Posted on Mar 1, 2014
How do Soldiers get away with waves in hair and cornrows?
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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.
Posted in these groups: 
Grooming Standards
Regulation
Grooming Standards Regulation
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 16
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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.
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SFC Rocky Gannon
I agree with you Adam as long as it is neat and doesn't keep say the pro mask from fitting etc i think it is fine.
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SGM (Join to see)
I just found this information. it goes more in-depth than what the question is asking, but figured it is good information for everyone to know.
Proposed Updates to AR 670-1
1. MANY changes are coming to AR 670-1. This is just a summary of some of them.
DO NOT BEGIN TO ENFORCE UNTIL THE REGULATION IS COMPLETE, APPROVED, AND
PUBLISHED!
2. New revision of the regulation will define the following terms: eccentric, faddish,
conservative, inconspicuous, unsightly, hair braids/plaits.
3. AR 670-1 will be a PUNITIVE order in the new regulation.
4. Sideburns will not extend below the top of the ear.
5. Soldiers will be clean shaven on AND off duty (even during leave).
6. Female and Male hair grooming standards will become more restrictive and better defined
(I'll have pictures for you at MHS).
7. Females will be allowed to put their hair into a pony tail during PT.
8. Males will be prohibited from wearing cosmetics to include nail polish, females may wear
cosmetics conservatively, but can only wear nail polish in service, mess, or dress uniforms.
9. Females fingernail length will not exceed 1/4 inch, no fake nails, add-ons, or extensions will be
authorized.
10. Tattoos will not be visible above the neck line when the IPFU is worn. Tattoos will not
extend below the wrist line and not on the hands. Sleeve tattoos will be prohibited (this one will
be grandfathered).
11. Soldiers will not walk while engaged in activities that require the hand salute (eating, cell
phone use, smoking, etc.).
12. ACUs will not be commercially pressed; hand ironing of the ACU only will be authorized.
13. Bags worn over the shoulder will only be black or the color print of the uniform i.e. ACU,
without logos.
14. the new regulation will specify civilian clothes standards both on and off duty and both on
and off post.
15. No visible body piercings on or off duty and on or off post, males will never be allowed to
wear earrings. Ear gauging will be unauthorized.
16. No dental ornamentation or gold teeth will be authorized.
17. Soldiers will be authorized to wear authorized ballistic eye wear in garrison.
18. Officers will be authorized to wear non-subdued rank on their headgear in garrison.
19. Males will be authorized to carry black umbrella with ASU.
Proposed Updates to AR 670-1
1. MANY changes are coming to AR 670-1. This is just a summary of some of them.
DO NOT BEGIN TO ENFORCE UNTIL THE REGULATION IS COMPLETE, APPROVED, AND
PUBLISHED!
2. New revision of the regulation will define the following terms: eccentric, faddish,
conservative, inconspicuous, unsightly, hair braids/plaits.
3. AR 670-1 will be a PUNITIVE order in the new regulation.
4. Sideburns will not extend below the top of the ear.
5. Soldiers will be clean shaven on AND off duty (even during leave).
6. Female and Male hair grooming standards will become more restrictive and better defined
(I'll have pictures for you at MHS).
7. Females will be allowed to put their hair into a pony tail during PT.
8. Males will be prohibited from wearing cosmetics to include nail polish, females may wear
cosmetics conservatively, but can only wear nail polish in service, mess, or dress uniforms.
9. Females fingernail length will not exceed 1/4 inch, no fake nails, add-ons, or extensions will be
authorized.
10. Tattoos will not be visible above the neck line when the IPFU is worn. Tattoos will not
extend below the wrist line and not on the hands. Sleeve tattoos will be prohibited (this one will
be grandfathered).
11. Soldiers will not walk while engaged in activities that require the hand salute (eating, cell
phone use, smoking, etc.).
12. ACUs will not be commercially pressed; hand ironing of the ACU only will be authorized.
13. Bags worn over the shoulder will only be black or the color print of the uniform i.e. ACU,
without logos.
14. the new regulation will specify civilian clothes standards both on and off duty and both on
and off post.
15. No visible body piercings on or off duty and on or off post, males will never be allowed to
wear earrings. Ear gauging will be unauthorized.
16. No dental ornamentation or gold teeth will be authorized.
17. Soldiers will be authorized to wear authorized ballistic eye wear in garrison.
18. Officers will be authorized to wear non-subdued rank on their headgear in garrison.
19. Males will be authorized to carry black umbrella with ASU.
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1stSgt Jeff Blovat
I remember being a two striper in the field. After a week with my helmet on, I got "helmet hair". I then washed it and it puffed way up on its own. Funny.
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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>
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"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.
Leaders interpretation is key, and enforcing it is on you.
*No offence, Air Force.
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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.
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SPC Christopher Smith
True, the problem with that mind set is, knee jerk reactions to things cause more issues than they solve. Fixing a none issue because of personal pet peeve, can only lead to major issues.
We complain about toxic leadership but we do damn well in breeding it with ideas and mindsets like that. That good idea fairy pops out, "if I can get promoted high enough I can make the rules how I want, oh what a wonderful world it would be". Without stopping to consider all possible affects.
We complain about toxic leadership but we do damn well in breeding it with ideas and mindsets like that. That good idea fairy pops out, "if I can get promoted high enough I can make the rules how I want, oh what a wonderful world it would be". Without stopping to consider all possible affects.
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LTC (Join to see)
I along with a majority of the force would be gone. Not that I am ever out of regs, but this would be ludicrous.
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SSG (Join to see)
The statement is intentionally extreme and over-the-top because the outcry concerning this issue is extreme and over-the-top. I don't care what race, color, or creed you are. You could be a yeti for all I care. There's nothing professional or conservative about cornrows. That hairstyle definitely falls under the "faddish or eccentric" description.
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SFC (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - So would you rather them wear an afro? It's a lose lose for them because of how they are born. Wouldn't high and tights, the "comb over", and being bald also be faddish since the majority of male soldiers have them? This goes along with mustaches being authorized but in certain units even stateside they are frowned upon.... What's the point of regulations if everyone is just going to input their own opinion? There are a lot of things I don't like but I don't force my beliefs on my soldiers like that.
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That's the reason mine has been buzzed or shaved for the last 3 decades. Vanity is not a excuse
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