As the United States enters a more progressive age, the US military is working hard to keep up with all of the changes and “woke” policy updates. Now, the US Marine Corps has announced that recruits will no longer be required to follow a specific dress code, allowing them to express themselves through their own hairstyles.
The alterations were backed by the Marine Corps uniform board in late December and revealed to the public on Wednesday. One of the modifications that the Marines made to make their membership more “inclusive” is allowing Marines to grow their hair up to three inches long, which is a considerable shift from previous two-inch restrictions.
The Marine Corps has also relaxed its long-standing policy that only male Marines could have crew cuts. Male Marines may now, for the first time, express their personalities through their haircuts by allowing them to “edge up” their hair. This regulation allows soldiers to remove a “widow’s peak” or trim other hair from the forehead or hairline to make for a more neat appearance overall.
“‘Edging up’ undesirable hair that extends beyond or below the natural hairline is authorized (e.g., remove a ‘widow’s peak,’ or remove excessive hair on the forehead, so it provides a neat line), as long as it provides a neat, professional, and natural appearance,” the MARADMIN reads.
Female Marines, on the other hand, are permitted to have manicured nails with polish as long as they choose “the appropriate nail polish colors and styles are updated for all uniforms.” Female Marines can now get ombre or faded manicures. Previously, female Marines could only have clear or “nude” varnish if their skin tone was matched by a transparent or “naked” finish.
Female Marines may now wear polish in pink or red hues as long as the color “compliment their skin tone.” It is also prohibited for Marines to paint their nails in “multiple colors and decorative ornamentation”
Marines may also personalize their appearance by wearing helmet caps in a variety of colors.
“(Commercial) black, olive drab, MARPAT and coyote helmet caps (also known as helmet caps or helmet liners) may be worn underneath the helmet and may be worn as an outer garment for short periods when the helmet is removed, per the Commander’s discretion,” the MARADMIN reads. “The helmet cap will not be worn in lieu of the MCCUU caps.”
However, women are still prohibited from tying their hair in a ponytail. Despite this, the Marines indicated that the requirement may be dropped soon.
“The Commandant of the Marine Corps, along with senior leadership, is still considering proposals for adjustments to the female hair policy, and a decision will be announced via a separate MARADMIN at a later date,” Capt. Ryan Bruce said to Marine Corps Times in an email on February 17, 2022.
The Marine Corps is working to keep up with the times by diversifying and broadening its membership. Some of the modifications that have been made include allowing Marines to grow their hair out, using hairstyles to express themselves, and wearing nail polish in a variety of colors. The Marine Corps is staying ahead of the curve by continually being more inclusive for all its members.
