Black women hair in the air force

[renu47]

I had an interview with the chief nurse who told me that my dreadlocks were okay as long as they were clean neat and natural color. I will attend COT in June and seriously need to know if I am able to keep my locks during COT and while working. As an African American woman hair is very delicate though it looks strong. We use many harsh chemicals to transform our hair from its natural state which weakens the hair more. This process must be done every 4-8 weeks and promotes hair loss and scalp burns hence the widespread use of wigs, weaves and braids, just to conform to the standard of straight hair of other cultures. Please let me know if cutting my hair is preventable. My hair is not a factor in serving my country or taking care of my patients. It is a shame that African American women are forced to conform to others standard of beauty.

[AF Nur]

Thank you very much 2012. i did not mean to use the word "officer" I jut needed a general concern on how often one sees or put their hair in Kinky twist. it will be up and above my collar. i don't have any problem in that area. That was very helpful thank you.

I do know that dreads are NO LONGER acceptable according to the regulations. Thank you very much

[bramwell1]

not to be disrespectful but there are other things you can do as a nurse and still serve your country. If hair is an issue regardless of race or gender then don't do it. Not because I am trying to be mean. I actually am not, but because you are putting yourself in a position to be treated very badly if you have issues of righteous indignation on things as simple as hair. You are setting yourself up to have someone not like it even if it is allowed at some point and your unwillingness to conform to their ideas will be a long and painful torture that you will not be able to fight like in the civilian world. You actually give up many of your consitutional rights when you join the military. I don't know if you knew that. Honestly, I know they offer scholarships and such to recruit you, but if having dreadlocks is that big an issue...let it go. get another job where you get to keep your hair, don't have to conform, and still help others. If you still enter otherwise....I pity how you are going to feel in a short amount of time.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

You don't give up your Constitutional rights. That's a misconception.

You are held to a different set of laws and regulations - the Uniform Code of Military Justice - and you are expected to uphold a certain standard and abide by certain rules - but your Constitutional rights are intact. You are held to a different standard than the average citizen, but you don't actually "lose" your Constitutional rights.

[bramwell1]

Actually, I agree with your clarification. I suppose it's true that you don't technically lose your constitutional rights and I am guilty perhaps of promoting this misconception. I really had no problem with this when I was in the military. Being held to a higher standard was no big deal. However, I still hold that with the addition of the UCMJ it can amount to in effect the same thing. I probably did not convey this idea very well, however well intentioned my advice was.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

it's cool. I agree with quite a bit of your earlier post in a lot of ways.