Locs in the Military (Army) | What Women Experience

[@rah973]

I’ve had my locs for just over a year, they are now shoulder length and very thick, when I’m in uniform at work around non black people I do feel “unprofessional “ without a retwist but when I’m in civilians BEING ME I feel free and beautiful, it’s upsetting bc I do get ignorant jokes or comments about my hair being messy at work and the I feel like I have to put a style in or retwist which hurts my scalp like hell

[@ameliatalks123]

I completely understand where you’re coming from! I’ve been wearing butterfly Locs for the pass 2 months so my Locs can have a break from the retwist. But honestly there’s alot of people who believe our hair should be a certain way.

[@1prettyyungthang]

Yes! YES! As an E-7 that’s about to retire in the Air Force, I felt this in my ENTIRE soul! Thank you for your transparency. I’ve been loc’d f/ 10 months now & it’s such an internal struggle to go every 2-3 months between retwists but I assure you them F-16s still took off today! I assure you the mission didn’t stop b/c of my hair! Whew…I thank you for this video.

[@Eunoia-1]

Hello I’m looking to go into the military and I don’t want my locs to be reason I rethink it. I know it sounds silly but were you able to find a loctician so that you were able to get your locs retwisted whenever you had time?

[@BiancaB]

I’m about to go active duty from the guard so this video helped a lot. A lot of people that aren’t of color don’t understand the natural hair.

[@ameliatalks123]

Yayyyyyy!!!!!! You’re Welcome ☺️

[@NotyouraverageL7]

So HAPPY YOU MADE THIS VIDEO!!! I admire you and feel more confident about having locs in the Army because of you. I have experienced so much negativity about my locs but one thing I continue to hear is that it's the "new Army" and how things like allowing locs make it trash! I am lower enlisted (PFC) but I feel like correcting soliders holds us to the higher standard such as not wearing green nail polish in uniform because there is no excuse for it. I joined for the pride it gives to be in uniform so i hate seeing trashy looking soliders but I don't have as many years in as you. Plus if some people do not get corrected they would never know right from wrong. Lastly I am 31 married with a Kid. I believe I am the only African American female in my COMPANY but I am Reserves. A lot of people just do not know about our hair so instead of learning they assume things like locs being full of bugs so I don't get offended when someone says something about my hair I just assume they are ignorant 🙃.

[@ameliatalks123]

Since I’ve joined things are & will continue to change so I’m going to always be ready to make & accept that change. But I know that whatever someone says it’s all based upon their lack of knowledge. I think I’m going to start educating people, instead of ignoring what they have to say. Just like with Nail polish! Thanks so much for the Love, I really Appreciate your feedback & comment. We have to be strong together & no matter what our hair looks like we have to educate people/SOLDIERS!

[@daniellegreene2411]

This just helped me so much

[@ameliatalks123]

Awe, happy to hear that!

[@BN-fp7ic]

Thank you for making this video!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@ameliatalks123]

You are so welcome!

[@teamgravely714]

Your locs are beautiful! Thanks for sharing your experiences in army with locs

[@ameliatalks123]

You’re Very Welcome 😊

[@kimjerrick5170]

Thank You SisStar. This was funny and informative.

[@ameliatalks123]

You’re Welcome

[@CassiaWashington]

I have Locs myself not in the military yet but personally even if I wore a big ass Afro in a business suit and heels it would be professional people associate silk hair with white hair just because other people think their hair needs to look white or silk to be professional I don’t frizzy or not it’s beautiful

[@jasminemabry3395]

So for me when I do have a retwist I feel I do look some professional in uniform and people that don’t know about locs will compliment me however when I don’t have a retwist people really do be looking at me like I’m crazy . I haven’t had anyone say anything to me probably because I’m at Fort Jackson and everybody here got locs but when I don’t have a retwist I’ll wear a back pony tail and just do a big twist in the front and lay my edges.

[@ameliatalks123]

Ok with the pony tail and laid edges!!!!!!! I see you Sis! But yes, folks be looking at you like, um when are you going to get your hair done lol! I believe I get a lot of back lash because I'm a SFC, so the higher ups expect a certain look. I was pretty bad about not getting a retwist for 3-6 months though, but I'm doing a lot better. I haven't had anyone say anything to me in a few months though, so I'm thankful! Thanks for the Support and feedback Sis!

[@queen4life689]

I don't know what to put on my hair line! Any recommendations ladies!

[@queen4life689]

Though my natural hair always been frizzy/fuzzy so everyone that knows me use to it! I have a lot of hair. Im not with the slick/tight look but i do my best to smooth out for my PC!

[@shontayharrell4850]

I don't have locs but I do thank you for sharing your story because it can help alot of people. We all grow with time. Your hair looking good 👍👌😍

[@ameliatalks123]

Thanks Sis! I really Appreciate it!

[@shontayharrell4850]

@@ameliatalks123 anytime sis 😊

[@tameahrobertson1620]

hey i do have locs and i leave for boot camp in 6 days and i plan on getting a retwist wirh two strand twist .. would that be a problem?

[@BigBroDre]

Yep, you’re a human being first. Locks are apart of African culture and more recently Afro American culture. Most of the people with stuff to say would subscribe to being good old American law abiding Christians not knowing that dreadlocks were inspired by the Nazarites from the Bible, people who were direct descendents of King Solomon. This world is a crazy place, do you Sista, F what a hater has to say. Respectfully ✊🏾.

[@ameliatalks123]

Thanks Bro! I really Appreciate it, you’re absolutely right. It’s way easier said than done though.

[@BigBroDre]

@@ameliatalks123 Facts I feel you.

[@stormloccs3144]

Your locs are 🔥

[@Soulfulocs]

So glad locs are allowed now. They weren’t when I was in.

[@BN-fp7ic]

Hi!! I’m looking into joining the reserves and maybe leaving next spring. Would it be doable to have 6-month starter locs and dyed hair in basic training or would I be setting myself up for a headache? My hair right now is it’s natural color, 3c and about bra strap length, but I’m tired of my hair. I’m ready to dye my hair and start my locs, but I don’t know if it would be better to wait until I’m done with basic training and AIT.

[@ameliatalks123]

It’s a personal preference… if you’re ok with not getting a retwist then yes. Dying your hair No, wait until you get to AIT or graduate AIT. 6 month starter Locs is a good style but they will get frizzy and you won’t be able to get a retwist unless you know how to do it yourself. You should have time on Sundays to fix your hair up a bit.

[@Eunoia-1]

@@ameliatalks123 Hello I'm looking to go into the military and I don't want my locs to be reason I rethink it. I know it sounds silly but were you able to find a loctician so that you were able to get your locs retwisted whenever you had time? Or will it be easy to find a loctician?

[@WHERELEAAT]

Do you think coming with a starter locs is a good idea

[@WHERELEAAT]

Especially at a short length

[@ameliatalks123]

I feel like if you’re comfortable with how frizzy your hair will look then yes. Retwist should be done every 3-6 months.

[@amieldeshazor1663]

Is it possible after basic training for a guy to have locs

[@ameliatalks123]

No, they’re only authorized for women right now.

[@amieldeshazor1663]

@@ameliatalks123 alright thx tho

[@leahrox1347]

Hey, I have a few questions for anyone that can answer! I have had my microlocs for about 2 years now. I love my locs and often go months without a retie just because. I am starting basic in about a week. 1. Are bobby pins out of regulation? I will have to bobby pin my hair to get it all back in a bun. 2. my locs are currently dyed ginger, will i have to dye them back to black and will they have to stay black throughout my time in the army? 3. Am I allowed to bring my hair oil or any hair related products to basic? Thank you guys so much! Thank you for creating a space for me to be able to ask questions!

[@ameliatalks123]

I’ll get all your questions answered and let you know within a few hours….Sorry for the delay!

[@TRILLDAMASTER]

Thank you ! My locs go down to my butt I’ve been growing them for years do you think it’ll be a problem

[@ameliatalks123]

If you have an IG, I’ll send you some pictures of some ponytails you could try but a bun would work also.

[@TRILLDAMASTER]

@@ameliatalks123 @blaxcrose and thank you so much

[@vibeswitvee_9767]

Lol that was me.. well I’m a SPC so everyone tells be everyday with my first set of locs.. i got annoyed and cut my locs off in January but i started my second loc journey in August. And its now November and its the same thing. Only difference this time around my new command team understands. But outside of my unit everyone has something to say. But hey its the nature of the army 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@1zzyD]

I’m about to join my family is Rastafari my mom doesn’t want me to cut it bc it’s kinda a sin should I cut it

[@ameliatalks123]

As a male you can not go to Basic with Locs, only women are allowed Locs right now.

[@ShxdezOfNxe04]

I don’t like dreads…the word. I have locs and prefer that over dreads. The word itself just doesn’t sound too delightful.😮‍💨

[@ameliatalks123]

Exactly, I agree

[@aleiathomas2736]

Personally I'm in the armed forces and I'm a PVT and I've read the blue book they give you in basic training and i have read it n it say braids or locs may be worn down once there medium length but I'm at AIT and there like oh you can't do that oh you cant do this. I do understand that at my unit it might be different but i don't like how its being told to me. I have bin called trainee even though I'm in AIT which i refuse to answer until my higher rankers get it right because to me its provoking and very rude. And also I've dyed my hair so it can be a regulations but the dye is coming off, personally my MOS doesn't give me time the way Im learning I don't have time to sit down and dye my hair the the higher up wasn't even for my company so i also felt for her to tell me was rude and out of place. Plus me having different length dreads as i walked through the mall my dreads that didn't make it into the bun fell out i personally didn't know and the higher rank pulls me to the side and tells me I don't' know whats going on with your hair but you need to fix and make it in regulation and adds my hair is two tone. It's literally certain locs that have a peaking brown like come on. And i don't wanna say she was racist just because the higher up was a certain race but yeah im not fixing my hair n im graduating like this.

[@lovelex4994]

Im supposed to start basic training in September and my locs are shoulder lenghth because I started last year. Do the Army allows locs during basic. I really dont want to undo my locs.

[@ameliatalks123]

Yes, you’re allowed Locs in basic but make sure they’re not to bulky & you’re able to put them up if need be.