Table Of Content
Though there has been recent talk of loosening beard policy, the Army has not yet revised its longstanding policies banning beards and restricting mustaches as of the latest round of updates. According to an information paper posted by Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Lt. Gen. Gary Brito’s office, the update is part of the Army’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. The updates reflect the Army’s commitment to fostering an environment that promotes and facilitates diversity, equity, and inclusion. Inclusive policies foster the ability to recruit and retain the top talent.
New AR 670-1 Changes & Updates for 2023
In February the Army revised guidance on grooming standards after a DOD-mandated review of our policies. Through feedback from the Force resulting in a clear, consolidated policy recommendation from a group of Soldiers, the Army reconsidered and approved the wear of ponytails. In 2016, Andrews began a campaign to change Army Regulation (the wear and appearance of uniforms and insignia) to include locks – formerly referred to as dreadlocks – as an authorized hairstyle. By 2017, the then-District of Columbia National Guard first lieutenant’s proposal was accepted, changing an Army-wide policy that impacts 2 million active-duty, reserve-component and National Guard Soldiers.
Hair & Appearance Guidelines
Highlights in soldiers’ hair are also now in the mix for those who want to add a little color, but they can’t be too stark and have to blend naturally. There is more as far as prohibited hairstyles and authorized hair accessories go. Soldiers are required to maintain good personal hygiene and grooming on a daily basis, as well as wear the uniform in a way that does not detract from the overall military appearance.
What Are the New Army Grooming Standards?
Soldiers will also be allowed to have a uniform hair color blend (also known as highlights) as long as it presents a natural appearance. However, purple, blue, pink, green, orange, bright red, fluorescent or neon colors, and some others will be prohibited. “In an effort to stop hair damage and loss stemming from hairstyles like the bun, the Army approved healthier hairstyle options that are more inclusive of various natural styles,” said Clark. Soldiers can wear hijabs when they have an approved religious accommodation request. The hijab must be subdued in color or ACU-compatible camouflage and present a neat appearance. Soldiers must wear hijabs under any required headgear, and they must tuck the bottom of the hijab in the uniform top.
Army authorizes female Soldiers ponytails in all uniforms
The Army announced new official hair and grooming regulations on Jan. 26. In recent years, states and cities have passed legislation to prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles, which disproportionately affects Black women. AR670-1 regulation allows soldiers to wear certain accessories, such as sunglasses, gloves, and scarves, but they must be conservative and not interfere with performing duties. "This is how we shift the culture and embrace forward thinking," Sanders added. "It is time to dig deeper and use our lexicon and vocabulary to describe what is authorized and what does not conform to a professional military appearance, good order and discipline." Individuals will not be allowed to wear earrings in a field environment or during a combat-related deployment, or in locations where access to regular hygiene is limited.
In some Scottish and Irish infantry regiments, it was either permitted or is expected, by regimental tradition, for the drum major, pipe major, and/or commanding officer's piper to wear a beard. Some even made the case that beards simply looked out of place with the now infamous bearskin caps worn by the five regiments of foot guards. Yet, it should be remembered that the practice of wearing the bearskin only began after the British Army defeated the French at Waterloo. The fur caps had been the staple of the French Imperial Guard of Emperor Napoleon I, and it had been common for those of the "Old Guard" to sport large bushy moustaches with large sideburns that were popular of the day.
That portion of the hair may extend a maximum of 3 1/2 inches from the scalp as well as no wider than the width of the head. Leaders are expected to use good judgment in order to determine if the hair color is considered appropriate. Thus, in the absence of specific procedures or guidelines for gauging if a hairstyle is acceptable, commanders are asked to exercise personal judgment regarding the matter. It’s assumed that when each soldier maintains a “clean-cut” appearance that the military unit as a whole is well organized and detailed. It seems some of those changes could be coming to soldiers at the beginning of 2021. It’s unclear which of the changes will be finalized and implemented in the new year.
AR 670-1: Army Leaders to Announce Hair Regulation Changes in 2021 - Task & Purpose
AR 670-1: Army Leaders to Announce Hair Regulation Changes in 2021.
Posted: Tue, 29 Dec 2020 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The updated standard removes the constraints of dimension requirements. Other updates include removing offensive or racist wording from AR 670-1, and updating the images in the regulations with “specific examples for standards” to clearly show what is and is not allowed. Among the revisions that will be included in the new AR — last updated in 2017 — include changes that have already been announced such as the Army Green Service Uniform and the Expert Soldier Badge.
Army Hair Regulations
Earrings can either be screw-on, clip-on, or post-type earrings in gold, silver, or diamond and must be unadorned and spherical without exceeding 6 mm or 1/4 inch in diameter. The lack of hairstyle options as a result of a Soldier’s hair length or texture can often stress an individual as they try various techniques and devices to secure their hair to maintain a neat appearance, Mitchell said. The panel included Soldiers from all components, representing a cross-section of ranks, units, ages, cultural backgrounds, career fields and races. The process also included two Army dermatologists, an Army psychologist, and an Army equal opportunity advisor as subject-matter experts, who provided medical or EO knowledge to back the panel's findings. The announcement will be followed by an all-Army activities message that will take effect late February and will supersede the standards outlined in the grooming and appearance chapter of Army Regulation until the next scheduled revision.
In 2015, the Army updated its tattoo policies to open the ranks to the 41% of millennials with at least one tattoo. Male soldiers can also wear highlights if they follow the standards listed above. The new grooming standards also allow them to shave their hair shorter than ¼ inch. The newest regulations give women greater freedom to choose hairstyles previously banned by the Army. Previous hair regulations disproportionately impacted soldiers with textured hair, including women of color. The U.S. Army is committed to implementing policies that promote inclusivity throughout the ranks.
Along with supporting a Soldier's identity, the Army approved the use of additional colors of lipstick and nail polish, including the wear of clear nail polish by male Soldiers. Females also have the option to wear an American manicure, a two-tone nail style that maintains a natural appearance. Under the current regulation, Soldiers are only authorized to dye, tint, or bleach their hair. The color of their hair must also be uniform and not detract from their professional appearance. Unauthorized pigments include, but are not limited to, purple, blue, pink, green, orange, bright red, and fluorescent or neon colors.
The Army also repealed its ban on “multiple hairstyles” so women can combine cornrows, twists, braids and locs. The uniform and/or grooming changes, approved after December 2020, will be included in the next update to the AR 670-1. However, wigs are not allowed if it is simply used to “cover up unauthorized hairstyles”. It must be styled so it never interferes with the proper use of all military-assigned headgear. Female hair regulations in the Army are observed in order to maintain uniformity.
No comments:
Post a Comment