Whether it be "Don't ask, Don't Tell" enacted under Slick Willy Clinton and later changed by Obama to allow gays to openly serve in the military. Or the steady push to allow women to serve in combat.
I am not going to speak to the other services, but for the Marines, we have a higher standards and though many Woman Marines try, few will pass but I'm not here to debate that subject but the current proposal dealing with women serving in the UNIFORM military services I feel many may find offensive. NOT ONLY because it is discriminatory (the hair styles are mainly for the Afro-American women) but in the case of a hand to hand combat situation can lead to putting those very women in danger. It gives the enemy something to grab and in turn control the woman.
Now some may say, "These women will in rear echelon." Does anyone remember the Jessica Lynch fiasco? She was rear echelon. In the Marine Corps, there is NO REAR Echelon. EVERY MARINE IS A RIFLEMAN.
From the Stars and Stripes via way of Military.com comes this:
WASHINGTON — Under pressure from lawmakers, the Army, Navy and Air Force changed their uniform policies Monday to allow female servicemembers to sport previously banned hairstyles.
The changes came after a DOD-wide hairstyle policy review directed by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel earlier this year. Some servicemembers and members of the Congressional Black Caucus claimed that Army regulations governing troops' hairstyles contained offensive language and unfairly targeted African-American women. (What other women wear these hairstyles...OM)
Female soldiers can now wear two-strand twists; larger braids, cornrows and twists; and ponytails during physical training.
Female sailors can wear two-strand twists and multiple braids that hang freely above the collar and cover the entire head.
Female airmen can now wear two-strand twists, French twists and Dutch braids.
Dreadlocks are still prohibited by the services.
The Marine Corps has not yet completed its review, but preliminary recommendations call for the service to authorize twists for medium and long hair. (Since when does the Corps allow a woman's hair below the collar)
The Marine Corps is asking active duty Marines and reserves to take an online survey about hairstyle policies by Friday at www.manpower.usmc.mil/application. (In all due respect to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, since when has the Corps become a democratic organization, just do what you feel is best for the Corps, our honor and traditions...OM)
After conducting their reviews, the Army and Air Force determined that the terms "matted" and "unkempt" are offensive (Did we hurt the soldier's and air person's poor little feelings? Worst things will be said to you in a combat situation or if you become a POW...OM), and they removed them from regulations. The Navy and Marine Corps concluded their regulations contain no offensive or discriminatory language. (OUT****INGSTANDING!...OM)
Hagel outlined the changes in an Aug. 11 letter to Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The reviews were conducted "to ensure standards are fair and respectful while also meeting our military requirements," Hagel wrote. "These reviews were informed by a panel of military personnel of mixed demographics reflective of our diverse workforce."
Fudge expressed satisfaction with the changes in a news release issued Tuesday,
"These changes recognize that traditional hairstyles worn by women of color are often necessary to meet our unique needs, and acknowledges that these hairstyles do not result in or reflect less professionalism or commitment to the high standards required to serve within our Armed Forces," she said. (The hairstyle may effect the safety of the woman and those in her unit. Maybe eventually those who have to go in and rescue her if she becomes a POW...OM)
Semper Fi!
