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

I think shaved for males and very short for females.

Just curious if the 48% that voted both are males. Also there would be a significant decline in females in the force if women were forced to shave their heads. A lot of the idea behind men having their heads shaved is so they do not require frequent hair cuts during basic training. Women obviously tuck their hair away.

I'm not sure if makes should have their heads shaved but a good buzz cut should suffice, I joined back in 78 makes got a good buzz cut, short near bald, the females had theirs cut above the collar, once a young guy decided to shave his head, he got chewed out and close to being charged for doing it, he paid ultimately, his head swelled to the point he had to been by medical, didn't see him for several days, we were in Georgia, Ft Gordon and the days were hot and humid, the sun was blazing, I guess that the sun did a number on this guy's head, after he got back to barracks he was eventually discharged, never knew the circumstances but I believe it had something to do with his shaving his head, but I don't know if the regulations have changed since then, but that's my take on this

Keep in mind that military regulations set guidelines according to what is the most common cultural in a set professional look. Remember that there was a time when females could not wear any nail polish that did not match their skin tone? Then it changed slightly, and then slightly again over time. As times change, and as the mainstream culture changes, so do military regulations. However, until mainstream culture shows women with shaved heads as often as it does women with any given length of hair, I do not see that changing. That being said, I have observed very few men of the usual recruitment age that have a clue how to groom their hair professionally unless someone has mentored them to do so. Whether a male has his head shaved, or merely cut to standard (plus he'd have to go for a haircut far more often to keep it within standards--meaning a bigger time crunch during basic training, he will still have to say goodbye to his former grooming habits along with his long locks of hair if that was the style he had prior to enlistment. Maybe a more appropriate thing would be whether or not the military is ready to accept a male hairstyle with a manbun so that the two genders would be treated less unequally in that area.

Shave them ALL!

Both male and female should get a buzzed hair cut when entering boot camp and after that keep a regulation hair cut through AIT.

First of all your head is not shaved, that would require a razor resulting in a bald head. The reason for cutting the hair short is for hygienic reasons, mainly to ensure no lice infest a platoon. It is also the first step in transforming a civilian into a Marine, soldier, airman, or sailor.

How about having the women recruits get a short, uniform haircut - about two inches long, all over?

Head shaving in basic is not hazing..... me and some buddies busting into your room in the middle of the night is. At least that’s what I was reprimanded for at the time!

I thought it was lice control and transition from long hair child to proud US military member. Plus les stuff to get 8n trouble for