**A thread for the Girls**

Don't worry about shaving your legs during basic. The average amount of time we had in the shower was about 2 minutes (measured from the time we got into the bathroom to the time we got out of the bathroom, not from when we actually got "in" the shower!). Using a 2-in-1 shampo/conditioner saved a lot of time. Also, some cadets swear a liquid body wash is faster, but I preferred a bar of soap. Try taking a shower in about 60 seconds at home and you'll get the idea :yllol:.

During the school year you take showers on your own time, so you can take as long as you want.
 
About hair...it says in the Instructions to Appointee packet that your hair does not touch eyebrows when groomed and doesn't touch the bottom edge of collar or be pulled up as to not touch the collar.

A) If we have bangs but we can clip them back so they don't touch our eyebrows, do they still cut them shorter so they dont touch our eyebrows?

B) Even if we have long hair, if we can tie it up in a bun within 30 seconds we don't have to cut it?

C) Is any type of bun acceptable? What does the bun have to look like or entail?
 
going along with the 'omg what do I do with my hair' theme...

what are we allowed to bring to BCT to keep our hair up? as in, should we pack a brush/comb, hair ties, bobby pins...are we allowed to bring hairspray (it helps keep it neater) or hairnets? (sounds weird but they're invisible when they're in our hair; use them for ballet and they keep things perfect)
 
I kept my hair long during basic, as most girls do. The girls I've talked to who cut their hair short generally regretted it because it's harder to keep clean and always in your face.

On I-day the guys will eventually be put in one line to get their heads shaved, and the girls get in a different line. I was taken into a room, given a partner, and shown how to do a quick military bun. Then the cadre let us wet down each others hair with a spray bottle and gave us about 30 seconds to put our hair in a bun. They had gel and hairspray if we needed it. I didn't have a problem, but I've heard that if you couldn't put it up or if it was always falling out during basic, you had to get it cut.

This is how I put up my hair:
1) Put your hair in a low ponytail at the base of your head (can't get in the way of wearing a hat)
2) Use your finger to twist the ponytail in one direction until it starts wrapping around the hairband
3) Keep twisting/wrapping until all your hair is swirled around the hairband
4) Put a few hairbands around the bun to secure it.

During basic, I'd run some gel through my hair before I put it up and my roommate and I would spray each others hair with hairspray to keep it there. I never had a problem with it falling in my face. If you need to use bobby pins, you can use as many of those as you need as long as it looks neat.

What to bring:
1) You will be issued a comb and really cheap plastic brush, but bring a better brush if you want. I never felt like I needed one.
2) Hair ties that MATCH YOUR HAIR COLOR. This is really easy if you have brown or black hair, but more of a challenge if your hair is blond, red, etc. If you can't find any that match, do your best. These also tend to go missing, so bring plenty extra. I brought mine clipped to a cheap carabiner so they were easier to keep track of.
3) Bobby pins to control bangs, flyaways, and keep everything looking neat.
4) Hair gel and hairspray. Yeah, hair gel pretty much cements your hair to your head, but no one looks pretty in basic. Believe me, your life is much easier if your hair is easy to put up and stays that way. After basic, you can drop the slicked back look.

I'm not sure about hairnets. If you can't see them and they won't come off when you take off a hat, you might be able to use them. It will probably be up to your cadre.
 
Okay, well posted this on another thread but it wasn't answered. Is getting a pixie cut a bad idea? I have really thick hair and pulling it into a neat bun is going to take a ridiculous amount of bobby pins and hair ties. I'm thinking that it migt just be easier to get it cut pretty short.
 
falcongirl said:
I kept my hair long during basic, as most girls do. The girls I've talked to who cut their hair short generally regretted it because it's harder to keep clean and always in your face.
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I have pretty much the same question as katamonk. I used to have very long hair and was just frustrated with it so I cut it to about chin length and now it is about at my shoulder. When you say that people find short hair difficult, how short are you talking? I would also consider a pixie, not chin length that would be messy.
 
I have thick, curly hair and I got it cut to just below shoulder length prior to Basic. You mainly put your hair up when it is wet, so I just slicked some gel through it and put it back in a bun. I didn't need many bobby pins. It is easiest if your hair is all one length (not in layers).

I have nothing against pixie cuts, but understand that it is difficult to keep your hair in regulation if you want to grow it out after basic. I only know of a few girls who had pixie cuts coming into the academy, and I think all but one spent the entirety of the school year growing their hair back (with the help of lots and lots of bobby pins). Also, since everyone wears identical uniforms and all the guys have short hair, it makes you look more like a guy. This may not bother you, but hair is pretty much the only feminine thing you can keep in uniform. If you really want a pixie cut, go for it. In my opinion, a bun is the easiest option.
 
Hair is all up to you and what you're comfortable with. If you want it short, do it NOW, so you have time to figure out what works for you and how to keep it tame. If you have long hair and that's what you're used to, don't cut it, because it will only make it harder on you.
 
Sorry if this seems to be a little odd but I thought I should ask -- is there time to "change" during that time of the month? Do we just ask our Cadre to be excused? -- just wondering how that all goes and what the protocol for it. Thanks!
 
If you have girl cadre, then you can usually get their attention, we are pretty alert for that sort of thing. If not, at least on the hill (first beast) I always carried supplies in one of my cargo pockets and on one of the bazillion times we all went to the bathroom would change it.
 
On I-day, you will learn the correct protocol for asking to use the latrine (or asking for anything else):

Sir/Ma'am, Basic Cadet ______ reports as ordered.
Sir/Ma'am may I ask a question?
Sir/Ma'am, may I use the latrine?

Believe me, Basics are ALWAYS asking to use the latrine, and when one person needs to go, the cadre always ask if anyone else needs to go. Go with them. Even if you don't need to use the restroom, it gets you away from the cadre for a few minutes. Plus, if you've been standing at attention for a few hours, you get to sit down for a few minutes :rolleyes:

ABU's have a ton of pockets. You'll have to carry around required items in the upper cargo pockets, but there are smaller lower leg pockets. Plus, the canteen holder on your web belt will have a little velcro pocket.
 
This is a bra question:

If I had like 3 bras that were not white would that be okay for basic? Or should I just not even bring them?

And say I brought one lime green bra (just because I already own it) would that EVER be okay (during or even after basic)?
 
what an awesome thread

I have printed off every single page for DD. This is so awesome. DD has extremely long and thick hair and said when she gets her appointment she is going to cut it short. Seems like that is not the answer. So I am going to show her all of your advise and let her make her own decision, she just received her appointment to USAFA prep.:thumb:
 
Just keep it easy and only bring white or grey sports bras for basic. PC shirts are white, so you can see any other color through the shirt. You WILL get called out by the cadre and that is not the type of attention you want. Plus if your room ever gets tossed, the upperclassmen will want to know why you thought neon underwear would be a good idea.

The lime green bra won't fly in uniform (at least in PC gear and blues). Wait to bring it until you can wear it with civies (after recognition).
 
Are the only bras we're allowed to wear sports bras, and the underwear only the briefs that is said on the book? -- not asking about the color, etc but are those "t-shirt" bras ok?
 
For basic you will only want sports bras. You will constantly be doing physical activity, and the laundry service will destroy anything less indestructable. Before basic, I went to Target and bought a bunch of their white sports bras. By the end of basic they were all stained grey by the laundry service. Most cadets chuck whatever they used during basic because it gets so disgusting.

During the academic year it is up to you what you wear, but remember that you'll be running to class everyday, changing uniforms quickly for gym class, and doing squadron training sessions. If you aren't comfortable working out in it, I would not recommend wearing it.
 
I just wanted to throw in my hair opinion. I have always had short hair, but I cut it extra short for basic. Some say this is a bad idea, but it was great for me. I don't really care what I look like (we all look terrible in basic) so cutting my hair really short and looking a bit silly after basic was 100% worth it. I never had to worry about it falling out of getting in my face and I had plenty of time in the shower because it was so quick to wash. I have long thick hair now and it would have been a mess if I had it this way for basic because in my opinion there is not enough time to properly care for long hair in basic. Period. But I suppose the most important factor is what you are comfortable with.
 
Can we use those metal type hair clips?? Because bobby pins just dont hold my hair at all..
 
Lauren_44 said:
Can we use those metal type hair clips?? Because bobby pins just dont hold my hair at all..
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You definitely can, just make sure they match your hair color. I wore them instead of bobby pins during basic.
 
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