Navy Question

My younger sister is joining the Navy next month, and among her concerns is what to do with her hair. She knows she`ll have to cut it, but she wants to know if she should do it now or let them. Her hair is real wavy and down past her shoulder blades. I have no idea wha to tell her, any advice?

That really depends on what she wants. If she gets it cut beforehand she may have some say in what kind of style she gets. If she waits, she will just get the standard recruit haircut. Also if her hair was long enough & she wanted to do anything with it, such as keep it or donate it, she should get it cut beforehand, as she will have no option if she waits. Nevr having been in the military myself, there`s not much more I can say, I hope this helps.

I don`t know squat personally - I do have a friend who had to cut hers when she joined and then wore it waist length - she said you don`t have to cut it anymore - just wear it up...wags

Dear Potato:

Wags is quite correct.........your sister will NOT have to cut her hair, as long as she can demonstrate the ability to put it up in a secure updo........there are several such dos that are very quick and easy to maintain......Dennis

quote:

---

dsull originally wrote:

Reply to message: 21.3154.1

Dear Potato:

Wags is quite correct.........your sister will NOT have to cut her hair, as long as she can demonstrate the ability to put it up in a secure updo........there are several such dos that are very quick and easy to maintain......Dennis

---

>>>>your sister will NOT have to cut her hair, as long as she can demonstrate the ability to put it up in a secure updo........there are several such dos that are very quick and easy to maintain.


So much for "equal" rights -- men get no such choice.

Jennifer

Will she not have to cut it to a certain length during basic training? She`d better check with her
recruiting office. Shouldn`t she get such information from them?

Yes, this is sexist. In the Netherlands, all soldiers can have long hair as long as they keep it
secured in some way.

Your younger sister must have had a manuel that tells her what they expect. They have diagrams that shows what is acceptable or not.

Duke the training is pretty tense . I can`t understand how anyone would have time for their hair. Personally I don`t care what they do in Netherlands support your country for goodness sakes. Being a soldier in our country is something to be proud of and we have a good reputation in this world. Sorry but this is starting to bug me being a daughter of an army man. I personally find that having long hair in certain hostile environment only causes us to be more victims because the enemy can easily grab us. If you reallly studied what you are complaining about you will notice that women in the army in our country cannot have a certain lenght of hair and men do have some choices in hairstyles.

Nonsense - NOONE should have to cut their hair - it`s not required in Israel either. It has nothing to do with safety it`s just a stupid tradition that they are clinging to which serves no purpose now.

If the hair is a danger I`m sure the individual can decide that on their own and act accordingly...wags

Well it is very obvious why haircutting wouldn`t be required in Israel, Waggy. Why would you bring that up? It doesn`t belong.
IN everyday life we long hair people get in all kinds of embarrassing and funny situation like slamming the car door and leaving the hair out of the car etc. Filing cabinet, plastic plants grabbing our hair etc. Years ago we had a whole section on these situations and even Karen our webmaster can easilly tell you embarrassing funnymoments. Being a long hair woman myself I know how long hair could easily get in the way of duty.Why do you think that police women have only a certain length of hair? You will never see someone with knee lenght . I seriously can`t see the practicality of crawling around the bush, the woods, avoiding the enemy and fixing the hairbun all the way time and aiming all the same time. I don`t know how many times I can say that I have been caught by branches in the woods and I had a braid in my hair or I was caught because of my bun. We are talking about life or dealth. This is not fun and games. This is not videos games. These are people who have seriously taken their job to save their country seriously and fixing buns and fashions in the bush doesn`t belong. I happen to know lots of females in that sort of field. I`m around them and know what is involved. There is a time and place for everything. I am not going to bother with this any further. Obviously you never had long hair or you would understand. I enjoy wrestling, paint ball shooting and it is tough to just play and have long hair. I We will never agree as I see how obviously it is by experience. There is a reason to laws. It is easy to see that something isn`t neccessary when one never experience the reason to why the law exists.

I know it`s not exactly the same situation & it was a movie but has anyone here seen the movie GI Jane. That movie says it all about the situation. When she went in, no one made her do anything to it, but it got in the way & she took care of it herself. That`s ultimating why. I`m not sure why but flight attendants have a similar rule about hair lenght as well.

A fine muddle this thread is becoming! I thought men at least had to cut their hair in Israel, and that
a draftee has decided to challenge this. I thought Canadian women did not have to cut their hair,
but even if it can`t exceed a certain length, it sure can be long enough for a good bun.

Diane, I am VERY proud of our military, and our country, but there is always room for improvement.
Rather than saying hair should be a certain length, why not do the same thing as the Netherlands and
say hair can be any length if it can be held in place. Long hair can be put in a tight bun. (military women do it all the time). And say that you can`t do this and it has to be a certain length, like past the shoulders. Men should have the same right. I find it difficult to believe that wars can be lost just because you`re not required to have GI crewcuts!

I don`t know about policewomen. I think the mounties used to make you have short hair, for men at any rate, but changed the rules because Indians wanted to keep their traditional braids. I`d like to see
that in the Canadian and American military, too. At any rate, crewcuts and buzzcuts are needless, and
as for the idea of everyone being the same, your fatigues are enough for that. The military may
require you taking orders, but it should not treat you like property or a robot. You`re not that, but a
human.

There`s been another thread about flight attendants, and that I don`t understand. That obviously
varies from airline to airline. It`s a wierd world we live in. Too many rules, even though were in the
21st century...

Diane, do you know about the style options for men in the CAF today? Do they have to have crewcuts/buzzcuts or at least tapered cuts? What about facial hair? I saw a picture of an American soldier in Afghanistan today, and he had a mustache and goatee. Kewl! Is this allowed now?

Oh, one more thing. Let your sister ask if she can put her hair under a shorter wig. That`s what a guy
whose son`s stone-age school wanted him to cut his rat tail did when he was in the navy! :)

`Xcuse me - but first ??? "posted on 18-Dec-2001 10:04:11 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reply to message: 21.3176.1
Well it is very obvious why haircutting wouldn`t be required in Israel, Waggy. Why would you bring that up? It doesn`t belong.

What the heck is that supposed to mean - I brought it up because it`s true - and why is it "obvious" - it`s not "obvious" to me. And Pardon me but I`ll decide what I think belongs.

As to my hair - you don`t know me from Adam - and you are wrong to boot.

WoozieWoo - I think you have it on the nose - if it becomes a problem people will take care of it as they see fit themselves. We don`t need regulation imposed by other for situations that don`t have any sense and are there simply as a way of bullying and throwing unnecessary weight at the people. Keep to what is important...wags

my best friend joined the army a few years ago, and the army has much higher standards and rules then the navy does (as i know people in both branches) in basic training, when your officers tell you to get ready, and you have 4 minutes to do so. if she can put her hair up in a bun in this amount of time along with getting dressed properly, then she doesnt have to cut it. however, if she doesnt want to do that, girls hair has to be above the collar if they want to wear it down during basic. so a cute bob would do and still has many ways of styling it. as for after basic, they can have it any way they want to. i know girls with waiste length hair in the army. hope this helps.

oh yeah, if she does choose to cut it, have her do it now, for when she joins any haircuts will be performed quickly and messy, ive heard horror stories.

It seems to me that the number 1 reason for serving in the military is to defend one`s country. That`s a very serious business. Part of the reason for uniform clothing and haircuts is to create a feeling of unity among the members. Individuality is a good thing in most instances, but in the military, it`s the cohesiveness of the unit that is largely responsible for its success. You have to work together as a team -- that includes wearing the same outfits and haircuts. Quite honestly, anyone who is so attached to his hair that he can`t bare to cut it probably shouldn`t be in the military. It isn`t a beauty contest! Don`t get me wrong, I LOVE long hair and am a strong supporter of it! But in the military, it`s an entirely different business.

Also, if women want men`s roles in the military, they should have to act like men -- and yes, that includes haircuts. You can`t just take the parts of "equal rights" that benefit one the most.

Long hair and styled hair quite frankly have no place in the deadly serious business of national security, in my opinion.

"Hold on!! The war can`t start now -- my hair isn`t put up in a bun yet!"

Jennifer

Yes, I see what you mean, Jennifer, but I must re-iterate, haircuts are not essential to this. How
were wars won before hair was part of the dress code? You can`t force a feeling of unity, you can
just try to stimulate it. At any rate, a basic uniform does this. I don`t care even about, like, the same
color socks, but your hair is a part of your body, even if a renewable one. I don`t want the people
who defend my country to be robots, just well-disciplined.

This attatched to your hair idea is also something that I take issue with. Aren`t you attatched to
the color of your eyes, the length of your members, the shape of your nose etc? Disfigurements
unfortunately do happen, but that doesn`t make people automatically not care about their body. I
don`t care if hair is renewable. It still grows on your body and is part of you. No the army is not a
beauty contest, but it shouldn`t feel a special license to be an uglification process.

I also think this is silly. Military personnel of either sex should act like "people", not like "men". Just
as I think it`s unfair to give female soldiers buzzcuts, so I think, as said above, that men should
be allowed long hair, as long as you put it up.

Fun fact: in the British army, from somewhere in the 18th century until 1809, you had to have long hair which you`d braid and at least on ceremonial occasions, you had to put this sloppy pomade on it and
powder it with flour or something, as if you were a "gentleman of quality". If your hair was not long enough for this, in at least one regiment, you had to acquire an extension the same color as your hair.,
and attatch it. So why don`t we stay away from extremes, and enforce only those hair rules that are
absolutely necessary? :) :D :)

Ah Jennifer, you said "posted on 21-Dec-2001 9:46:52 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reply to message: 21.3154.1
It seems to me that the number 1 reason for serving in the military is to defend one`s country. "

That is not correct. REasons are - it is required (in some countries) and it`s a good career move (in most countries).

Most people who join the military never see combat. Most countries don`t even allow women into combat.

And as DUKE pointed out so well - in most countries the same goes for men as women and in the US it`s really just a tradition that makes no actual sense...wags

. Most countries don`t even allow women into combat.

Where do you get your information Waggy? We have a museum over here and we are proud to have the first air fighter in the world that was rewarded many pins etc and guess what she was a woman and very beautiful. Check it out in our Canadian history. Canada is a country that women fight. Equal rights. She was around before you were probably born.
There is a whole write about these women that people admire, thier picture etc. I am starting to think you don`t know your history especially when you brought up Israel.
It is not required in Canada to join the army. People join because they want to serve their country. I wouldn`t say its a good career move. Sure the governent give education but the pay isn`t good at first and sure you might have a chance to have a job afterwards like maybe work in the Canadian Post Office. But you must be prepare to go into combat. And seriously Waggy where have you been with the news these days. ONe of our best female air fighters come from my home town and the whole town is hoping that she is safe. It`s on CNN and everything about us, our part etc. Turn on the TV for goodness sakes .................. One of my female classmates went into combat in other countries. GEt your remote and start watching history. Canada is a country you know. Look on the map lol.
My father didn`t join the army because of a career move nor did my grandfather nor will my son that is seriously thinking about it. All our War war 11 veterans were serious about our country. OUr city is totallly cleared up because of September 11 and everyone is serious about protecting our countries. YOur attitude about the army is seriously starting to peave me. You should thank God that not everyone has this attitude and you are safe because someone didn`t join the army for a career change but to save your butt.

Diane dear!! - I suggest you take your own advice.
Where do you get off thinking when I refer to "most Countries" I was thinking of Canada. I lived there for many year. Canada is just one little country among many and does not respresent the World.

As to Israel - I also have relatives there. And I suggest YOU start getting yourself educated before making sanctimonious and ill informed remarks. You are the one in need of information.

My information is correct, if I`m not sure I say so - I have lived all over the World.

I really don`t care what your friends and family did or why - you don`t represent me and you are not doing anything for MY butt.

Save it for someone who cares...wags

I said, "It seems to me that the number 1 reason for serving in the military is to defend one`s country."

And you replied, "That is not correct. REasons are - it is required (in some countries) and it`s a good career move (in most countries)."

I`m afraid this will be news to the military! I understand that in some countries serving is mandatory, not optional, but the reason for serving is the same.

Concerning your second point, the military is not "set up" to provide careers for people! Its mission is to defend the country! And as such, individual fashion and individuality cannot take priority over national security.

Jennifer

Duke (I hit send too quickly and to my amazement, I could not edit the post)

You said, "This attatched to your hair idea is also something that I take issue with. Aren`t you attatched to
the color of your eyes, the length of your members, the shape of your nose etc? Disfigurements
unfortunately do happen, but that doesn`t make people automatically not care about their body. I
don`t care if hair is renewable. It still grows on your body and is part of you. No the army is not a
beauty contest, but it shouldn`t feel a special license to be an uglification process."

How on earth can you equate losing one`s hair to losing one`s sight or a limb?! Although we certainly all have individual hair preferences, a short haircut will not effect our bodies the way losing one of our senses will. Although I personally would HATE short hair on me, I think it is a gross injustice to those who truly are handicapped to call it a disfigurement.

"So why don`t we stay away from extremes, and enforce only those hair rules that are absolutely necessary?"

Apparently those who make the rules in the military feel it is essential. Long hair is simply not practical and can get in the way of someone in the military. Yes, in the field, there is an increased incidence of lice. Also, in hand-to-hand combat, there is the likelihood of an opponent grabbing one`s hair. There simply is no time to "style" or put up long hair in either boot camp or in a conflict situation. Long hair flies in the wind and actually could obstruct vision during a crucial moment. There are probably hundreds more reasons that I don`t know.

"Military personnel of either sex should act like "people", not like `men`."

Very diplomatic of you. Tell that to bin Laden and perhaps we can all sit down as "people" and clear up any misunderstandings between our countries....

The military isn`t a game of social experimentation to see how long hair can be before it "gets in the way." It`s deadly serious business and the fewer "fuss" factors there are, the more the soldiers can get down to the business of doing their jobs. They shouldn`t have to worry about hair in the least.

Oh, about long hair in the military in centuries past. It`s true, obviously that soldiers at various times wore their hair at various lengths. It`s also true that leeches were used as medicine and anyone even suspected of being a witch in Salem was burned at the stake. Historical facts don`t necessarily make them smart or well thought-out facts. An awfully lot has happened in years gone by that I`m certainly glad don`t happen today!

Jennifer

Jennifer - you are just completely wrong - most of the people who have served in the military have never seen combat. Most of the time there IS no combat to go to.

As far as a career move goes - don`t be ridiculous. The military is very secure and has great retirement and benefits plus you get to travel. Most of the people I know in the military (and I know plenty) did not all of a sudden get a surge of patriotism during a war time, they chose the military for benefits.

I repeat - the Israeli army is one of the best around - they don`t require anyone to keep their hair cut and they DO see combat on a much more regular basis.

You are so over hyping "being in the military" it`s ridiculous to enforce rules that MIGHT apply to an emergency situation when most of the military personnel is never in those type of situations...wags

>>>Jennifer - you are just completely wrong - most of the people who have served in the military have never seen combat. Most of the time there IS no combat to go to.

I never said most military people have seen combat. But doesn`t a good defense require being READY for the unexpected?

>>As far as a career move goes - don`t be ridiculous.

Again, I didn`t say that the military was not a good career move. I said it didn`t exist merely for the purpose of providing a good career! I think you need to read carefully what is written.

>>You are so over hyping "being in the military" it`s ridiculous to enforce rules that MIGHT apply to an emergency situation when most of the military personnel is never in those type of situations.

But, if they aren`t ready for the unexpected, they`re not much good then, are they? When an emergency happens, there`s simply no time to make provisions. They must be in place ahead of time to make things run as smoothly as possible.

Jennifer