New in 2022: Will female Marines be allowed to wear ponytails?

Female Marines might soon be able to wear ponytails in more uniforms, following a trend first seen in other services.

Marines with long or medium hair are allowed to wear ponytails in physical training uniforms, but the Corps has discussed expanding that rule to every uniform, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Troy Black said in November 2021.

“As part of that diversity, equity, inclusion conversation, those conversations are being had,” Black said.

Changes to women’s grooming standards were formally discussed in the Marine Corps’ most recent uniform board, though the results of that board have not been released, Capt. Sam Stephenson, a spokesman for Marine Corps Training and Education Command told Marine Corps Times on Dec. 1, 2021.

Sleeves are officially back as Marine Corps makes big changes to its tattoo policy

Marines can now sport an unlimited number of tattoos on any body part, except the face, neck and hands, with the exception of a single ring-like tattoo on one finger.

By Philip Athey

So far, those discussions have not made it to the top of the Marine Corps.

In early November 2021, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger said he had not seen a “hard proposal” on what the new regulations look like.

Black said the discussions are still happening below the commandant level.

“I don’t think it’s at the point now it comes to the service level for a decision,” Black said in November 2021.

The Corps is the only service branch that does not allow ponytails in daily uniforms.

The other services changed after listening to the concerns of women in their ranks that pointed out that the tight bun, normally associated with women in the military, can cause hair loss and make it difficult to fire a rifle while wearing a helmet.

More In Your Military

Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group deploys from Yokosuka

During its last5 deployment, which concluded in Octobe, the Reagan not only operated in U.S. 7th Fleet but also 5th Fleet to support the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from Afghanistan.

IPPS-A rollout still on track after initial delay, Army says

The Army says its new master human resources platform is on track for full implementation Sept. 30.

Wildfire monitoring, other state missions in jeopardy without a Space Guard, these officials say

Space Force officials want to move away from the traditional Guard and Reserve. These colonels say that's a bad idea.

Army makes new cohesion assessment teams permanent

The teams use focus groups and on-the-ground interviews to dig deeper than traditional climate surveys.

Navy investigating drowning death of research lab civilian

Wesley Goode died earlier this month in Gulfport, Mississippi.

In Other News

Junior service members being hit hard by inflation, senior enlisted leaders say

From food to child care to housing, inflation is hitting junior service members especially hard.

Meet the moms behind the Army’s new parenthood policies

Meet two soldier moms who discuss the sweeping changes benefiting new parents and others on this episode of The Spouse Angle podcast.

Thai archival find may resolve fate of missing WWII US pilot

The remains of an American airman missing in World War II may be heading home, thanks to a chance discovery of records in flood-threatened archives in Thailand.

US troop pullout was key factor in Afghan collapse, watchdog says

The report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction mirrors assertions made by senior Pentagon and military leaders.

Diversity and inclusion are critical to future military readiness

The Defense Department’s greatest strength is its people.

Commissaries set limits on purchases of baby formula amid nationwide shortage

The supply of infant formula is running 40 percent to 50 percent below normal in commercial stores, but the most critical, specialized formulas have been even more depleted.

Review finds US troops didn’t violate law in Syria airstrike

The investigation comes amid new scrutiny on the U.S. military for strikes that cause innocent deaths.

As Air Force plans for new aircraft, senators worry about capability gaps

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., worried the Air Force could find itself without enough aircraft to conduct battlefield management or rescue downed personnel.

Pentagon’s high-level group to aid Ukraine is rooted in Iraq and Afghanistan fight

The Pentagon has modeled a new high-level team to rush military aid to Ukraine after the group it used to rush supplies to troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, according to a memo obtained by Defense News and sources familiar with the matter.

New military parents: Ignore social media posts promising free baby formula from Tricare

Tricare doesn't cover regular baby formula for otherwise healthy infants.