New IDF Ruling Allows Career Soldiers to Wear Red Nail Polish
by Dave Bender
In a move likely to raise the ire of the Israeli army’s rank and file, the IDF has ruled that only career female soldiers – and not conscripts – will be allowed to use red nail polish, Israel’s Ch. 2 News reported Sunday.
“The army is a way of life for us. We want to feel good about ourselves as women,” an appeal from female officers to the IDF’s Personnel Directorate read. “It’s not right that we’re included in this restriction. We are not prepared to enforce the rule, and want to differentiate ourselves from conscripts.”
The soon-to-be-implemented ruling does not apply to regular conscripts, who have been allowed to use red shades since 2012, but will now have to make do with transparent, light pink, and “French” (white accented) shades.
In comparison, many other military services worldwide, including the US Army, strictly limit nail polish colors to flesh tones or clear – for all ranks and branches.
“Although it sounds funny and ridiculous, it really makes us happy,” an officer in the Air Force said in response to the ruling.
“All the women have been waiting for it take effect, because it really is ridiculous to tell us what nail polish to apply,” she said.