[FOX] Female soldiers will now be able to let their hair down, flash a little nail color, and wear earrings, thanks to new regulations underway in the U.S. Army.
Army leaders said on Tuesday they are loosening restrictions on some grooming and hairstyle rules, as service leaders try to address longstanding complaints, particularly from women. The changes will allow greater flexibility for braids, twists, cornrows, and other styles more natural for different hairstyles.
The new regulations, which take effect next month, come after a directive by former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who ordered a new review of military hairstyle and grooming policies last July. The review was part of a broader order to expand diversity within the military and reduce prejudice, in the wake of widespread protests about racial inequality last summer.
"These aren't about male and female," said Sgt. Maj. Michael Grinston, the Army's top enlisted leader said on Tuesday about the latest changes. "This is about an Army standard and how we move forward with the Army, and being a more diverse, inclusive team."
Esper and many of the service leaders have also been taking steps to make the military more diverse, particularly in the higher ranks.
Army Sgt. Maj. Brian Sanders told reporters on Tuesday that the panel recommending the new grooming changes considered a variety of factors, including cultural, health and safety issues. At the same time, he said that changes, like allowing women in combat uniforms to wear earrings such as small gold, silver and diamond studs, let them "feel like a woman inside and outside of uniform." 
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