Posted on Apr 12, 2014
Shaved heads in basic training; is this mandatory? If it is, then why and why only for males?
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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/
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/
Basic Training
Grooming Standards
Equality
Drill Sergeant
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 458
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You really want to know why there are hair standards for men... c’mon.... figure it out. Ever see a combat head wound? They bleed, they f’n bleed a lot. As a medic I don’t have time to be searching through your matted, blood soak hair to find a wound. Ever try to dress and bandage a head wound with blood soaked hair??? It F’n slips off!!!! So, typically women are not in combat, thus they can have long, beautiful locks of hair. I guess it’s something you don’t learn playing Call of Duty.
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Yeah agreed it’s a time thing. You don’t need to be fancy while in basic not enough time. I had it done and I didn’t care. It only takes like 1-2 months to grow it out to a normal look once your out.
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I have no problem with males having their hair shaved off. I went into the Army in 85' and that was when hair was still long for men. I had should length hair. I was ready to get it shaved, no big deal! I kept it high and right until I got out and grew my hair back out but then got it cut high and tight. When I started working at a prison, I started out high and tight but changed to shaved head again! The point is it's all right to have your head shaved. It gives the group a sense of belonging! I don't believe it qualifies as hazing!
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Males it was to take away individuality for the breakdown of the males. This was done to facilitate the build up of them. Lice was the issue initially. Females should have their head shaved also. Equal pay, equal rights, equal treatment.
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the shaving of the head is to show everyone they are the same and part of the rebirth into something better. their also medical reason aka get rid of lice issue and such.
as to why females dont have to shave their heads, i doubt many women would view that as a deal breaker and refuse to enlist.
as to why females dont have to shave their heads, i doubt many women would view that as a deal breaker and refuse to enlist.
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It's all about uniformity for the men and the women are cut in unity for there first cut
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I'll bite the bullet and say it out right. Women should have to do it just like the men. Call me a ass but it is what it is. They want and expect/demand equal treatment/duties/responsibilities until it comes to something they don't want. Once out of basic...cool. Basic...break em down ND build them up just like a man. I'll bend on number of push ups or pull ups to pass pt standards but every other aspect...nope.
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Head shaving in boot camp serves several purposes. From a personal hygene view a shaved head is simple and fast to keep clean. With the standard 15 sec. shower, the head area can be properly cleaned. From a training schedual view, shaving reduces the barber time per recruit. From a transition from civilan to military view, the removal of a persons hair plays a significant role in removing a persons personal idenity, it is part of the change of mindset toward the 'military is a team' outlook. In essence it removes one of the strongest elements of personal idenity, which removes a large section of the personal outlook, to support planned team building events later in the program.
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Shaving a guy's head is just a transition from civilian to military life. Women don't look good with shaved heads. After all these years, I still keep mine Basic-training short.
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I believe it's an import aspect of the transition from civilians life, and while my first reaction is that both males and females should get the same haircut, it is also clear that this could adversely impact recruiting of females into the military. Perhaps the shortest possible haircut that is still within regulations would be a better choice.
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Most if not all Army Basic is co-ed, there may be some single station training units that are not but I can't think of any.
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I was informed, way back when I entered basic, that it was a hygiene issue for when we are doing field exercises. I had a glorious mullet when i enlusted and nearly cried when they shaved it but i got over it. Prevention of critters getting in your hair or something. That said, women should have shaved heads in basic.
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I think it is to create a sense of sameness. Everyone looks alike. Same go fasts, same silver sweatshirts, same unbloused / bloused utilities, same shaved heads letting you know that we are all equally worthless no matter if were a dark green recruit or a light green recruit until we graduate with that EGA and our title of Marine.
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Outstanding question. Have been asking since first female cadet accepted to military academies. OFFICIAL DoD ANSWER: Degrading to women. Same pay different standards. Same pay with corporate style of advance and promotion due to need to file slots with a female.
During my time very few recruit head shaving was accomplished without blood letting. Recruit requirement head shaved was for primary hygiene. Close cropped hair, high and tight after primary shave to maintain cleanliness free of head lice for long period of time in the field or combat without shower or soap. All ranks to appear the same.
During my time very few recruit head shaving was accomplished without blood letting. Recruit requirement head shaved was for primary hygiene. Close cropped hair, high and tight after primary shave to maintain cleanliness free of head lice for long period of time in the field or combat without shower or soap. All ranks to appear the same.
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It's a very quick way to bring all male soldiers within Army standards regarding hair length, it reduces the risk of lice, takes away individuality, and ensures uniformity. The "tradition" of shaving the heads of soldiers can also be traced to the ancients that shaved their heads to eliminate a weakness. Enemies could use the hair to control the direction of the head. (Ie: pull your head back to cut your throat)
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