What could be a valid reason for not allowing females to wear earrings with ACU's?

Black subdued wings on your uniform. On the dress uniform you wear the shiny wings along with all the other military bling (ribbon and awards...)

Good point

*** complement, not compliment.

SGT A.M. LaVey Its true we have shinny wings to wear on our cammies but we dont fly in cammies. Thats when a flight suit and a patch comes in. Its rare for airwing Marines to wear cammies while working(nobody wants to mess them up). and also GySgt (Join to see) is in comms, not in the wing...

I wear ear rings occasionally, and no one has ever mentioned anything about them being distracting. As for the uniformity, that's where the regulations come into play. Spherical, no more than 6mm in diameter - Kind of narrows it down. Its not like we're over here wearing giant, dangly monstrosities. If someone is distracted every time they see someone wearing earings, they should probably get tested for ADD. As funny as the "Ooooh. Shiiiiny," jokes are, the ability to focus and do you job is a high priority.

Obama's Army.

TSgt (Join to see) I'm picturing a Service Woman in BDUs or Class B with huge gold bling ghetto earrings.
OMG ! Such laughter !

In 1997 when the reg was published

SPC Gasho, hair cannot extend below the bottom edge of the collar as per AR 670-1 bottom of page 4

I am not in favor of requiring female soldiers to cut their hair. This may be surprising, but some religious institutions within the Protestant church actually require women not to cut their hair. So this could be a religious rights issue.

SGT Singleton, I do understand that there are certain religions that do ask not to cut their hair. However, if we are trying to appease each and every individual in all the Armed Services to tailor to them, then we have a long list to go to. This is why we have rules and regulations in order to have a professional and well maintain look. Unfortunately, we are in the era of "PC" (Political Correctness). Got some bad news, until there is an overwhelming amount of personnel needing this it should not be an issue, in my opinion. So, with that being said, we should not always be tailoring to every demand; if that was the case I would be changing over to a certain religion that has beards as a requirement (I miss my beard). As of right now, there are standards for both men and women Soldiers that are pretty solid. Mainly, measurements and even pictures for both Soldiers, so that they understand what is asked of them.

Female haircuts and hairstyles. The illustrations provided in figure 3–3 are intended only to clarify language
regarding authorized hair lengths and bulks. The requirements for hair regulations are to maintain uniformity within a
military population for female Soldiers while in uniform, or in civilian clothes on duty, unless otherwise specified.
Female hairstyles may not be eccentric or faddish and will present a conservative, professional appearance. For the
purpose of these regulations, female hairstyles are organized into three basic categories: short length, medium length,
and long length hair.
(a) Short length. Short hair is defined as hair length that extends no more than 1 inch from the scalp (excluding
bangs). Hair may be no shorter than 1/4 inch from the scalp (unless due to medical condition or injury), but may be
evenly tapered to the scalp within 2 inches of the hair line edges. Bangs, if worn, may not fall below the eyebrows,
may not interfere with the wear of all headgear, must lie neatly against the head, and not be visible underneath the
front of the headgear. The width of the bangs may extend to the hairline at the temple.
(b) Medium length. Medium hair is defined as hair length that does not extend beyond the lower edge of the collar
(in all uniforms), and extends more than 1 inch from the scalp. Medium hair may fall naturally in uniform, and is not
required to be secured. When worn loose, graduated hair styles are acceptable, but the length, as measured from the
end of the total hair length to the base of the collar, may not exceed 1 inch difference in length, from the front to the
back. Layered hairstyles are also authorized, so long as each hair’s length, as measured from the scalp to the hair’s end,
is generally the same length giving a tapered appearance. The regulations for the wear of bangs detailed in paragraph
3–2a(a), apply. No portion of the bulk of the hair, as measured from the scalp, will exceed 2 inches.
(c) Long length. Long hair is defined as hair length that extends beyond the lower edge of the collar. Long hair will
be neatly and inconspicuously fastened or pinned above the lower edge of the collar (except when worn in accordance
with para 3–2a(j)), except that bangs may be worn. The regulations for the wear of bangs detailed in paragraph
3–2a(3)(a) apply. No portion of the bulk of the hair, as measured from the scalp as styled, will exceed 2 inches (except
a bun, which is worn on the back of the head and may extend a maximum of 3 1/2 inches from the scalp and be no
wider than the width of the head).

Good point about the flashing jewerly SSG Hasbun. That could be a reason for combat zones.

The management piece was more my answer, I was actually being slightly facetious with the "glint" thing. We already wear uniforms that don't blend into any environment, and drive around in very loud vehicles. Stealth hasn't really been a concern for a while...

SSG Hasbun, I completely understand and make sense. I wish it could be regulated like the earrings allowed with ASU. Currently we can use it with ASU and it states sizes, measures and type. 

I think of wearing earings in ASU's as "dress up" and when you are in your ACUs, its more "get down and dirty" type of deal. But that's my opinion. And honestly, the Army is having a hard enough time with females hairstyles/colors and other grooming problems, we really don't need another issue, IMHO.

jajajajaja me muero. You are funny SSG Scott

I thought they were Christmas ornaments at first. ... I think I'll make some Christmas ornaments like this for next year.

Do it because it says so!

SSG Drew Cook - Because it says so? Army regulations once required officers to accept any challenge to a duel, and it was considered cowardice to refuse. Officers were thrown out for that offense. Fortunately, regulations change all the time.

MAJ John Adams - I think you missed my "point".

SSG Drew Cook - Hmm... Could be. What I'm certain of, is that the Army has -- or should have -- more important stuff to be concerned about than what a woman wears to keep her piercings open, as long as they don't create a work hazard. And as for being distractions... Women in uniform period once were considered to be a distraction.

SFC Michael Hasbun - Why? Cause you only have one haircut choice? Or are limited with choices? Please.... Get outta here with that mess! I'd like to see your wife or girlfriend with only 5 choices. Sounds stupid now! Just keep it within regulation and it'll be cool. Please stop trying to buck up for the next rank....that's not how you do it!

One of the many sacrifices made when joining the military is personal expression when it comes to your appearance. If you want to dye your hair pink, cut it in a faux hawk or get your ears guaged, you got into the wrong profession.

Guy-liner? What the hell is going on with today's young men?

I better not see a soldier especially a guy wearing liner or make up. If female soldiers cannot wear make up and earrings and get theirs nails done in uniform a guy should deathly not have it. I'm starting to notice female soldiers acting more tougher and present what a soldier should act like better than a male could.

<p>A bit disheartening to hear a young NCO speak as such, but alas, you're allowed to have your views. <br><br>We ARE Soldiers first. You can be a lady without having earrings. You're already allowed fingernails and rings and such. Are earings a necessary item to distinguish ones self as male or female? What does having earrings have to do with being a lady? I mean really, think about what you would be saying if you admitted that to be treated as a woman you had to be allowed to wear them. Are earings not inherently faddish and trendy? Are they not unnecessary decoration and ornamentation? I don't care if you wear them or not, I only care what regs say, but to be upset about it, that's an entirely different issue all together.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

SFC Hepfer<div><br></div><div>To elaborate I was just saying Soldiers can be ladies too. You don't have to choose to be one or the other, regardless of earrings and regardless of what the Army says. But typically earrings do represent a woman, that's reality and not just my reality lol. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This is just my opinion but I assure you, there was no heat behind it. Simply put, I like earrings. I'd like to be able to wear them. But Im not upset about it. There's no underlying message there. I am absolutely a lady whether Im wearing a skirt, jeans, earrings, long hair, short hair etc. None of that is necessary to be a lady.&nbsp;</div>

No you are Green . No ladies ,No Gentlemen .Green!

1SG(P) (Join to see) - It always takes a male to not understand a females perspective. It's not about her rank either. I happen to agree with her. That subject about us all being soldiers is a topic for many discussions when it comes to women in the military. You, 1SG, have fingernails and rings too....silly point. The military has a way of stripping away the very essence of a woman, and last I checked..... I was born a woman before I became a soldier. All we ask for is a little femininity...to a certain degree. I agree with not allowing earrings on the battlefield or during field exercises and such, but in garrison it doesn't stop me from doing my job. We don't necessarily need them to prove a thing because we got boobs and curves.... but hell, let's just make one latrine for everyone and do away with separate showers, rooms and the like since we are all the same?! Admit it....You're jealous? Do you dislike military women for some reason? Or wish you could wear them too? Cause you come off like you got the problem (not her) and your the one who's obviously upset over it! If they're so faddish or unnecessary ornaments (your words) then why are women allowed to wear them in dress uniforms?! Other services do it and it doesn't impede job performance. TPTB above your pay-grade don't have a problem with it! Good day 1SG!

Interfere with donning a CBRN equipment.

I personally do not feel that earrings are appropriate while in a training uniform, just as contacts are not appropriate. Not that they could cause serious damage, but Im sure they could become a distraction or may cause injury to the individual wearing them. Just not needed. In dress uniform, sure but keep it professional, but earrings are not for the field, just like jewelry shouldn't be worn in a shop environment. Just my opinion.