美国海军允许女性无需扎头发

US Navy Gives Women Permission to Let their Hair Down

The United States Navy is giving female service members more choices with the shape and look of their hair.

The Navy has approved changes to let servicewomen wear a ponytail or have other hairstyles. The new rules – announced during a Facebook Live event – went into effect on Wednesday.

The Navy has long barred females from letting their hair down, including tying long hair in a ponytail.

Chief of Naval¹ Operations Admiral John Richardson said the changes aim to make the Navy a more “inclusive team.”

The new rules came about after several servicewomen suggested changes to the hairstyle policy.

A group of Navy women was asked to consider different proposals, some of which were eventually approved by military officials.

Captain Thurraya Kent was a member of this working group. She said they supported an expansion of approved hairstyles to make it easier for women to carry out their duties. It would also prevent the need for women to keep processing their hair with chemicals.

Female service members will also now be permitted to wear what the Navy describes as lock hairstyles -- pieces of hair that are tightly pulled into rope-like strands³.

Kent has served in the Navy for nearly 26 years. She noted⁴ that her hair has been an issue throughout her military service. Kent told the Associated Press that she spent a lot of time deciding how to wear it when deployed⁵. She said it could also be a problem trying to make sure she did not violate policies after doing an exercise or other non-work-related activities.

Kent said she was pleased that Navy leaders listened to the suggestions and tried to understand the needs of female sailors.

At the U.S. Naval War College in Rhode Island, some women said they looked forward to moving away from a bun hairstyle, which is sometimes too large for a helmet.

Legalman First Class Tamatha Schulmerich told the Associated Press she has been forced to keep her hair in a bun because it goes down to her lower back. She said it was especially difficult when she had to wear a flight helmet.

Lieutenant⁶ Commander Jess Cameron said that while the hairstyle changes might seem like a small thing, she thinks they send a larger message.

“I think it’s a step forward,” she told the AP. “They’re getting more female feedback in the service, and updating what I think are somewhat antiquated⁷ guidelines that maybe no longer serve their purpose in today’s society, today’s military,” she said.

Navy officials say hairstyle rules are important for safety reasons and to make sure all service members present the same look. Even though the new rules permit a ponytail most of the time, the hairstyle will still be banned when women are working around heavy machinery⁸.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

Words in This Story

ponytail – n. way of arranging hair by gathering⁹ it together at the back of the head and letting it hang down freely

hairstyle – n. a way in which someone’s hair is cut or organized

strand² – n. a thin piece of hair

bun – n. way of wearing long hair by twisting it into a round shape at the sides or back of the head

helmet – n. a hard hat worn to protect your head

update – v. add new information

antiquated – adj. very old, not modern

1 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

2 strand   

vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地）

参考例句：

• She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears.她把一缕散发夹到了耳后。
• The climbers had been stranded by a storm.登山者被暴风雨困住了。

3 strands   

n.（线、绳、金属线、毛发等的）股( strand的名词复数 )；缕；海洋、湖或河的)岸；（观点、计划、故事等的）部份v.使滞留，使搁浅( strand的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Twist a length of rope from strands of hemp. 用几股麻搓成了一段绳子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She laced strands into a braid. 她把几股线编织成一根穗带。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

6 lieutenant   

n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员

参考例句：

• He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。
• He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

7 antiquated   

adj.陈旧的，过时的

参考例句：

• Many factories are so antiquated they are not worth saving.很多工厂过于陈旧落后，已不值得挽救。
• A train of antiquated coaches was waiting for us at the siding.一列陈旧的火车在侧线上等着我们。

8 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。

9 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。