Should women in the military be given induction cuts just like the men?

Question

Should women in the military be given induction cuts just like the men upon being inducted into the armed forces? Should women in the armed forces also be forced to keep their hair as short as the men after basic training? Personally, I believe that this is an excellent idea and should be instituted as soon as possible by our government. First of all, women on average spend more time on their hair, washing it and putting it up for service - something that is a much less of a problem with women who actually cut their hair prior to service. Second, women and men have their differences, yet hair is an unimportant dead structure that often gets in the way - plus women and men should be treated the same way in this respect, no nonesense, no double standards, no reverse discrimination. Third, long hair in the battlefield is dangerous if an enemy should get a hold of it. Four, long hair should not be acceptable in a professional eviron like the military.

Answer 1

No, women should not have the same standard in hair grooming as men. We are a professional military and a bunch of women being forced to sport male style hair cuts looks anything but professional.

Point by point:
1) I know guys in the military who spend 45 minutes in the morning working on their hair. I know girls in the military who spend two minutes throwing it up in a bun. The ammount of time a person spends on their hair isn't attached to length of hair or gender.
2) This is actually a good point, but I'll also say that the standards of normal appearance for men and women are different and, simply put, they need to be enforced equally to their own category.
3) Just to be clear, women aren't supposed to see much in the way of combat zones so this is really a moot point.
4) Again, making women dress up their hair (and presumably you'd extend this to jewelry and nails) and such to MALE standards doesn't actually uphold a professional image

Answer 2

Short hair is not an issue because the enemy might grab it.... that is actually a somewhat comical thought. Short hair is important for 3 reasons.... 1 and 2 are most important, 3 is a precaution. 1. Long hair can get in your eyes, temporary vision blockage is not what you want during combat. 2. Hygiene, easier to keep clean. Uses shampoo more efficiently. 3. You won't accidentally slap it in a door and be tied to a vehicle as a stationary target, especially when the vehicle may explode during a firefight if a RPG is placed correctly. The enemy grabbing it is hardly an issue at all. I am going to offend someone I know with this statement but: Women should not be in front line combat. Statics say women do not run as fast as men, there are exceptions but men run faster in general is the rule. In addition, upper body strength is an issue, hand-to-hand combat requires upper body strength. Some weapon jams require a considerable amount of strength to correct. Males also tend to have better improvisation skills, females are proven to remember things better though. Improvisation is important in combat when there can be shortages of supplies and the battle is constantly changing. Males also have a natural instinct to try to protect women, this turns the objective away from completing the mission to saving the damsel in distress... when the outcome of an operation will influence the life or death of thousands, focusing on one person can be very negative and sometimes sacrifices have to be made to complete the mission and instincts don't need to get in the way of those decisions. Don't get me wrong, there is certainly a need for women in the military, the front line is not the place though... not only for their safety, but for those around them too.

Answer 3

Nope. I'm a veteran and I had hair below my shoulders. It was never a problem, never an issue. But I wasn't one of those females who colored or styled their hair, or got extensions and needed exessive pins to keep it up. I had it in a simple bun and could get ready to go to formation just as quick as my husband could. As far as it being dangerous if an enemy gets a hold of it....thats ridiculous. Regardless of if hair is long or short, American's are infidels to them and will take a head regardless. My big thing is that if the female can keep her hair style within regulations, then let it be. If it becomes and issue, such as interfering with headgear and such, then its on that person, to be a damn professional and get a more managable haircut. That goes for males as well. I've seen males with terrible haircuts....much more noticable and out of standards than some females.

Answer 4

All of these are probably good reasons.
However, the military haircut is the same to be uniform.
A ********* of identity, to make all the same, to make them a cog in the machine. This form of training has been successfully used for years.
If you want to make women a part of this success... well then your answer is definately yes.

Answer 5

Will you have them shave their faces every morning too? Just curious. How about standing up to pee? Think of the space you'd save in latrines!
It never ceases to amaze me the hostility that still exists towards women in the military from misoginists who are apparently quite threatened by diversity. Oh well, the first round of dinosaurs died off eventually, I suppose you all will to.

Answer 6

Clearly you have never been in the military. This is currently how the system works. I had to cut my hair up to my ears while in the service, and you do have to maintain the same military standards as your male counterparts.

Answer 7

I'll get back to you on that...I have to ask my friend who is a retired usn commander...i try, and stay off those topic. I'mm pretty sure he wrote some policy's re: women in combat I would not touch that question.....on the grounds it might incriminate me!!!!! lol

Answer 8

Actually, women DO have to cut their hair! And keep it short for most jobs. This reason alone, believe it or not is the reason young girls won't join!

Answer 9

Women should not be allowed in the armed forces in the first place.

What a mess they make of the armed forces and of their own selves!

Answer 10

I agree