US Navy allows female sailors to wear ponytails, more comfortable hairstyles

The United States Navy will allow women to wear their hair down, in a move aimed at making the organisation more inclusive.

Graduating midshipmen raise their right hand while being commissioned into the U.S. Navy on Friday, May 25, 2018.

Graduating midshipmen raise their right hand while being commissioned into the U.S. Navy on Friday, May 25, 2018. Source: Bloomberg

The United States Navy will allow women to wear their hair down rather than in uncomfortable buns, in a move aimed at making the organisation more inclusive. 

Many black women had asked for changes to the female grooming standards, according to the Associated Press.

A female sailor, Yeoman First Class LaToya Jones, announced the new policy during a Facebook Live event Tuesday with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson.

The new standards went into effect on Wednesday. 

Lock hairstyles, or rope-like strands, are now allowed. Wider hair buns too. And women can wear ponytails while in uniform, AP said.
U.S. Navy Sailors on Thursday, May 24, 2018.
U.S. Navy Sailors on Thursday, May 24, 2018. Source: Getty Images
The Navy said it had the standards in place because of safety concerns and to ensure everyone maintained a uniform, professional look. Though the new rules permit ponytails, there will be some exceptions when working around heavy machinery.

Captain Thurraya Kent, a senior member of the working group that recommended the changes, said her hair has been an issue throughout her 26-year career, whether it’s figuring out what to do with it while she’s deployed or trying to quickly make sure it conforms to regulations after exercising.

The group told the Navy that adding grooming options would eliminate a distraction, be more inclusive of different hair textures and enable people to keep their hair natural instead of processing it chemically.

Kent was told to take out her braids early in her career even though her hairstyle was allowed.

“Because of the texture of my hair, it stood straight up,” Kent said. “It was a very embarrassing moment that stays with you.”
At the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, on Wednesday, women said they were excited to switch from buns, which don’t fit well under helmets.

Legalman First Class Tamatha Schulmerich said she has to twist and wrap her hair into a bun because it goes down to her lower back. She told AP it was uncomfortable to wear that way when she had to wear a flight deck helmet in a previous assignment.

Lieutenant Commander Jess Cameron said while allowing new hairdos may seem like a small thing, it sends a larger message.

“I think it’s a step forward,” she told AP. “They’re getting more female feedback in the service, and updating what I think are somewhat antiquated guidelines that maybe no longer serve their purpose in today’s society, today’s military."


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3 min read
Published 12 July 2018 12:29pm
Updated 12 July 2018 12:37pm
Source: AP, SBS


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