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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CW3 Jim Norris
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To take away all that 'swagger' and I'm special thinking. It's a very small part of changing a civilian into a solider. Women have very different grooming standards, however the changes that are required of them in dress and grooming are often just as drastic from their perspective. Head lice is a problem in 4 star hotels, God knows a barracks can become a nasty place quickly, close quarters and all. Never agreed with joint basic training units, you soften the men to allow women integrated training. Either the standards are the same, or the training suffers.
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SFC Matthew Nicholls
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The requirement for shaving heads goes back to the public health concerns of housing large groups of people from disparate backgrounds with questionable hygiene practices prior to arriving. Hair and body lice are easily stopped by shaving heads, showering, and taking away infested clothing. (Sounds like day 1 of basic training). Females were always treated like queens. Time to treat them equally. Haircuts for all.
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SPC Kenneth Reason
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If your going to break them in . The both sexes should require equal training .
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Nai Bert
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I believe both males and females should have the option. I asked to have my hair shaved and was told no.
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MSG Senior Military Science Instructor
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Let's keep one tradition in the military. So many traditions have been taken away based off what society deems as appropriate or equal. I have been a firm believer in the military separating themselves from our civilian counterparts. Theres a reason why most take a hard look in the mirror before they join. I've already seen some compromises the military has made beginning to spiral out of control. Leave things alone.
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SPC Richard (Rick) Henry
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When I was in Basic (1971) we had a choice of shaved or 3”s. Most opted for shave!
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SrA Earl Jackson
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Head shaving in basic training is partially about stripping away individuality. You are no longer an individual, but part of a unit. Haircuts/styles are individual by nature. I am all for everyone having their heads shaved in basic.
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CW4 Jim Shelburn
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The original reason was two-fold:
It tended to put everyone on the same level in appearance, and
Checked for lice or other potentially infectious skin problems.
With the inclusion of women, an adjustment was made. But I do believe their is cut shorter.
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SSG Craig Thompson
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Shaving heads is stupid. Regulation hair should be the standard But I couldn't change my vote F* your dervuy. Ehetr my Wild Turleyz!
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LCpl Michael Cappello
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I can already tell I am going to get fragged over my response, so here goes. It seems that when I scroll down through all the responses I notice one thing. The question originated from, and has been responded to, by Army. WTF? How does someone in the military get to be surprised that recruits have shaved heads? How do you get into the military at all and never realize what boot camp is like? Or officer candidate school,? Or military school? Next thing is that (in the Marine Corps at least) women have a hair style and length regulation. There is no such thing as 20 miles of hair. It is short. Damn short (at least in boot camp). Third thing is WHO THE HELL CARES ??? It is boot camp. Thirteen weeks (eight for all you others) of a persons life. It isn't as if the military makes you stay that way. As a matter of fact, the Corps does not approve of shaved heads and even tried to go as far as doing away with the "high and tight".
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