U.S. Army Controversial Hair Regulations: How They Affect Ole Miss ROTC

U.S. Army bans certain hairstyles that directly relate to ethnic women, and act that is seen as offensive, especially by African-Americans women who are currently soldiers as well as ROTC students at 

Ole Miss.

Two Ole Miss ROTC Army women who will be affected by the change of policy regarding women's appropriate and allowed hairstyles.

The U.S. Army released new regulations on appearance last week, with specifically interesting attention to women’s rules, which banned styles frequently used by African-Americans and leaving many questioning whether this act was one of racism and discrimination.

The new rules include guidelines for styles that “must be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approximately ¼ inch), show no more than 1/8 (inch) of the scalp between the braids." Any hair that is unkempt, matted, cornrowed, twisted, or dreadlock is not allowed.

Nationally, women soldiers are in an uproar, petitioning against the policy and claiming it is discriminatory and racist, even though these deliberations are what the Army deemed appropriate for combat. Here in Oxford, the guidelines directly affect Ole Miss ROTC students, as they are required to follow the exact same regulations as the Army does.

When asked about the racial offensiveness of the issue, freshman ROTC Army student Brody Morin had a more practical view, expressing, “I don't think it's racist because hair that's not taken care of, no matter what race you are, looks unprofessional and not uniformed.” He brings in the perspective of not just looking at the ethnic discrimination of the rules seen by others, but at the need for uniformity of the Army’s hair regulations altogether.

 

Morin also points out the fact that men of all ethnicities in the Army follow similar strict hair codes as well. He states, “Us guys have to take care of our hair by making sure it's not on our necks or over our ears. So why shouldn't the girls have to keep theirs neat and clean as well.” The fact that the policy specifically bans ethnic hairstyles doesn’t faze Morin; from an Army student’s perspective he follows strict code himself, as he knows it is more uniform and better for battle.

The women of Ole Miss have slightly different opinions, as they can relate to the struggles of female hair maintenance. Freshman Ashley Nordahl says, “It’s a little offensive to specifically ban all those hairstyles. Many women rely on twists or dreadlocks or things like that to better retain their hair, and isn’t that what’s important?”

Nordahl’s comment brings to attention the fact that although these regulations are what can be thought of as cleaner and neater no consideration is being taken for different types of hairs and hair textures.

Unless there is any improvement nationally, this issue can continually be debated over. For now, Ole Miss ROTC women will have to abide by this policy and make any necessary changes to their hairstyles.