QUESTION THAT I RECEIVED ABOUT ME WEARING MY SISTERLOCKS IN THE ARMY

Greetings,

I just got a really nice message from someone on Facebook who happened to come across my blog and asked me what I do when people ask me about my hair (I have been asked this a lot and have touched on it a bit) but, being that I gave her a more thorough answer than I normally do, I decided to share it here since this is where most people find me when they are curious about the same thing...

My answer:

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Greetings,

Thank you for checking out my blog (I need to get on there and update it!!!!)

I have only been in three Army units thus far since transferring over from the Marine Corps in November 2006 and I got my Sisterlocks installed in November 2008 and no one has really questioned me about my locks. When the few that have did, however, I simply quoted the reg, AR 670-1 chapter 1-8a(3)(a) [page 4 of the reg, which is page 27 of the PDF] of the February 3, 2005 update, which states the Army's definition of so-called "Dreadlocks" as:

"...unkempt, twisted, matted individual parts of hair..."

I then explain to the person, who is inquiring, that Sisterlocks are a trademarked system which takes your natural hair and interlocks it into a permanent pattern, similar to braids ( <-- key word) with a metal tool (then show them my hair up close so they can see my roots and the new interlocked "pattern", therefore, they are not matted or twisted, they are interlocked like braids, and they are not unkempt individual parts of hair because they share the same manicured, uniform look as braids, which are allowed to be worn, according to that same paragraph and section, which states:

"Females may wear braids and cornrows as long as the braided style is conservative, the braids and cornrows lie snugly on the head, and any hair- holding devices comply with the standards in 1–8a(3)(d) below."

I then refer them to the Sisterlocks.com website and explain to them that I can arrange for them to speak with a certified consultant in the area if they would like more clarification (they never do).

Thus far, that descriptive answer has satisfied everyone that I have come across.

One thing that you do have to understand though, is that the regulation can be interpreted differently by different commands so you would still be taking a risk by installing them and Sisterlocks are not cheap to install so, if you choose to get them, just have a plan in place if you are ever confronted and end up having to decide between the Army and your hair (are you going to fight and risk getting kicked out or are you going to cut them off again?).

If you have any more questions, please let me know. I might use this as a new blog post!!!! ;)

Regards,

Tanaya M. Davis


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I hope that this answers a lot of people's questions but if not, send me a message and I will do my best based on my own experiences with my commands (but all commands are different).



Regards,





Militant Sisterlocks

IT'S BEEN A MINUTE

Greetings,

I apologize... It has been a minute since I've posted anything. I have been busy at work and really tired. There really isn't anything going on over here (that I can actually post) so I will share with you one of the highlights of the last couple of months...

My fiance's good childhood friend, George L. Lopez (no, not the comedian) is an author and just published his first book titled, "A Distant Battlefield" and, I must say, it is GREAT!!!!



Of course, I am biased because of the connections but, if you are interesting in Sci-Fi style fiction, then you would LOVE this book. I am halfway through it (because I have been busy at work) and am definitely looking forward to reading some more of it.



I took a picture of myself holding the book so that he can see it ("Your book made it all the way to Iraq!") You can see how much my Sisterlocks have grown in the picture, too. I am also going to post some pictures of my hair after I had washed them straight instead of braiding them like I normally do (iPhone pics, so bear with me...)





Hope that everyone is doing good.


Regards,





Militant Sisterlocks

DEPLOYMENT MONOTONY...

Greetings,

Yes, it's been a minute (again). Such is life. So, I'm in Iraq and I'm doing okay. Not much going on where I'm at, which is good. I'm enrolled in college and working on staying productive during my shift. My job is to make sure that we have internet and secure and unsecure communications running at all times so when everything is working, my job is just monitoring it. A lot of down time. COLLEGE COLLEGE COLLEGE!!!

I am majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems. I am taking 2 classes right now. I am also working on my business plans for my clothing lines and a Request For Proposal for a photo shoot that I need to do later on this year for my ad campaigns. I don't have any pictures of my clothes that are worth putting on my business websites (which are still in the works) so I definitely need some professional photos taken.

As for my Sisterlocks, I pretty much just braid and band them and wash them every week and leave them in the crinkly hairstyle. They are growing well and I still have my Nappylocks tool but I have only attempted to retighten some in the front (due to laziness and impatience). I really appreciate the patience that all of you who retighten both your own and other people's Sisterlocks (and all types of hair, really) have. I cannot do that for a living!!! My roots are definitely screaming at me so I need to take some of that down time that I have and dedicate it to my hair.

Here are some pictures of what I am working with right now:



Don't laugh!!!! The kissy face was for my fiance!!!! (Yes, I'm lazy and am recycling pictures!!)



Yes, I was also tired!!!! I just came off shift!!! ;)

These pics are just to show you the length of the locs thus far. I will post better pictures later when I can get someone to take them for me. ;)

What do you guys think????


Regards,





Militant Sisterlocks