24 More Days..

I have long started my own countdown until commissioning and graduation. It's surreal to think that almost four years ago, I was a freshman just starting college. I've learned so much about myself within that amount of time and what I'm capable of. During my four years at Tennessee Tech, I have:

 Learned the value of friendship.

Became a part of something larger than myself. 

Earned my Airborne wings. 

Felt alone in challenging situations. 

Met the love of my life with similar dreams and goals. 

And so many other things that I can't keep track of. For the most part, college has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had --an experience that many in society don't have because they can't afford it. Thankfully ROTC has allowed me to pursue my dreams debt free. Quite frequently, I've been asked why I decided to pursue the military as a career. 

When society and my parents said that journalism and communications was a dead end field, the military gave me hope and options. I plan to utilize the skills that I’ve learned in college and the passions I’ve developed to pursue the field of public affairs. I cannot think of a better way to serve than to help keep the American public constantly aware of the wellbeing and actions of their serving family members, foreign and domestic. Public Affairs is unfortunately a field that I will have to transfer into after a few years of military experience. But for the time being, my next chapter is becoming an active duty Adjutant General (AG) Officer.

In July, I leave for AG BOLC in Fort Jackson, SC, which is an Army training school for  upcoming Human Resource Officers. Here is a better description of AG: AG Officer Description

Luckily I found another female Lieutenant who attended AG BOLC last year and her blog about her initial experience there! I hope to do something similar with this blog starting in July. Here is a link to hers:LT Snell's AG BOLC Blog

Afterwards, I hope to be stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY for my first duty station where the remainder of my family resides.

My question for you all is, do you have any advice for a new LT coming to their unit? Or advice for females in general? First impressions are everything and I want to make the right one. Thank you so much for commenting!

~ Melissa

 

 

Conforming to AR 670-1

The infamous Army regulation that is currently affecting many African American women across the ranks.

Ever since the initial word of the new standard surfaced about a month ago, opinions have been thrown from everyone--military personnel who are being affected, those who aren't, prior service, and even individuals who have never stepped a mile in the shoes of a service member. Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler III officially announced the formal publication of the newly-updated AR 670-1 on 31MAR. The following day, I was used as an example during my ROTC lecture class. 

"You have one week to get your hair in regulation in accordance to the new grooming standards," my military professor said. 

I sat in the classroom among my other peers, all who are Caucasian males, and couldn't feel anything but targeted as we went through the published slides. I currently wear the 2 strand twists, which are no longer authorized. I had finally found a style that kept my hair neat, fit underneath my head gear without looking massive, and something that I personally liked to wear out of uniform. And apparently cornrows look more professional?

The official powerpoint detailing the new standards can be found here: Updated 670-1 Standards Powerpoint

The Colonel continued using me as an example, asking things such as "Most black women either have to chemically process or cut their hair short right?" and other questions that I certainly did not feel like answering in front of an audience that awkwardly sat silent. 

After calmly explaining to him that if the Army wanted African American females to be able to get up and go for training and still maintain a neat appearance, this style helped achieved that and it's being taken away. I convinced him to give me a month to find a new style and make an appointment with my stylist because a week was out of the question. I'm a college senior with 22 hours of credits trying to graduate within the next month and that simply could not happen. 

"I'm really surprised they're allowing hair extensions since it makes the hair so thick," the Colonel continued to say in front of the class as he looked at me. 

I really didn't want to "play the race card" with these new changes. But the more that I thought about it, the more it really seemed like natural hair would suffer under this change. It's amazing the type of comments people have been giving, many that lack support and understanding. Things such as "Just buzz it and make them all uniform." or "You joined to serve, you knew the standards."

I had another cadre member comment that it wouldn't be fair to those dealing with the tattoo standards. I asked him are tattoos really a necessity...

 There are many non-ethnic people, military and civilian, that don't understand black hair and really do not care to. It's crazy that one of the lessons that Army leadership "attempts" to teach us is to adapt and respect culture because the military is becoming more of a diverse profession than ever. Leaders will have to learn how to approach a soldier who can't eat certain foods because of their religion or needs certain holidays off, etc.

 

I know that hair isn't exactly a religious thing (though it can be in other cultures), but it is a part of black culture and can be a long process to take care of when conforming to these standards. The sad thing is, my military professors were able to admit that the hairstyle I had did look professional and they really don't see the difference between the twists and braids.

 

A lot of people who aren't black mistake the hairstyle I had for dreadlocks--which are completely unauthorized in uniform and have been for years. I don't have a problem with that standard. I have a problem with people being ignorant and not taking the time to understand my cultural needs. As they were briefing my class the new standards, the professors had the nerve to say "no shitlocks".

 

If I really disliked them and if I had been smart and recorded it, I probably could've had an equal opportunity case on my hands. But I'm so close to the graduation finish line that it's not even worth it.

I have gladly signed the petition directed to the Obama Administration that has been circulating across forums for reconsideration of these standards. It can be found here: 

White House Petition against 670-1

My questions to other naturalistas serving are: How have the new changes affected you already? And has your chain of command addressed them respectfully? What are your opinions surrounding the whole issue? Please feel free to include any info or links that I may have overlooked!

In the meantime, I'll be harassing my stylist for braids that will meet that 2 inch of bulk bun requirement...

Commissioning in 4 weeks!!

~ Melissa