Female's Hair at Army BCT?

HDH

You might want to trim a few inches or so off just to cut down on the bulk. One length is best, or if you do add in layers, make them longer than shoulder length and "feathered" so they won't stick out like regular layers do when you put your hair up.

Honestly, if your hair is curly, a bun will be a lot easier to deal with than short. Because short curly hair has a tendency to frizz like mad, tangle, and will stick out of your headgear crazy-pouf like unless it is boy-cut short. It will require a lot of hair product and hardware to keep under control. Not worth it.

Most women in the Army wear their hair in a bun these days. This is a change from when my Mom was in (from 1979-1983) when most of the women cut their hair short.

My hair is wavy and about as long as yours. Sock bun is better for people with shorter or thinner hair. The easiest thing is to part your hair as you normally would, add a little dab of de-frizz product, comb or pick it out. Next, put it in a ponytail an inch above the nape of your neck. Braid that pretty tightly, and add another hairtie to the end to keep it together. Now wind the whole braid around into a bun and secure with another hairtie or two. This will take some practice, but you have a few weeks. You'll get good at it. Once you have it figured it, this bun won't budge. It's basically bullet proof. ;)

LarrySmile

Hello Alicia,

I'm not a female and not in the Army.

BUT, you will find that you need to have your hair short enough to wear your helmet, gas mask, and that it doesn't get caught up in other things when you are training.

While I will agree that you love your hair down to the middle of the back length you are not in the Army to be a movie star. Hair that long will get in the way during training. And, worse, it won't dry fast enough when you have to wash it all the time due to the dirt and sweat and oils during the HOT summer months during basic training.

Sheer practicality will tell you what to do.

Go to the Army websites and look at the photos of other Army females and see what hair length they have.

In the Air Force female hair length can not go below the bottom of the collar.

Army Regulation 670 - 1

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/Prep_For_Basic_Training/Prep_for_basic_uniforms/hair-standards.shtml

"Females will ensure that hairstyles do not interfere with proper wear of military headgear, protective masks, or equipment at any time. When headgear is worn, the hair will not extend below the bottom edge of the front of the headgear or below the bottom edge of the collar.

Hair-holding devices may be used only for securing the hair. Soldiers will not place hair-holding devices in the hair for decorative purposes. All hair-holding devices must be plain and of a color as close to the soldierâ€™s hair as is possible or clear. Authorized devices include, but are not limited to, small, plain scrunchies (elastic hair bands covered with material), barrettes, combs, pins, clips, rubber bands, and hair bands. Devices that are conspicuous, excessive or decorative are prohibited. Some examples of prohibited devices include, but are not limited to, large, lacy scrunchies; beads, bows, or claw clips; clips, pins, or barrettes with butterflies, flowers, sparkles, gems, or scalloped edges; and bows made from hairpieces."

Best wishes,

Larry Smith
Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret.)
First Sergeant

lconnor65

In my opinion I would just cut it. That way you don't have to worry about putting it up in the morning and hoping it stays up all day. Also you really don't have much time in the morning.

During AIT you will have more time and you can let your hair grow again.

I just use a twist bun. Never heard sock buns were not authorized.

Sandra M

To be honest with you, you are better getting it cut. Your hair must look neat under the beret. Even if it is pulled back, you have to make sure that you do not have stragglers around the beret. I was in for 13 years with curly hair and had to keep it short for those 13 years because it was much easier than having my curly hair all over the place.

I can understand the thumbs down for the guys not in the military but a female vet with the same type of hair might have a little more experience than a recruit. You can French Braid and Sock bun but you can you get the bugs or sand out of your hair? Good luck. I hope you like gritty hair. Long hair is better after basic and ait, but what would us vets know?

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