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

Women recruits never shaved their heads. So, why is this being raised as a concern now?

I've seen this question come up so many times and honestly it's just as annoying this time. Do males really think having 10ft of hair in basic convenient? I know females who asked the drills many times if they could cut their hair with the males in basic and were told no because it'd take too much time if the females had to go through it too (it already took like 3 hours to get through the males each time they went). Instead, we were yelled at if god forbid our buns fells out during intense exercises. Many of us don't anticipate how much time it'd take to maintain our hair so we don't cut it before we get there. It's when the going gets tough that you kinda realize "oh this is a pain to style every morning and keep in reg all day".
On the equality part, at the end of the day it is ridiculous to think men and women will be equal in all ways. At the end of the day, females make more sacrifices to fit in the army because it is a MALE army but if we want equality all around I guess I' d like to see males in tampons and blood soaked pads conducting drills regularly. Additionally, I'd like them to get female wellness checks, take mandatory pregnancy tests every time they need a check up AND also wear those crazy uncomfortable sport bras that make your chest nonexistent 24/7. After all, we're all equal, right?

I'm fine with only guys getting shaved heads. The whole point of it was to be as uniform to each as possible. We're not unique. We're not military soldiers. We're trainees. We're not special. It's not hazing. It's standard. That was the point. When I was in, women had to have their hair at a certain length or up on a bun or god help them...honestly, I think they had it harder since it meant more prep time (if you did the bun). Also, you're in the military. Equal Opportunity doesn't exist there. When you signed up, you signed some of your rights away and became property, not people. They told you this during recruiting, so you can't pretend you didn't know. The Navy can mull it over all they want, but I don't see it being successful. You're in basic still. The whole point is to be stressed to the point where you're broken down and then rebuilt to be a soldier. Can't handle that? Suck it up, buttercup. You know what you signed for. It's only for a few weeks and then you can get whatever haircut you want (within military standards). If you can't handle that and have to cry equal treatment, then take it up with your therapist.

It was 35 years ago this week when I truly began my transition to the Army by reporting to Ft Knox for Basic Training. The blur of activities on Day 1 included the haircut. As I rolled out of the bunk on Day 2, I saw my reflection in the window. The sight of my changed appearance was shocking and invoked thoughts similar to Dorothy’s “I’m not in Kansas anymore.”

Yeah, the haircut makes a huge difference. Leave it alone.

Equal does not always mean fair.

If not mistaken, the shaving of heads started out for health prevention reasons (head lice).

Later it became a tradition of transforming from civilian to service member, shaving of the head took away individual identities and put everyone in the same boat. Plus it is very low maintenance and faster and easier to clean, even more so down range.

Why not females in the tradition? Simple, Female's weren't part of the Male Army during that time frame, Females were part of the WAC's (Woman Army Corp)

In retirement, I still keep a high and tight flattop haircut for the same reason I had it while I was in.

Lice, and other vermin, and removing the narcissism of standing in front of a mirror grooming. Removing the clutter of hair grooming products from ones locker. Educating recruits as to what's important in becoming a member of the Armed Forces, and hair is not on the list.

I do agree with the shaved heads for the males I think a short hair cut for females is a good idea this is a change in your life from civilian to military

Not sure why it even matters? How does it affect you? Is it detrimental to your morale? Does it prevent you from following orders, doing your job? Then leave it alone.

I honestly don't see why this even matters. You sign up to be a soldier stop worrying about what other people are doing or whether other people have to follow certain standards. If it's not illegal or detrimental to the Army who gives a care.

I am a Male in 1974 when I was inducted into the Army guys were telling them that they wanted theirs cut this way and that way and they would cut it all off when they ask me I told them do what they was supposed to and they gave me a decent cut. My hair was about 5 inches below my shoulders. I guess attitude has a lot to do with it

For starters, the basic trainees do not I repeat do not have their heads shaved their cut real short with clippers hand of 1/2 that does not mean 1/2 inch of hair is left it just means that is the smallest clipper there is which lays roughly a quarter inch length but there is nothing wrong with it being cut that short.... It almost sounds like the person making the comment up there is nothing more than a young liberal Cry-Baby... I've made my comments and thatsit... I'm gone

Yes, it should be part and parcel for everyone entering military service regardless of gender, skin pigment, or religion.
The shaving of the head, and military grooming standards as a whole is done primarily for hygiene reasons; to make sure no one is coming in with, or developing, a head of lice, fleas, scabies, or other type of infestation.
Because every group hostile to the US knows our weakness and ineffectiveness at fighting unconventional warfare, there is no longer any "front line" from which can have an orderly echelon of personal hygiene going from the front line to the rear areas. Therefore, everyone must consider their posting as "front line" and act accordingly.

I’m not sure its a standard any more, but if it is and its administered unequally, then it undermines the equality that is being seek. IE, the more things change the more they will stay the same, and Inequality still rules!

You know if your haircut was more important than being equal status quo then I would understand, but in the Military there is no equal rights ever.

I think it's all part of the upcoming entitled generation! Oh boo ho, you have to get your hair cut! Suck it up!

Are you for real?? Cry baby’s!!! This is ridiculous, if you don’t want your damn head shaved then don’t join the military!!! What the hell does a woman shaving her hair have to do with it! Seriously if you want to be a whiner join the cub scouts!

Perhaps it’s not the haircut that has you concerned. Perhaps you have a problem with women in the military?

Must be a Flaming Fagot to want the women to have to shave their heads

I think it is important to note what is actually happening here when we have people with the same haircut, live in the same building, keep the same schedule and eating the same mess hall, we remove individuality. Keep in mind battles are won by teams not the individuals.The first step in basic training, is to remove individuality and to mold the new Soldier into a team player. This is not hazing, just a necessary step towards moving him to a soldier, and not an Individual.

Originally the shaving of the hair was to remove any possible lice that the recruits might be carrying

When I reported for Basic Training, I got a regulation taper cut so my ID picture would look like me. I shaved clean the next visit to the barbershop.

From your article “Women are also required to get first-day haircuts to ensure their hair is trimmed to regulation length, equal to the uniform collar.“
That’s the same in the Army. It’s either up in a gov issued bun or cut/groomed to the standard / not touching the collar.
The question is old and tired. Females are to keep “a feminine appearance.” We do not want to steal femininity from females, this would be prejudicial and seen as another way to discourage women from serving. Feminine is subjective to today’s definition.

Fades and other authorized haircuts would rake too long. Remember units can always make uniform regulations tighter, which is what they do in basic.

Hair standards create uniform appearance in the military. Women have standards also, but they are different. Different lengths of hair also makes it easier to distinguish between a male and female soldier. There are things I can ask a male soldier to do that I cannot ask a female. Being able to see the difference at a distance makes a difference. Women are eligible for many more duty positions, a move I support. But to apply the same standards across the board to women and men will not work.

You may have seen a woman with long hair. After hours, she may be wearing hair extensions, which are very difficult to identify vs natural hair. She could also have been a civilian employee.

This regulation should apply in all of the branches, not just the Army. I personally like to see men look like men, and women like women. As it is said, separate the sheep from the goats.

This is a discussion that has been going on for nearly half of a century. In September 1974, I began BCT at Fort Ord. The barber asked how much hair I wanted to keep, one, two, or three inches. I said three inches, and he buzzed my head and handed me three inches of my hair. Three days later I was in the hospital, having shown up to BCT with Strep Throat.
When I got out, they sent me to a new unit. This unit was part of a pilot program that allowed soldiers in BCT to get a military regulation haircut instead of a buzz cut. I was the only one with a full buzz cut. I kept it the entire eight weeks of BCT; it was so much easier to care for, and it did not feel as dirty when we were in the field.
I understand that the haircut is part of the "break them down to build them up" process; my experience it was not necessary. I could see if women were not forced to get short (not necessarily buzz cuts) it could cause resentment with the male soldiers.
I know that when I entered West Point in 1976 as a member of the "Class of '80, Year of the Lady" (the first year women attended the Academy) we men had buzz cuts and the women had a very short haircut to start Beast Barracks. I don't recall any resentment over haircuts from the male Cadets at the time.

Short hair cuts are the simplest way to prevent lice infestations when you throw a group of people with dissimilar backgrounds together in close proximity. It also tends to "level" them all to a common starting point. Why does everything have to become a personal liberty issue? Lace up your boots and STFU.

Again Rally Point, you need to prune these stupid questions. This one is five years old.

I went through basic training in a different era before the Womans Army Corps were folded into big Army. The close cropping of hair for males is for several reasons.

Hygiene one. Less likely to transmit some nasty things with closely shorn hair.

Uniformity of appearance, we're still individuals regardless, but the uniformity of appearance, works to have a shared experience with your fellow trainee.

Quick identification, seriously, for the few trainees who may decide to disappear to a main exchange, rather than be with the training company. It becomes apparent very quickly some thing is amiss and you will be herded back to where you belong. Except for Church call, trainees had been escorted everywhere.

So while for male soldiers the close cropping may seem dehumanizing, it is more for building the comradery need by shared experiences, so they can help each other make it through basic training.

As for female soldiers needing equal treatment, I'll leave it to a female NCO to respond.

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