After hearing “D”s story, I decided to delve deeper into natural hair in the military. There are obviously some biased people in power who, despite the clearly defined regulations in place, continue to wage a nonexistent war against natural hair. Also unfortunate, these biased people seem to be mostly other African Americans.
Through YouTube, I found a woman in uniform with a beautiful TWA telling her experience of how she fought back against the negative comments she received. Here is Fadiah’s YouTube channel. After viewing her video (embedded below) I contacted her for an interview. She agreed to share her experience here and I hope someone out there benefits from it! Thank you, girl! I love your fro! I also admire you for not buckling under!
Kcurly: Were you natural going into the military?.
When I went to Basic Training in 2007, I was transitioning and I became discouraged because the drill sergeants picked on me about my hair and said I needed it relaxed for graduation, so I gave in because I wanted to graduate BCT. Then in 2008 I did my first BC, I once again I got discouraged by my peers and gave in. I was really upset with myself this time and decided to take charge, so August 3 2009 I did my second BC and now I refuse to let the army change my character and being true to myself as a natural.
Kcurly: Had you noticed any other naturals also in service?
I have noticed a lot of natural haired women in the military but they all keep it hidden with braids and weaves. Don’t get me wrong I do rock braids as a protective style when I’m doing field training or to let my hair breathe. (I’m not going to be ashamed of my natural hair in uniform like other females are). A lot of women commend me on my boldness in rocking my afro puff to work but don’t have enough courage themselves to do so as well. A lot of other women keep their hair low cut like a fade as well.
Kcurly: When did you BC and after how long of a transition?
My first BC was January 17, 2008 and I transitioned for four months. My second BC was August 3, 2009 and I did not transition.
Kcurly: What styles did you use to transition?
For my first BC while transitioning I wore kinky twists.
Kcurly: What negative things were said to you about your hair? Was there repeated harassment?
From friends I got the usual “why would you do that, you look better with relaxed hair.” comment. My fellow soldiers would say “are you going to do something with your hair” “as a female soldier you must look uniformed like the rest,” “since when did afros become acceptable in the army” “…hmm that’s different” and so forth.
Kcurly: What actions did you take to defend wearing your hair natural?
Being a junior ranking soldier I simply pulled out my army regulation 670-1 and explained that my hair is uniformed, it is not causing a distraction or over 5 inches in bulk, it is kept neat away from my face and off my collar. I would also elaborate that this is the texture of my hair and I was born with it and it was what God intended me to have and every black women in the military also has a different texture close to mine but they alter it with harsh chemicals to be like the European women.
Kcurly: What have you learned from this experience that you can take with you for the rest of your life?
Being natural has taught me to accept myself for who I am and to fight what I believe in life. I should allow other people to tell me what I should appear to be in their eyes because at the end of the day I have to make myself happy.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I am at Fort Hood TX and have a very similar experience. I am so proud of her for staying true to herself in whatever she chooses. I have suggestions if she is still in the area.
1 DC at minimum 2X a week with conditioner mixed with oil (my favorite is AOHSR + Castor oil) until her hair retains moisture better
2 Apply a water based leave in + a butter/oil based leave in
3 Then finally seal and either cornrow or finger coil
4 From then she could wear it like that or apply her wig cap and wig
The army as a whole is getting better with dealing with natural hair on African American Soldiers but they still have a long way to go. I am an officer here at Fort Hood and I still deal with the snide comments of peers but as it is growing longer I hear them less and less.
Aww you and your baby are soooooooooooooo cute
god bless you and what you do for the nation!
Your hair is so cute! I love your explanation to people who ask, that is my exact same philosophy. What God has given me is more than good enough!
Once again thank you for including me in your project K Curly.
@ Winona… Thank you for those tips i will put that to use…I’ve been finding different ways to take care of my hair with this texas weather.
@ Bridget and ChyeahBella… Thank you for your lovely comments.
I love it. I”m also in the military and have natural hair. There aren’t really that many of us and just glad to see someone else rocking it in uniform.
Wow, my how have times changed when I was in the military
over 32 years ago you could not have cornrows or braids
but I did cut all my hair off because it was easier to take
care of then. Then I went back to the relaxer after Basic Training which was in Alabama and the humidity was
reeking havoc on my hair with that helmet on.
I’m in the Air Force and I went through a similar situation. Everyone freaked out when I chopped all my hair off, but I just didn’t pay them any mind. I’m not sure how the army works, but we tend get paperwork when we’re in trouble. You already looked it up and there is no way they can give officially get you in trouble. Of course you’ll have the negativity, but they don’t F%*^ you or feed you (excuse my language), so their words don’t mean a thing. Stay Army strong!
Hooooah!