Female soldiers celebrate the Army’s new ponytail, braid policy The Army passed new hair regulations on May 6. (Screenshot via Twitter) A new chapter of Army history is on the rise. After much hand-wringing and despite protestation from soldiers who want to grow beards, the nation’s oldest service branch has finally moved into the era of the ponytail. Gone are the days of female soldiers being required to chop off locks or wear buns so tight they catalyze premature hair loss. Today marks the first day female soldiers are allowed to sport ponytails and braids. And, so far, so good. Our enemies have not invaded, and Western civilization isn’t crumbling (or maybe it is, but at least not for this reason).