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

My thought is, and I've tried to find support but with no luck, that back in the day when most recruits (obviously before the draft system) were from lower income families and depressed areas the creature lice was a prevalent affliction. So, for health reasons heads were shaved in an attempt to rid the recruit and, by such action, anyone he came into contact with of this dreaded ill as lice infestations could be quite unhealthy. Secondly, the shaved head has always been used as a first step in grooming the soldier/airman/boot/recruit into a cohesive unit with everyone beginning on an equal footing. For the women, I don't what today's standards are, but when I first joined the AF the women trainees had their hair trimmed to uniform length during training for much the same reason, then requirements were loosened once trainees were assigned into the regular force.

As long as each gender has professional appearances there should be no head shaving, but at BT, as a female, I purposely had my hair chopped because it is very difficult to put and keep it in a bun 24/7. I think men don't realize what a hassle it is to keep the hair but as a female, in our society, if your head is shaved you'll be classified as a dike and as a male, you're classified as a male with his head shaved. Think about that... there's more to it then just no hair, unfortunately.

Folks, if one cannot bear the thought of shaving head for basic training, then I humbly suggest that the military is not for you.

Who gave CPR to this? Female recruits running around talking about V'GER.

As has been previously stated by an individual, xaverian, upon entering into service with the military has to realize that they are no longer a civilian. Part of this process of transition is a haircut. It is the initial step to show the civilian that they are now a member of a unit. The initial buzz cut that a recruit gets is only a small part of a process of instilling discipline in the new recruit. the Navy is now interested in relaxing some of the small steps of discipline that a recruit must have in order to understand their role in the US Navy. it is hard for me to say this, but I'm glad I got out of the Navy when I did. I'm ashamed of what it's become. It has become infected with political correctness.

The only reason I can think of that is good enough to shave either men’s or women’s heads is that it helps them to break out of the civilian perspective. I may be mistaken but I doubt that lice are much of a problem. Otherwise, I think an Army Standards haircut should do the trick.

But note, if my first reason is THE REASON, then I agree with head-shaving. That may just be a way of saying that it had a big effect on me, settling into the idea that this was a whole new way of the world.

Equal grooming standards. I'm thinking of how much money is going to be spent on body armor designed for longer hair, as apparently is in work. If all personnel had the same hairstyle differing body armor would be unnecessary......

Ok here is the deal

1. If you dont want your head shaved then dont join, it's like a company mandating the wear of uniforms, no beard etc if you dint like it dint work there

2. It's an equal thing everyone looks the same so now you can focus on training vice what your hair looks like

And last as adsurb as it may sound it's for hygiene with people joining from all over no telling what's in there hair


So please dont attempt to use the hazing card

Whether tradition or regulation, having one's head shaved for basic is a great equalizer. The early part of basic is intended, as I understand it, to change the new civilian into a Service team member. To help do this, all traces of civilian life must be erased and all recruits are treated equally. Heads shaved (men), wear uniforms, learn to march in formation, etc., help equalize everybody. Later on I can see allowing recruits to wear their hair IAW Service standards. As for women, I was taught in MANY Air Force and Army training courses I'm not allowed to have or express an opinion.

Focus on the big picture SSG.

SSgt Mimeault

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