With the current lone wolf threats should the military abandon the traditional haircut?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 17:48:44 -0400

I have been spotted by out of a crowed before as being military given my haircut and clean shaven. Given the new regulations of always being clean shaven when not on leave this will really ensure that everyone knows which males are military.

Given the recent events and threats and many commands stating do not wear uniforms when off duty or off post should the military abandon the typical traditional military male haircuts?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 5:52 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 17:52:24 -0400

Nope. Short haircuts are in style in the civilian population as well, so there's probably no need. Taking the military-themed stickers off the cars and avoiding wearing uniforms to public events would do much more to protect the force.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 6:33 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 18:33:28 -0400

No Sir. Also I think we should stop giving them the name of "Lone Wolf" I think that they more earned the title of "Lone Rats"

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 9:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 21:46:11 -0400

It is pretty hard to not be identified as military even with longer hair. Before I even joined, people thought I was a former service member because of the way I carried myself (stood up straight at all times, talked to everyone humbly and respectfully). Muscle memory dictates our posture and other tell tale signs. Given all this, I still try not to look like I'm in the military because of outside threats. Here in USASOC, it's beat into a lot of people's heads to keep all the discipline of but not necessarily look the part of a soldier. You never know what's out there. Soldiers are a favorite target for everyone from the lone wolf terrorist to the wannabe gangbangers of Fayetteville, NC. Here in USASOC, you see almost everyone with a full head of hair= even the hooah hooah guys with a past in the 82nd. From time to time I get a nice high and tight and I'm made of fun of and thought be retarded until it grows back. Most people think I lost a bet or something. As for the uniform thing, who the fuck is wearing it when not on duty? I thought this shit was clear. If you're not conducting military business, do not wear any fucking ACUs, ASUs, BDUs, ABUs, etc.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 9:55 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 21:55:32 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member We don't need NO stinkin hair!!!!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 10:14 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 22:14:48 -0400

In my opinion a military member will always stand out regardless of haircut. You cannot change or remove the mannerisms that military members or retirees have. It is instilled in your being. It may be foolish but I will not be intimidated. I will still wear hats, tee shirts and keep my few decals on my truck. I am proud of my service and will not run or hide it.

Response by Cpl Christopher Allen-Shinn made Oct 22 at 2014 11:51 PM

Cpl Christopher Allen-Shinn — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 23:51:35 -0400

I say no, as long as the unit is in garrison in the USA or a friendly and reasonably safe foreign land (e.g., Germany). Grooming standards and proper uniform wear are a crucial part of the identity of our professional armed forces.

However, if on a combat deployment, deployed to a hazardous location overseas, or under a credible active threat anywhere, then local commanders should have the flexibility make their best decision to accomplish the mission and protect their subordinate personnel. That could include flexible grooming, civvies off post, etc.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Oct 23 at 2014 12:26 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 00:26:01 -0400

Sir, I don't think it matters whether or not the victim looks the part of being military or not however, when in public, I avoid talking about the military nor do I have anything on my car that describes I am in the military.

Response by SGT Alicia Brenneis made Oct 23 at 2014 7:24 AM

SGT Alicia Brenneis — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 07:24:52 -0400

No. Seeing a soldier outside of a military populated area always brings me a sense of pride. It also gives people a sense of security. I think men should enjoy that. As a female in the military that is not something we get. At no fault to anyone. People just do not assume a female in civilians is military. I get asked all the time if my husband is the soldier and surprised looks when I tell them I am. I do not blame anyone for this of course. In light of the recent threat... being a soldier has always made us a target of extremists. I personally feel that if you look like you know what you are doing (squared away soldier) you are less likely to have problems. When I see that soldier who needs a hair cut or looks messy I do not see them as "well trained" or competent therefor less of a threat. They are less of a threat and possibly a bigger target because they look easier to take/overwhelm.

If given the choice who would you try to fight? (based on the opinion of an easy target)

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 8:50 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 20:50:25 -0400

I personally haven't had a traditional hair cut for a few years (except during deployments) I already stand out in a crowd enough (Hyper vigilance ) and people always assume I am a law enforcement officer due to the way I look at people.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 9:57 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 09:57:32 -0500

A lot of military members give themselves away before you even see them. We'll put 15 military bumper stickers on our cars with branch specific vanity plates. Leave our PC's on the dash while driving. Wear our desert tan boots and jeans to the mall. Where just the tan undershirt to the mall. We have a lot of pride as service members, but this can make us a target.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 6:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 18:07:22 -0500

Anti-terrorism/Force Protection should allow for this considering the rise in lone wolf attacks. As well as a myriad of other steps that you proactively take such as varying routes home and watching for vehicles following you. No stateside service member should be in the "green zone" of Cooper's Color Code right now.

Response by MSG Sean Francis made Nov 5 at 2014 5:50 PM

MSG Sean Francis — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 17:50:57 -0500

It is all personal and individual. The military haircuts that most Soldiers get is a personal preference. I haven't had a military haircut in years. Even people who are not in the service get these haircuts so that's no clear way of saying who is a service member or not. You just have to be on the alert and remember OPSEC, plus don't make yourself a target. Why do commands insist on Soldiers flying in their duty uniform? That's an issue that needs to be adjusted plus having us all fly together on the same flights when it could be easier to stagger them.

Response by PO1 Steven Kuhn made Dec 24 at 2014 9:43 AM

PO1 Steven Kuhn — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 09:43:36 -0500

I think uniformity brings us together, and long hair can be a disadvantage in hand to hand combat. Furthermore I feel that fear should never motivate us to change, but prepare. If we are assigned to covert in country missions we need to blend in. Our military sets a standard. I still keep my hair short! Let them come.

R/
Steve

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2016 3:00 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 03:00:12 -0400

I voted yes. I'm stationed overseas and these past attacks in Paris and Brussels were eerily too close to me for comfort. Being able to blend in with the local populace would help protect not me, but my family. I don't want to make my family a target just because of the haircuts we are forced to have.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Apr 3 at 2016 4:59 PM

Maj Mike Sciales — Sun, 03 Apr 2016 16:59:58 -0400

Hmmmmm. I visit Kuwait several time a year and I see the GIs with shaved heads, khaki cargo pants, Polo Shifts and brown desert boots, if I was a bad guy, long hair and a beard wouldn't fool me. You cannot hide a physique, also wander seemingly without direction in small herds, usually 4-6 and spend a lot of time talking loudly when they order at the McDonalds. Like they said in "My Cousin Vinny" "Yeah, you blend."

Response by SFC Jerome Ludwig made Apr 4 at 2016 11:14 AM

SFC Jerome Ludwig — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 11:14:11 -0400

We should get rid of the double standard, one personal grooming standard for all. male, female and the others should be the same.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 7 at 2016 7:09 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 19:09:30 -0400

There is nothing in the regs that makes the haircut make males standout. Many businessmen keep hair off their ears and collars, nothing requires a high and tight.

Response by SPC James Anderson made Aug 16 at 2016 6:31 PM

SPC James Anderson — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 18:31:48 -0400

If we change how we act and what we believe in then the terrorists have already won. I've been out 14 years and I still carry a high and tight and I will be damned if I change my behavior for a perceived chance at safety. The worse that can happen is i die believing in something great and I say what is wrong with that?

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Aug 16 at 2016 7:56 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 19:56:26 -0400

No, you don't hide behind a haircut. I always thought is was as much for hygiene as discipline, after all the team guys have long hair and beards and they are obviously the best in the world. It's just easier IMO to stay clean, the mission is combat readiness even in peacetime. If you ask me at 21, hell no I want a beard and long hair, screw it. Hated a high and tight back in the day,, but it is practical if your stuck in a shit hole somewhere where personal hygiene is close to impossible.

Response by CW3 Matt Hutchason made Aug 16 at 2016 9:07 PM

CW3 Matt Hutchason — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 21:07:15 -0400

In this scenario, yes, it would be prudent. Those special guys grow hair to not stand out. I think the official logic is that military haircuts and shaving are strictly adhered to because of the fit of an NBC mask. A unit, I suppose in theory, that does conventional warfare tactics are more likely to become victim to an NBC attack due to their slower moving posture in comparison to our operator friends.

Response by PO3 Jonathan Cooper made Aug 16 at 2016 9:45 PM

PO3 Jonathan Cooper — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 21:45:36 -0400

No. Even out of the military I still have a fair amount of mannerisms from my time in. We'll stick out no matter where we are in the U.S. Overseas, however, I could see this being considered, if most Americans actually knew how to blend in with certain populations and not stick out.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 10:55 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 22:55:42 -0400

I would rather blend in with the local populace than stand out. Don't get me wrong I'm proud of serving, but I rather not become a target.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 24 at 2017 7:03 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 19:03:14 -0400

Our haircuts are not what distinguishes ourselves from the civilian population, it is our bearing, the way we walk, and how we interact with others that stands out.

Response by SGT Frederick Chambers made Oct 15 at 2017 4:36 PM

SGT Frederick Chambers — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 16:36:20 -0400

The haircut will never matter if an individual has served in the military. I have been out for over a decade and people can still tell I'm prior service just by the way I carry myself. It's the discipline that is instilled in basic and beyond that makes/allows a service member to standout.

Response by LtCol George Carlson made Oct 16 at 2017 12:01 AM

LtCol George Carlson — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 00:01:18 -0400

I hate to tell you, but even a retired guy with long hair and a beard still carries himself and walks like a military man. At least Marines and most Army do. I can't speak to the other services nor to the women, I just don't have enough of a sample to make a judgement. In the aircraft hijacking epidemic following Vietnam, we were told to travel in civilian clothes and not identify ourselves as military (not that the haircut, bearing, and walk didn't give us away). I was travelling on orders and presented my ticket, Missouri drivers license, and civilian passport to a gate agent. She responded (in a voice that could have been heard in a stall in the men's restroom), "These are military tickets. Let me see your military ID and government passport." So much for that idea.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2017 2:45 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 14:45:34 -0400

Nah. Plenty of civilians have shaved domes.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 8:49 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 08:49:31 -0400

Believe it or not, you can have a regulation haircut without going full HOOAH... never go full HOOAH.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Oct 18 at 2017 6:33 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 18:33:47 -0400

Ummm, in a word, NO

Response by MSG Joe Waters made Mar 21 at 2018 10:26 PM

MSG Joe Waters — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 22:26:07 -0400

I am retired and I keep my hair the same way as when I was on active duty. Why? Because I don’t like long hair on me. To each their own

Response by HN Marty Smith made Apr 12 at 2018 12:15 AM

HN Marty Smith — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:15:22 -0400

Been out for 25 Yes and still wear a high and tight

Response by CPO Mike Sordelet made Apr 13 at 2018 2:26 PM

CPO Mike Sordelet — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 14:26:55 -0400

No, being in the military is more than a job, even when out of uniform most still show their active duty by their stance, the way they speak, and even how they walk. The haircut is more a higene thing for ease of care, it also shows a since of discipline so I say keep the haircut.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2018 10:41 PM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 22:41:28 -0400

For those of you who think having no grooming standards is a good idea are: civilian morons, military members never deployed in combat or hopless millennials. Why are their strict rules regarding hair: hygiene, water is precious, easy to wash. Less chance of parasites. And, most important, head wounds bleed a great deal. Hair matted with blood is a mess. In combat there is no time to search for a wound. Dressings slip off heads covered with excessive hair.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2018 5:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Apr 2018 17:02:51 -0400

Most military members haircuts do not differ much from their civilian counterparts these days.

Response by Sgt Ken Prescott made Jul 13 at 2019 8:54 AM

Sgt Ken Prescott — Sat, 13 Jul 2019 08:54:06 -0400

There is no such thing as a "lone wolf." The strength of the wolf is the strength of the pack. And the people popularizing the phrase "lone wolf" for jihadists know this.

"Lone wolf" is a deliberate attempt to conceal the fact that our enemy has infrastructure to support their operations inside the United States, and that the Deep State is doing absolutely nothing about it, because its presence supports their goals.

"Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? Why, if it prosper, none dare call it treason."

Response by SSG Rick Reeder made Aug 2 at 2019 8:39 PM

SSG Rick Reeder — Fri, 02 Aug 2019 20:39:32 -0400

I had it explained to me by a soldier in the English Army. His hair was long. He said with the IRA, you did not want to look like a soldier, otherwise you could end up as a sniper target.