The U.S. Navy changed its policy regarding women’s hair regulations last week to include more natural hairstyles. This means that female sailors can now wear dreadlocks, braided hairstyles, wider buns, and ponytails to work. The new rules were announced during a Facebook Live All-Hands Call hosted by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Bob Burke.

In the past, servicewomen were allowed to wear a single braid, French braid, or ponytail only during physical training. Buns could not exceed three inches when measured from the sailor’s scalp.

With the new regulations in place, buns may now be up to the same width as the back of the sailor’s head. Long hairstyles, such as braids and ponytails, can now be worn during service, as long as they are not a hazard when working with heavy machinery. Hair locks must follow specific parting guidelines. In addition, hair can be worn past the collar of the sailor’s shirt or jacket when they’re in “dinner dress” uniforms.

According to Navy administrative message 163/18, commanding officers have the right to veto any hairstyles deemed to be a safety hazard or out of standards.

CNO & CNP Facebook Live All-Hands Call

RECORDED EARLIER: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Chief of Naval Personnel Adm. Robert Burke will host another Facebook Live All-Hands Call and are looking forward to taking your questions about uniforms, PCS moves and any other personnel matter that's on your mind. Let them know how they can continue to make you a more efficient and a more lethal warfighter. Please Join them Tuesday, July 10th at 1700 EDT and you can start posting your questions in the comments below. They will address as many as they can in 30 minutes.

Posted by U.S. Navy on Tuesday, July 10, 2018

The new women’s grooming regulations were created to allow black sailors to more easily style their natural hair and make the Navy more inclusive. Six members of a working group accompanied CNO Richardson and CNP Burke in the video and stated that they collected feedback from the fleet on how the grooming regulations could be improved.

“They’re getting more female feedback in the service, and updating what I think are somewhat antiquated guidelines that maybe no longer serve their purpose in today’s society, today’s military,” said Capt. Thurraya Kent, a 26-year senior member of the working group that recommended changes, in an interview with the Associated Press.

Capt. Kent also told the AP that the decision to approve natural styles will help eliminate a distraction and keep sailors from having to process their hair chemically.

Female sailor Yeoman First Class LaToya Jones said in the video shared on Facebook that they are working on implementation guidelines and a timeline for when these new regulations will go into effect.

We are thrilled that these guidelines have been updated, and that the U.S. Navy is taking steps towards increased inclusivity for women of color.

NEXT: EXPERT WARNS AGAINST USING HAIR MASKS TOO FREQUENTLY

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