The Military Made This To Teach Female Soldiers Proper Dress & Etiquette

This film was produced in 1970. At this time as more women began to join the U.S. military, the military issued guidelines and training that reflected the gender norms and expectations of the time. This era was a transitional period coming after the women’s liberation movement and before significant reforms in military gender policies. Some of the guidelines and teachings on etiquette and grooming for women in the military during this period included: The length of skirts was a topic of discussion. While miniskirts were fashionable in civilian life, the military often maintained more conservative length requirements. The style and type of shoes, usually preferring a conservative heel height. Requirements or recommendations for hosiery when wearing skirts. Hair guidelines emphasized that hairstyles should be neat and not interfere with the performance of duties. Extreme hairstyles or colors were discouraged. Makeup, if allowed, was often expected to be conservative and not excessive. Guidelines also addressed “ladylike“ behavior, reflecting the societal norms of the time. This might include expectations about how to sit, speak, or interact with male counterparts. Recommendations also included comments about avoiding “fraternization“ or romantic relationships with fellow service members, especially those of different ranks. Women had different physical fitness standards and expectations than their male counterparts. Training regimes were adjusted with a different set of exercises or benchmarks. Some roles in the military were still restricted for women at this time, especially combat roles. Women were often funneled into clerical, medical, or support roles, although this started to change as the decades progressed. If a female service member did not adhere to the standards of etiquette and grooming she could face various forms of corrective action depending on the severity and frequency of the infractions. A first-time minor infraction might result in a verbal warning or counseling session. This would usually be a private conversation where the superior explains the infraction and the importance of following regulations. If verbal counseling did not resolve the issue, or if the infraction was of a more serious nature, the service member might receive a written reprimand, which would be included in her service record. For more serious or repeated infractions, a service member could face non-judicial punishment, often referred to as Article 15 in the U.S. military. This could involve a reduction in rank, forfeiture of pay, extra duties, or restriction to certain areas (like the base or barracks). The service member might be required to attend training sessions on military appearance standards or behavior. This could also include corrective action like attending a grooming or etiquette class. If the infractions were part of broader misconduct or if they were particularly severe, a service member might face more formal charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This could result in a court-martial, though it would be unusual for grooming and etiquette violations alone to lead to this. In rare cases where the service member consistently failed to meet standards and did not respond to corrective actions, she could face administrative separation or discharge from the military. It’s important to note that corrective actions weren’t purely punitive but also intended to ensure uniformity, discipline, and cohesion within the military unit. The military places a high value on these elements, seeing them as essential for operational effectiveness. These guidelines and teachings, while reflective of the societal norms of the time, became points of contention and discussion as gender norms evolved and women pushed for more equal treatment in the military. By the late 20th and early 21st century, many of these guidelines had been changed, relaxed, or removed altogether, reflecting a shift towards gender equality in the armed services. If you found this video of interest, please support my efforts to continue to present more videos from my archive on my YouTube channel. Click the thanks button below the video screen or become a patron here - Thank you David Hoffman filmmaker