By Margaret Abrams | Daily Mail
Senior United States Air Force leaders announced new uniform, grooming, and appearance standards, leaving military women up in arms.
There are new restrictions for both men and women as part of the changes, including short hair and no beards for airmen as well as specific nail polish colors.
Air Force leaders also explained that they’ll be strictly enforcing regulations.
Now, women can only wear clear polish or have a French or American manicure. An American manicure is similar to a French, with white tips and a clear or softer skin-colored natural polish underneath instead of using start pink and white.
The latest move is in direct opposition to rules that were approved allowing women to wear a huge range of nail polish colors.
>Content creator and Air Force member Elora Jean has been updating her followers with the regulation changes in viral videos.
She explained that not even a year later, women had their authorized options taken away.
‘Three options! No matter what your skin tone,’ Elora exclaimed.
@_elorajean_ there’s so much change happening I can’t keep up omg #militarywomen #usmilitary #usairforce #womeninuniform #usarmy #miltokcommunity #greenscreen #militarylife ♬ original sound – Elora Jean
‘People are not happy,’ Elora explained about Reddit forums where fellow military women are complaining and questioning the new rulings. ‘They think that the priorities are a little bit skewed right now and nail polish is not really that serious.’
She said people believe ‘there are a lot of other things that should be focused on when it comes to military readiness and recruiting.’
Commenters were shocked by the quick change up and the lack of options.
‘Pls tell me people don’t get American manicure??? They look dirty,’ one woman wrote disapprovingly.
‘Not me thinking American manicure meant red, white and blue with a cute flag on the ring finger,’ another confused commenter explained.
Others hoped there wouldn’t be more unexpected updates when it came to the appearance rules.
‘They can take the nail polish but please don’t touch hair regulations. I can’t go back to buns the migraines and hair loss was awful,’ one said.
‘At least y’all have the good hair standards – sad navy girl with tension headaches,’ another commenter chimed in.
Some women thought the ruling made sense and supported the lack of bold nail polish choices.
A woman previously in the navy said, ‘We had clear only. I never thought to question it. It was just part of the uniform like panty hose requirement.’
‘I agree with the policy,’ a former soldier said. ‘Subdued or flesh toned was always the standard. When we serve, we give up certain abilities like individuality.’
‘Lots of people can’t wear nail varnish at work,’ another explained.
‘As it should be. All part of discipline and being a team,’ a commenter claimed.
In an updated video, Elora explained the regulations and showed a video of her old maroon color, which is no longer allowed.
In another Reddit thread, one woman complained she had just spent $50 on a manicure before the changes happened, while another said she paid $70 the week before.
‘Forcing policy change to take effect a few days after being announced is scuzzy no matter what, let alone when it financially impacts Airmen,’ a Reddit user announced.
From the Air Force Memo: Department of the Air Force Guidance Memorandum to DAFI 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Department of the Air Force Personnel (pdf)
Basic Philosophy
1.1.2. Pride in an Airman’s personal appearance and uniform wear greatly enhances the discipline essential to an effective military force.
Therefore, Airmen must maintain a high standard of dress and personal appearance through adherence to the five elements of this standard: neatness, cleanliness, safety, uniformity, and military image.
The first four are absolute, objective criteria needed for the efficiency and well-being of the Air Force; the fifth, military image, is subjective, but still necessary.
Appearance in uniform exemplifies one’s military image.
The American public and its elected representatives draw certain conclusions on military effectiveness based on the image Airmen present.
The image of a disciplined and committed Airman instills public confidence that Airmen live by a common standard and respond to military order and discipline.
Every Airman has a responsibility to maintain a professional military image as identified in this DAFI.
Patches, Nail Polish, Shaving: Here Are the New Air Force Dress and Grooming Standards (Air & Space Forces Magazine)
Airmen will be subject to new uniform, grooming, and appearance standards starting Feb. 1, senior Air Force leaders announced Jan. 29.
Among the changes: Duty Identifier Patches are no longer authorized, hair cannot touch a male Airman’s ears, Airmen must shave every day if they do not have a medical or religious waiver, and female Airmen must comply with tighter restrictions on nail polish. Airmen with a shaving waiver will have to be reevaluated within 90 days of their next Periodic Health Assessment (PHA), starting March 1.
The updated appearance standards are outlined in a memorandum from Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, who sent a message to the force about the changes on Jan. 29. The Air Force also issued a separate memorandum on the updated shaving waiver process.
The new guidelines come about three weeks after Allvin announced a review of dress and appearance standards and said the Air Force would begin to more strictly enforce regulations.
“Earlier this month I released a video explaining why our service is reviewing certain policies and standards to ensure they are easy to understand, easy to comply with, and easy to enforce across our entire Air Force.
“Today, I am following through on my promise to swiftly distribute updates,” Allvin wrote to Airmen in an email that was provided to Air & Space Forces Magazine.
“As you review the memoranda and take action to ensure compliance, never forget that discipline and accountability are, and always will be, the backbone of an effective and lethal fighting force.
“Complying with and enforcing standards demonstrates shared commitment to our winning team, as well as an understanding of the gravity of our profession in today’s volatile security environment.” . . . (read more)
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