Why can't they allow people who are balding to shave their heads in basic training.

2014-04-13T02:06:58-04:00

I joined the Army and graduated basic training at the age of 37. I am balding and have been since my early twenties. I had been shaving my head since I was 27. When I went to basic training I was informed that I could not shave my head. Every two weeks the males would have to go get haircuts and everytime my barber would say "I should charge you half price". I could have taken care of my own hair once a week with a razor. So lets here it what does the community think is the real reason that we cant shave our heads in basic.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Apr 13 at 2014 8:44 AM

2014-04-13T08:44:01-04:00

Most likely the Army doesn't want to have the appearance of a radical supremacist group in their ranks.  The military is already being portrayed as a little sketchy when it comes to guns and explosives - even to the point of being profiled by DHS and law enforcement.  This effort is purely for PR purposes.  Back in the day is was just the opposite - shaved heads abounded!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2014 2:38 PM

2014-04-15T14:38:57-04:00

I agree with SGT Landers. It's just like having to have every wall locker set up the same or having every bunk made the same. It is about making you fit in with your surroundings (i.e. your fellow basic trainees). Although it would have been easier and more convenient for you to perform this task yourself, you must conform to the norm of everyone else.

Response by SFC Stephen Hester made May 22 at 2014 6:03 PM

2014-05-22T18:03:59-04:00

I don't remember having enough time to shave my head in basic if I had wanted to. I think it's all about uniformity: everyone stands in the barber shop line, no exceptions. Command and control is much easier when everyone is doing the same thing.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 10:57 PM

2014-09-01T22:57:56-04:00

This was actually a board question that my csm got me on. It's something you'll find covered under medical (don't quote me because I cannot remember the Reg exactly) but you're more likely to develop infections in the scalp if you're head is shaved in harsh environments. The minute I find the exact Reg I'll b sure to share it.

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Feb 20 at 2015 8:58 AM

2015-02-20T08:58:26-05:00

All of these are great answers. However, IMHO it's so that they can keep the babers employed. They have a captive audience and there is probably some contract the barbers have with AAFES that guarantees them heads to cut.

Just my two cents though.

Response by SSG Mannix Brooks made Feb 21 at 2019 3:26 PM

2019-02-21T15:26:29-05:00

A clean shaved head is a fashion statement in basic training not a necessity plus everyone must have the same crappy AAFES haircut to look equally jacked up, so no one feels special.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Apr 12 at 2019 9:06 PM

2019-04-12T21:06:57-04:00

The exchange has got to make that money... They work with HQ and know when Platoons, Flights<~(AF) are coming I. And approx how many in ea. So they calculate what’s they’ll make approximately.. (got that from a guy who cut hair part time..

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made May 18 at 2020 9:52 PM

2020-05-18T21:52:32-04:00

Basic training is about uniformity. If one person is going to shave their head, then everyone is going to shave their head. I assume you are able to shave your head now without a problem.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2020 9:50 PM

2020-09-12T21:50:57-04:00

I know when I went through boot camp back in 2012 one of the guys in my division (navy thing, don't ask me why) was balding and shaves his head for at least 10 years prior, and they gave the whole speech about uniformity. He went down to medical after a couple weeks in and got a chit to shave his head as the hair growth was causing irritation. I don't know how different the army does things like that, but it was pretty much the opposite of a no shave chit.