43
43
0
It’s ironic the U.S. military is the most diverse military force in the world, yet have some policies which reflect the opposite. Specifically, policies that dictate how servicewomen are expected to wear their hair.
Talk is cheap, but policy change, something seemingly as simple as permitting women to wear their hair in braids for better performance, was expensive, time consuming and long-drawn out. This #FreeTheBun hair journey began in 2016 when then Technical Sergeant MSgt (Join to see) “JB” had a discussion with one of his Airmen. His Airmen soon confessed she was struggling with headaches and hair loss due to Air Force hair policy, which expected female Airman to wear their hair up and within strict bulk requirements. Mind you, servicewomen have their hair up every single duty day, not to mention that buns and helmets aren’t conducive. JB relayed this information to his wife, Staff Sergeant Jocelyn Lind, and was astounded when she told him she was also experiencing similar issues due to the out-of-date hair policy. They decided to pursue a change and created the Warrior Braids Project. This team is dedicated to researching and developing solutions to the problems facing women with regards to the hair standards and has over one thousand members! They are led by the Linds, Captain Hailey “FACTR” Garrett, 1st Lieutenant Natasha Monroe, and Senior Airman Emily Stanley-Cruz
In the 1940s, when it was decided women were allowed to serve, there were extensive arguments in society regarding how this pivotal change would impact the general public. There were two main fears these conversations surrounded: women would become lesbians or steal married men from their wives. The service had to mitigate these anxieties by creating uniform policies, which made women appear conventionally pretty enough to not come across as lesbians, but not pretty enough to steal husbands. And with that airtight logic, the bun was born and has been the standard for 70 years.
The bun is highly problematic for medical, operational and inclusivity reasons. A survey conducted by the Women’s Initiative Team (WIT), garnered over 11,000 responses from female Airman that painted this picture. An overwhelming 93% of respondents expressed they felt there needed to be an update to the hair policy for servicewomen. When asked why openly, without referencing medical implications, 56% of servicewomen said they suffered from migraines and headaches. Furthermore, they experienced: traction alopecia, receding hairlines, bald spots, and scalp sensitivity, to name a few. Operationally, it was discovered female Airmen struggled with mission readiness because the equipment didn’t fit properly, which inevitably compromised their safety. Imagine pulling your scalp back tightly, putting a ball on your head then trying to fit a helmet over it. Additionally, race inclusivity was not at the forefront of the conversation in the 40s because simply allowing women to serve was already considered to be a diversifying motion. However, according to data collected by the Office of Diversity by the DoD, in 2016 women of color made up more than 20% of the Air Force’s female population. Women of color have different hair types requiring different levels of care, and restricts them from wearing certain styles without permanent damage, including a bun.
Regardless of the anecdotal and quantitative evidence JB collected over the years, which proved how multi-problematic the hair regulation was, policy change demonstrated to be a massive obstacle. In fact, it took about five years and relentless tenacity from multiple parties to get this change approved. Despite years of: collecting data, making cold phone calls, going through the chain of command four times and being turned away every time, JB and Jocelyn refused to let up. Jocelyn created and organized a document containing all of the data they had been collecting over the years. Capt Garrett bridged their efforts to the WIT when she sent 1st Lt (Join to see) that document. In early 2020, Montana expressed her concerns with female hair policy with members of the WIT leadership, Maj Alea Nadeem and Captain Sarah Berheide. In 2018, Montana had been disqualified from being a pilot in the Air Force after she was diagnosed with migraines herself. After recognizing this was a problem across the Air Force and ultimately voicing her concerns with the hair policy, Alea, Sarah, and Montana started their own initiative within the WIT that was aimed at addressing the hair policy for women in the Air Force.
The combination of these two entities, the WIT and the Warrior Braids team, was the surge of force the #FreeTheBun movement needed. They collectively recognized getting a seat at the table was hard enough and asking someone to pass the salt, even if it meant they would be able to do their job better, was going to be difficult. Eventually, these two teams found themselves discussing this proposal in the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force’s office where they finally felt their concerns for the change were being acknowledged and having Lt Gen Mary O’Brien, the senior WIT champion back the teams up as they moved this initiative.
Nevertheless, the dedication and work ethic over five years was prominent during every single step of the way which is how the bun was finally freed. From the grassroots all the way up to senior leadership, the WIT, along with the Warrior Braids team exemplified what senior leaders ask of their Airmen. It truly was the epitome of a team effort; each member spoke incredibly highly of each other and maintained that this policy change would not have happened without one another. The 5 years of collecting data JB and Jocelyn put in, the countless hours of work (even while on leave) Montana undertook to sort through the thousands of survey responses they received, the networking and cold calls/emails Sarah sent to Air Force Generals (eventually collecting 39 letters of support), and the fearlessness Alea demonstrated while leading the team refusing to take no as an answer is just a small look into the mountainous effort it took for this change to come to fruition.
This was a big change and a needed change. It is a testimony that change happens from the bottom up, and it is possible to make a real difference in thousands of lives. Moving forward, they’re not done. Although the new policy is a major step in the right direction, there needs to be more steps to attain full inclusivity as some women can’t participate in this change without cutting their hair. The WIT hopes the hair policy change will inspire other Airmen to challenge problematic standards and action it. Furthermore, they hope this advancement will inspire others to push for changes and challenge policies that limit servicemembers from doing their jobs to the best of their ability. Here’s to, no hairs to, the future!
Talk is cheap, but policy change, something seemingly as simple as permitting women to wear their hair in braids for better performance, was expensive, time consuming and long-drawn out. This #FreeTheBun hair journey began in 2016 when then Technical Sergeant MSgt (Join to see) “JB” had a discussion with one of his Airmen. His Airmen soon confessed she was struggling with headaches and hair loss due to Air Force hair policy, which expected female Airman to wear their hair up and within strict bulk requirements. Mind you, servicewomen have their hair up every single duty day, not to mention that buns and helmets aren’t conducive. JB relayed this information to his wife, Staff Sergeant Jocelyn Lind, and was astounded when she told him she was also experiencing similar issues due to the out-of-date hair policy. They decided to pursue a change and created the Warrior Braids Project. This team is dedicated to researching and developing solutions to the problems facing women with regards to the hair standards and has over one thousand members! They are led by the Linds, Captain Hailey “FACTR” Garrett, 1st Lieutenant Natasha Monroe, and Senior Airman Emily Stanley-Cruz
In the 1940s, when it was decided women were allowed to serve, there were extensive arguments in society regarding how this pivotal change would impact the general public. There were two main fears these conversations surrounded: women would become lesbians or steal married men from their wives. The service had to mitigate these anxieties by creating uniform policies, which made women appear conventionally pretty enough to not come across as lesbians, but not pretty enough to steal husbands. And with that airtight logic, the bun was born and has been the standard for 70 years.
The bun is highly problematic for medical, operational and inclusivity reasons. A survey conducted by the Women’s Initiative Team (WIT), garnered over 11,000 responses from female Airman that painted this picture. An overwhelming 93% of respondents expressed they felt there needed to be an update to the hair policy for servicewomen. When asked why openly, without referencing medical implications, 56% of servicewomen said they suffered from migraines and headaches. Furthermore, they experienced: traction alopecia, receding hairlines, bald spots, and scalp sensitivity, to name a few. Operationally, it was discovered female Airmen struggled with mission readiness because the equipment didn’t fit properly, which inevitably compromised their safety. Imagine pulling your scalp back tightly, putting a ball on your head then trying to fit a helmet over it. Additionally, race inclusivity was not at the forefront of the conversation in the 40s because simply allowing women to serve was already considered to be a diversifying motion. However, according to data collected by the Office of Diversity by the DoD, in 2016 women of color made up more than 20% of the Air Force’s female population. Women of color have different hair types requiring different levels of care, and restricts them from wearing certain styles without permanent damage, including a bun.
Regardless of the anecdotal and quantitative evidence JB collected over the years, which proved how multi-problematic the hair regulation was, policy change demonstrated to be a massive obstacle. In fact, it took about five years and relentless tenacity from multiple parties to get this change approved. Despite years of: collecting data, making cold phone calls, going through the chain of command four times and being turned away every time, JB and Jocelyn refused to let up. Jocelyn created and organized a document containing all of the data they had been collecting over the years. Capt Garrett bridged their efforts to the WIT when she sent 1st Lt (Join to see) that document. In early 2020, Montana expressed her concerns with female hair policy with members of the WIT leadership, Maj Alea Nadeem and Captain Sarah Berheide. In 2018, Montana had been disqualified from being a pilot in the Air Force after she was diagnosed with migraines herself. After recognizing this was a problem across the Air Force and ultimately voicing her concerns with the hair policy, Alea, Sarah, and Montana started their own initiative within the WIT that was aimed at addressing the hair policy for women in the Air Force.
The combination of these two entities, the WIT and the Warrior Braids team, was the surge of force the #FreeTheBun movement needed. They collectively recognized getting a seat at the table was hard enough and asking someone to pass the salt, even if it meant they would be able to do their job better, was going to be difficult. Eventually, these two teams found themselves discussing this proposal in the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force’s office where they finally felt their concerns for the change were being acknowledged and having Lt Gen Mary O’Brien, the senior WIT champion back the teams up as they moved this initiative.
Nevertheless, the dedication and work ethic over five years was prominent during every single step of the way which is how the bun was finally freed. From the grassroots all the way up to senior leadership, the WIT, along with the Warrior Braids team exemplified what senior leaders ask of their Airmen. It truly was the epitome of a team effort; each member spoke incredibly highly of each other and maintained that this policy change would not have happened without one another. The 5 years of collecting data JB and Jocelyn put in, the countless hours of work (even while on leave) Montana undertook to sort through the thousands of survey responses they received, the networking and cold calls/emails Sarah sent to Air Force Generals (eventually collecting 39 letters of support), and the fearlessness Alea demonstrated while leading the team refusing to take no as an answer is just a small look into the mountainous effort it took for this change to come to fruition.
This was a big change and a needed change. It is a testimony that change happens from the bottom up, and it is possible to make a real difference in thousands of lives. Moving forward, they’re not done. Although the new policy is a major step in the right direction, there needs to be more steps to attain full inclusivity as some women can’t participate in this change without cutting their hair. The WIT hopes the hair policy change will inspire other Airmen to challenge problematic standards and action it. Furthermore, they hope this advancement will inspire others to push for changes and challenge policies that limit servicemembers from doing their jobs to the best of their ability. Here’s to, no hairs to, the future!
Policy
Uniforms
Military History
Equality
Women in the Military
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 30
I personally do not care how the hair is worn, as long as it's worn within the regulations. You want a bun? Put it in a bun. You want a ponytail? Put it in a ponytail. Just be within the regs. But, if that ponytail or bun, even while in regulations, becomes a safety issue for you when operating equipment or what not, then I would highly recommend cutting the hair much shorter. As for us guys...well, it sucks for us. Perhaps some day PVT Johnny will be allowed to have a ponytail and SGT Jimmy will be allowed to have a beard that isn't religiously or medically ETP granted. Until then, the regs is the regs.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Sad that American military women were so uninventive, really. While on active duty, my hair was nearly waist length, but I never wore a bun once. I braided it and pinned the braid up, doubled under, fit nicely under my "bucket", and cap alike. Butthen, we nurses, back in the '60s, were accustomed to keeping our hair up, on duty anyway, so it came "natural" for me. A bun wouldn't work with my school cap at all, but the braid did.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
As a woman, who suffered years of headaches and hair loss, because my hair was tightly worn up, in the required style. I support the modification.
Likewise, I would support modification to the policy requiring male hair to be so tightly cropped/styled that one is able to see the nicks from over clipping.
Those who bemoan women the opportunity to modify their hairstyles probably take issue with many other gender unique modifications...like weight standards, BMI, PT Tests and additional time to deal with expressing breast milk for non-issued dependent children.
Biologically, physically, anatomically women are built different from men. Those who wish that they could be a woman to wear their hair differently or have a different PT standard...please remember that being a woman comes with the joys of menstruation, MST, IPV, harassment and the risk of losing your children because of your career in the military
Likewise, I would support modification to the policy requiring male hair to be so tightly cropped/styled that one is able to see the nicks from over clipping.
Those who bemoan women the opportunity to modify their hairstyles probably take issue with many other gender unique modifications...like weight standards, BMI, PT Tests and additional time to deal with expressing breast milk for non-issued dependent children.
Biologically, physically, anatomically women are built different from men. Those who wish that they could be a woman to wear their hair differently or have a different PT standard...please remember that being a woman comes with the joys of menstruation, MST, IPV, harassment and the risk of losing your children because of your career in the military
(0)
(0)
SFC Casey O'Mally
I completely understand your point. However MST, IPV, harassment and child loss are not unique to women. Yes, women ARE different, and they DO have unique challenges. But not EVERY challenge women face is unique to them.
I lost my child to my career (court-ordered), have endured IPV, sexual harassment, non-sexual harassment, physical assault, and sexual assault. And I'm just one guy. And I have had male Soldiers who endured MST - to include the re-traumatization of retalitation for reporting, loss of assignments, and career stagnation.
I lost my child to my career (court-ordered), have endured IPV, sexual harassment, non-sexual harassment, physical assault, and sexual assault. And I'm just one guy. And I have had male Soldiers who endured MST - to include the re-traumatization of retalitation for reporting, loss of assignments, and career stagnation.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
This was very informing. I am retired now for many years. I always thought it was wrong that women couldn't wear their hair down or any pony tails or other ways. I can understand why they would need their hair pinned up for safety reason if necessary.
Gland this is being reviewed and changes are being made.
Gland this is being reviewed and changes are being made.
(0)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Easy solution: cut your hair. There should be no double standard. Men must abide by grooming Standards which require short hair for many more reasons than are given in the post above. The military is not just a job and short hair is only one (reasonable) sacrifice that ALL must make; including females. The military is primarily a fighting force (lest the public forget that) and long hair--even in braids--can put the military member in an unsafe and even unsanitary disadvantage. Living in the field with scarce supplies of water, for instance, means that nice things such as showers and being able to wash one's hair are not possible. I, for one, give little credence to those who want to be able to serve in any unit a male can serve in because, according to them, they can "do" the job just as well, while simultaneously demanding different Standards because of vanity.
0
0
0
Times change real life doesn't. Lice and the ability to wear your pro-mask don't change. While there is a definite need for comfort, especially if it can alleviate any medical problems current policies are causing, when a buzz cut is the best and safest option--deal with it.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
In my humble opinion, there are two things that immediately pop out:
1. True equality should make this an easy fix. Everyone cuts their hair short. No more issues, not to mention better when it comes to the use of gear. (Mask, helmets, etc.) Screaming for equality on the things you want while creating different standards based on sex is counterintuitive.
2. This is a slippery slope. We know for an absolute fact that people have "give a mouse a cookie" syndrome. Looser regs on one thing will eventually trickle down into looser regs on other things, IE facial hair, male hair length, etc.
1. True equality should make this an easy fix. Everyone cuts their hair short. No more issues, not to mention better when it comes to the use of gear. (Mask, helmets, etc.) Screaming for equality on the things you want while creating different standards based on sex is counterintuitive.
2. This is a slippery slope. We know for an absolute fact that people have "give a mouse a cookie" syndrome. Looser regs on one thing will eventually trickle down into looser regs on other things, IE facial hair, male hair length, etc.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
Finally!
In the Stone Age I had a, no, ~heard of~ a Senior Drill who straight up harassed anyone he wanted to shag who refused him. Constant KP ain't no joke. Unrelenting PT is also humourless.
One of his targets had long, long, wavy chestnut hair that she managed to bun, but the headaches were a torment. She decided on her own to have it French braided by her battle buddy and cut off at least 8 inches. She set it aside to mail to her mother.
Sadist Sarge entered our 30 man (?) open bay and saw her braid next to the large scissors. She had put up a bun and had her headgear on.
Inside.
At night.
She was so proud. We were excited to show him that she took the initiative. We worked together to adapt and overcome, vanity be damned. We were team building!
He snatched her cover off along with some hair.
Each one of us was in so.much.TROUBLE.
She was out of uniform.
She wore headgear in a building.
She had used a hair band.
She had bobby pins in the bun.
It was like we hid Ivan under a bed! That man lost his military bearing in the worst way. Flipped over our wardrobes. Tore the bedding off our bunks. Tossed our footlockers like Nerf balls. He ordered us outside in sleet to do PT in the pit on Tank Hill in December.
The sleet was mixed with freezing rain so that red clay pit was a pool of shivering chaos. Situps & pushups until we were completely soaked and then the fun run!
It was around 02, 03:00 when we were allowed to go back to the barracks to stand at attention (sopping wet & braless) while he screamed at us, threatening UCMJ action for conspiracy, theft, and possession of contraband. We had permission to use the scissors. Bobby pins as contraband? He flushed her braid. Some tears were shed at that low blow. Since she couldn't make a bun and her hair was too long for regs, he made her cut it. Wet and tangled without a comb or mirror. If she didn't cut it short enough to be in regulation with it down, he threatened clippers, like "soldiers" got buzzed. She looked like a scarecrow with mange after that threat.
The next morning an inspection was scheduled. We spent the whole time showering in cold water to get that red clay OFF. I know we were scrubbing it off for days,thanks to the scalding water that lasted 4 to 7 minutes and then went frosty. Laundering in shifts, the red clay had stained our PT clothes permanently. We had to pick up the wardrobes and footlockers and be inspection ready. No one slept. Making our bunks, searching for scattered boots, sneakers, and shower shoes in the dark was a blast with only flashlights. Polishing like that was even better.
I knew we were in for a roasting by the CO for all the gigs, so I cut my hair scarecrow style along with two others. (Women don't play like that when it comes to hair, so I wasn't mad when it wasn't unanimous.)
One squad leader was a stunningly gorgeous woman who stayed a step ahead of that sadistic, cruel creep. She had been to law school and she enlisted in order to have her school loans paid and keep the GI Bill to finish her terminal degree. Somehow she was ~bald~ for morning inspection. Not a high and tight. Not a buzz cut.
Bald.
BALD bald.
She never confessed to him how she did it, but the CO had some questions since shaving to the scalp is against regulations for men and unheard of for women.
It was a delight to see how mad that CPT was when she explained why she had a head smooth as a bowling ball. She was leading by example since the Drill Sergeant suggested it to the poor scarecrow troop. The Captain had her remove her cover and he looked like he was ready to clutch his pearls at the sight of that disaster, especially when she admitted that the Drill had "suggested" it the previous night. The few of us who followed suit made sure to back her claim. We removed our headgear and vowed to be all we could be. The squad leader; a bodybuilder from Brooklyn; and a former gang member from the Bronx began belting out,
In the Stone Age I had a, no, ~heard of~ a Senior Drill who straight up harassed anyone he wanted to shag who refused him. Constant KP ain't no joke. Unrelenting PT is also humourless.
One of his targets had long, long, wavy chestnut hair that she managed to bun, but the headaches were a torment. She decided on her own to have it French braided by her battle buddy and cut off at least 8 inches. She set it aside to mail to her mother.
Sadist Sarge entered our 30 man (?) open bay and saw her braid next to the large scissors. She had put up a bun and had her headgear on.
Inside.
At night.
She was so proud. We were excited to show him that she took the initiative. We worked together to adapt and overcome, vanity be damned. We were team building!
He snatched her cover off along with some hair.
Each one of us was in so.much.TROUBLE.
She was out of uniform.
She wore headgear in a building.
She had used a hair band.
She had bobby pins in the bun.
It was like we hid Ivan under a bed! That man lost his military bearing in the worst way. Flipped over our wardrobes. Tore the bedding off our bunks. Tossed our footlockers like Nerf balls. He ordered us outside in sleet to do PT in the pit on Tank Hill in December.
The sleet was mixed with freezing rain so that red clay pit was a pool of shivering chaos. Situps & pushups until we were completely soaked and then the fun run!
It was around 02, 03:00 when we were allowed to go back to the barracks to stand at attention (sopping wet & braless) while he screamed at us, threatening UCMJ action for conspiracy, theft, and possession of contraband. We had permission to use the scissors. Bobby pins as contraband? He flushed her braid. Some tears were shed at that low blow. Since she couldn't make a bun and her hair was too long for regs, he made her cut it. Wet and tangled without a comb or mirror. If she didn't cut it short enough to be in regulation with it down, he threatened clippers, like "soldiers" got buzzed. She looked like a scarecrow with mange after that threat.
The next morning an inspection was scheduled. We spent the whole time showering in cold water to get that red clay OFF. I know we were scrubbing it off for days,thanks to the scalding water that lasted 4 to 7 minutes and then went frosty. Laundering in shifts, the red clay had stained our PT clothes permanently. We had to pick up the wardrobes and footlockers and be inspection ready. No one slept. Making our bunks, searching for scattered boots, sneakers, and shower shoes in the dark was a blast with only flashlights. Polishing like that was even better.
I knew we were in for a roasting by the CO for all the gigs, so I cut my hair scarecrow style along with two others. (Women don't play like that when it comes to hair, so I wasn't mad when it wasn't unanimous.)
One squad leader was a stunningly gorgeous woman who stayed a step ahead of that sadistic, cruel creep. She had been to law school and she enlisted in order to have her school loans paid and keep the GI Bill to finish her terminal degree. Somehow she was ~bald~ for morning inspection. Not a high and tight. Not a buzz cut.
Bald.
BALD bald.
She never confessed to him how she did it, but the CO had some questions since shaving to the scalp is against regulations for men and unheard of for women.
It was a delight to see how mad that CPT was when she explained why she had a head smooth as a bowling ball. She was leading by example since the Drill Sergeant suggested it to the poor scarecrow troop. The Captain had her remove her cover and he looked like he was ready to clutch his pearls at the sight of that disaster, especially when she admitted that the Drill had "suggested" it the previous night. The few of us who followed suit made sure to back her claim. We removed our headgear and vowed to be all we could be. The squad leader; a bodybuilder from Brooklyn; and a former gang member from the Bronx began belting out,
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Interesting; perhaps, a consensus needs to be taken to understand those in favor and those against change in policies on permissible hairstyling for females in uniform, like there is for men. However, why are we differentiating hairstyles of men and women in uniform, especially since men and women are seen as equals in the field, in the air and on the high seas? There should be no difference.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google