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

I like the idea of shave them all, but I always assumed it was for hygiene reasons.

When I started my army career, head shaving was a court martial offense. The haircut regulation was very strictly enforced for everyone in those days and we need to get back into the habit of doing so these days. The maximum and minimum length of the hair should be exactly the same for both genders and head shaving should again be a court martial offense

While my gut reaction is everyone should be forced to shave their heads, because it's part of the soldierification (There's my Bush Jr. scrabble word of the day) process - I have to look at this from a recruiting perspective. With the military struggling to make its numbers, and at the same time trying to boot everyone out for not meeting the new PT Standards (though memos released have delayed that catastrophe), making everyone (especially women) shave their heads will reduce otherwise qualified recruits from signing up. I think the right answer is, that everyone gets a card and they get to pick their hair cut from the card.

While we're on the subject... what if a man wants to grow their hair out and put it up in a bun?

If a female don't keep her hair off the collar and with in Military standards, we have to get it cut.

double set of standards

Shaving the head helps the new recruit transition from the "I/Me" mentality to "We/Us". While for many, women recruits being exempt from the "billiard ball" period is unfair, one of the first things that a new male recruit has to understand is the necessity to be a member of the team. Also, shaved head allowed for detection and elimination of head lice: a problem that still exists in many communities from which many recruits come. Last but not least, the United States Armed Forces have absolutely no need for "Prima Donas" who from Day-1 think that they are better than their fellow trainees/boots. All should still have to get used to being a "maggot, etc." until they have earned the right to be called a Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman, etc.

Should be the same for all. Either we are all soldiers, or some are not!

Shave head is not mandatory. You shave your head if you want to. Know if you looking to start something your are bucking up the wrong tree. Female also have hair standard they have to follow may not be the same as male but they do have regulation that they have to follow.

I would go a step further, in the name of equality. I don’t say this sarcastically at all. I have served with some amazing female soldiers, and some slugs, just like the guys. One of the biggest things that holds women back in military service is gender norming, how many female PT studs have walked around with that patch in the guys blow it off because “female standards.“ Women are not treated with the same level of respect in the military despite the fact that so many positions normally not available to them now are because they are not held to the same standard. We look at gender norming as something done to be fair to them when in fact all it says is you are different and less capable. If there are to be different standards it should be based on position, MOS, rate what have you. Same goes for the haircut. Do you want to go to infantry OUST, say bye-bye to those luscious locks. Do you want to go be an Air Force cyber spook fine with them keep their hair.

I had a porn 'stache to beat all porn 'staches. never got called on it. doing your job and being where you were supposed to be. I never got close to anything that had a flame. on a off note, just before I PCSed I shaved it off..... everyone wanted to know who the new guy was.

I say get over it. Getting a buzz cut in basic is just part of the things that males go through. It's not all that bad, and by the way, news flash. it grows bad. If you have not noticed, The Army tries somewhat to keep females looking like females.

Hey, I'm all for equal treatment.
I know the military has taken differences in physiology into consideration when they made up the Physical Fitness requirements, and apparently the Hair issue as well. I have served with several women who could out perform most men on their worst day. I don't really think a double standard is called for, all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Air Force personnel should have the same standard.
The Army's new ACFT has made allowances for Combat vs. Non-Combat roles, and this should be the ONLY consideration for standards.

This is simply because of sanitation. Military men had their hair cut very short to reduce the probability of lice. Lice were a huge health problem in WWI, WWII and so on and short hair reduced that problem. Look at Harry Truman's WWI ID picture in David McCullough's biography. He had a high-and-tight and that prevented head lice. Anyone in combat should have a high-and-tight. Besides, I think it's a perfect haircut! Cheap and easy. Semper Fi.

Uniformity. Recruits enter in street clothes and all look different. Well dressed upper class, middle class and kids from the hood can largely be distinguished by their clothes. In my day it was Hippies, the cool ones with their DA haircuts, college kids with flat tops etc. The first step in making every recruit look the same is a shaved head and the uniform. Who your daddy is makes no difference; you're the same whether from a rich family or poor family and former social status is meaningless. Everyone will now be judged entirely on their performance. OTOH, historically, long hair could create health problems with ringworm, head lice etc. So short hair was a hygiene issue as well. Most people today take care of their personal hygiene better than they did in previous generations.

I agree that everyone, both male and female, should have their heads shaved as a way to show that everyone is equal and that everyone will be held to the standard. No more, no less.

In a time where females want to be in the infantry but scream double standards; hell no! You follow the same standard across the board or choose another MOS less demanding. I personally don't care who that offends.

Also no one can argue over who has the longest hair or best looking. You're in the military, not a beauty contest.

Shaving of the head and basic and

I don't think women should get their heads shaved. I do think men should get their heads shaved. They are gonna have to keep that hair off the collar and need to look respectful even when not in uniform. You represent the elite. The military of the Most Powerful Country in the whole world. That is really something to be proud of. I served in The US Air Force. It was hard and I'm so glad it was hard! It gives you a huge feeling of accomplishment acomplishment when you graduate Basic Training !!!

AFI36-2903 would have to be overhauled for gender equality to have a chance.

I believe that AFI 21-101 should not differentiate between male and female for dress and appearance. There would have to be changes made like either women would not be able to wear bras (currently required) or a man would have to start wearing bras for that to be truly equal. There are many other examples as well but that seems to be the most obvious issue for total equality.

Its for hygiene. you don't want a damn lice infestation. Get over it.