Are pig tails – two coming off the side of the head – authorized in uniform?
If they are not listed in the AFI as authorized, they are unauthorized. Q: Many black women let their hair grow naturally and keep it at 1/2 inch or less in bulk. According to the Air Force instruction, they are not meeting the standard requiring at least 1 inch bulk for women. Their hair looks good on them, but they are out of regulation. What’s the Air Force’s intent? A: The Air Force instruction is incorrect and should read “a minimal of 1 inch in length.” The instruction states “a minimal of 1 inch in bulk,” but if you measure most females’ hair on top, it is less than 1 inch in bulk, which is not addressed. There are several hair styles that are close to or less than 1 inch in bulk. The intent behind the rule is to eliminate women from shaving their heads bald. Notes in the Air Force instruction discuss “medical waivers” and “baldness,” and also give a commander the authority to determine what is considered extreme or faddish.
