Ladies I need your help !Should I cut my hair before I join the army? Which is easier to maintain?

Question

Thank you all for your advice ! I probably will just make it a last minute decision depending on my mood that day ! I have a month and a half to think it through. Thanks again !

Answer 1

I'd recommend getting it cut. BCT is alot of hard work and early mornings. You don't have time to mess with it each day. On top of that, you'll be crawling on your back in sand, running and sweating on the obstacle courses. Make life easier on yourself and get it cut in something easy to care for.

Congrats on your decision to join and good luck!!

Answer 2

You're allowed long hair no matter what so the person who said that was wrong. As long as you can keep it above the collar you're good and she was also wrong about the ponytail because they're not allowed. Now, to answer your question. I wish I would've cut my hair because it is definitely easier to maintain. If you still want to look feminine and not lesboish you can always get a bob. I recommend the asymmetrical bob where the hair is really short in the back and the sides and bangs are long. It's really cute and fun!

Answer 3

You are allowed to have it as long as 18 inches I believe.

Many army ladies arrange it very pretty in a bun or braided and this seems to be less of a hassle than to maintain a short cut and deal with blow driying it and style it everyday.

Long hair takes longer to wash but it easier to maintain.

Good luck

Answer 4

Cut it short. Why would you want long hair when you are going to be hot and sweaty and get dirt in it all the time. GROSS. Go short the army is hard enough. Good Luck and Thank you for joining the army.

Answer 5

When I joined the Army I had long hair and it became a real hassle dealing with it. I have thick wavy hair. When you get in 'Basic Training you don't have a lot of time to fool with your hair. Your up at the crack of dawn and late into the night. I cut my hair short. It was easier to deal with. When I got out of AIT, I let it grow long again. But, you just do not have a lot of time to be trying to fix your hair, then it gets caught up in your helmet and you get grass and dirt and all kinds of stuff in it. It's up to you. But when I went to Basic it was hot and I was sweaty all over and I'm glad at that time I had it short. There is no one to impress in Basic at least when I was going through it there wasn't. There is no time to be a beauty queen in basic.

Answer 6

I will be easier but you can tie it back. No extreme lengths - the Army decides extreme but anything below collar length must be tied back. Braids will be allowed but no cornrows or unkempt looking hair. No hairspray!
I find short is easier to maintain but my daughter thinks long is. You will have to decide for yourself or with the Army's help.

Check out the USMILITARY website for more details.

Answer 7

Depends on how short you are talking. I cut my shoulder length before basic and it was more of a pain than if I would have kept it long. I would say keep it long so you can throw it up in a ponytail. getting trims, etc during basic was also a pain so if you're going to go short go short enough to keep it off your collar so you won't have to worry about asking to go get a trim.

Answer 8

If I remember correctly, you are only allowed a ponytail with "three inches of bulk" so when it's pulled back/up, you can only have essentially three inches of length/width.

I'd get it cut before you go--this will insure that you can have it styled the way you want, rather than the standard issue haircut.

Answer 9

KEEP IT LONG!!!!!! Trust me short hair is extremely hard to handle and you will get s h i t for it not being regulated. Trust just about veryone that went short regreted it. And it will take forever to grow back. So keep it long, the bun you can deal with. Good luck!

Answer 10

NO, only cut your hair if you want to. My hair was down the middle of my back and I did just fine. You just need to have it up while in uniform.