What could be a valid reason for not allowing females to wear earrings with ACU's?
First, ACUs are intended to be the utility/combat uniform. I know is controversial but as I grew up and continued practicing martial arts, I have made it a point to ensure that what I wear, cannot or will not hurt me if I have to engage in any kind of fight.
The same rationale for preventing military personnel from growing a beard, because you cannot properly seal an NBC mask, applies to earrings. If you engage in a fight, you could tear an earlobe.
Many think that since they carry an M4 or M16, or SAW or whatever, they will not have to engage in hand to hand. Well, there is always the chance you will. Being there, done that.
On one of our checkpoints in Iraq, one of our females wrestled an Iraqi to the ground without the use of her weapon.
It is not so much about femininity, or that it will look less professional, because it does not. Is because in combat, anything can be use against you. Train as you fight.
The ACUs are a duty uniform, meaning that they are used for work, not show. While I understand that they do not look all that camoflauge, nor professional in my opinion, they still are our current camoflauge pattern. There is not one valid reason why looking "pretty" is necessary as a professional Soldier. I understand that some females have been wearing ear rings everyday for longer than they can remember, but that isn't an actual reason. Try running a rope course with them in, or doing combatives. That is what this uniform is for and nothing else. Take a look at how the regs for rings is abused and then imagine how far earrings could go. While you may not stretch the bounds of uniformity and professional appearance, someone else surely will. While I appreciate your curiosity, this is like asking why we can't wear 70's style knee-high socks with stripes for pt.

Army
Army Regulations
Soldiers
ACU
Women in the Military
