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Navy to allow women to wear their hair in ponytails, locks and other styles

The U.S. Navy announced an update to its hair policies for women Tuesday that will expand style options for uniformed female sailors.

Among the styles that will be allowed with some restrictions: ponytails and locks. That's in addition to expanded options for buns and dinner-dress uniforms.

The change is aimed at increasing the inclusiveness of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said in a Facebook live all-hands call.

Previously, female sailors with hair below the collar were limited to buns, braids or cornrows, according to Military.com. Ponytails were allowed only in physical training uniforms.

The site reports that some black female service members had complained about the regulations, saying they've had to wear a wig to meet the standards.

The announcement stated there will be some limits when hair can be worn in a ponytail, including situations when a ponytail might present a safety concern.

Richardson credited a team of female sailors – mostly petty officers –for helping to craft the new regulations.

Other branches of the military have also updated their hair policies for women in recent years, according to Military.com. The Marine Corps approved locks for women in in 2015 and the Army did the same earlier this year.

Further details on the policy changes were released in a NavAdmin message.