Final answer:
Based on current regulations, male soldiers in the U.S. military can wear braids, cornrows, dreadlocks, or locks, provided they are neat and meet grooming and uniform standards. However, the historical context provided refers to racial issues and not directly to grooming standards, showing how military policies have evolved over time to become more inclusive.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to whether male soldiers are authorized to wear braids, cornrows, dreadlocks, or locks. The regulations on hair grooming standards can vary by military branch and have evolved over time. Given the historical context provided, it seems that the question is regarding a past era of military regulations. If we translate the historical context to the present, it is crucial to note that the military has specific regulations concerning grooming, which aim to ensure soldiers maintain a uniform appearance that reflects military discipline and cohesion while also considering changes in social and cultural norms.
In the current context, male soldiers in the United States military are permitted to wear braids, cornrows, dreadlocks, or locks as long as they are neat, conservative, and meet military grooming and uniform standards.
While the provided historical context speaks more to the issues of race and the segregation of units, rather than grooming standards, understanding these themes can provide insights into how the military's policies and attitudes have evolved over time. Today, military policies strive to be more inclusive by accommodating various natural hairstyles, within set regulations to ensure that personal appearance remains professional and conducive to military service.