The Army Is Expanding Allowed Hairstyles for Women

[SummerMadness]

The Army Is Expanding Allowed Hairstyles for Women

The Army is now allowing female enlisted soldiers to wear their hair in ponytails in all uniforms, in a change announced earlier this month.

It expands on hair guidelines announced in January. For years, many women in the Army were required to keep their hair in a tight bun.

The newest changes mean women can keep their hair either a bun, single ponytail, two braids or a single braid; locks, braids, twists or cornrows can come together in one or two braids or a ponytail; and braids or a ponytail can go as far down as the bottom of the shoulder blades.

There are exceptions on the length of the ponytail or braid for women doing tactical or physical training, the Army says.

 

[DerSchweik]

Wondering what could possibly go wrong?

Good to see the new Army is tackling the really important stuff too.

 

[comana]

Wondering what could possibly go wrong?

Good to see the new Army is tackling the really important stuff too.

I’m sure the military can multi-task.
Loosening the hair policy for women is definitely a change for the better.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Wondering what could possibly go wrong?

Good to see the new Army is tackling the really important stuff too.

Not like the super strong and masculine Russian Army that Ted is in love with.

 

[DerSchweik]

Loosening the hair policy for women is definitely a change for the better.

Hmmm... enlighten me here - how, exactly are ponytails a "change for the better" for the US Army?

Understand, not saying they aren't - just wondering when they'll be permitting pigtails too, cuz preferentially? I think pigtails are cuter that ponytails.

 

[DerSchweik]

Not like the super strong and masculine Russian Army that Ted is in love with.

Ted Grant?

 

[SummerMadness]

Wondering what could possibly go wrong?

Good to see the new Army is tackling the really important stuff too.

It's amazing seeing how many people simply don't support the troops.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Hmmm... enlighten me here - how, exactly are ponytails a "change for the better" for the US Army?

Understand, not saying they aren't - just wondering when they'll be permitting pigtails too, cuz preferentially? I think pigtails are cuter that ponytails.

Thankfully the mission of the US Army is not look cute for you.

 

[DerSchweik]

Thankfully the mission of the US Army is not look cute for you.

Whew! That's a relief. But meh, I like ponytails too so no biggie.

 

[comana]

Hmmm... enlighten me here - how, exactly are ponytails a "change for the better" for the US Army?

Understand, not saying they aren't - just wondering when they'll be permitting pigtails too, cuz preferentially? I think pigtails are cuter that ponytails.

It allows women to keep longer hair and secure it in a manner that is easier and more comfortable than a tight bun. You may not find the change valuable, but women who serve most certainly will.

 

[DerSchweik]

It allows women to keep longer hair and secure it in a manner that is easier and more comfortable than a tight bun. You may not find the change valuable, but women who serve most certainly will.

Well now, give me some modicum of credit here - I never said it wasn't valuable.

And thanks for explaining the need for comfort for our women who serve.

 

[comana]

Well now, give me some modicum of credit here - I never said it wasn't valuable.

And thanks for explaining the need for comfort for our women who serve.

The military today is just a job. They altered the dress code for women working their jobs. The world won’t end because of it.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

The military today is just a job. They altered the dress code for women working their jobs. The world won’t end because of it.

I can remember 31 years ago when I entered the Navy it was more than a job, it was an adventure. Now, yes, sadly, it is just a job. But one that I can post on CF, eat payday candy bars, and listen to Roxxett while I do it.

 

[DerSchweik]

The military today is just a job. They altered the dress code for women working their jobs. The world won’t end because of it.

Wow. I was questioning the rationale of the decision - and not entirely opposed to it either. But this... this actually insults our women in the military.

 

[comana]

Wow. I was questioning the rationale of the decision - and not entirely opposed to it either. But this... this actually insults our women in the military.

That’s your opinion. I don’t believe voluntary military service should be put on a pedestal. It is literally a job, though one with better benefits than most other careers.

 

[DerSchweik]

That’s your opinion. I don’t believe voluntary military service should be put on a pedestal. It is literally a job, though one with better benefits than most other careers.

Well... hello... EVERYTHING here is an opinion.
And... who's putting "voluntary military service" on a pedestal? Bit of a strawman there, if you ask me (and yeah, that'd be my opinion), given no one was elevating military service - yet you pretend someone was so you could knock it off [it's pedestal] by minimizing it as "just a job."

Have you ever served in the military? I have - 6 years, Vietnam era vet. Big whoop, right? Well, probably so - 99% of what we did was about as boring as you can imagine. Most of it was tedium, drills after drills, "field day" after "field day" (the Navy loved such terms), standing watch hour after hour after hour - but then there were the times all that drilling and cleaning, and watching mattered - and by mattered, I mean life or death mattered. So you've ZERO call to be minimizing military service as "just a job." Shame on you.

 

[comana]

Well... hello... EVERYTHING here is an opinion.
And... who's putting "voluntary military service" on a pedestal? Bit of a strawman there, if you ask me (and yeah, that'd be my opinion), given no one was elevating military service - yet you pretend someone was so you could knock it off [it's pedestal] by minimizing it as "just a job."

Have you ever served in the military? I have - 6 years, Vietnam era vet. Big whoop, right? Well, probably so - 99% of what we did was about as boring as you can imagine. Most of it was tedium, drills after drills, "field day" after "field day" (the Navy loved such terms), standing watch hour after hour after hour - but then there were the times all that drilling and cleaning, and watching mattered - and by mattered, I mean life or death mattered. So you've ZERO call to be minimizing military service as "just a job." Shame on you.

Relax. It can be a dangerous job. But it is a job. I tried military, doesn’t suit me.

 

[DerSchweik]

I tried military, doesn’t suit me.

You know what? I believe you.

 

[Belk]

The Army Is Expanding Allowed Hairstyles for Women

I find this annoying much like I did while in the military. Why are women held to a different standard when it comes to hair? Why are women not required to conform to the same hair styles men are? I mean I understand the different physical requirements, but I don't see why hair should be different.

 

[Pommer]

I find this annoying much like I did while in the military. Why are women held to a different standard when it comes to hair? Why are women not required to conform to the same hair styles men are? I mean I understand the different physical requirements, but I don't see why hair should be different.

Now that it is certain that women are “here to stay” and now a necessary percentage of the all-volunteer armed services, they had leverage.
There’s only so much conformity Americans are willing to put up with, but “tell me how much I mean to you by letting us have our hair the way we want it” seems a small price to pay, to get the rest of the minds to conform with all the other regulations.