The Navy is temporarily halting the practice of cutting female recruits' hair short when they arrive at boot camp.

Some female sailors have complained that the short haircuts they receive do not prepare them for entering the service, when longer hairstyles are allowed. Now Navy recruits will be able to select any hairstyle that meets the service's grooming regulations.

ADVERTISEMENT

"This shift will align the Navy with every other armed forces service, which do not require female accessions to cut their hair," the Navy said.

The three-month pilot program comes after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel Charles (Chuck) Timothy HagelWhile our foes deploy hypersonic weapons, Washington debates about funding Hillicon Valley: Democrats request counterintelligence briefing | New pressure for election funding | Republicans urge retaliation against Chinese hackers National security leaders, advocacy groups urge Congress to send election funds to states MORE ordered a review of the military's hair regulations after some female soldiers charged the Army's hair policies were discriminatory.

"We are constantly considering fleet feedback and policy changes to improve training and quality of life during initial accession and indoctrination into the Navy," said Rear Adm. Rich Brown, the commander of Naval Service Training Command (NSTC).

Brown said the NSTC is also considering changes to the haircut rules for new male recruits, who are now required to have their heads closely shaved at the start of boot camp.