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 11 y ago
Responses: 458
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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......
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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
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
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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.
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