Newly natural and active Marine just don't mix!! HELP!!

[HoneyLove]

My sister and I were brainstorming last night and didn't get too far. I told her I'd use my resources so here I am, first official post on LHCF And I went through some of the past threads from the other military ladies, but no one really mentioned any styles for natural hair.

BTW, hiii I've lurked for a while and decided come 2010 I'd actually join.

My sister is in the Marines, stationed in Hawaii. She bc'd a year ago and is now about 4", 3C/4A. She's having the hardest time trying to figure out what to do with her hair because there are regulations as to what she can and can't do. And she feels like the Marines won't let her do anything else but get it relaxed. She really doesn't want to because it took a lot to get it to where it is now and she absolutely loves her hair now, but we're running out of ideas.

Right now she's wearing wigs over her hair, thing is she's tired of doing that and having to buy them so often/spend so much money on them. And cornrows are ruled out because the most she's allowed is straight back and she doesn't like the way straight-back looks on her and twists aren't allowed. Then I said okay, get braids because I know she likes those, but in Hawaii it costs about $250 (I think cheapest we saw was $150, but the stylist was a MESS). So I said okay, press your hair. But then I remembered how hot it is and how often it rains and that'd just be a waste of time, energy, and money plus lots of unnecessary heat on her hair.

Long story short:
- she wants to wear her own hair (no wigs, no braids, no relaxer),
- but we can't think of any styles that are semi-quick and can hold up decently (she has a newborn), relatively easy to maintain in Hawaii weather (no press), and stay within the constraints of being in the military (no twists, no cornrows, no cornrow&twist combos, no locs, and has to fit under her headgear properly), and
- if she's forced to wear braids, goal is to keep the cost down (if anyone's in Hawaii and knows of some really good stylists who won't charge an arm and a leg, but still know just what they're doing)

I was thinking of some quick things, like putting 2 french braids in, but apparently that's not stylish enough for an almost 22 y/o. :eyeroll, I think french braids are super cute and I say beggars can't be choosers.

Please help me think outside of the box pleeeeease. :notworthy

 

[mscocoface]

Is she on Oahu? I have a few friends who live in Pearl City that may be able to give her some advice. I can email and ask them if you want me to.

Are there any other women of color on the base who can give her some references for stylists?

 

[ycj1]

I know exactly what she is going through as far as restrictions and guidelines the Marine Corps has set, especially for black women in particular! I am a Marine retired and had the same problems myself! But I do think that the best solution for her at the moment is the french braids. Knowing how busy her schedule must be and to include her pt it is very difficult for her. I am assuming that she is not an E-4 but below. Braids are costly. But maybe she can go to youtube and learn how to self braid. It is more cost effective for her. She is in a dilema I must say, but with her determination, she will work it out! I wish her the best! And tell her Semper Fi for me!!! OOOOOORah!

 

[10WordzOrLess]

I'd tell her to go ahead and get those cornrows, and keep it moving...Not her favorite, but the truth is, it can be kept neat for an extended period of time, cost efficient, and will fit under her headgear. Anything else would probably be called into question (twists from my experience were alright, but hard to put into a neat bun), and one thing I hate about the military is ARGUING WITH PEOPLE ABOUT HOW I WEAR MY HAIR! It's not worth the trouble.

Good luck, I hope you all can come up with something that will work for her!

 

[PeanutButterandHoney]

How about a sew in into a bun?

 

[HoneyLove]

Is she on Oahu? I have a few friends who live in Pearl City that may be able to give her some advice. I can email and ask them if you want me to.

Are there any other women of color on the base who can give her some references for stylists?

Yea, in Kaneohe. If you could, that'd be soo great.

I never thought about the women on base, but I asked about her friends, they're all relaxed. And I mentioned that if she's out in the street and sees someone with a nice do to go ahead approach, compliment, and ask. Good idea, might as well include those on base... there's gotta be someone out there.

But maybe she can go to youtube and learn how to self braid. It is more cost effective for her. She is in a dilema I must say, but with her determination, she will work it out! I wish her the best! And tell her Semper Fi for me!!! OOOOOORah!

Lolol, I will. & Good idea @youtube!! don't know why I didn't even think of that considering I'm always there finding new stuff for myself.

I'd tell her to go ahead and get those cornrows, and keep it moving...Not her favorite, but the truth is, it can be kept neat for an extended period of time, cost efficient, and will fit under her headgear. Anything else would probably be called into question (twists from my experience were alright, but hard to put into a neat bun), and one thing I hate about the military is ARGUING WITH PEOPLE ABOUT HOW I WEAR MY HAIR! It's not worth the trouble.

Good luck, I hope you all can come up with something that will work for her!

Lol... that's exactly what I wanted to tell her. I'm gonna give her all the suggestions, but I feel like she's gotta give somewhere.

And plus as her hair grows, she'll probably like the straightback more.

 

[HoneyLove]

How about a sew in into a bun?

That's always an option, can't sew-ins be left in for like 2 months? I think she just wanted to stay away from adding hair, she's been doing that on and off for a while, and she'd have to be able to find someone to do it. Hawaii is great and all, but seems like it is definitely lacking in Black hair care/styling anything.

 

[VinDieselsWifey]

i would also suggest the cornrows. i'm in the Air Force and we can wear micros, cornrows, & twists. just as long as they're not too bulky, fit under your hat, and above your collar. i'm natural again and i was natural when i first joined. i wore cornrows & twists most of the time. i relaxed my hair for a while because i got tired of dealing with it. it is much easier dealing with relaxed hair than natural hair in the military but it can be done. even though she doesn't like it, right now weaves or braids seem to be her best option until her hair grows out more.

 

[SouthernStunner]

Hey, my DH is in the AF and I work for the Navy on an AF base in Guam. I see alot of naturals here and most of them will just wear twists (no extensions) and they look really good. They can fit under their hat and does not touch their collars. I see the same ladies on the weekend and they will have the most beautiful, lush twist outs, fro hawks and such! So they basically will "do" there hair once a week. I have seen some rock a set of twist for 2 weeks. It can be done.


Hope This Helps
SouthernStunner

 

[DMJ's Mom]

Actually I am active duty marine too she can wear cornrows they just have to be straight back, when I first BC'd at about 4 inches thats all I wore until I could get it in to a bun. I will suggest however that if she goes with the cornrows she print out MCO P1020.34G and keep it on her person. Tell her to make sure it is "G" as this is the most recent version. The reason to print it out and keep it on her is: Esp in smaller commands Male Marines try to correct Female Marines on issues that they BELIEVE are incorrect when in fact they aren't. She will need to make sure that she has the below part printed as it outlines EXACTLY what she can do.

>Ch 5 (b) Hairstyles. Faddish and exaggerated styles to include shaved portions of the scalp other than the neckline, designs cut in the hair, unsecured ponytails (except during physical training), and unbalanced or lopsided hairstyles are prohibited. Hair will be styled so as not to interfere with the proper wear of all uniform headgear. All headgear will fit snugly and comfortably around the largest part of the head without distortion or excessive gaps. When headgear is worn, hair should not protrude at distinct angles from under the edges. Hairstyles, which do not allow the headgear to be worn in this manner, are prohibited. Examples of hairstyles considered to be faddish or exaggerated and thus not authorized for wear in uniform are (this list is not all-inclusive); locks and twists (not including French rolls/twists), hair sculpting (eccentric directional flow, twists, texture or spiking), buns or braids with loose hair extending at the end, multiple braids that do not start at the top of the head, hair styles with severe angles, and loose unsecured hair (not to include bangs) when medium/long hair is worn up.

>Ch 5 1. Braids. Medium and long hair may be braided. Multiple braiding (defined as more than two braids) is authorized. When worn, multiple braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx. 1/4 inch), show no more than 1/8 of an inch of scalp between the braids and must be tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional, well groomed appearance. Foreign material (i.e., beads, decorative items) shall not be braided into the hair. Braids must continue to the end of the hair in one direction, in a straight line, and can be worn loose per medium hair length guidelines or secured to the head in the same manner as described for medium or long length hair styles. Ends shall be secured only with inconspicuous rubber bands. If multiple braids are worn they must encompass the whole head.

>Ch 5 2. Hair Extensions. Hair extensions are authorized for medium and long hair only. Extensions must have the same general appearance as the individual's natural hair.

>Ch 5 3. Wigs. Wigs, if worn in uniform, must look natural and conform to the above regulations.

Hope this helps her out

 

[HoneyLove]

Actually I am active duty marine too she can wear cornrows they just have to be straight back, when I first BC'd at about 4 inches thats all I wore until I could get it in to a bun. I will suggest however that if she goes with the cornrows she print out MCO P1020.34G and keep it on her person. Tell her to make sure it is "G" as this is the most recent version. The reason to print it out and keep it on her is: Esp in smaller commands Male Marines try to correct Female Marines on issues that they BELIEVE are incorrect when in fact they aren't. She will need to make sure that she has the below part printed as it outlines EXACTLY what she can do.

I don't think she knew about carrying the info with her, but I'm going to pass the message. Smh, can't believe you all aren't permitted to do more with your hair when there's so much that's still as natural and accommodating as cornrows. No wonder people automatically know I'm not in the service when I wear my USMC tee on base.

 

[HoneyLove]

Hey, my DH is in the AF and I work for the Navy on an AF base in Guam. I see alot of naturals here and most of them will just wear twists (no extensions) and they look really good. They can fit under their hat and does not touch their collars. I see the same ladies on the weekend and they will have the most beautiful, lush twist outs, fro hawks and such! So they basically will "do" there hair once a week. I have seen some rock a set of twist for 2 weeks. It can be done.


Hope This Helps
SouthernStunner

Yea, I recommended twists and ideally, that's what she wants, but she told me different branches allow and prohibit different things. The Marines don't allow twists.

 

[DMJ's Mom]

I don't think she knew about carrying the info with her, but I'm going to pass the message. Smh, can't believe you all aren't permitted to do more with your hair when there's so much that's still as natural and accommodating as cornrows. No wonder people automatically know I'm not in the service when I wear my USMC tee on base.

Alot don't think about carrying with them. The only reason I even thought to do it was when I was in boot camp my senior DI had her hair super short (the shortest the Marine Corps will allow) and told me they used to try and correct her all the time saying it was too short and not allowed so she'd pull out the order and a mini ruler and tell them to measure it themselves There used to be more styles that we could wear with natural hair (not many more but still) but with this last uniform board alot changed.