US Military's New Hairstyle and Appearance Guidelines Criticized for 'Racial Bias'; Legislators Push Army to Adjust New Rules

U.S. lawmakers are pushing the Army to adjust a set of new hair and appearance guidelines that have been described as "racially biased" against soldiers who sport dreadlocks or twists.

More than 15,000 people have signed a petition on the White House's "We the People" website that urges military officials to rethink bans on cornrows and certain kinds of braids.

Representatives from the Congressional Black Caucus joined the effort on Thursday, USA Today reported. Officials sent Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel a note that suggested his office take another look at the restrictions.

"African American women have often been required to meet unreasonable norms as it relates to acceptable standards of grooming in the workplace," the letter read. "Words like 'unkempt' or 'matted' when referring to traditional hairstyles worn by women of color are offensive and biased. The assumption that individuals wearing these hairstyles cannot maintain them in a way that meets the professionalism of Army standards indicates a lack of cultural sensitivity to creating a tolerant environment for minorities."

CBC Chairwoman Marcia Fudge and 15 other women from the caucus signed the letter, USA Today reported.

Army officials said they'd consulted a group of female soldiers when drafting the regulations.

According to the new code, certain hairstyles including "twists, both flat twists as well as two-strand twists; as well as dreadlocks, which are defined as 'any matted or locked coils or ropes of hair'" have been prohibited.

Petition writer Sgt. Jacobs, who recently spoke to the Army Times, said she is now "kind of at a loss...with what to do with my hair."

"Most black women, their hair doesn't grow straight down, it grows out," she told the Times. "I'm disappointed to see the Army, rather than inform themselves on how black people wear their hair, they've white-washed it all."

According to a spokesperson at the Pentagon told TIME that the new rules are an effort to preserve consistency in the armed forces' looks.

"The requirement for hair grooming standards is necessary to maintain uniformity within a military population," the unidentified spokesperson said. "Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as they are neat and conservative. In addition, headgear is expected to fit snugly and comfortably, without bulging or distortion from the intended shape of the headgear and without excessive gaps."