Why military people cut their hair?

Answer 1

To present a clean-cut image.

And so that in close hand-to-hand combat, it can't be used against you as a weapon (hair pulling).

The four factors of military appearance are neatness, cleanliness, safety and military image.

Answer 2

There are several reasons but primarily to promote uniformity and hygiene. When entering basic training, regardless of the branch, individualism among recruits is dispensed with in favor of a collective team mentality. Standards of military conduct, appearance, and parlance are rigidly enforced as a means to create a group dynamic all focused upon the group and not the individual. Hair is a way of expressing our indivuality and that's why it is virtually eliminated in basic; everyone looks the same as a way of establishing a standard of a group and not a group of individuals with different styles and appearances.

Answer 3

It was originally because of the lice problem in World War I. The shaving was because gas masks fit tighter against the face without facial hair.

The determination that its uniformity benefitted training, discipline, and practical matters was quickly ascertained, and it became the standard for the military. The females in the military are allowed special concerns in acknowledgment of their gender, recognizing that it is not a necessary requirement for training. However, females are held to strict standards for haircare (tied up, etc).

So basically, it was originally a health matter, and later adopted as a training method.

Answer 4

douglas I got it exactly right. I am retired navy. Headed recruit evaluation unit at Great Lakes boot camp. Buzzing that hair does more to breakdown the sense of individual and help you to identify with the group. The other reasons are all valid- especially the gas mask comment, gawd!- but they are secondary. By the way, I doubt captain jack was ever in the military.

Answer 5

1) Safety
2) Hygiene
3) Uniformity of appearance
4) Neatness of appearance
5) Comfort
6) Ease of "maintanance"

Short hair means: no catching your hair in machinery, no lice, you look like everyone else, you look neat and clean, it's far more comfortable in warm or hot weather, and you don't have to hunt for a comb.

I was in the Navy for 15yrs as a Helicopter Aircrewman... I frequently kept my hair far shorter than Uniform Regulations required... It was an "aircrew-thing" we took PRIDE in looking neat, clean, and "squared-away".

When at sea (I deployed to the Gulf/WestPac 9 times) I would shave or almost shave my head !! Wearing a helmet for 8 hour flights makes your hair sweaty, stinky, oily, and downright nasty... and often on the smaller ships (frigates) we were flying from, water use was RESTRICTED to certain hours.. so I'd land at say 8am after flying since midnight and the showers would be turned OFF !! I'd have to cleanse in the deep-sink in our shop.

Answer 6

Actually, head lice during WWI in Europe prompted the military to shave their heads. It soon caught on as the status quo, and has been the standard since.

Answer 7

Because short hair is required in the military.

Plus, when you are out in the field somewhere for days at a time, the last thing you want is some dirty stringy hair under your helmet.

Answer 8

For the simple fact that it is a b**** to effectively put on a gas mask with long hair.

Answer 9

itz kind of part of their uniform. they have to look more or less the same somehow. also, for security; when they shadow the faces- in israel, for example, you arent allowed to see the faces of the air or marine soldiers- you wouldnt be able do distinguish a person because of their hair.
also, i suppose, so that it doesnt get caught in machinery...;)

Answer 10

Long hair is a liability in a battle. Opponents can grab it, it catches on things, it can catch on fire, its just a liability and its safer to keep it short.