Why do they make men going into the military shave their heads?

jawajames

The tradition of short haircuts for soldiers goes back to Roman times.
Roman military leaders saw the value in having short haircuts to prevent enemies from pulling hair in hand-to-hand combat.
Some native American tribes also saw value in this, especially when their enemies used scalping as a tactic in combat.

In more modern times, like in WWI, it was also found that shaved heads also prevent the spread of head lice, which was a common parasite among soldiers in the trenches. You'd hate to get shot because you were scratching an itch on your head and took off your helmet.

It also has the function of acting as a way to taking away a soldier's individuality as a person, and makes them appear as part of their squad, unit, corps. This provides a psychological effect for both the soldier, and for civilians and enemies.

Another benefit is keeping hair out of your eyes, and avoiding getting hair caught in helmets, and allowing sweat to disperse faster.

However, in modern times, it is also a good way to pick out military guys in a crowd when the common hairstyles are not short - US soldiers on leave in some countries are sometimes at risk because they stick out as both americans and as soldiers.

To make everyone the same. They take away the individual and make a cohesive group!

hunter

for decipline purpose and unifying every one

Will

It is a psychological event.

It does quite a few things,

1) Forces you to admit to yourself that you are not in control
2) Forces consistency among all recruits you are not an individual
3) Lowers problems of hygienic and field medical problems
4) Reduces close quarter combat risk. (UFC champs have short hair too)
5) Buzz cut is associated with authority and strength.

--Will

jon_360

so everyone is at a equal level

Jonny B

Some of the peeps are on track here. they shave their heads to do away with individuality as a first step in making them act as a unit. Its a mild psychological tool that they use. I say mild because the rest of the training is very physical and mental. The mental part is to develop the sense of TEAM. after being inducted into that mode of thought you become aclimated to the understanding that its not about you.. its about the man next to you when you are in the heat of battle.

panti-slave2006

first of all, they don't shave their heads--they buzz-cut the hair down to about a 1/4 of an inch (i think marines go to 1/8 inch) so that all are uniform, which is also why they put them all into the same outfits.....in addition, the haircut minimizes the amount of time needed for showering and drying, as there is much to learn about being a United States fighting man or woman (women, of course, don't get subjected to such an extreme haircut, but they must maintain their hair "high and tight" (off the collar and neatly controlled)

Cain

Many reasons. First would be sanitary. Many people have lice. Next, the armed services try to suppress your sense of individuality during basic training. By shaving everyones head and placing them all in identical clothing it tends to do this. Another reason is to demonstrate that you are not making your own decisions any more. You are subject to the will of the military and will do what you are told.

When you go to Basic training, they break you down and then build you back up. They want everyone to be part of a group, not individual. Everyone must look the same. Not just their hair, but their uniforms, boots, beds, wall locker etc. Its part of instilling discipline.

Guys with military haircuts are very good looking at least 90% of them are.

Tim

If soldier gets into hand to hand combat, there is absolutely nothing better to help defeat the enemy then being able to grab the hair, then you have total control. We don't want that to happen, so we shave our heads.

DOOM

The official answer is for hygiene purposes and to aid in the fit of your protective mask. In all actuality, it's to make you assimilate faster.

HHH

The military want them to all look the same and look respectable.They also do that so that they don't catch nit's or anything like that,can you imagine a guy with an Afro in the military lol.

ROB

it serves many purposes... hygene(controls lice)... to make everyone the same ) there is NO individuas in the military... and for proper sealing of gas masks...

Joseph P

It is against the UMCJ to shave your head. It's considered a fade hair cut.

sapace monkey

old roman tradition

mfpa2007

in order to blind their enemy from the reflection off of their heads from the sun. and to prevent head lice and other problems.

ochomeaga

Maybe its so that everyone can be the same but thats one reason I am not going into the military, I am not getting my hair cut until I am ready........

Proud to be an AMERICAN

Easier to control head lice.

rottentothecore

too dishonor them

now they all look the same

no one stands out

no blondes -no brunettes -no red heads

all baldy butts.....no one is better than anyone else

do ya get it. chicky....

fromthebrook

lice

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