I'm not a black female, but here is my 2 cents - I chopped all my hair off before the Basic (they used to be down to my butt, and I went to almost GI Jane style), that was the smartest move ever - "wash and go, let the air dry it up". If I remember correctly, we were not allowed to have blow dryers at all, forget the curling iron and all that - you have to fight with 6 other females for a sink at all times you manage to sneak into the bathroom. If you wear braids, you can go fix it up in the barber shop, or let one of your battle buddies fix it for you on a Saturday or Sunday, while you are waiting on your laundry to dry up.
Posts: 263 | Location: Korea | Registered: 20 May 2004
ALMOST is the key word with the GI Jane hairstyles. All the above are great suggestions, but try to keep in mind that you are required to keep a female appearence.
sssssso, DON'T GO BALD!
Posts: 2533 | Location: FT Campbell | Registered: 18 December 2004
[quote:eed74549e8="redbone_769"]What about upkeep? I usually have to put moisturizer in my hair and then wrap it up in a scarf everynight. Plus, when it comes time to wash my hair I need a blow dryer, curling iron, and atleast an hour to tame it or I end up with a huge mass of really frizzy hair. I't really complicated for some african american women to take care of their hair, and I am one of them. I'm sure there's no time for this sort of thing in basic training...right?[/quote:eed74549e8]
Well I remember one of my friends hair and she tammed the big mass with a tight bun and hair pins. when we went to AIT and had our first pass...she didn't look the same at all. I'd try to do what she did and keep the hair.
Posts: 2533 | Location: FT Campbell | Registered: 18 December 2004
Does anyone know if a tucked ponytail is ok for BCT? I'm still debating whether or not I should cut it relatively short for BCT and then let it grow back through AIT. If I were to cut my hair just above the collar-spacing requirement, would I have an opportunity to get a haircut in BCT when the males do? Just curious, thanks...
Posts: 358 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: 03 November 2005
I am a male searching for supporting regulations for a female soldier. I can not find anything in AR 670-1 which requires or suggests that female soldiers must have a “feminine” appearance, or “non-masculine” appearance, although it is a general Army practice. I could believe that it may have said something to that effect in previous versions of 670-1, but the 3 Feb 05 version says nothing of the sort. It states in 1-8, a, (3) (b)“Styles that are lopsided or distinctly unbalanced are prohibited” and (a) “trendy styles that result in shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline) or designs cut into the hair are prohibited”. To this standard, a female soldier is authorized a “G.I. Jane”, as long as the hair were not “shaved”, or bald. I would argue a Fade were acceptable by these standards. If there is an amendment, would someone please let me know. I’d hate to see a soldier loose rank over this.
SGT Sentinel, While the AR does not specifically say that women cannot shave their heads it could be argued that the "G.I. Jane" style haircut is EXTREME and that is probhibted by the AR in the very first sentence of chapter 1 paragraph 3 a.
Posts: 1 | Location: San Diego, CA | Registered: 20 November 2008
(a) Females will ensure their hair is neatly groomed, that the length and bulk of the hair are not excessive, and that the hair does not present a ragged, unkempt, or extreme appearance. Likewise, trendy styles that result in shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline) or designs cut into the hair are prohibited. Females may wear braids and cornrows as long as the braided style is conservative, the braids and cornrows lie snugly on the head, and any hair-holding devices comply with the standards in 1-8a(3)(d) below. Dreadlocks (unkempt, twisted, matted individual parts of hair) are prohibited in uniform or in civilian clothes on duty. Hair will not fall over the eyebrows or extend below the bottom edge of the collar at any time during normal activity or when standing in formation. Long hair that falls naturally below the bottom edge of the collar, to include braids, will be neatly and inconspicuously fastened or pinned, so no free-hanging hair is visible. This includes styles worn with the physical fitness uniform/improved physical fitness uniform (PFU/IPFU).
Arguably, a shaved head would result in "shaved portions of the scalp", so that is specifically prohibited.
And there is no longer a reference to an overall feminine appearance, but extreme is still a factor at the discretion of the command.
Posts: 196 | Location: Ft. Meade, MD | Registered: 08 August 2008
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