!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 8:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 20:00:13 -0400

To me I see it as a fadish hair style. Especially on a male. You have to remember where and who you are representing.

Response by MSgt Ronnie Kelly made Aug 14 at 2017 12:00 PM

MSgt Ronnie Kelly — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 12:00:19 -0400

That's the reason mine has been buzzed or shaved for the last 3 decades. Vanity is not a excuse

Response by SGT Richard Waychoff made Aug 14 at 2017 12:14 PM

SGT Richard Waychoff — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 12:14:33 -0400

Well its because they are the privileged class of servicemen and women and you are not. You're white. This is nothing new. This started back in the 70's. When I was in the Army. My own experience had to do with ingrown hairs from shaving. Black soldiers could get a shaving profile because of it. I had the same problem...But was denied a shaving profile.....sole because I was white. In my 6 years as a medic and having been referred to the dermatology service on multi bases. I could never get a shaving profile. Nor did I ever meet a white soldier who was granted one.