Shaved heads in basic training; is this mandatory? If it is, then why and why only for males?

It is a matter oh health, first act of being conformed into a soldier,

I know when I went through Basic back in Oct 1985 at Fort Lost in the Woods, Misery, that haircut "A Charlie Special" as our D.I.s called it was demoralizing to most of us. The first swipe on me was forward and down the center with the hair falling down onto my face. I have a big head and after the haircut the D.I.s called "Brain." And other nickname was "Killer", I looked like a serial kill in prison.

I think THE HAIRCUT was to bring everyone down to the same level. "Lower than Whale S**t."

As for the females. There were formations of females in training and they would be marching by once in a while. The D.I.s would yell, "Don"t f**kin look over at them, they wouldn't want you guys with them f**ked up haircuts.

We all have had our heads shaved. The last time I knew if a female wanted to have hair below the shoulders it had to be in a bun. Anything above the shoulders it could be worn down.

To me it symbolized the beginning of becoming a team, an equal to the guy on either side of me.

"Shaved heads in basic training; is this mandatory? If it is, then why and why only for males?" Women don't look very good with shaved heads...besides guys...your hair WILL grow back!

I feel like if we were allowed to have regulated haircuts I would have to get a haircut every two weeks, therefore with the timeline of basic it would be tedious to send a soldier to get a haircut.

the reason FOR the famous BUZZ CUT was to quickly treat head wounds in basic, AIT, and in the field of battle....women were not subject to the cut due to the upper brass not wanting to destroy the LOOK of a woman...and through the ensuing years, nothing changed...I have never seen an issue with it...all branches of the military have their hair regulations....my niece, who is a MP, truly loves the FLAT TOP cut from the 1950's...low maintenance, she says !!!! I STILL do the BUZZ CUT on my head to this day....just got used to it through the years...and again, low maintenance !!!!!

The males in my boot camp were required to shave their heads upon arrival and got the sides faded every 2 weeks after. This was explained as to get them into the habit of getting it cut every 2 weeks to keep on standards and to get used to seeing their hair when it was ready for a trim. Females were not required but more emphasis on how to make a proper bun. Shaved head on a female is actually against female regulations. I am a female who keeps my hair short have learned our scalp can not show through our short hair

Not privates, recruits.

Interesting how so many individuals are game for forcing females to shave their heads. How would you feel about the other side of that coin? For example, being told you are restricted from certain opportunities because of your gender. Yes, this still happens
Females have earned their place in a predominantly male occupation we have proved stronger, more resilient and more attentive and knowledgeable than many males (not all, obviously)
I've also seen remarks that simply because a female would be reluctant to shave her head she wouldn't be suited or capable of making a sacrifice. The same individuals may have also had a female save them from a potentially deadly or harmful situation, a female who sacrificed the safety of herself and the emotional well being of children she gave birth to, for your sake. I've also seen remarks that if females don't agree with total equality (shaved heads, ect) She should "get the fuck out" Well, if you don't agree with the CURRENT 670-1 maybe it's YOU who should get the fuck out. I will continue to follow the current policies and adapt to any new policies once they are enforced Until then, I'll continue to follow the regs and you can continue to be a salty bigot in the barber shop once a week