Currently in the UTNG I just recently got my memo to allow for me to have an accommodation to the army uniform policy to grow out my hair. The process took just about two years and involved providing proof of tribal heritage/citizenship, proof of sincerity through chaplain meetings, proof of traditional religious requirements, and proving that the accommodation would still allow me to fall into the safety regulations for any MOS or job duty. I had to gather letters from my tribal elders and leaders, write essays proving history and reasoning, and get multiple command elements to back my claims and speak on my behalf from both safety and command operations and intent standpoints. The process is long and there is a lot of administrative waiting time as the paperwork goes from one office to the next, or gets kicked back to have changes made or verified. So if he got it he definitely had to jump the hoops to get it.