SIG MMG 338 Program Series

USAF Clarifies Female Hair Standards

Building on women’s hair updates announced in February 2021, beginning June 25 when hair is secured behind the head, the hair may extend six inches to the left and to the right and six inches protruding from the point where the hair is gathered.

For more information at go.usa.gov.

19 Responses to “USAF Clarifies Female Hair Standards”

  1. ExEd says:

    Really professional looking Chair-force! SMH

  2. Chris says:

    Wow the current Administration just never stops disappointing. And, this looks like to B-rated movie stand in’s attempt to look like an Airman. I guess I’m a little perplexed as to why the higher-ups are still bothering with uniforms at this point. Why not some pajamas and flip-flops?

  3. LN2(SW) says:

    … bUt BeaRds aRe UnsAfe AnD UnpRofEsSioNal.

  4. Y says:

    Man, you all are really in your feelings over this minor protocol update, huh?

    • Riejun says:

      No Y, it isn’t about “feelings”. There are safety, hygiene, force protection, operational, image/sexism issues.

      I was not Air Force, I was Army and still serving in another capacity. I’ve led soldiers and others for almost 30 years in a variety of conditions. My military terms may be dated.

      Safety

      – Long-hair caught in something: flight line, motor pool, equipment
      – Long-hair falling into equipment

      Hygiene

      – Long-hair is harder to keep clean (yes, I THINK even the Air Force might occasionally get dirty and may be in situations with lice, fleas, ticks, etc…)

      – Long-hair is hotter/unsanitary, can result in skin conditions or other issues

      – Long-hair seems to more easily clog up plumbing. Hair falls out, it happens to the best of us. My wife has long hair and this is an issue.

      Force Protection:

      – Long-hair easy to pull/use in a fight

      – How does this work with MOPP gear?

      – How does this work with body armor/helmet? tuck it under? Let it fly?

      – Inevitable loose hair in the eyes in a combat/tense moment?

      Operational

      – Can every MOS have long-hair?

      – Can a supervisor require long-hair be put in a bun or otherwise “secured” for operational reasons?

      – Will the supervisor face an EEO complaint if they measure the hair, makes a comment about securing the hair?

      Image/Sexism

      – Not a professional military image

      – Why only “wymen”? This is sexist. What if a “male identifying” person wants long hair?

      • J says:

        I thought members of the US Armed Forces would read their own press briefings:

        “Members must adhere to current occupational safety, fire and health guidance, and mishap prevention procedures emphasizing when and how to mitigate the potential for injury from hair of varying lengths and styles around machinery, equipment, power transmission apparatus or moving parts. Airmen are encouraged to reach out to their safety office for assistance in analyzing any potential hazards, as applicable.”

    • ExEd says:

      Feelings have nothing to do with looking unprofessional. Quit trying to convolute diminishing standards with “feelings”. Sounds like, you’re a fucking snowflake since you went right to emotional BS. Grow up

    • Nils says:

      Hope she sees this bro

  5. Adam says:

    Isn’t that a hazard? Someone can just hank that hair form behind and smash you into the deck.

  6. Marcus says:

    Oh yeah, that’ll work well on the flight line. We have safety control measures all the way down to making sure your footwear has proper treads. But this is just fine. Let it fly and feel good. That’s what it’s all about, the individual- right?

  7. Stickman says:

    That will work well the first time a USAF cop gets her hair used as a hair hold, mechanic or maintainer gets it caught, or NCO gets a sexual harassment complaint for measuring and touching hair.

    Total fail Air Force, get your junk together and get back to the SAC days.

  8. El Terryble says:

    My pronouns are He/She/It

  9. Phil says:

    As China bolsters their forces with increasing speed and aggression, we’re tripping over ourselves to cater to individualism and feelings.

  10. ExEd says:

    Can the “females” grow beards yet? Asking for a buddy

    • SSD says:

      Well, nothing says they can’t. I remember a female SFC down the road in DIVARTY had a serious mustache going back in the 80s.

    • JD says:

      As long as the beard doesn’t extend 6 inches to the left or right side of their faces, they’ll be good to go. However, I was wondering if ranks will be replaced with pronouns, since rank designations are clearly a product of white supremacy and offensive to our men and wome… I mean him/her/he/she/they.
      Screw it, everyones a retard these days.

  11. J says:

    I thought members of the US Armed Forces would read their own press briefings:

    “Members must adhere to current occupational safety, fire and health guidance, and mishap prevention procedures emphasizing when and how to mitigate the potential for injury from hair of varying lengths and styles around machinery, equipment, power transmission apparatus or moving parts. Airmen are encouraged to reach out to their safety office for assistance in analyzing any potential hazards, as applicable.”

  12. demure says:

    There seem to be a lot of complaints about safety here, that forget that there are plenty of other situation based safety rules that would preempt these allowances…

    Like, you are allowed to wear a ring/watch, but are required to take off said items for numerous reasons (working on electrical, sea&anchor, etc).

  13. Nick C. says:

    Just a stupid civi but I’m pretty surprised by some of the comments here. I don’t really see how longer hair is seen as “unprofessional”, pretty much every environment I’ve worked in from t-shirt and jeans to full suit has had women with long hair, so not sure I follow. Standard do change, both dress and combat, and thank god. I don’t see how hairstyles for women without straight hair changes standards in any meaningful way. I mean fuck a lot of SOF guys don’t follow standards with unkempt beards and longer hair, I don’t see much bitching about that.

    As far as safety, I don’t know if the number is accurate but I’ve always hear that something like 1% of the military is combat focused and only 10% of those ever see combat. Perhaps those numbers are outdated now or were never accurate but I think it’s important to keep in mind that there are troops serving in a multitude of roles. What is right for front line troops isn’t the same as what is right for support.