To Cut or Not Cut? On the Subject of the I-Day Women's Haircut

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brewer90

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As most are aware, the women of the USNA Class of 2023 were the first group not required to cut their hair for Plebe Summer. Our DD vacillated for a bit in making a decision on whether to cut or not, but ultimately decided to get trimmed to the traditional jaw length.

During this past Plebe Parent's Weekend, she provided several reasons why she believed getting her hair cut was the right move:
  1. Time: Time is almost never an ally during Plebe Summer. The ability to shave seconds off getting ready can be enormously beneficial. Short hair avoids extra time in the shower and getting it up into a bun.
  2. Detailer Attention: As the Class of 2023 is now intimately aware, detailers are on the hunt for anything that will give them an opportunity to provide some... let's call it "added attention". A stray strand of hair falling out of a bun is exactly such an opportunity. Basically, short hair = invisibility.
  3. Mold. Long wet hair put into a tight bun and then exposed to the hot and humid Annapolis summer can produce some interesting results. Like mold. Seriously.
  4. Camaraderie: Every single man who enters USNA is still required to get their head shaved. Women getting their hair cut provide a small measure of empathy with their new shipmates.
  5. Inevitability: It grows back.
Just some food for thought for the Class of 2024 and beyond.
 
brewer90 said:
Camaraderie: Every single man who enters USNA is still required to get their head shaved.
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This, I strongly believe, is the #1 reason that female plebes should voluntarily get a haircut. Plebe summer is about “all for one, one for all.” It’s about the stripping away of individual identity and the molding of group identity. It’s about ultimate teamwork and thinking of others before self. So the simple act of getting a haircut says “we’re all in this together” and signals that the female plebe is willing to put group solidarity over individual aesthetic.
 
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Men are from Mars .... I know this very well as I am the only Male in the house, which ironically, makes me the Alpha male ... and this helps not.
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Doesn’t really matter what men think.
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In our day it wasn't a choice. And we had to keep it short the entire 4 years.

I tend to agree with the "sacrifice" reason more than any (guys cut hair so should women). And, no, women should not get buzz cuts for the simple reason that buzz cuts are socially acceptable for men (and many non-military types voluntarily get them); they are generally not socially acceptable for women (with some exceptions -- I know a woman who had one who looked great!).

The mold thing is scary.

I understand that a small number of women from certain ethnic backgrounds may have trouble growing back hair that is cut. Obviously, they need to make the choice that works for them. My guess is they don't have the mold issue, but I don't actually know.
 
MidCakePa said:
This, I strongly believe, is the #1 reason that female plebes should voluntarily get a haircut. Plebe summer is about “all for one, one for all.” It’s about the stripping away of individual identity and the molding of group identity.
Click to expand...

If that's the case, I would suggest that female Plebes wait until they get to I Day to get their haircut, so that they can have the same "before" and "after" changes that their male counterparts have. Showing up with the short cut doesn't have the same effect.

That being said, during Plebe summer, plebes have a lot bigger issues on their mind than their haircuts, or whether their female classmates got haircuts. I think the OP confirmed what was said in the earlier threads --there are several practical reasons to cut your hair.
 
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I say take the "learn from experience" approach. This is not a one size fits all solution. It's like asking a cabinet maker or carpenter advice on how to keep that species of wood from bending and contorting. You can say a whole lot about it, but you really need to experience it on your own, project upon project. It's all about experiencing what works and what doesn't.
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Gals .... Don't think about cutting your hair before you get there. Learn as you go, and you will figure out what works .... If it's not broke, don't fix it. Let everything play out.
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If that's the case, I would suggest that female Plebes wait until they get to I Day to get their haircut, so that they can have the same "before" and "after" changes that their male counterparts have. Showing up with the short cut doesn't have the same effect.
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If women's hair isn't cut short "properly," it will look terrible and be difficult to manage (and it won't grow out in a way that makes it easiest to deal with). I'll grant you that the women's barbers at USNA probably have a lot of experience with cutting women's hair. However, on I-Day, they don't have a lot of time to do a good job. Thus, it really makes sense for women to cut in advance. Also, cutting in advance lets women donate to "Locks of Love" or similar organizations -- don't believe that's possible on I-Day.

In terms of the "before and after," trust me that women with long hair do experience it. They just do so days before they show up.

It's a personal decision -- but interesting to hear firsthand views now that it's an option.
 
There is a sort of comradery among the girls that have cut their hair at least right before I day when they are walking around DTA. You notice the slight head nod to other females with the bob.
 
I have said it before, but I'll say it again. Last year, I met a female Plebe on I-Day in the parking lot of Navy Marine Corps Stadium. She had her head shaved (just like the guys) already, and I thought she looked gorgeous.
I asked her why she did it, and she told me that she did it because she was already held to lesser physical standards than the males, so "by God, I'm going to at least start off looking like them". I thought she was completely B.A.
I did read something that females aren't allowed to do this anymore, but I am not sure if that's true or just one of the many rumors you hear. Regardless, she looked great, and I thought her reason was great, as well.

With that said, there is a lot of leeway now. Cut it or don't. It is entirely up to you, and one of the precious few decisions you will have.
 
THParent said:
I asked her why she did it, and she told me that she did it because she was already held to lesser physical standards than the males, so "by God, I'm going to at least start off looking like them". I thought she was completely B.A.
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I've probably commented on the issue more than I should, and perhaps I am kind of a dinosaur,,, but I don't like this rationale. It may not be popular in today's day and age, but there are difference between Men and Women. There is nothing wrong with recognizing the difference. Some women try to be just "one of the guys" and are successful, but of the women I served with, both officer and enlisted, the best were those that were professional and still maintained their femininity.
 
DD cut her hair to old school regs before I-Day, using a trusted stylist. No mold, no hassle, and still looks good.

Will probably get it cut again when she comes home for Turkey Day.
 
My daughter, Plebe, shaved her head the day after graduation, it was a bucket list thing for her and I had been able to talk her out of it for years, not this time. She was very comfortable with walking around with a shaved head. I was nervous on I Day that she would get a little too much attention but she said that was not an issue. One detailer always commented "Miss Hayden your hair is on point today" She said other girls had commented they wished they had done it as it is so hot and humid. The salon would not trim it the two times she went there so we got it trimmed PPW as she does have some cowlicks in the back! She did it cause she wanted to and I suspect she would have shaved it if she was going to a civilian college.
 
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