Posted on Apr 12, 2014
SSG Robert Burns
269K
6.76K
1.03K
617
617
0
Head shaving
So I was in basic training land today to help with some medical stuff. I couldn't help but noticed all the shaved heads all over the place and then the females with 20 ft of hair. In an era where we are screaming equal treatment; is this equal?I am also wondering why does a new private have to get his head shaved in the first place? Why not just a haircut within Army Standards?

Have the lines between male and female been erased?  Are they trying to be erased or are we picking and choosing which ones we want to erase? Why does a male soldier have no choice in keeping his hair but a female does? If you love Liberty you will vote below.

ADDED: Could this be considered a form of hazing with the crackdown on hazing since this is obviously not a requirement but more of a tradition? I'm not saying I think it is I'm just asking the question. If it's not required and it doesn't apply to everyone.

*****UPDATED******
Well, well, well what do we have here?
http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/careers/2015/01/08/rtc-boot-camp-haircuts-navy/21439483/
Edited 10 y ago
Avatar feed
See Results
Responses: 461
SFC Stephen Carden
372
372
0
The head shaving, to me, represents the beginning of the transition from civilian to Soldier. It is part of the necessary steps to tear down the weak, sniveling civilian and build him or her back up again into a strong, capable Soldier! Plus, it would be so funny to see the females right after they shave their heads!
(372)
Comment
(0)
Maj Neal Jackman
Maj Neal Jackman
4 y
"Breaking the individual down" is a key point of team building. Start from a common point and build up. I personally am not a great supporter of coed training, nor women in combat (ground) roles. No offense intended. I do like the new AFPT standards the Army has adopted, but I also feel they have lowered the standard while making the test more realistic to field performance. I would hate to see a 125 soaking wet in field gear female soldier trying to drag my 6'4" 225 pound grandson out of harms way. Hopefully she wouldn't try to make two trips.
While at The Basic School as a new butter bar, the WM were down the hall. When they were trying to pack their trash for a field march they came out in the hall way and looked to see if any of the men would come to help. Nope, we just watched and laughed.
One of my fellow officers got into a very heated discussion during an HR training session with one of the WM and got to the point of "why don't you and I step outside and the one who walks back in is the REAL Marine". Later, at a new duty station, an unknowing friend tried to line him up with said WM. We all had a good laugh.
I believe one set of physical standards for all, if you are in combat, you need to be able to perform at the same level. While I admire the determination of the young woman who made the YouTube/FB rounds when she collapsed short of the forced march finish, and the support of her fellow Ranger candidates, if you can't pull the load, go home. A male soldier should not be penalized for his run time when a female gets a 100% score for the same time.
Cut their hair, all of them, same length. They want to be on the team, be part of the team. As has been said, it is a right of passage and a badge of honor. I was asked after my basic training at Quantico why my hair was so short when everyone else (1973) had long hair. I replied "I'm a US Marine and I can wear my hair any way I want" (within regs of course. I was a bit of a pompous A in those days and I have mellowed some.
(3)
Reply
(0)
SPC Military Police
SPC (Join to see)
>1 y
Shoot me for saying so but I am not WOKE and don't think woke is good for the military in the manner being forced on the military as it is now. I have seen some tough ass women. Every one of them broke down when the men didn't. I was in basic with one male that couldn't do 1 correct push up when we started. He never broke down and I am here to say, I felt sorry for him for what they put him through to build him up to Army standards. That being said, I would rather have a well-trained military woman beside me that a civilian.
(2)
Reply
(0)
SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
SSgt (Join to see)
2 y
Love women to look womanly.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Amn Flight Engineer
Amn (Join to see)
2 y
Originally, the military cut your hair to maintain and ensure cleanliness. But today, many other reasons can be named for military shaved heads and military buzz cut fades.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSG V. Michelle Woods
233
231
2
I'm kind of wondering how you know a female has 20 feet of hair if the only time she can have her hair down in BCT is in the shower lol.

You're right. We should all shave our heads. We should all have to get Army mandated "Women's Wellness Exams", except now we'll call them "Soldier Wellness Exams". Yeah...let's see how well the men deal with that considering that is required for every female regardless of their age.

Come on y'all, let's stop allowing the folks on Capital Hill to pit us against each other. Y'all can have stupid Ranger School, let me keep my hair. Deal? :)
(233)
Comment
(2)
SGT L Brooke Sahm
SGT L Brooke Sahm
4 y
If you want true equality, standards must be applied equally across the sexes. That goes for grooming and physical readiness.
(5)
Reply
(0)
CPL Any Jim
CPL Any Jim
4 y
An induction cut is the shortest possible hairstyle without shaving the head with a razor.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_cut

Haircuts are a rite of passage during military basic training. Almost immediately after arrival, your hair will be cut so short that it almost feels like you wereshaved bald (guys, only).

After the initial haircut, you'll get a trim at least once per week during basic training. However, during the weekly trim, depending on which branch you're in, your hair may not be entirely cut off again, and the sides and the back may just be evened up.

Tip: You can actually estimate how long someone has been in basic training, depending on which branch you're in, by the length of their hair. Brand new male recruits have virtually no hair at all, those who have been there a week or two have a little bit of stubble, and those who are getting ready to graduate have an inch or so of hair showing.

Except for the Navy, women do not have to get their hair cut. However, when in uniform (which is all the time in basic training), women must wear their hair in such a way that the hair does not protrude past the bottom of the collar, and is not below the eyebrows. If your bangs are grown out, they must be long enough to be tied into a bun.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/basic-training-grooming-and-food.html/amp@2020

Took effective military writing in kandhar, Afghanistan as an e-4 promotable, received an A+ ..... Lol , but was not awarded a grade because I had signed up when the school lady was on leave - & when she came back she told me I had to be an e-5 or above to sign up for that class , that I would not be seated for an official grade , & that she did not even know how I was allowed to sign up for a five day effective military writing with cct ....
(0)
Reply
(0)
Sgt William Hodges
Sgt William Hodges
4 y
All this talk about haircuts reminds me of the story about one lad that went AWOL, When they caught him they asked him why he took off after only being in the military a few weeks He replied, first they marched us to the BX and insisted we by combs, next they took us to the barbershop and cuto off all our hair. The next week we when to the BX again and they made us buy Tooth paste and brushes, but followed up with a trip to eht dentist where he pulled out my teeth. When in the third week they took su to the BX again and had us buy Jock Straps I knew it was time to leave. :-) yep and old story but with a little truth in it. Hope it brings back some memories.
(3)
Reply
(0)
MSG Bob S
MSG Bob S
4 y
Deal, but give us SF back too.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Aircraft Powertrain Repairer
93
93
0
People need to get overthemselves....going bald for 10wks wont destroy a lifetime of servitude... Yes traditionally going back to Roman times(read about it and understand why)Soldiers cut their hair all or very closely off. It is not a matter of what is detrmined to be considered hazing. Guess what if you dont want to cut all your hair off then dont join the military I am sick and tired of all the dang whining on standards. If you dont like it get the heck out...I have 1000s daily waiting to fill the ranks willing to do what is required to meet standards.. Caveat...is it hazing if I dont wear a suit to church that requires one? WOuld that be acceptable discirmination suit in a civil court. How about wearing uniforms at civilian jobs is it hazing if I dont feel comfortable wearing it because the job requires it.... We are PROFESSIONALS... and the demand for perfection and superiority over our civlian counterparts who demand to be secured through our forces requires a little thicker skin; ability to adapt; and willingness to trian in poor and degraded environments so we can execurte what those are unwilling to do themselves(civilians). You dont enlist to be like BURGER KING and "BE YOUR WAY" you enlist to do something more important than what a normal person can do. Be professional; ENDURE THE PAIN; TRAIN TO FIGHT; and accept nothing less than SUCCESSFUL SPIRIT and ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MISSION TASKS. That is what SERVICEMEMBERS do...
(93)
Comment
(0)
CPT Special Forces Officer
CPT (Join to see)
>1 y
If he thinks that is hazing, he shouldn't volunteer. I don't want the little whiner in my Army anyway.
(2)
Reply
(0)
SFC Wendell Pruitt
SFC Wendell Pruitt
>1 y
I agree with you on People needing to get over themselves and stop the whining about known standards, I served 21 years and virtually NEVER liked the PT standards, I thought much of what was done was counter productive, but that was just my unstated opinion and my stated view as an NCO to the Soldiers under me was "its required we meet the Army Standards Do your personal best in your efforts and Lets move forward" The Hair cut issue can be given dozens of very valid reasons why, And it starts with uniformity as its cornerstone, The fewer differences between 200 privates the less potential for the exact kinds of questions that always come up... Just like stating We are all the same color here, "Green" It tells you that white black and brown are all covered by the same rules going forward... I once got to overhear a conversation between a Black 1sg and a Black Corporal, The Corporal started his comments, As a Black man I feel this way, The 1sg stopped him dead in his tracks and said Let me explain something to you Specialist, We have NO place for any color except green in my army and your Black Mans opinion is NOT a part of any Army Discussions or Decisions.... You Make Army Green Decisions if you want to continue to wear those stripes.... I learned a Ton from that 1sg and virtually all has transferred to my civilian life
(2)
Reply
(0)
SSG Paul Headlee
SSG Paul Headlee
4 y
You adapt to the Army. We don't adapt to you.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Sgt John Koliha
Sgt John Koliha
4 y
Any questions!
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close