Posted on Feb 6, 2014

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

MSG (Join to see)

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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."

Posted in these groups: 583px ambrose burnside21

Grooming Standards Rules and regulations

Regulation

Standards

Women in the Military

Edited 12 y ago

Posted 12 y ago

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Responses: 30

SFC Stephen P.

Posted 12 y ago

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.

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CMSgt (Join to see)

11 y

Yes. Yes, she did. And it stayed perfectly in tact during her speeder chase. Even when she fell off. (Geek flag flyingggg) ;)

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SGT (Join to see)

10 y

Question would be when working with NBC contaminated how hard will it be it undue the hair style to be decontaminated? Fancy hair due can become an issue it acts as a sponge when being washed out after coming in contact with any type of NBC agents

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SFC Michael Hasbun

Edited 12 y ago

Posted 12 y ago

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.

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SFC (Join to see)

>1 y

I agree to have a guideline of certain styles that are authorized. My only caution would be that not all hair is the same. I understand this and I am an male and not everyone wants a high and tight or wants to be bald. My personal opinion is as long as it is neat in appearance. I have female soldiers that cant put their hair into a bun so restricting it to so little choices wouldn't work. Everyone can grow hair like a Disney princess. I only understand the hair of black women because I have a wife and 2 daughters. There is a lot of time and money for certain types of hair.

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SFC Michael Hasbun

>1 y

When did wants and desires become relevant? It's the Army. Conform or leave.

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SSgt (Join to see)

>1 y

I agree, as a Marine my only real options are where I want my fade to start.

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LTC Bink Romanick

>1 y

The army did that in the 70s, Pete Dawkins idea.

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MSgt (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

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

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MSG (Join to see)

12 y

Though I do agree that a certain one got out of hand. I am looking for thoughts on a specific hair style that there seems to be large disagreements about in my AO... Hopefully we can keep it respectful.

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SGT (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

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.

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SSG V. Michelle Woods

Posted 12 y ago

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.

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SFC (Join to see)

>1 y

MSG (Join to see) - What about the different textures of hair? I know for a fact some hair is easier to maintain than others. I have a question does this mean if your hair is naturally curly/ kinky "the opposite of straight" that you have to change who you are? I have had female soldiers every race that couldn't pull their hair into a pony tail so are they just screwed because of genetics or just because they don't want hair long enough for a ponytail?

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MSG (Join to see)

>1 y

SSG Justin Howard, I fully understand that some textures of hair are easier/harder to maintain. The topic was hair styles conforming to the regulation. As soldiers this is a requirement of all of us.

You mention being "screwed if you can't pull your hair into a pony tail" this is why the regulation allows for medium and short hair styles, along with braids etc that conform to the regulation. Part of the soldierization process is to align ourselves with the lifestyle of the military.

The statement of "changing who you are" is not applicable from my point of view. As a male civillian, before the Army, I had long hair. If I want to grow out long hair now, then I would join the civilian work force.

As Noncommissioned officers it is our duty to uphold and enforce these regulations and policy - feelings removed-

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SFC (Join to see)

>1 y

MSG (Join to see) - Join the club I had long hair too. I am the total opposite now. The Army is changing I'm not angry or anything like that. If they can revise tattoo policies and other simple things why can't they look into other outdated policies/ regulations? I just think it's crazy and I am trying to figure out what looks professional? The same ones saying suck it up with the female hair regulations were the same ones crying about the tattoo policy before it changed. I understand some of the argument but until you have saw how much work it takes you wouldn't understand. If you can't put your hair in a ponytail I am pretty sure you can't braid it. I uphold the standards... If any of my soldiers are not IAW any Army reg I square them away. I was just stating my opinion at the end of the day I am still an NCO and have to lead by example and make sure my soldiers are good to go.

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MSG (Join to see)

>1 y

SSG Justin Howard,

I Have seen how much work it takes first hand. Both my previous wife and current wife were both military. Additionally as a DS I have had to guide countless young Soldiers on effective methods of care. If asked what I would change by our leadership, I would also ask that we review "what is professional" by today's standards. Until the regulation is revised my best guidance is "if you wouldn't take a DA Photo with the hair style, you probably shouldn't wear it".

V/R, SSG Dean

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SSgt Amanda Boyd

Posted 12 y ago

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.

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CMSgt (Join to see)

11 y

I agree whole-heartedly. I do not think that it is practical.

24 years, slicked back bun has worked for me. :)

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SGT (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

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.

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SSG Lisa Rendina

Posted 12 y ago

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?