New hairstyle options now available for female Airmen

  • Published
  • By 355th Wing Public Affairs
  • 355th Wing Public Affairs

It's official, female Airmen can wear new hairstyles as of Feb. 10. Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Appearance, now allows Air Force women to wear their hair in two braids or a single ponytail that can extend below the uniform collar and bangs can touch eyebrows with a few restrictions.

"The new regulation change allowing women to wear their hair in a ponytail is great," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kirstin Pray, 355th Comptroller Squadron flight chief. "Women can still look professional in uniform with their hair in a ponytail and it helps save their hair from damage."

The changes resulted from concerns over damaged hair, migraines and hair loss from a crowdsourcing campaign that included initiatives from the Air Force uniform board, the Air Force Women’s Initiative Team and thousands of diverse Airmen of all ranks.

The updated AFI 36-2903 is available at: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2903/afi36-2903.pdf