Hello, all, newbie here. Brief self-intro: Waist-length, naturally curly hair starting to go grey. Individual strands are very fine, but I have no thinning patches. The curls make my hair appear to be thick, but I my braids are never of very large diameter. I would like to have it just long enough that I don't sit on it, still working on that project, and it is growing out, very, very slowly. And I have my Mom trim about an inch off when I see her every 3 months or so. I do color it every 2-3 months to cover up the grey, but since I use a color very close to my natural one, I don't redo the color until I have a couple of inches of roots.

Civilian job: CNA at a hospital, have to at least pull my hair back, so I whip it up in a quick ponytail or bun with a scrunchi. Off-duty hairstyle: I wear my glorious long curls down and free, my method of curling it is to simply spray it with water and let it air dry.

Here's the big thing, though: I'm in the National Guard, so at least once a month, my hair has to conform to military standards. Briefly, the reg goes something like this: no fad hairstyles (i.e. zigzag parts or zigzag cornrows, no non-natural looking colors, etc.), no ornamentation (visible clips & scrunchies must be either black or of a shade close to the hair color), bangs on the forehead cannot touch the eyebrows and must be pushed up when wearing military hats so as to not show out the front of them. Females with hair too short to pull back may have hair to the bottom of their shirt collar. Females with long hair must put it up so that it doesn't touch the top of the collar. (Males' hair must be short enough that it doesn't touch the top of the collar, and they can't have bangs or sideburns.) All hairstyles must be able to accommodate the appropriate military headgear.

Most females just twist their hair up in a quick bun, which I sometimes do, if I'm in a hurry. But having that big softball at the base of my neck can push my Kevlar helmet forward over my eyes, which, of course, is an issue, because I have to be able to see. I usually French braid my hair at night and tuck under and roll the end of the braid till it doesn't show, then hold it up with a very plain scrunchi. But I really am not very good at it, and my natural curls complicate it, too. I have to braid my hair wet, add lots of gel before I braid it, and lots of hairspray afterwards to try to keep the little fuzzy, flyaway curls from escaping. I've been using an EasyBraider (a green, 5-fingered thing with purple foam) to help me get a tight braid. It's a Godsend in that it will hold my hair and I can use two hands to comb out each section every time I twine it over another one. I can spend anywhere from just 20 minutes to over an hour getting a good, tight braid. But, if it's tight enough, I've had them last up to 4 days, too. I can braid my hair without the EasyBraider, but it's easier with it. Unfortunately, the last time I used it, a chunk of the purple foam came off, and I haven't seen this wonderful tool in the stores for a while now. Does anyone know where I can get another one?

Is there anyone else here in the military? How do you do your hair? Are there any other suggestions for how to put up my long hair so that it will stay up with a minimum of clips in the type of conditions I encounter in the military? I'm constantly taking headgear on and off, sometimes it's as light as a beret, but other times it's my Kevlar helmet. I don't have time to be constantly readjusting my hair. Flat metal clips, bobby pins, and hair pins are allowed, but not necessarily encouraged because if we encounter a chemical environment, they can corrode. Thick plastic barrettes (like lots of kids like), butterfly clips, etc., are not allowed. I try to keep my hair under control simply with lots of gel and hairspray and scrunchies.

Hi!  Your hair sounds gorgeous, I hope you'll post a pic of it.

I'm not sure I have anything helpful for you.  I have thick wavy/curly hair and use amish hairpins to hold my buns in place and a velvet scrunchi for pony tails.

As for hairstyles and helmets, what comes to my mind is two pigtail braids, crossed over in the back, wrapped around the head and pinned.

Good Luck!

Well, I can tell you that around here, the female Marines do a sock bun.  There is a video on how to do that on the net.  You may be able to find it by googling "Female Marine sock bun for hair."

Is there a way to put a sock bun higher up so it's inside your helmet instead of at the base of your neck?

I am a former Marine (well not former, just not active; once a Marine always a marine  ), but I alway kept my hair short.  Female Marines must keep long hair up without showing any pins, etc.  That internet tutorial is a great source and will show you how.

Good luck!

Sorry, but I to have no suggestions for you. I hope you can figure something out though. 
Oh, and thanks for serving in the National Gaurd. You have a bravery that I admire.

It would be wonderful to see pics of how you wear your hair to meet the necessary military standards.  I know I've received the question several times and have tried to describe styles, but having pics would be great.

Having a friend to braid your hair is wonderful. - I wish I had someone to do mine.  I can braid my own hair, but sometimes it is nice to have someone else do it for you.

I'd love to see your military standards bun!