FORT GEORGE MEADE, Md. -- Female Marines will have new options in hairstyles according to Marine Administrative Message 658/13 presenting results from Uniform Board 213 released, Dec. 16.
The Commandant of the Marine Corps has approved the wear of partial multiple braids in uniform.
“It was considered along with other uniform issues and subsequently approved by the Commandant of the Marine Corps as a quality of life improvement for female Marines who choose the multiple braid hairstyle,” Col. Todd S. Desgrosseilliers, the president of the Marine Corps Uniform Board, said.
Braided hairstyles are not all inclusive. Some examples of unapproved hairstyles include: Locks and twists, with the exclusion of the French roll or twist, hair sculpting and buns or braids with loose hair extending at the end.
Multiple braids will be worn in a uniform fashion, be no larger than ¼ inch in diameter and no more than and 1/8 of an inch of scalp revealed between each braid. No foreign material adornment, such as beads, is authorized with the braids.
The braids must be complete to end of natural hair and can be worn loose if they meet medium or long hair guidelines. If long enough to need to be secured by a bun all braids will run in one direction in straight lines. The hair forming the bun does not have to be braided but must be neat.
“According to current Marine Corps uniform regulations, all long hair, including hair in a multiple braid style [partial or full], must be neatly and inconspicuously secured in a bun or braid, per long hair grooming standards,” Desgrosseilliers said in his statement.
The change is effective immediately and for any questions regarding the change, reference standards provided in paragraph 10047.b of Marine Corps Order P1020.34G change 5.
“Commanders are charged with enforcing all uniform and grooming standards outlined in this order," Desgrosseilliers said.