Opinions on these female hair styles while in uniform? Thanks!

2014-02-06T04:57:25-05:00

Please note:  I see this as a growing trend...  The hair style that I'm most interested in is the one that the braids start at the part, and end on the opposite side of the head, diagonal from the temple.....  to "me" that gives a lop-sided appearance.  Also in general what are the opinions of the "braided crown" or "braided halo".....  I added what I feel are the applicable excerpts so that nobody has to go look...  This is not to get people fired up... Just a little professional development...  <span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'>Many hairstyles are
acceptable, as long as they are neat and conservative. It is not possible to
address every acceptable hairstyle, or what constitutes eccentric or
conservative grooming. Therefore, it is the responsibility of leaders at all levels
to exercise good judgment in the enforcement of Army policy. <span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'> Leaders will judge the
appropriateness of a particular hairstyle by the appearance of headgear when
worn.  Soldiers will wear headgear as
described in the applicable chapters of this regulation. Headgear will fit
snugly and <span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'>comfortably, without distortion or excessive
gaps  "<span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'>Females <span style='background: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-highlight: yellow;'>may wear braids and cornrows as long as the braided
style is conservative, the braids and cornrows lie snugly on the head"<span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'> <span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'> "<span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'>Long hair that falls naturally
below the bottom edge of the collar, to include braids, will be neatly and
inconspicuously fastened or pinned, so no free-hanging hair is visible."    <span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'> <span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'>(<span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'>b) <span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><span style='background: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-highlight: yellow;'>Styles that are lopsided or distinctly unbalanced are
prohibited Ponytails, pigtails, or braids that are not secured to
the head (allowing hair to hang freely), widely spaced individual hanging
locks, and other extreme styles that protrude from the head are prohibited.
Extensions, weaves, wigs, and hairpieces are authorized; however, these additions
must have the same general appearance as the individual’s natural hair.<span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'><span style='background: yellow; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-highlight: yellow;'>Additionally, any wigs, extensions, hairpieces, or
weaves must comply with the grooming policies set forth in this paragraph."

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2014 5:29 AM

2014-02-06T05:29:38-05:00

Please.... No more women's hair posts.  Haven't we all had enough!?!

Response by CPT Laurie H. made Feb 6 at 2014 11:21 AM

2014-02-06T11:21:29-05:00

I agree that the first style you describe would be considered lopsided. Both would get in the way of wearing headgear properly without distortion and gaps regardless of whether they're professional and conservative... I'd venture to say neither is conservative.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 6 at 2014 11:49 AM

2014-02-06T11:49:57-05:00

There really is a very simple fix for all of this. DA just needs to decide on like 4 or 5 hairstyles, verying from short to long. Take a WHOLE LOTTA pictures of the hairstyles from every angle, and then just put out an ALARACT that says "ladies, these are the only 5 hairstyles authorized in uniform. Pick one. No other hairstyles other than those shown are authorized. No combinations are authorized. Oh, and in the interest of fairness, do the same for men.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2014 12:06 PM

2014-02-06T12:06:03-05:00

I think you are going to catch some flak for this post but oh well here goes
-

670-1 states -

1) Extreme, eccentric, or trendy haircuts or hairstyles are not authorized.

That right there throws up one red flag and the other red flag is -

2) Styles that are lopsided or distinctly unbalanced are prohibited.
Ponytails, pigtails, or braids that are not secured to the head (allowing hair
to hang freely), widely spaced individual hanging locks, and other extreme
styles that protrude from the head are prohibited.

In my opinion both styles are trendy and should not be worn in uniform. It
would be the same as a male Soldier getting a high and tight and try to style
the hair on top into a mohawk.

The problem you run into here is how Soldiers and Leaders interpret the
regulation. Some will read the regulation and say it is authorized.

How does the Leadership in your unit perceive the hairstyles?

Response by CPT Mike M. made Feb 6 at 2014 1:23 PM

2014-02-06T13:23:10-05:00

Although the hair itself may be within the word of regulation, I think it'd have to be a no-go as a "faddish" hairstyle. Not too dissimilar to a guy with a haircut perfectly within regs who styles it as a "faux-hawk".

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Feb 6 at 2014 6:05 PM

2014-02-06T18:05:43-05:00

Hmmm....referencing the bottom two images on the left, I think it looks neat, well-kept and professional. No lose strands, sleek...just my opinion but I don't see anything wrong with this.

Response by SSG Oliver Mathews made Feb 6 at 2014 9:28 PM

2014-02-06T21:28:58-05:00

http://awesomegifs.com/wp-content/uploads/dead-horse.gif

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Feb 8 at 2014 8:08 AM

2014-02-08T08:08:00-05:00

Princess Leia led a handful of rebels and Ewoks to take out a host of storm troopers reinforced by AT-STs while wearing a similar hair style. I say it is perfectly suitable for the military.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2014 3:59 PM

2014-02-08T15:59:19-05:00

If you want to look pretty, cool I don't have any problems with it. We go to the gas chamber and the mask don't seal tight, don't cry.

Response by SSG Lisa Rendina made Mar 10 at 2014 5:46 PM

2014-03-10T17:46:02-04:00

I always have to wonder and chuckle a little bit at the use of the word "trendy" in the AR. Almost any hair cut/style (shaved heads and high-and-tights included) can be considered "trendy" at some point in time.

trend·y [tren-dee]

adjective, trend·i·er, trend·i·est.

1.of, in, or pertaining to the latest trend or style.

2.following the latest trends or fashions; up-to-date or chic: the trendy young generation.

3.appealing to faddish taste: a trendy hotel.

noun, plural trend·ies.

4.a trendy person, place, object, or idea.

My hair style is considered "trendy" right now, does this mean I should be required to change it? Long hair pulled back into a tightly-coiled bun (or sock bun) has been the go-to hair style for ballerinas for decades, does this then qualify as "trendy"? Should that hairstyle then be considered unauthorized?

Response by SSgt Amanda Boyd made Mar 17 at 2014 8:37 PM

2014-03-17T20:37:06-04:00

Seems too trendy to me. I'm all for making my hair a little different some days (especially the days where it seems like my hair just doesn't want to cooperate and be coerced into a tight sock bun, it gets gelled, braided and pinned into a bun).

I don't like seeing messy hair on others, let alone myself, and while the pictured hairstyle is "cute", it doesn't seem appropriate or even practical to wear with any sort of cover.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2014 1:48 AM

2014-04-01T01:48:12-04:00

There should be a recedeing Hair line...

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 6 at 2014 9:38 PM

2014-04-06T21:38:11-04:00

I have heard a leader of some sorts tell an Asian female soldiers she can't change her hair color to blonde because it wasn't a natural hair color for Asians. I died laughing!

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made May 6 at 2014 10:07 PM

2014-05-06T22:07:18-04:00

I prefer hair, but then again, no woman has ever asked me, or if they did, were not seriously interested in hearing my answer.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Jun 3 at 2014 3:56 PM

2014-06-03T15:56:27-04:00

I say Page Boys for Everyone........... OK that was sarcastic but meaningful.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2014 2:51 PM

2014-06-10T14:51:41-04:00

The thing about female hairstyles is, you need to be able to wear all type of equipment…not sure if your pro-mask would seal with those styles. I personally think the Heidi style looks a little immature and not that professional but that is just my opinion, and I'm sure my age is factoring into my opinion as well. To me, it boils down to, do I want to be taken seriously? Since I do, and I am, I choose to wear my hair in a no nonsense way. Now would I tell a female Soldier to change her hair, probably not.

Response by SFC Scott O. made Jun 10 at 2014 9:15 PM

2014-06-10T21:15:18-04:00

Read Da Pam 670-1 the new female hair standards is spelled out plain and simple.
FEMALE BRAIDS
 Multiple braiding (more than 2 braids) is authorized.
 Must be of uniform dimension, small in diameter
(approximately 1/4”), show no more than 1/8”of
scalp between the braids
 Must be tightly interwoven to present a neat,
professional, well-groomed appearance
 Foreign material (beads or decorative items) will
not be braided into the hair
 Can be worn loose per medium hair length guidelines or secured to the
head in the same manner as described for medium or long length hair
styles
 Ends must be secured only with inconspicuous rubber bands
 Multiple braids must encompass the whole head
 When braids are not worn loosely, but braided close to the scalp, the
20
braids must start at the front of the head

Response by SrA Amanda Opdyke made Jul 3 at 2014 1:40 AM

2014-07-03T01:40:40-04:00

See my pic. It is not a mother effin beauty show. One hair tie and a bobby pin. non of this messy cool, bad hair weave crap.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 4:29 PM

2014-11-20T16:29:38-05:00

Cute but falls out of regs. It's considered faddish. You should correct whoever wears this in uniform.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Dec 17 at 2014 9:59 AM

2014-12-17T09:59:07-05:00

IMHO, these hairstyles, as long as they don't interfere with required uniform/safety/protective items, are acceptable. It also allows a female service member to have long hair off duty and not have to choose from "military style" women's hairstyles.

As for me, been out 7 years and I still like my hair high-and-tight. Being a guy is simpler sometimes.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 12:56 PM

2015-01-07T12:56:48-05:00

SSG Dean,

I do have a problem with the bottom hair styles, I don't see how a SM would be able to properly wear their head gear. I do feel the military unfortunately focus on the hair thing a little bit too much and not enough on the 5 inches of belly that hang over some SM pants and the bellies that cannot be properly fitted in the ACU tops. Hair is an easy fix. I rucked in the Netherlands with military from all over the world and they were able to function as team no matter what their hair style was. I saw SM in other countries with earrings, but they would compete and ruck some of our best Soldiers under the table. As a military we focus on too much energy on the small stuff. Let's put more focus on what really matters, like team work, cohesion, unity and good training.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 4:16 AM

2015-02-26T04:16:23-05:00

Looks great but clearly out of regs. We all must continuously enforce standards. It is what makes us the best Army in the world.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jun 29 at 2015 9:32 AM

2015-06-29T09:32:47-04:00

I think the top looks unkempt but don't see anything wrong with the others. Appears that it would
actual work better that the bun as it includes catching the shorter hair from the front.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 29 at 2015 12:12 PM

2015-06-29T12:12:03-04:00

In my opinion, faddish can be considered subjective. A male's comb-over can be considered faddish, however is overlooked because it looks "professional"

Speaking of approved hairstyles. Random fact, does everyone know North Korea has a list of approved hairstyles?

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Jun 29 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-06-29T13:59:04-04:00

I like them all. I hated using gel and paste. Watch this pain-in-the 4th point of contact. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtOPQ1s8J80

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 29 at 2015 2:05 PM

2015-06-29T14:05:38-04:00

As long as it's neat clean and mms d meets AR 670-1 standards, ok by me.

Response by SPC James Martin made Aug 1 at 2015 3:15 AM

2015-08-01T03:15:53-04:00

I don't understand the hair cut problem. As a veteran I was told that hair had to be trimmed and off the ears and collar and out of the eyes. So how come women can have fad hair cuts and corn rows and men are set at a different standard

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2018 6:44 PM

2018-04-05T18:44:04-04:00

While in civilian clothes out of duty is there any hair standard for female??

Response by SSG Elyzabeth Cromer made Apr 11 at 2018 12:51 PM

2018-04-11T12:51:25-04:00

AR 670-1 states "long hair will be neatly and inconspicuously fastened or pinned above the lower edge of the collar", I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone to say the hair in these pictures in inconspicuous; answer, no the hair styles are not within regulation for the Army.

Response by SPC David Willis made Apr 11 at 2018 1:51 PM

2018-04-11T13:51:45-04:00

Why is it that the most powerful and technologically advanced military in the world cant figure out hair?