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What Is The Army's Dress Code With Hijab?
The Army is a very diverse organization, and as such, its dress code reflects all soldiers' needs. The Army has recently updated its uniform policy to guide wearing hijab or other religious clothing with military uniforms to address these needs. The new rules are as follows:
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Hijab may be worn with the Army Combat Uniform, but it cannot cover any part of the headgear. This includes helmets and patrol caps; hijab also must not interfere with equipment such as gas masks or weapon sights.
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Patrol caps or berets, for example, must be worn underneath hijabs, which should be made of a "subdued" material that matches uniforms and may include black, brown, green, tan, or navy.
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However, when necessary, soldiers will still have to wear combat helmets or other protective equipment while training or deploying.
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Soldiers are allowed to wear religious apparel while traveling off-post on commercial transportation when given authorization by their chain of command.
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In addition to these changes, the new policy permits female soldiers to wear locks or dreadlocks following current grooming requirements for braids, cornrows, and Twists.
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Soldiers will also see additional guidance on the Army's website regarding appropriate civilian attire when traveling off the post to and from places of worship and instructions for adequately wearing headgear or other articles while indoors at those locations.
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Exceptions: Soldiers are prohibited from wearing hijab when in formation for ceremonial duties, during physical training (except team/combative P.T.), while attending mandatory training assemblies, or any time that an individual is representing the U.S. Army to external organizations and activities where there may be a political perception issue associated with their appearance.
U.S. Military Hijab
In the United States Army, a hijab is allowed for U.S. soldiers who are Muslim. Soldiers are issued a black hijab, which is worn under their combat armor. The headscarf is worn in the same way as a hairnet, over the bun that female soldiers must wear with their helmets. It is essential for all Muslim women who choose to serve in the military to practice other aspects of their faith, such as daily prayers and Ramadan fasting, while still performing their duty well.
A few rules, such as wearing a hijab under the helmet and not allowing it to be seen outside an Army uniform, are necessary for safety reasons. If a soldier were to take off their helmet in the middle of combat, nobody must tell if they are female or male. The hijab serves this purpose perfectly and also shows support for Muslim women who choose duty over self-interests.
Military uniform requirements can vary from military branch to military branch but often include wearing a uniform that is not easily seen through and provides comfort in all climates. The black hijab does both things for soldiers who wear it as part of their military dress code.
How to Wear a Military Dress Code Hijab?
The army dress code is one of the strictest dress codes that women have to follow. It is as such that it needs to maintain its uniformity as members of an army wear it. Military Dress Code with hijab is a lot easier than you might think, and it can be done with the following simple steps:
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Choose an appropriate scarf for your headscarf- a square or rectangular scarf suits military clothing best.
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If the weather allows, you can opt for a headscarf made from lightweight materials like cotton or silk - these are easy to adjust and won't make your hair feel too hot.
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Wearing a hijab with a side cut at one end will give you the full movement of your neck and prevent sweat from accumulating on your face.
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If you are allowed to wear a hijab, make sure it is the same color as the uniform and that the fabric quality is good enough for daily use.
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A great way to keep your dress neat all day long is by wearing an under scarf along with your scarf - this will prevent any bulging or slipping of material underneath your scarf and keep it in place.
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Wear a tight-fitting jacket or cardigan over the hijab to ensure that your military uniform is kept neat at all times. It will also protect you from any cold weather conditions outside.
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Finally, make sure your trousers are of good quality too - they should not be too loose-fitting around the waist and should not flare out. The fabric should be light and breathable, too, so that you don't sweat underneath your uniform.
And there you have it! With these simple steps, you can now wear your hijab with any military dress code and ensure that the uniform is neat and stylish.
