The Army is Now Making Black Women Treat Their Natural Hair or Face Punishment

When do uniform regulations become cumbersome and performance-hindering?

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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And now for your daily "shaking my damn head" moment.

On Monday, the U.S. Army published an update to Army Regulation 670-1, a code of conduct that includes defining appropriate hair styles for soldiers. According to the Army Times, the new set of rules strictly prohibits dreadlocks, cornrows larger than a quarter of an inch, braids larger than a quarter of an inch, headbands, and twists. Soldiers in violation are subject to non-judicial punishment.

For black women, this is a major issue, as multiple military members have stated that their hair is impossible to maintain in the field without the use of the above styles. So, just to be clear, the Army is sanctioning practices that support combat efficiency. Okay, cool.

Currently, Sergeant Jasmine Jacobs is circulating a White House petition that has already garnered over 6,000 signatures. “Most black women, their hair doesn’t grow straight down, it grows out,” says Sergeant Jacobs. “I’m disappointed to see the Army, rather than inform themselves on how black people wear their hair, they’ve white-washed it all.” She goes on to say that her hair has "never interfered with her headgear," and that she "either get a wig" or face a Non-Judicial Punishment, "all because of the way [her] hair grows naturally."

So we're aware: an NJP includes confinement on diminished rations, restriction to certain specified limits, arrest in quarters, correctional custody, extra duties, forfeiture of pay, detention of pay and reduction in grade. Because of the way one's hair naturally grows. *Throws hands up in exasperation.*

Read more here.

[via The Cut via Army Times]

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