Military hair cuts

[Riotupfront]

So how long does hair have to be during basic and after basic training, I've looked it up and everything keeps giving me different answers. Thanks.

[Resign the King]

Generally dreadlocks are preferred, but mohawks are accepted.

[Mantikore]

just look at pictures of soldiers from your country on google?

[deus]

I don't know about the US, but I know how it is over here (UK):

Basic: Usually #2 - #4. Royal Marines do it to a #2. My mate in the army got off with a little longer through basic, although I'm not sure exactly what they cut it to to start with. Essentially: short.

Post-Basic: Depends on branch, but generally short enough to look neat, be low maintenance and not get in the way. Short back and sides often preferable, leaving room to play on the top, but still fitting neatly under a beret.

I notice a lot of the US guys having short back and sides, longer on the top, so I presume it's a similar idea.

If you're applying, ask your recruiter. Don't worry too much about cutting it for basic, though - they'll do that for you. Although I wouldn't turn up to interview or basic with girly locks, personally.

[Erorr]

crew cut



/thread

[plehem12]

in basic youre gonna get it shaved as short as the clippers can go. after basic you can have it a little longer, i forget the exact measurement but it depends on your unit really whats accepted and whats not. our first sergeant isnt too big on haircuts as long as it looks pretty neat, but she still has to tell people to get haircuts pretty often. i still shave mine to my scalp every sunday. its easier and much cooler in hot weather, and i dont ever have to worry about getting yelled at about haircuts by anyone. dont understand why anyone else wouldnt do the same

[HARDMAN]

Special Forces is the way to go.

[Trueborn]

Originally Posted by black

I suppose they earn it

Not that they "earn it" so much as they're authorized to do stuff like that to blend in with the people wherever they are.

Typical grooming standards for males:
- Hair will be no longer than 4 inches
- Hair will not touch the ears
- Face will be shaved clean every day

Females:
- Hair will not fall below the bottom of the uppermost part of the collar while in uniform

[nutsack]

Originally Posted by Trueborn Vorpal

Not that they "earn it" so much as they're authorized to do stuff like that to blend in with the people wherever they are.

Good point.

[elf omg]

Fuck the military and their insistence on forcing their skewered beliefs about gender roles.

[elf omg]

Also, some black guys (and maybe others Iono) can get permission to just trim their facial hair daily, because when they shave they get a rash.

[nutsack]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Fuck the military and their insistence on forcing their skewered beliefs about gender roles.

It's just more practical to have short hair.

[elf omg]

Originally Posted by black

It's just more practical to have short hair.

Okay, then why don't the women have to have their hair cut as short as men?

[MrNatowski]

In boot camp they're going to shave you completely bald. Don't think if you cut your hair yourself that they're going to leave it. Everyone gets shaved. I wouldn't recommend going with long hair though. There was a guy who came in later than everyone else after we were all shaved, and he had shoulder length hair. Everyone training instructor singled him out until they finally shaved him.

After boot camp (In the AF) hair can be up to 3 inches but can't extend more than 1 inch from your scalp (This means in general if your hair gets more than 2 inches you'll be reprimanded. You hair cannot touch your ears at all. You also can't dye your hair any non-natural color (For guys this is black, brown, blond, or grey). If you don't come in with red hair, you can't dye it red.

Finally, don't try to stand out. It's not a good idea.

[slm33d]

Fuck up tranny. My mates have all theirs cut to a number 3/4. Their in army reserves though.

[nutsack]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Okay, then why don't the women have to have their hair cut as short as men?

I guess some women have demanded it. They still need to keep it above collar and tie it back. I imagine some would cut it anyway to save them time in the morning during training.

[elf omg]

Originally Posted by black

I guess some women have demanded it. They still need to keep it above collar and tie it back. I imagine some would cut it anyway to save them time in the morning during training.

The men should be allowed longer hair, too. And it's upsetting that they don't allow women into certain jobs.

[nutsack]

Originally Posted by Ashley

The men should be allowed longer hair, too. And it's upsetting that they don't allow women into certain jobs.

Women are allowed in combat trades in my country, can't speak for others. I think it's a relatively recent thing.

[Animal Farm Pig]

For the US Army, this is covered by AR670-1. Here is the appropriate section:

1–8. Hair and fingernail standards and grooming policies
a. Hair.
(1) General. The requirement for hair grooming standards is necessary to maintain uniformity within a military
population. Many hairstyles are acceptable, as long as they are neat and conservative. It is not possible to address every
acceptable hairstyle, or what constitutes eccentric or conservative grooming. Therefore, it is the responsibility of
leaders at all levels to exercise good judgment in the enforcement of Army policy. All soldiers will comply with the
hair, fingernail, and grooming policies while in any military uniform or while in civilian clothes on duty.
(a) Leaders will judge the appropriateness of a particular hairstyle by the appearance of headgear when worn.
Soldiers will wear headgear as described in the applicable chapters of this regulation. Headgear will fit snugly and
comfortably, without distortion or excessive gaps. Hairstyles that do not allow soldiers to wear the headgear properly,
or that interfere with the proper wear of the protective mask or other protective equipment, are prohibited.
(b) Extreme, eccentric, or trendy haircuts or hairstyles are not authorized. If soldiers use dyes, tints, or bleaches,
they must choose those that result in natural hair colors. Colors that detract from a professional military appearance are
prohibited. Therefore, soldiers should avoid using colors that result in an extreme appearance. Applied hair colors that
are prohibited include, but are not limited to, purple, blue, pink, green, orange, bright (fire-engine) red, and fluorescent
or neon colors. It is the responsibility of leaders to use good judgment in determining if applied colors are acceptable,
based upon the overall effect on soldiers’ appearance.
(c) Soldiers who have a texture of hair that does not part naturally may cut a part into the hair. The part will be one
straight line, not slanted or curved, and will fall in the area where the soldier would normally part the hair. Soldiers
will not cut designs into their hair or scalp.
(2) Male haircuts will conform to the following standards.
(a) The hair on top of the head must be neatly groomed. The length and bulk of the hair may not be excessive or
present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. The hair must present a tapered appearance. A tapered appearance
is one where the outline of the soldier’s hair conforms to the shape of the head, curving inward to the natural
termination point at the base of the neck. When the hair is combed, it will not fall over the ears or eyebrows, or touch
the collar, except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck. The block-cut fullness in the back is permitted to a
moderate degree, as long as the tapered look is maintained. In all cases, the bulk or length of hair may not interfere
with the normal wear of headgear (see para 1–8a(1)(a), above) or protective masks or equipment. Males are not
authorized to wear braids, cornrows, or dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted, individual parts of hair) while in uniform
or in civilian clothes on duty. Hair that is clipped closely or shaved to the scalp is authorized.
(b) Males will keep sideburns neatly trimmed. Sideburns may not be flared; the base of the sideburn will be a cleanshaven,
horizontal line. Sideburns will not extend below the lowest part of the exterior ear opening.
(c) Males will keep their face clean-shaven when in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty. Mustaches are permitted;
if worn, males will keep mustaches neatly trimmed, tapered, and tidy. Mustaches will not present a chopped off or
bushy appearance, and no portion of the mustache will cover the upper lip line or extend sideways beyond a vertical
line drawn upward from the corners of the mouth (see figure 1–1). Handlebar mustaches, goatees, and beards are not
authorized. If appropriate medical authority prescribes beard growth, the length required for medical treatment must be
specified. For example, “The length of the beard will not exceed 1⁄4 inch” (see TB MED 287). Soldiers will keep the
growth trimmed to the level specified by appropriate medical authority, but they are not authorized to shape the growth
into goatees, or “Fu Manchu” or handlebar mustaches.

The problem is that the people who are going to disagree with your hair style haven't actually read the regulation. So, they may insist that you get it cut shorter or differently than necessary. If someone in charge tells you to cut your hair, and you respond with "But it's within regs, look!" and pull a copy of the appropriate section of AR670-1 out of your pocket, be prepared for a shit storm.

[AdamSmokesCrack]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Fuck the military and their insistence on forcing their skewered beliefs about gender roles.

It's about not having hair in your eyes/ears during battle. One half second used to sweep hair out of your face could cost your life. They used to allow any style of haircut in the US military up until having long, unkempt hair became fashionable, and they started having problems with soldiers not being able to see.
Honestly, calm down. Not everything is about penises and vaginas.

[Cir]

Originally Posted by Trueborn Vorpal

- Hair will not touch the ears

Why is that, merely for aesthetics, or for health reasons?

[AdamSmokesCrack]

Originally Posted by Ashley

The men should be allowed longer hair, too. And it's upsetting that they don't allow women into certain jobs.

Horrible feminist. I'm all for equality, but when bitches like you keep fucking coming back with more and more problems. Ugh. They'll let women into any fucking job they want --- problem is, they can't meet some of the physical requirements or can't handle the stress. This isn't a sexist view, it's fact. Women lack the testosterone levels to build large amounts of muscle without taking hormones.

[elf omg]

Originally Posted by AdamSmokesCrack

Horrible feminist. I'm all for equality, but when bitches like you keep fucking coming back with more and more problems. Ugh. They'll let women into any fucking job they want --- problem is, they can't meet some of the physical requirements or can't handle the stress. This isn't a sexist view, it's fact. Women lack the testosterone levels to build large amounts of muscle without taking hormones.

Having large amounts of muscle doesn't seem that important with a gun in hand.

[Animal Farm Pig]

From the US Army regulation: "The requirement for hair grooming standards is necessary to maintain uniformity within a military population."

That's it. It a control issue, like so many other things in the military. There's as much reason for hair cuts as there is for standing "dress right dress" in formations, marching places, making your bunk to military standards, or standing at parade rest while addressing NCO's.

[AdamSmokesCrack]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Having large amounts of muscle doesn't seem that important with a gun in hand.

You said they won't let women into some jobs. The jobs that have standards for strength and longevity are typically the only ones women can not obtain.

[elf omg]

Originally Posted by AdamSmokesCrack

You said they won't let women into some jobs. The jobs that have standards for strength and longevity are typically the only ones women can not obtain.

Yes. Which does not make sense, because I'm positive some of the women in the military are stronger than some of the men in those positions.

[nutsack]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Having large amounts of muscle doesn't seem that important with a gun in hand.

You need to be able to do some pretty physically demanding stuff, its not a matter of muscle bulk. I think women in general would need to work harder to meet some of the standards. I know the entry requirements are lower on the physical side for women, I don't know about further into training. They wouldn't get any breaks if they were trying to get into SAS or something.

[AdamSmokesCrack]

Originally Posted by Ashley

Yes. Which does not make sense, because I'm positive some of the women in the military are stronger than some of the men in those positions.

That may be true, but they sure as fuck don't try out for it. My dad was an E7. Never had a single female under his command that tried to be more than a grunt or a pencil-pusher, regardless of character or strength.

[Death Snuggle]

For the National Guard, the longest it can be is 2 inches. During basic it gets even shorter, so there's no point in worrying about it unless that's one of your qualms with joining or join the Guard or Air Guard.

[umop 3pisdn]

I don't know about US CBRN equipment, but I can't imagine people who like to grow their hair -facial too- out doing very well with a gasmask on their head.

When I took a 3 week course on CBRN we had some artillery people with us, and calling them well-groomed would be considered lying, if you catch my drift. As days passed they got scruffier and scruffier and ended up looking like a bunch of clochards. Nobody told them to shave or cut their hair, and when we went into the gas chamber for the exam session, I noticed our Lt smirking.

Turns out they bombed us with everything they had in there, and in very high concentrations. The artillery guys were literally dripping with tears and slime from eyes, nose and mouth, and when an instructor brought in a box labeled 'DM' I knew why he'd been smiling. Adamsite it was, and boy, did those guys suffer. One ended up tearing his gas mask from his face almost right away, and puked a good 6 feet far. Everyone who hadn't shaved or kept his hair short got pwned that day, and besides a few of them failing the course alltogether they all got sent back with a bad note on their record.

Keeping your hair short is part of it. If you end up working as a mechanic on trucks in a garage for the rest of your life, I would presume nobody would care much if you grow your hair. Basic means short hair, at least here in Belgium, I don't know how strict other countries are on this.

In my opinion, military means short hair. Imagine seeing paratroopers with their hair blowing in the wind, fuck that, take your job a bit serious. It's easy to take care of, you won't get lice as easy, and it simply looks better. I shave mine to nothing but a stubble every week, gives the beret a good grip on the head too.

[enterprise4145]

The military haircuts do seem rather harsh. Afterall are you not usually wearing a helmet? I understand that it would be dangerous for the hair to cover the eyes since .. well you can't see properly!

-Jack
Male Haircuts

[TheDarkRodent]

Originally Posted by plehem12

in basic youre gonna get it shaved as short as the clippers can go. after basic you can have it a little longer, i forget the exact measurement but it depends on your unit really whats accepted and whats not. our first sergeant isnt too big on haircuts as long as it looks pretty neat, but she still has to tell people to get haircuts pretty often. i still shave mine to my scalp every sunday. its easier and much cooler in hot weather, and i dont ever have to worry about getting yelled at about haircuts by anyone. dont understand why anyone else wouldnt do the same

That is not always the case. In areas of extreme heat or cold they leave more hair than "as short as the clippers can go". It is up to the Battalion Commander for your training unit.

[Eridani]

Originally Posted by HARDMAN

Special Forces is the way to go.

Just a little off topic note, don't know if it was said. The reason these guys grow beards, especially if they're training Afghanis is because of the traditional patriarchal culture in Afghanistan, a man with a beard like that is automatically an authority figure/respected etc.

[TheDarkRodent]

Originally Posted by Princess 'Zek

Also, some black guys (and maybe others Iono) can get permission to just trim their facial hair daily, because when they shave they get a rash.

That is known as a Medical Profile.

Originally Posted by Princess 'Zek

Okay, then why don't the women have to have their hair cut as short as men?

Because it is the armed forces and you have no rights other than those granted by UCMJ, deal with it.

Originally Posted by Animal Farm Pig

For the US Army, this is covered by AR670-1. Here is the appropriate section:


The problem is that the people who are going to disagree with your hair style haven't actually read the regulation. So, they may insist that you get it cut shorter or differently than necessary. If someone in charge tells you to cut your hair, and you respond with "But it's within regs, look!" and pull a copy of the appropriate section of AR670-1 out of your pocket, be prepared for a shit storm.

"Ed Zachery", and also be prepared to have every other reg known to man shoved up your ass every time you turn around. It is there game and they WILL win.

[JyrAll]

use th 2 fyngur roole
if its longer than yer tew fingers (nxt to ech othr nt length dumass)
thn its too long 4 th mylitary atleest it usa mayb shortur fer ur branch

[007GoldenShower]

Aren't all AJ cuts the same?

[lethargic]

In basic in the U.S. Army, they take all of the hair they can without using a razor. They will attempt to rape your head with the clippers.

After basic, I think the standard three inches max, but you have to keep it trimmed up around the sides and back. Depending on what unit you're in, the standard might be a bit shorter.

Navy SEALs don't ever have to shave, trim their hair, or even any basic grooming at all. On Deployments, you can always tell who the SEALs and Special Forces guys are because they're the ones that look like mountain men or bikers.

[zelda]

If its for the US, I think it says on the military academies websites, so google them.

[TheDarkRodent]

How many times do you guys need to read the same thing before it sinks in? The amount of hair they cut off in BCT is variable. Depending on the weather, your Battalion Commander, and other factors. There is no regulation under UCMJ or any other armed forces manual that specifies the length of hair specifically for BCT.

[Uca]

Originally Posted by Riotupfront

So how long does hair have to be during basic and after basic training, I've looked it up and everything keeps giving me different answers. Thanks.

You're getting different answers because it's different everywhere. The rule of thumb is shorter the better. If it's not right when you get to Basic, they'll fix it. Just like they'll fix everything they don't like about you. Get used to your life revolving around a higher ranking person's whim.

Originally Posted by TheDarkRodent

That is known as a Medical Profile.

"Ed Zachery", and also be prepared to have every other reg known to man shoved up your ass every time you turn around. It is there game and they WILL win.

This. It's not hard to get a shaving waiver, but you have to have this, or a similar condition. It is more prevalent in Black men, but not exclusively.

And never... ever... ever carry around the reg to show your superiors. That's asking for a life of raping every chance they get. Trust me.