Somehow the Army has managed to survive this long without these regs. I think the black servicewomen have a reasonable objection.
Nope. Those hair styles have never been allowed. There was, however, some wiggle room for NCOs enforcing those standards. The new regulation simply spells it out more explicitly, thus reducing any interpretation or discretion by the NCOs charged with enforcing the standards.
Here's the current reg:
Extreme, eccentric, or trendy haircuts or hairstyles are not authorized. If soldiers use dyes, tints, or bleaches, they must choose those that result in natural hair colors. Colors that detract from a professional military appearance are prohibited. Therefore, soldiers should avoid using colors that result in an extreme appearance. Applied hair colors that are prohibited include, but are not limited to, purple, blue, pink, green, orange, bright (fire-engine) red, and fluorescent or neon colors. It is the responsibility of leaders to use good judgment in determining if applied colors are acceptable, based upon the overall effect on soldiers’ appearance.
Cornrows and dreads were already covered under the first sentence - extreme, eccentric, or trendy hairstyles.
“Somehow the Army has managed to survive this long without these regs. I think the black servicewomen have a reasonable objection.”
I have to agree
The objection deserves a response but representing a union in our military smacks of mutiny and may be a courts martial offense under some "circumstances".
said Patricia Jackson-Kelley of the National Association of Black Military Women.
Seemed in the Civil War, they did fine.