As a girl going into BCT on the 28th, one of my biggest worries is keeping my hair in regulation. With hair to the middle of my back-would it be best to cut it or wear it in a bun during BCT? Also once cut, are girls allowed to wear a headband to keep hair out of the face? Appreciate any and all advice!
Should I cut my hair?
- Thread starter stanzi93
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YorkieMom75
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- Feb 29, 2012
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Hi Stanzi,
My advice to you is NOT to cut your hair. It's easier and quicker to put your hair up with clips when its damp or even wet if you have to, than it is to manage short hair. Hair that's down your back is long enough to put up so it's well above the bottom edge of the collar, which is regulation. If you have bangs, they can't stick out under the front of your headgear, so brush or bobby pin them to the side. Keeping your hair within regulation is not difficult if it's long.
Once you cut it, it IS difficult to grow it out long again AND to keep it regulation, because it will eventually get to that shoulder length stage where it's not long enough to put up, but too long to keep down. Some females just keep it short. The female hair standards are the same for active duty -- another good reason to keep your hair long. It's just too easy to pin up.
You may want to practice (sounds dumb, but will pay off during BCT) putting up your hair as quickly as possible. I recommend showering at night if you can, then wet your hair quickly in the am and put it up. You won't have a lot of time, so you have to be good at it. I don't know for sure about headbands, but I don't think they are allowed. All the elastics, pins, and hair clips to hold up the length have to be neutral and the same color as your hair.
For females with short hair, my advice is to get a good cut at home before you leave for I Day from your regular salon. Don't expect the assembly line barbers to give you female cut in the 60 seconds they spend on each head. Even if they spent more time, style cuts are not their forte.
Kind of a long answer to a short question, but I am speaking from experience. It would be good to also hear from a recent female grad, parent of a new (female) C3C, of even a female cadre, so you get another perspective.
BTW, congrats to you on your appointment, and best of luck to you during BCT!
From a guys perspective... Girls who know better should correct me.
Anyway... If you know how to put your hair into a bun, and it isn't greater than 3 inches in bulk, don't worry about cutting the back part. Now, I've heard it is easier to put your hair in the bun if it is shorter.
Also, your bangs cannot go further down than the highest point of your eyebrows, so you shouldn't need a headband.
Anyway... If you know how to put your hair into a bun, and it isn't greater than 3 inches in bulk, don't worry about cutting the back part. Now, I've heard it is easier to put your hair in the bun if it is shorter.
Also, your bangs cannot go further down than the highest point of your eyebrows, so you shouldn't need a headband.
I know from watching my DD that her longer hair is easier(it goes down about midway on her shoulder blades). For her bangs, she usually forms a small braid and then pins them back. I have seen her friends and those with bangs do something similar.
Don't cut it short!! If you are worried about bulk, you may want to cut it to just below your shoulders, but don't go any shorter. It is easier to just put it up and gel it back at night and not have to worry about it in the morning. Some girls are used to having their hair short and it works for them, but if you are not used to it, it is going to be more pain than it is worth. Plus, it is a pain to grow back out and try to keep in regs.
melindayching
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Search this forum for a thread "just for girls" initiated by chrissyjean. The thread has a great deal of detail on hair and other things that are very very helpful for incoming female cadets.
Follow the advice in the email above and search for the postings from last year this time by ChrissyJean -- a female cadet -- who gave incoming Basic girls great advice on many different topics of specific interest to female cadets.
I believe this to be the link for the female cadets:
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=6666
Looks like I'm going to have my DD practice her 30 second showers.
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- May 23, 2008
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Looks like I'm going to have my DD practice her 30 second showers.
We're not THAT harsh. We'll give them about a minute and a half. Really, no practice necessary. It's amazing how fast you can take a full shower when you have the proper motivation
