Should women have to cut hair for Ranger School?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 09:04:16 -0400

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/04/24/women-ranger-school-haircuts/26265435/

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 9:29 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 09:29:36 -0400

Sure, equal opportunity and uniformity, right?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 29 at 2015 9:32 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 09:32:27 -0400

It's outlined in the article.

It's a hygienic haircut, and also for uniformity. It specifically mentions finding "ticks" which can be deadly.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 29 at 2015 9:40 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 09:40:34 -0400

Buzz job for all!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Apr 29 at 2015 10:05 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 10:05:37 -0400

Is it the standard? Then yes!

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 29 at 2015 10:33 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 10:33:41 -0400

I'll say it once again... If females want to be able to attend Ranger School, they need to be held to the same standards as men. If men are required to have the shortest haircuts allowed by regulation, women should, as well. If not, then no.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 10:35 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 10:35:21 -0400

Yes, they should.

This is not a time for vanity. This is a time for mission. There is no priority for coiffing ones 'do when time is of the essence.

I almost wish someone would dare me to GI-Jane my locks. Seems like it would be a relief! :)

Response by SPC Jeana Mitchell made Apr 29 at 2015 11:20 AM

SPC Jeana Mitchell — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 11:20:56 -0400

If they want to be equals and not looked at differently then yes. Rangers are put into situations where they need to blend in and having long hair can sometimes be hard to hide and control, you do not want hair being the reason you are given away to the enemy, or hair falling in your face and compromising your shot. iIf Ranger school is truly that important to you, the hair will go

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Apr 29 at 2015 11:30 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 11:30:41 -0400

SGM Private RallyPoint Member, this past Friday (24APR15), I visited with one of the women who attended the RASP in March. She had to drop out because of a severe ankle injury and is now in a hard cast. Before she went to RASP her hair was quite long, which she put up when in uniform.
She got a SERIOUS haircut when she got to Fort Benning and even now her hair is still quite short. She said it's simply a matter of necessity and survival. There was no spare time, and to spend any time at all on her hair would have been suicide, not to mention all the hygiene and regulatory issues already mentioned. She also said that some of the women also had their hair cut virtually high and tight.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 12:03 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:03:40 -0400

Bald as an egg.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 12:13 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:13:51 -0400

It's just hair and it will grow back. It makes sense for time and hygiene to cut it.

Response by MSgt Garrick Hill made Apr 29 at 2015 12:39 PM

MSgt Garrick Hill — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:39:29 -0400

This is a training environment! Safety First, Mission Focus, and skills/concept learning, not vanity! Last time I checked most people have hair that does eventually grow! ;-)

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 29 at 2015 12:44 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:44:03 -0400

Do men have to cut their hair for Ranger School? Whatever the answer is to that one is my answer for this question... Fair is fair, equal is equal..

Response by GySgt Joe Strong made Apr 29 at 2015 1:02 PM

GySgt Joe Strong — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 13:02:53 -0400

If the Standard exists for a reason for males, then, ... I don't really have to finish that right?

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made Apr 29 at 2015 1:05 PM

SPC Jeffrey Bly — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 13:05:54 -0400

I don't care about the hygiene aspect of it, but if you want into the club you have to do what the rest do. Now is not the time to be a princess.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 5:44 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:44:24 -0400

In fairness yes. The Army needs to select a female short hair or really a crew cut and hold to the standard. Its fair and equal. Everyone should equally meet the standard.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 8:09 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 08:09:37 -0400

In order to conform to the standards they should have to meet the same requirements as those before them. To me, this includes the hair cut. Besides, hair will grow back.

Response by 1LT John Unden made Apr 30 at 2015 9:22 AM

1LT John Unden — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 09:22:02 -0400

Women should maintain their appearance as a woman. Unless we plan to propose that all men grow their hair out and take on the appearance of a woman as well. The bottom line is being fit to fight for our country. Nothing else matters. Their hair should not interfere with the wearing of the uniform or military headgear. If they will have hair in combat, they should train as they fight and have hair in training.

Making females shave their heads will test their resolve and devotion before electing to attend Ranger school; but Ranger school will do a fine job weeding out the weak and unfaithful despite appearances, race, or creed as it has for many years.

I say let 'em train as they fight.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2020 5:21 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 05:21:38 -0500

Is there something demeaning about cutting hair? Why should women be given the idea that it’s demeaning to cut men’s hair??

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2020 5:26 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 05:26:16 -0500

Sorry, made a comment before knowing context of article .