I joined the army in march 2009 and went to basic in May 2010. Its been almost a year ago. I felt that I made a big mistake when it came to joining. I’m what you call a free thinker and I was natural before coming into the army I had a pretty a little uneven twa and I really loved it.
I couldn’t do much things with it but I loved wearing it freestyle out in the open the wind in my hair. I use to wear handbands and hair tye hairband and I loved it. When I went to basic training they told me I had to relax it or I wouldn’t go to basic traning and I wouldn’t graduate. I held on for a month but gave up my pride and got the relaxer. I looked horrible.
I don’t like weaves and braids or any fake hair at all and thats what people been telling me to get the male sergents now its even worse they get the black female sergents on there side. I told my old drill sergents when I was in basic that I was going natural and she told me that we all have to be uniforum so I must get a perm thats the way of the army.
My hair is growing but everytime I look at old photo’s I start to cry it’s almost like I lost my self by joining. Even the females with short nhair are permed . I just don’t know what to do i like my job and working in the army it’s just people. my twa was beatiful sorry can’t stop thing about it it was hard to descrbe it was really thing kinda spongy and like deep spiral curls it grew up it was perfect. Well I was just wondering on any advice thank you in advance and sorry it was so long
D,
Thanks for the email and I’m sorry you’re going through this. This is a common issue among naturals and I’ve seen a lot on this on the hair forums. The truth of the matter, from what I have read and some contacts that I’ve made, is that you are supposed to be able to wear your natural hair.
Here are the guidelines, that I found:
Styles that are lopsided or distinctly unbalanced are prohibited. Ponytails, pigtails, or braids that are not secured to the head (allowing hair to hang freely), widely spaced individual hanging locks, and other extreme styles that protrude from the head are prohibited. Extensions, weaves, wigs, and hairpieces are authorized; however, these additions must have the same general appearance as the individual’s natural hair. Additionally, any wigs, extensions, hairpieces, or weaves must comply with the grooming policies set forth in this paragraph.
Females will ensure that hairstyles do not interfere with proper wear of military headgear and protective masks or equipment at any time. When headgear is worn, the hair will not extend below the bottom edge of the front of the headgear, nor will it extend below the bottom edge of the collar.
I find it interesting that the guidelines say that the weave must match the person’s natural texture. There must be a lot of rule breakers with a silky straight weave. Anyway…
I called three of my local recruitment offices and asked them all the same questions: Is it required that women relax their hair? Are cornrows acceptable? They all replied that as long as it was off the collar and did not interfere with headgear that it was not a big deal.
I can understand that an afro might impede wearing a helmet. However, cornrows or coils seem to be a good idea as far as this is concerned. Please ask your drill sergeant about this and show them the regulations. I know you probably don’t want to rock the boat, but there are a lot of naturals in the army who have not had to relax their hair. And you shouldn’t have to either. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
Having regulations in the military is important. It keeps people safe and it keeps the unit moving as a team. However, your superiors are obviously just biased against natural hair. Which is a shame, considering that you said that they are AA.
If you do not want to say anything or go to a higher up, why do they even have to know you’re going natural? I know you hate weaves, but sometimes the ends justify the means. Getting a weave might help you conceal that you’re going natural. Another option might be to closely crop your hair. As in a Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Afro, or a fade. But I know that may be a bit drastic for you.
I’m not a military girl, so I can’t suggest anything as far as fighting this properly. But I do know we have some ladies in the military who are readers. Perhaps they can chime.
I’m going to look into this more for you and hopefully update this.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I think that it is utterly preposterous that you are made to relax your natural hair! As long as you can wear your cover, and it is off of your collar, you should be allowed to wear your hair the way God has made it. Weaves and extensions should be use only if you decide that you want to add them to your natural hair. I just cannot believe that in today’s military, would are made to change your natural hair to assimilate naturally straight hair.
Hey Lady,
I have been in the military for over ten years. And the REGs she pulled are universal for all branches. No you font want to rock the boat, but at the same time you don’t want to bring unnecessary drama. I was in the army and now on the navy. I like you found my self over perming and pulling it back to conform to the systems “unwritten” regs. I suggest you keep it low!!! If you wanna go natural please remember it can be all over your head appearing untamed. No room for the Jill Scott look and being sexy Foxy brown. But there are ways. Try the corn rows or a little light non tacky gels to hold it down so you can pin it back. Right now I am wearing a sew in. ( hate weaves) I am gonna do it till my hair thickens up and the perm seems gone. Jam gel is not bad for the edges. Just keep it low and tame you can be natural just remember you are representing yourself, your country, and black women of America. Have fin and remeber you will not stay with this unit forever!
Hi,
It’s very unfortunate that happened to you. I think I can empathize. I haven’t been natural very long but I’m already in love with my hair. I am in the military also. I have been in for about eight years. I just BCed but before that I transitioned for six months. I did have a little trouble wearing kinky twists but it wasn’t because of the style, it was because they were not neatly secured. Other than that, no real problems. I definitely don’t think you should have to change your hair. I know many natural women in the military. It sounds like you are being picked on by some biased people who either don’t like or don’t understand natural hair. Unfortunately they seem to be in a position to give you a hard time about it. I guess I would agree with Mrs. Military. If you want to be natural by all means be natural. You may just have to work a little harder at making sure it looks neat and secure. With your twa maybe just slicking it down would help and as it gets longer buns may work well. When you’re off duty let your hair fly as you want it.
Wow I thought I was the on;y one that had that horrific story on having natural hair going into basic then relaxed hair leaving basic back in 2007. See I am very free spirited as well and I’m not reenlisting after this term, I’m getting out getting sisterlocks…enjoying my freedom and never looking back. It sickens me how the army can be so hypocritical. But I am rocking my natural hair now and it’s been about 5th months and although I had my run in with that E6 with my TWA and I told him off and should him AR 670-1, things have turned a new leave for me. good luck girl and stay natural
Yes, I to believe that you are just being singled out. I have been natural for about 9 months now. Everyone I work with loves my hair. I get compliments all the time about how they admire me for embracing my natural texture. So dont give up hope every command is diffrent.I am Navy.
Hello, I’m in the military now and just went natural. I just wear wigs while at work and when i’m home i’m free to be me. Dont let anyone change u, just learn how to work the system. Being in the military is a great thing and dont let something so small change your mind about it.
I just wanted to say I am sorry that happened. I am trying to transition to natural now and it is hard especially being in the navy. Being “natural” is frowned upon. I blame it on the ignorance of the society we live in. I am made fun of sometimes because of the natural state of my hair. Not too long ago I got braids and now I am told I cannot wear them because they do not conform. This is frustrating–but on their defense they say “well you’re in the military.” This adds to the many reasons why I cannot wait to get out. I finally have my degree and some experience in the field I have my degree in so I should be set when I do eventually get out. Anyways…going off subject–you should try to go natural and wear a wig. That way at the end of the workday you can take it off and be you. Wearing weaves work too but they sometimes add unnecessary stress to your hair…same with braids. I’m sure wigs have it’s down sides but I haven’t noticed any so far (I wear a wig over the top of my braids
).
It’s very unfortunate that you are going through this, I am actually shocked and appalled–Natural Hair is absolutely beautiful and there should not be an issue as long as you are professional in appearance and your hair doesn’t touch the collar & fits under your cover. I am natural in the Air Force and I haven’t encountered any issued thus far, although I save my extreme/cute/large hair styles for the weekends. During the week I usually wear my hair back (front slicked down) in a banana clip or I wear mini braids/twists for a month or so. My hair isn’t terribly long (near my chin). I wish you the best. Take Care.
Looks like naturals in the military need their own blog, lol. I’ve been active army for 6yrs and reserves for 2yrs. I originally went natural “by mistake” when I went to Germany with my ex-husband in ’02. I was 8 1/2 mths pregnant and didn’t know who would do my hair there. I started wearing braids until I made a year and got tired of them…took them out and cut off the permed ends. I was in the reserves at the time and would rock my fro every chance I got. When I transferred to active duty in ’04 I had to go to Leonardwood to reclass. I got a lot of side comments from the drills but I used to just quote 670-1 like everyone else. I stayed natural until the end of ’05. I did the big chop I’m ’08 while I was in Iraq and have been pretty much doing weaves and wigs. I get bored real quick so I switch my hair up around every month or so. While in uniform I’ve rocked bright natural hennaed hair (that got a lot of talk)…and I think my highlight so far as been an orange/red bob, lol. I mainly keep mine weaves up because I think keeping it this way does less damge then the wool beret we’re forced to wear everyday. I’ve found that everyone interprets the reg differently according to their agenda. Just puck hour battles and take care if your hair. I used to be anti weave and anti wig, but they give a quick fix with minimal work. I just don’t think that you should weave/braid or crop it short to satisfy anyone else. I’m to the point in my unit, that if I came with a Afro to work…it wouldn’t be any big whoop; it’ll actually be lowkey, lol.
I am in the AF and did my BC a week ago. I have not had the courage to show off my small little curl, however I have seen a few women wear their hair natural. Even an TSGT with a fro, another with a TWA that goes up and out not even hang down. So maybe the AF is where you may want to go to if you still want the military. Even a white woman with curly hair in a bob had nothing said to her on her hair. Myself I have been wearing a wig until I get comfortable enough to be out with my natural coils..just still a little shocking to me but its growing on me. Hope this helps
I am also a military person, currently new to the Navy and when I went to BC I had my hair colored and cornrowed. I was not told to perm my hair……(I am sure they took one look at my face and knew they could not do that with me). I continue to wear my hair in a high fashion color and mainly use wigs. I found that the wig is a quick fix as I do not want to stress my natural tresses. I wash and condition every week and feel confident wearing my wig. My reasons for wearing a wig is due to the changing schedule in the military and if this means I must do my hair quickly, I will be rough with it and cause damage. My wig saves me major hair loss and I have a healthy full head of hair that has passed the TWA stage many many moons ago.
Here is an idea, how about you just straighten your hair with a hot comb or curlers once in a while when you go to work? Or how about go and get a brazillian blow-out to straighten your hair. I am also natural, but I wear weaves, but when I do wear my hair out it is curled with rollers, flat ironed, or done neatly. Not saying your hair isn’t neat, but when you are beginning to re grow your hair in it’s natural state you have got to admit it may look a little not put together.
Take Care
I attend a military academy, and I am a black female. There is a salon provided for us due to the limited time we are allotted off the base. The hair stylists are wonderful, but they are encouraged by their managers to insist we get our hair relaxed in order to manage it. I must admit that I have attempted to be natural many times in my 3 years there, however my hair when down passes my collar and constantly pulling my hair back while it is in its natual state in a bun causes breakage (my hair is very soft). In order for me to maintain my hair along with my hectic schedule I am forced to wear weaves, braids, and a texturizer (not as harsh as a relaxer). The jokes and comments about my hair looking unprofessional are never ending. I am still searching for a way to go natural while still maintaining a military look. I have not officially entered the fleet yet, so my day to day routine for the past 3 years and the next two years will remain a training environment. Reading these post have motivated me to continue to love the hair that God gave me and to try to go natural one more time. I will be wearing a straw set, which is in reg…until my hair is strong enough to transition to another style. Good Luck to all the women in service who are willing to acknowledge who we are as black women and still serve our country! God Bless