The Navy wants some of its female sailors to let their hair down — sort of.
It announced women can now wear their hair in braids, ponytails and lock hairstyles while in certain uniforms.
The Navy said an exception to this new policy would be if sailors are working around machines that would present a safety hazard.
Before this, female sailors with long hair were required to wear it in a bun, cornrows or multiple braids. And ponytails were only allowed for physical training.
Military.com reported the Navy made the changes after several black female service members brought up that they couldn't meet the military's standards unless they wore a wig.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said officials updated the hair policy to make the Navy "much more inclusive."
Over the past several years, both the Army and the Marine Corps changed their hair requirements to allow locks for women.
