Posted on Apr 12, 2014
SSG Robert Burns
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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 >1 y ago
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TSgt Leslie Anderson
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The head shave is one of the first tangible indicators that the new recruit is no longer an individual, but now part of a team. It is a very effective psychological factor in preparing the recruit for the training and rigors of the military. The women's equivalent is having to adhere to stringent hairstyle regulations. A different but substantial equivalent. Remember seeing a female recruit get royally dressed down for not following the standard set. Made me glad I was a guy at that point with one less thing to worry about.
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SSG Fernando Algarin
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Army = No Gender. Male or female you're a soldier and should be treated as such.
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PFC Aircraft Ordnance Technician
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I have to say Girls shouldn't shave their heads! They need their hair to learn how to put their hair up nice and neat in a matter of time. Unlike guys all we have to do is get a hair cut. My personal opinion of couse!
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SGT Wanda Shepherd
SGT Wanda Shepherd
>1 y
My problem is the men who say women should have their heads shaved because it would be funny. We should be respected no matter the regulation.
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SSG Orthopedics Specialist
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No guy shoulf be so damn upset about a buzz cut justbget over yourself its the Army just suck it the fuck up. For women it demeaning to be shaved bald its not the same for us if you dont like the get out.
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COL Jon Thompson
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As long as there are different standards for men and women, there will always be inequalities. They should all be the same. Let everyone prove themselves.
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SGT Missile Repair Team Member
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I wish we could have had more haircuts. Every other week at Basic in the summer heat was not enough in my opinion. As far as females go; If they want to keep their hair, fine. I couldn't imagine trying to keep it all clean or have to constantly fix my bun or whatever. I really don't think hair has anything to do with fairness or equality (and they are not the same thing) and your hair is your own problem.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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What's good for one is good for all and good for the service.

Demi Moore, "GI Jane", 'nuff said
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SSG Retired
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If you make one then you should make the other, it's only fair.
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PO1 H Gene Lawrence
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Back in 66 when I went in we were told it was a lice thing. LOL Who woulda thought the Military would lie to us.
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1SG Retired
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It's all about time management. Takes less time to maintain that hair, and takes much less time at the barbershop whe you take 150 people to get either 1 haircut, or 150 individual haircuts.
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LTC Angie Habina
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Females are still required to maintain a feminine like appearance and behavior...that being said, and having commanded in an IN BDE (I’m sure it’s not limited to combat arms BDEs), there are many females who are less than feminine. And “feminine” may be subjective. Our dearly loved 670-1 has recently changed to allow females to have a close cut / shaved style. If that makes you feel more part of the team, then have at it.
Males are also to keep a gentlemanly appearance and behavior. Well...again that’s someone debatable and subjective.
I agree getting your hair shaved in BCT is part of tradition for men, part of cutting the civilian out and rebuilding, and a whole lot more about hygiene. By the time it grows back (2-3 weeks someone said), you’re transitioning phases, you need the little break and rest. I’m sure it’s not restful, but it’s also not a 10-12 mile foot march (Are there still foot marches in BCT? It’s been a while since I’ve been through it.)
Females go through their own mandatory changes in basic training. As someone mentioned, yes, we have our mandatory 5 wellness exams before going to BCT and then annually to every 3 years depending on service branch and health. (Not to take away from turning your head a coughing.)
But forcing a female to shave her head bc it would be funny, as mentioned by another, is not a correct answer. The standards for culture apply even in 670-1....ie only black females can have corn rows and twists, it’s faddish for all other races. Beards are allowed for certain religions during certain periods, ie mourning.
This is not a new question, nor is the question of equal APFT scores. I don’t care who says what about getting and being equal...there are physical and psychological differences between males and females. Thinking otherwise is stupid. That doesn’t mean in behavior (from or towards) or social standing genders should be treated different classes in society or in the military. A better fight / question right now, given our equal rights and ability to serve in combat arms, is “why are females not required to sign up for selective service at 18?”
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LTC Angie Habina
LTC Angie Habina
>1 y
SFC David Pope, MBA
So you understand, while you were retired, the rest of us were rotating in and out of Iraq and Afghanistan and a whole lot of the Army you knew (nearly 20 years ago now) has moved on and changed.
While knowing history is important, unfortunately, you misunderstood the initial comment and your remarks are sexist.
Thank you and have a wonderful day.
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SFC David Pope, MBA
SFC David Pope, MBA
>1 y
LTC Angie Habina - I may be retired, but I am far from being removed from the military. I have a lot of family still serving, and I am still up to date on many things. I still have an AKO account, and have read many of the current NCO Leadership manuals. The only thing I misunderstood was your comment about female officers, but the answer to your initial question about the draft still to this day remains true. The answer may seem sexist, but that is how the law was written, and why. The law was just found to be unjust this February 2019. However it is still the current law on the books, but nobody has changed it since Vietnam. My DBA program is in Organizational Behavior and Leadership. Many things that are regarded as sexist today, were not so in the time the draft was created. Before Vietnam if you were an only son, you could not be drafted to protect he family name!
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CPT William Jones
CPT William Jones
6 y
Congress hasn't seen fit to do their job and pass a law saying do it. They would rather sit around and try to find fault with every other part of the federal government.
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LTC Angie Habina
LTC Angie Habina
6 y
CPT William Jones Well as a citizen, you have right to craft the bill, garner signatures, and submit it to Congress. There’s a whole process and procedure.
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SrA David Heineken
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Any female that wants a combat mos should be assigned and live and train from the beginning with males. This includes boot camp.
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PO1 Jeff Brown
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this tradition has some good reasons for existing. Not the least of which is tearing you down as a civilian, so that you can be ‘built up’ as a sailor, soldier, or marine; unit uniformity, ease of cleanliness. Someone mentioned hazing... sure, I’m ok with hazing that doesn’t cause physical harm. After your hair grows back, you feel like you’ve earned the right. Shave both genders!
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CN Steelworker
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You conform to the military, the military doesn't conform to you. If you don't want your head shaved, tough.
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SSG David Stafne
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It is my understanding that the practice of shaved heads for new Recruits dates back to WWII when the our military had a huge number of Americans joining up. Many of those Recruits were not too keen on basic personal hygiene. With everyone living in crowded open bay barracks, shaving everyone’s head was a way to protect the health and welfare of the unit.

In today’s Army, shaved heads is more in line with the Basic Training concept where a Recruit is stripped of all their “Rights “ and we earn them back as “Privileges,” a concept I agree with. And, in fairness, this should apply to ALL Soldiers, not just the men!
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GySgt Michael Chapman
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I haven't looked at any other responses, so this may have already been said.
Seems to me, shaving the head has a couple of benefits...lice control being one...spotting unknown medical issues is a possibility, but more than anything it's about bringing everyone to the same level. Now, I can't speak for the Army, but in the Marine Corps we still have segregated boot camp. I believe it should stay this way, but that's a different discussion.
If you shave all the boy's heads in boot camp it creates a sense of equality in treatment and respect. They all lose their hair and all look a little silly.
Shaving women's heads seems a bit over the top. A woman, in my opinion, should be treated as such. This isn't a misogynistic point of view, but rather a more conservative one. In some circles, you shame a woman by shaving her head. I do think a shortened hair cut would be in order for all female recruits.
As a side note, suggesting that getting your head shaved in boot, or basic is hazing is just stupid. Put that garbage out of your mind.
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LCpl Douglas Landrith Jr
LCpl Douglas Landrith Jr
8 y
Well said Gunny! I 100% agree with what you said. People need to get over this "everything is fucking hazing bullshit". Semper Fi Gunny
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TSgt Melissa Post
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It was my understanding that shaving a guy's head was one way to break him down. There are some things that you just can't make equal. If guys get to keep their hair, girls should get to keep their makeup and nail polish. Sounds ridiculous and I think there could be bigger things to debate over but that is my take. It isn't an equality thing.
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CPT William Jones
CPT William Jones
5 y
Soldiers are paid to do a job that is different than any civilian job. If haircuts and things of that sort are regulated the rules should be the same. you don't join the 1.5% to look like movie stars models etc, you join to Serve. The more rules that are the same the less paper needed
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SSG Robert Burns
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SFC Processing Nco
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Simply put, TRADOC 350-6 appendix K-4d. All males will get "buzz cut" at reception.
Men and women are different and different accommodations need to be made within reason. Otherwise men will be getting bras and women will have to shave. And what of ear rings? Should men get to wear them?
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CPT William Jones
CPT William Jones
5 y
There hair is no different than males it is the current customs that dictate styles and both males and females in the world wear their the same from long to short. Military regs should reflect that figure out what they want and issue an uniform reg for all military folks.This is one issue that needs no adjustment for male/female differences.
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SGT Team Leader
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It would be a greater equalizer, hmm? Do you want to serve enough to at least, shave your head? Vanity or service to country? My guess is that there would be far fewer females in the ranks. Personally, I looked ridiculous in BCGs and a bun anyway. May as well have just lopped it off. Honestly, would have saved being screamed at when the bun fell during PT.
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SSG Keven Lahde
SSG Keven Lahde
>1 y
SGT (Join to see) I can just picture you with no hair....NOT!! But I do understand what you are saying.
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