The U.S. military has made it clear: serving your country is not a fashion show. In an updated uniform policy, the Department of Defense has restricted service members from wearing colored nail polish while in uniform, sparking backlash from some female personnel who appear more concerned with aesthetics than military readiness.
The revised regulations, which now only allow clear polish, French manicures, and American manicures, come nearly a year after the Pentagon bizarrely approved 60 different nail polish colors. The decision to roll back that leniency has some women in the Air Force taking to TikTok and Reddit to vent their frustrations—complaining that their ability to wear trendy nails has been unfairly stripped away.
“People are not happy,” said Elora Jean, a current Air Force member, in a viral TikTok video. She cited online forums filled with complaints from fellow airmen, claiming that “priorities are a little bit skewed right now” and that the military should be focusing on recruitment, readiness, and the overall well-being of service members instead of regulating nail colors.
One TikTok user even claimed that the ability to have “fun nails” was part of why she joined the Air Force in the first place. Another Reddit user fumed that she had just spent $50 on a nail color that is now banned.
The quick turnaround on the rule change also frustrated some airmen, with one person calling the sudden enforcement “scuzzy” because it financially impacts personnel who had recently paid for manicures.
While some in the military bemoan the loss of their colored nails, others argue that the rule change is both logical and overdue. After all, the purpose of a uniform is just that—to promote uniformity, discipline, and professionalism.
“Being in the military is not a beauty pageant,” one social media user pointed out bluntly. Another added, “Lots of people can’t wear nail polish at work. Why should the military be any different?”
It’s a fair question, especially considering the broader challenges facing the U.S. armed forces. Recruitment numbers are down, global tensions are rising, and military discipline has arguably suffered in recent years under policies that seem more concerned with social experimentation than national defense.
Perhaps the real question isn’t why the military is restricting nail polish—it’s why it ever approved 60 different colors in the first place. The military isn’t meant to be a place for self-expression; it’s meant to be a lethal, disciplined force capable of protecting the nation.
For all the noise being made about nail polish, one thing is clear: the United States military must focus on what truly matters—strength, unity, and effectiveness. If service members are more concerned with their manicures than their mission, perhaps the Pentagon’s priorities haven’t been skewed after all.
@_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