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Female African American Soldier Series: Saluting

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The Marines have finally updated their restrictions on hairstyles that are deemed appropriate and acceptable for officers to have while in uniform. According to Military.com, women can now wear two strand twists and dreadlocks.

The revised policies were spearheaded by Staff Sgt. Cherie Wright who said, “For some, this change is culturally liberating, has financial benefits, and is simply convenient.”

In order for the locks and twists to be deemed “neat” and “professional” they must meet the following requirements:

“Twists, or two sections of hair twisted together to form a rope or cord, may only be worn with medium-length and long hair…Locks, or single sections of hair that twist from the root to the ends of the hair to form a ringlet or cord, can be worn with short, medium or long hair, must be separated with square or rectangular-shaped partings to keep a professional appearance.”

Also, “All locks and twists must be no wider than 3/8ths of an inch in diameter. Conspicuous hair accessories and “faddish” or “eccentric” hairstyles are still off-limits.”

The Marine’s new policies come a year after the Navy authorized two-strand twists and larger buns to accommodate their women of color sailors.

Beauties, is there even more that the military can do to accommodate women of color who choose to wear their natural hair?

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Female Marines Are Finally Allowed To Wear Dreadlocks And Twists  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com