Posted on Apr 12, 2014
SSG Robert Burns
279K
6.75K
1.02K
615
615
0
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
Avatar feed
See Results
Responses: 458
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
Sgt Jennie Flores
0
0
0
Professional appearance in a service uniform should definitely be a requirement, hair included. Especially when representing their country in assignments around the world. It is unfortunate that a particular race had their heads shaved before being exterminated. Traditions may have been great in the past when established, but tend not to be as great with the continuous changes of our future. There are traditions that should be modified according to the present time. No gender should be forced to have their head shaved. A clean professional haircut should certainly be required.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO1 Mary Vermont
0
0
0
Looks like a high number of men have voted. Get a clue women thats how they feel about you being there. Im not saying leave but i am saying be prepared
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG(P) Squad Leader
0
0
0
There isn't equality or equity. The army's working hard to bring equality with the gender neutral pt standards and such. But since day-0 females are taught that they are different than males. Quotas for leadership and lower standards/expectations to name two. In voluntary courses such as Ranger School, women are required to shave their heads. I'm not going to get into the debate about how women fare/are treated in such courses, but at the very least they are held to the same 670-1 standard there. I personally feel as others have pointed out that the shaving of the head on day-0 provides a very necessary psychological shock to the individual. All individuality is removed from the person. Uniformity is the standard. devotion to the unit, not to the self is the expectation. These mentalities can be seen from men who graduate from courses such as 11 series OSUT. It's something I didn't notice in my female counterparts (and some males) during my time as a 25 series when i originally enlisted, and served as for the first 5 years of my service. I believe the head shaving is one small part of that difference.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO2 Hauke Powers
0
0
0
The reason for the "buzz cut" is to begin the transition into a military mindset...I PERSONALLY see no harm with women being "shaved" like the guys...I have a niece who REQUESTED a buzz cut in Basic...she got it with a lot of strange looks...she swore it helped her mindset to be more focused. Now she is a Sergeant...all within 2 1/2 years. She now keeps a short version of the Julie Andrews's haircut from Sound of Music !!! Wash and go !!!!
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Louis Williams
0
0
0
There were 3 options for haircuts upon induction into the military; #1, #2, and #3. A haircut was mandatory, not a shaved head. None of the options were preferred but they did allow you to distinguish a shaved head from keeping hair on your head. All 3 were quick and simple and personally, I say a shaved head took longer than the others. The women were more to office personnel and kitchen during my tenure while the door was open for their entry during that time. I did see a female NCO and CO during field duty at permanent party and one of my CO's during basic was a female, all of them had a full head of hair.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
LTC Charles T Dalbec
0
0
0
Not real sure when shaving heads became something done. It was not done in the early seventies when I was a trainee ??????
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
PO1 Richard Dennis
0
0
0
I had always thought when I was in boot camp, in 1972, it was to lessen the possibility of anyone getting head lice. I still imagine that could be the case.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
MAJ Montgomery Granger
0
0
0
I responded that only males should have their heads shaved. WOmen should have their hair trimmed if necessary to meet military standards. This is based on cultural norms, both in society and in the military. A person should not be forced to totally give up their gender identity because they join the military. Women tend to wear their hair longer than men. It's a thing; has pretty much always been a thing. Uniform cuts are different, APFT standards are different, boot sizes are different, men and women are different. This is all OK, because after all, it's performance that counts.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SGT Rodger Braden
0
0
0
Real sick of the "lets be equal in every aspect" crowd, because were not! Something to be said about traditions in the service and being bald along with everyone else is part of that.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SFC Steven Barry
0
0
0
The question itself highlight the utter hypocrisy intrinsic in the female infection of the military.
(0)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.