Always look to the fundamentals and see if they are being done, then worry about the finer details ... and if you want to get into deeper problems if the fundamentals are not being done, ask the second and third level questions as to why people are looking the other way and not enforcing fundamentals.
BTW, this isn't the sea duty, warfighter Chief's Mess problem. This problem goes straight to the CNO and MCPON.
You should see some of the leaders in this email chain. I feel genuinely sad that this even made it to their level. I am sad that the reason that it has made it to this level is fear.
Warfighters that will enter a room on fire to rescue you - will dive into a cold North Atlantic to save your life - will storm some mud hut simply because they are ordered to - but are scared of telling a Sailor to get a haircut.
From: [REDACTED]CS [REDACTED]
Sent: Monday, [REDACTED]
To: *Distribution- CPO Mess
Subject: FW: HAIRSTYLE ISSUE
Passing along guidance IRT "dreadlocks".
v/r,
CMDCM [REDACTED]
-----Original Message-----
From: [REDACTED]
Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 14:22
To: [REDACTED]
Subject: FW: HAIRSTYLE ISSUE
Leaders,
A question was posed to the UMO regarding a specific hairstyle that I thought you could all benefit from.
The string starts at the bottom so you can get a feel for what was asked, and then to FORCM [REDACTED] and on to and a return email from[REDACTED].
V/R,
[REDACTED]
-----Original Message-----
From: [REDACTED]
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 18:15
To: [REDACTED]
Subject: RE: HAIRSTYLE ISSUE
[REDACTED],
BLUF: Current uniform grooming policy prohibits dreadlocks and twists hairstyles. The following excerpt form uniform regulations chapter 2, section 2 (Grooming) for women apply: "Haircuts and styles shall present a balanced appearance. Lopsided and extremely asymmetrical styles are not authorized. Ponytails, pigtails, widely spaced individual hanging
locks, and braids which protrude from the head, are not authorized. Multiple braids are authorized. Braided hairstyles shall be conservative and conform to the guidelines listed herein. When a hairstyle of multiple braids is worn, braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx. 1/4 inch), and tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional, well groomed appearance."
Once and awhile we (UMO) will get questions on dreadlocks and twists and in turn refer to the uniform regs requirements for female hairstyles. Specifically, we emphasize balanced appearance, not to be lopsided or asymmetrical, (braids must be small and tightly interwoven (no locks or twists) and project a professional appearance.
I hope this information clears any mis-perception of Navy policy regarding dreadlocks. Please let me know if you require addition information. Thanks.
V/r
[REDACTED]
Navy Total Force, [REDACTED]
Head, Navy Uniform Matters
Comm (703)614-[REDACTED], DSN 224-[REDACTED]
[REDACTED]@navy.mil
-----Original Message-----
From: [REDACTED]
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 2:19 PM
To: [REDACTED]
FYI, if the Navy has NOT addressed "dreadlocks" as a hairstyle, maybe it's time we do once and for all. This is common complaint throughout the Fleet.
V/R, [REDACTED]
Leaders,
Has the Navy accepted dreadlocks as an acceptable hairstyle? Is dreadlocks considered multiple braided hairstyle?
One of my female Sailors recently reported. This is her first duty station. She wears what has been referred to as dreadlocks; she's had locks most of her life. She states that her hair was not an issue at RTC nor was it an issue in "A" school. I'm being told that the RDCs are allowing females to wear dreadlocks; in fact some female RDC's are supposing wearing dreadlocks also.
The uniform regulations does not identify "dreadlocks" as an hairstyle. Don't know if this was done purposefully or not. The regulations does authorize multiple braided hairstyles. It states "When a hairstyle of multiple braids is worn, braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx 1/4 inch), and tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional, well groomed appearance"... Her locks does not hamper her ability to wear headgear correctly, is within the correct dimensions, looks neat and well groomed (professional is what is in question).
I want to get this information out to my Chiefs and our Sailors. This Sailor claims that if she would have known that she had to cut her hair she would not have enlisted. Right now the Sailor is being questioned practically everywhere she goes about her unauthorized hairstyle and is starting to feel harassed.
The Navy needs to address the dreadlocks issue...is it or is it not authorized?
OBTW, this is the third Sailor with similar story (first I've been informed of) and I've told her Chief not to have her cut her hair until I tell him.
v/r
[REDACTED]
Should we even talk about some of the finger nails our there?
From: [REDACTED]CS [REDACTED]
Sent: Monday, [REDACTED]
To: *Distribution- CPO Mess
Subject: FW: HAIRSTYLE ISSUE
Passing along guidance IRT "dreadlocks".
v/r,
CMDCM [REDACTED]
-----Original Message-----
From: [REDACTED]
Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 14:22
To: [REDACTED]
Subject: FW: HAIRSTYLE ISSUE
Leaders,
A question was posed to the UMO regarding a specific hairstyle that I thought you could all benefit from.
The string starts at the bottom so you can get a feel for what was asked, and then to FORCM [REDACTED] and on to and a return email from[REDACTED].
V/R,
[REDACTED]
-----Original Message-----
From: [REDACTED]
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 18:15
To: [REDACTED]
Subject: RE: HAIRSTYLE ISSUE
[REDACTED],
BLUF: Current uniform grooming policy prohibits dreadlocks and twists hairstyles. The following excerpt form uniform regulations chapter 2, section 2 (Grooming) for women apply: "Haircuts and styles shall present a balanced appearance. Lopsided and extremely asymmetrical styles are not authorized. Ponytails, pigtails, widely spaced individual hanging
locks, and braids which protrude from the head, are not authorized. Multiple braids are authorized. Braided hairstyles shall be conservative and conform to the guidelines listed herein. When a hairstyle of multiple braids is worn, braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx. 1/4 inch), and tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional, well groomed appearance."
Once and awhile we (UMO) will get questions on dreadlocks and twists and in turn refer to the uniform regs requirements for female hairstyles. Specifically, we emphasize balanced appearance, not to be lopsided or asymmetrical, (braids must be small and tightly interwoven (no locks or twists) and project a professional appearance.
I hope this information clears any mis-perception of Navy policy regarding dreadlocks. Please let me know if you require addition information. Thanks.
V/r
[REDACTED]
Navy Total Force, [REDACTED]
Head, Navy Uniform Matters
Comm (703)614-[REDACTED], DSN 224-[REDACTED]
[REDACTED]@navy.mil
-----Original Message-----
From: [REDACTED]
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 2:19 PM
To: [REDACTED]
FYI, if the Navy has NOT addressed "dreadlocks" as a hairstyle, maybe it's time we do once and for all. This is common complaint throughout the Fleet.
V/R, [REDACTED]
Leaders,
Has the Navy accepted dreadlocks as an acceptable hairstyle? Is dreadlocks considered multiple braided hairstyle?
One of my female Sailors recently reported. This is her first duty station. She wears what has been referred to as dreadlocks; she's had locks most of her life. She states that her hair was not an issue at RTC nor was it an issue in "A" school. I'm being told that the RDCs are allowing females to wear dreadlocks; in fact some female RDC's are supposing wearing dreadlocks also.
The uniform regulations does not identify "dreadlocks" as an hairstyle. Don't know if this was done purposefully or not. The regulations does authorize multiple braided hairstyles. It states "When a hairstyle of multiple braids is worn, braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx 1/4 inch), and tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional, well groomed appearance"... Her locks does not hamper her ability to wear headgear correctly, is within the correct dimensions, looks neat and well groomed (professional is what is in question).
I want to get this information out to my Chiefs and our Sailors. This Sailor claims that if she would have known that she had to cut her hair she would not have enlisted. Right now the Sailor is being questioned practically everywhere she goes about her unauthorized hairstyle and is starting to feel harassed.
The Navy needs to address the dreadlocks issue...is it or is it not authorized?
OBTW, this is the third Sailor with similar story (first I've been informed of) and I've told her Chief not to have her cut her hair until I tell him.
v/r
[REDACTED]
Should we even talk about some of the finger nails our there?
Sad - this small percentage make it so much more difficult for the vast majority of outstanding women Sailors we have out there.
Maybe I am being too rough on the CNO and MCPON - again. They have a lot on their plate and a very difficult job. Maybe the problem is that we do not have the right attitude among our female leaders .... but by saying that I violate one of my own pet peeves ... in the Navy we just have Sailors and Leaders.
Maybe I am being too rough on the CNO and MCPON - again. They have a lot on their plate and a very difficult job. Maybe the problem is that we do not have the right attitude among our female leaders .... but by saying that I violate one of my own pet peeves ... in the Navy we just have Sailors and Leaders.
Well, I believe that and others do as well - though I know the senior leadership acts differently. Therefore .... CNO and MCPON again.
Always go with your first instincts.
Hat tip Goat Locker Spy.
Always go with your first instincts.
Hat tip Goat Locker Spy.
