Question about hair in the military

[NinjaGnome]

I know that In basic training you get your head shaved but after basic do you still have to have it a certain length and stuff?

 

[911paramedic]

Yes. Some of the branches are more lenient than others, but it still has to be very short. (above ears and collar)

 

[NinjaGnome]

I see, im about to head of for basic training in the army and was wondering if I had to look goofy the whole time i was in the army.

 

[scauffiel]

Yes.

I mean, you're in the Army - no matter what you do, you're gonna look goofy.

Just kidding. Typically, it can't be longer than your ID card, or be thicker than your ID card is tall. The back of your head at the neck will be tapered.

Steve

 

[MacBaine]

The hair on top of the head will be neatly groomed. The length and/or bulk of the hair will not be excessive or present a ragged or extreme appearance. Hair will present a tapered appearance and, when combed, it will not fall over the eyes or eyebrows or touch the collar except for the closely cut hair at the back of the neck (recommend a tapered cut with 3/4" to 1" of length of top). The so-called "blockcut" fullness in the back is permitted in moderate degree. In all cases, the bulk or length of hair will not interfere with the normal wear of all standard or adopted military headgear.

 

[NinjaGnome]

Cool, I dont really wear my hair long or anything now it is usally about 1 inch or less long at the top and the sides are very short and its basically a clean cut haircut.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: NinjaGnome
...wondering if I had to look goofy the whole time i was in the army.

yes, you have to look goofy the whole time, it is for the best

 

[EMPshockwave82]

army even regulates facial hair...

it cant be past your lips (mainly because of gas masks and how they seal to your face)

 

[NinjaGnome]

haha I hardly have to worry about facial hair

 

[TheAudit]

Originally posted by: NinjaGnome
I see, im about to head of for basic training in the army and was wondering if I had to look goofy the whole time i was in the army.

You don't have to look goofy (and you won't when everyone has the same type of cut, who is going to call you goofy then?) and you can grow it out some but it will still have to be short. Which isn't a bad thing, it will be neat and cleancut.

 

[hoyaguru]

I used to like being in a foreign country with the military haircut - whitewalls around the ears, mustache cut at the corner of the mouth - then they would tell us to "blend in with the locals". As soon as we'd walk in a bar everyone would know we were Americans.

 

[SilentZero]

Originally posted by: NinjaGnome
I see, im about to head of for basic training in the army and was wondering if I had to look goofy the whole time i was in the army.

I wouldn't worry about it. After I finished basic training and AIT, I let my hair grow out. You can manipulate the army hair grooming regulations to your liking. For example its not a army regulation to keep a high & tight as is the typical hair style. As long as your hair is not touching your ears and collar, and its of neat appearance your fine. Facial hair is a different story all in itself and has very little leeway. *However its important to note that depending on your MOS, you might be held to a higher standard as far as your hair style.*
I was a combat medic/pharmacy tech in Medcom (worked mostly in medical centers and a few small clinics throughout europe) so my hair style options were much more diverse.

 

[Kadarin]

When you first start basic training, you'll feel goofy about it for a few days, but after a while you'll come to realize that it's civilians in the outside world who have the goofy hairdos, and that you look perfectly normal.

 

[TheAudit]

Originally posted by: SilentZero

Originally posted by: NinjaGnome
I see, im about to head of for basic training in the army and was wondering if I had to look goofy the whole time i was in the army.

I wouldn't worry about it. After I finished basic training and AIT, I let my hair grow out. You can manipulate the army hair grooming regulations to your liking. For example its not a army regulation to keep a high & tight as is the typical hair style. As long as your hair is not touching your ears and collar, and its of neat appearance your fine. Facial hair is a different story all in itself and has very little leeway. *However its important to note that depending on your MOS, you might be held to a higher standard as far as your hair style.*
I was a combat medic/pharmacy tech in Medcom (worked mostly in medical centers and a few small clinics throughout europe) so my hair style options were much more diverse.

I did the same thing, I grew my hair out. You always have to keep it clean around the ears and the neck but my hair on top got pretty long. I used to gel it back whenever I was in uniform, no one said a thing to me.

 

[TheAudit]

Originally posted by: NinjaGnome
I see, im about to head of for basic training in the army and was wondering if I had to look goofy the whole time i was in the army.

By the way, good luck, dude.
I don't know what job you are headed for but my time in the service was fine. Helped paid for college and I made a lot of friends.

 

[NinjaGnome]

My MOS is 19 D Cav scout. After my AIT I will more than likely be heading to airborne school, and then to rip. Hopefully ill also get sniper training. Right now im just happy that I wont be sitting at home anymore. I will miss everyone at home especially my SO. Im leaving tomorrow and I havent really had a chance to say goodbye to everyone ive wanted, but I will be back on dec 20th so it wont be too big a deal.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
When you first start basic training, you'll feel goofy about it for a few days, but after a while you'll come to realize that it's civilians in the outside world who have the goofy hairdos, and that you look perfectly normal.

After a few days, he won't care how he looks, he'll be too busy caring about being exhausted and in pain.

 

[olds]

Just wait till you get your birth control glasses.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Just wait till you get your birth control glasses.

Heh, my dad worse those from the time he joined the military in 1946, through retirement in 1966 and up until 1991. My uncles finally got him to buy normal glasses.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Just wait till you get your birth control glasses.

Heh, my dad worse those from the time he joined the military in 1946, through retirement in 1966 and up until 1991. My uncles finally got him to buy normal glasses.

Freudian slip?

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Freudian slip?

Heh, nah, I'm running at about 1% today. I'm lucky I managed to remember to dress today.

 

[Amused]

I've kept my hair at 1" - 1.5" ever since I left the army over a decade ago. It's rather nice not having to worry about your hair

 

[IEatChildren]

I'm considering joining the army to further my education and for personal experience. Being that I just lost my job, I need a decent paycheck, and this would definitely be it. I'd be making double what I was making before and I'd get free college education.
hehe right now my hair is pretty damn long, but I was wondering what they'd think about that if it's tied back. Chances are that's still frowned upon.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: IEatChildren
I'm considering joining the army to further my education and for personal experience. Being that I just lost my job, I need a decent paycheck, and this would definitely be it. I'd be making double what I was making before and I'd get free college education.
hehe right now my hair is pretty damn long, but I was wondering what they'd think about that if it's tied back. Chances are that's still frowned upon.

They'll give you a friendly recommendation that you cut it.

 

[IEatChildren]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: IEatChildren
I'm considering joining the army to further my education and for personal experience. Being that I just lost my job, I need a decent paycheck, and this would definitely be it. I'd be making double what I was making before and I'd get free college education.
hehe right now my hair is pretty damn long, but I was wondering what they'd think about that if it's tied back. Chances are that's still frowned upon.

They'll give you a friendly recommendation that you cut it.

Yeah, that's what my friend told me. He's an officer in the army. This is however the canadian army I'm talking about, but it shouldn't be so different. I was told I can get a better education in the army than almost anywhere else. So I'm gonna check up on that and I'll probably join.