West Point Female Cadets

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armystrong2015

5-Year Member
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To all West Point female cadets,

I would like to know if you have any specific suggestions before showing up for I Day on 27th of June. Specifically, what do you suggest we bring for Beast? What do you suggest we do to prepare for Beast (besides the obvious exercising, which I am doing).
Also, overall, how has your time at West Point been so far? I'd like to know a little bit more about the relationship between male and female cadets at West Point. Thank you for any information you may have!
 
Consider - Short hair.

Not sure what the new standard is but my female classmates with long hair got haircuts on R-day. Considering all the physical activities you will be doing, long hair will present additional challenges.
 
There is a similar post on the USAFA thread regarding females students. A suggestion from an upperclassman was to leave hair longer so that it could be put into a bun or ponytail.
 
armystrong2015 said:
To all West Point female cadets,

I would like to know if you have any specific suggestions before showing up for I Day on 27th of June. Specifically, what do you suggest we bring for Beast? What do you suggest we do to prepare for Beast (besides the obvious exercising, which I am doing).
Also, overall, how has your time at West Point been so far? I'd like to know a little bit more about the relationship between male and female cadets at West Point. Thank you for any information you may have!
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FYI: Its Reception or "R" day! :thumb:
 
R Day not I Day

Wow.... that completely flew right over my head... My family and I have been talking so much about USMA and USNA that I put USNA's "I Day" instead of USMA's "R-Day". Sorry about that! :smile:
 
armystrong2015 said:
Sorry about that! :smile:
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:confused1: You honestly expect us to forgive you with just a "sorry"?





:yllol:



Semi-on-topic: I was honestly curious - do female cadets have certain encouragement to attend (on the same notion as minority students)? I mean, there is a rather big ratio of male to female cadets. That is, evidently, understandable. But I was curious, nonetheless...
 
Hair: I cut mine because I am bad with hair and find it much easier, but if you are good with working with your hair most girls keep it long just fine.

Bring: your own sports bras and underwear, disposable razors (you will not have time to use electric if that is what you're used to using)

Understand this: there will be things you cannot due. Don't let your pride get in the way of asking you male squad mates for help, because there will be things they cannot do either and will need YOUR help on. Part of CBT is learning to accept your own weaknesses and help others with your strengths.
 
I obviously am not yet a cadet at WP, but I have been thinking a lot about the hair. I've seen a lot of people suggest cutting it and just as many suggest NOT cutting it.
Just from personal experience, being a dancer and a runner, I have found it much easier to get and keep longer hair out of the way via buns and ponytails than I ever did short hair.
Of course, what you do is up to your own personal preference, but I think I'm going to consider keeping my length at least to keep it in a nice bun.
 
Beast is no dancing and running only

I always get amazed at how some females can keep their hair under control while wearing different types of headgears, especially advance combat helmet.

Perhaps Beast has changed where after morning physical training you have ample time to shower and dry your hair before your next scheduled activity (I doubt it)

Lastly, when I did Beast, long long time ago, we did sevearl overnight training exercises (different durations). Going without shower in hot, humid July/August West Point sucked even with my shaved head.

Your decision ultimately, I am just sharing my thoughts.
 
My $.02 ---

Hair - this depends on your personal preference (comfort with your hair) and your own hair type. Some hair will be easier to manage long, some easier to manage short.

If you choose to cut it - short means short - like a pixie cut. Something that would meet regs without pins, clips or hair ties to hold the back up. My daughter chose this route and donated 11" of her hair. She loved having it short during Beast. Another girl she met the day before Beast loved her hair cut so much she went to Wal-Mart that night and got her long hair cut. She brought lots of clips to clip back the bangs when she needed to.
After Beast she grew it out (it's now "hippie" length) and that was a pain during the in-between stages. Some females don't want to do this because it's too "butch". Yes, some will get flack for trying to look like a guy.

There is a maximum size to your bun - 3" (I think) so if your hair is really thick this could be a problem.
Many females prefer longer hair that is all one length. This works well if you are comfortable putting it up quickly and neatly. It will take a long time to dry when you are in the field.

MemberLG is right in that you need to think how you would like to deal with it in the field - sleeping out doors, no showers and a lot of sweating.

JMO - but I would avoid what I call the USNA haircut - they cut their females hair all one length about chin length. This is difficult to deal with in the field (they don't hike/camp/shoot(much) at USNA).

While Army regs now require females hair to not touch the BOTTOM of the collar you may get flack for that. Army regs don't mean squat when you are in formation getting yelled at. Make sure your hair doesn't go below the TOP of the collar.
 
There is a maximum size to your bun - 3" (I think) so if your hair is really thick this could be a problem.
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Are you talking diameter, thickness, or both? My daughter has very thick hair and is not wanting to cut it short. The cadets that she stayed with on her overnight visit in November recommended NOT getting it cut.
 
Lee2015 said:
Are you talking diameter, thickness, or both? My daughter has very thick hair and is not wanting to cut it short. The cadets that she stayed with on her overnight visit in November recommended NOT getting it cut.
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The specific hair regs should be in her packet. If she doesn't have them yet they will be forthcoming.

Most females don't want to get their hair cut short. They think 'medium' is better than long - but it's not. They also would rather trade 7-8 weeks of hair hell for the growing out stage.
The key is to not have layers that will fall out. Females with frizzy hair may want to take lots of hair gel or whatever they use for control. Caution - some hair products have an odor that attracts insects i.e. mosquitos.
During the year, keeping short hair takes more work than long hair that is put up quickly and neatly in a bun. They don't have time for frequent trims to keep it neat. The beauty shop is in Thayer (expensive) or Highland Falls. Both are not nearly as convenient or cheap as the barber shop at the West Point Club.
 
Just_A_Mom said:
During the year, keeping short hair takes more work than long hair that is put up quickly and neatly in a bun. They don't have time for frequent trims to keep it neat.
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As someone who wore her hair long and short while in the military, I think the above depends on the individual. My hair when short (and especially when permed) takes literally 10 seconds to do -- comb, gel, and go. As a mid, I never had trouble finding the 20 minutes it took for a trim every 4-6 weeks. And, I actually enjoyed having a perm -- 90 minutes of "relaxation.":smile:

When my hair was long, I typically used a French braid -- that took me 3-5 minutes, once I got good at it. A bun obviously takes less time. However, how well those will hold up when doing PT and other stuff . . . don't know.

It's really a personal decision. And, yes, the "growing out" stage is a pain.:thumbdown:
 
usna1985 - good points.
I was referring specifically to plebe year - should have clarified that - when time for upkeep is at a minimum. There won't be trims during Beast which at West Point will last 7-8 weeks and during the year the walk is a mile or two to the salon.
As far as perms go - you are dating yourself :wink:
I don't know anyone under 30 who has had a perm (or admits to it :smile:)

Either way during Beast - females need to think ahead. Think about days in the field without a shower, doing your hair very quickly in the morning, the best way to keep your hair under control during a potentially very hot, humid summer.
 
Just_A_Mom said:
Either way during Beast - females need to think ahead. Think about days in the field without a shower, doing your hair very quickly in the morning, the best way to keep your hair under control during a potentially very hot, humid summer.
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There are few sure things in life, but very hot, humid summer at West Point is one of those things that is a sure thing.
 
On the topic of hair, my MALO told me that it's mostly a misconception that females NEED to cut their hair short. She advised I don't cut mine, unless I actually have the desire to have a short haircut, regardless of USMA.

But I think everyone has different opinions on it. I don't think I'll be cutting mine, personally, just because it's so curly (My dad is Jewish and my mom is Puerto Rican, and that left me with really crazy hair haha) and I would literally have a fro if I cut it anywhere above my shoulders. I feel like that would be harder to handle than tying it back in a bun.
 
SVG said:
On the topic of hair, my MALO told me that it's mostly a misconception that females NEED to cut their hair short. She advised I don't cut mine, unless I actually have the desire to have a short haircut, regardless of USMA.

But I think everyone has different opinions on it. I don't think I'll be cutting mine, personally, just because it's so curly (My dad is Jewish and my mom is Puerto Rican, and that left me with really crazy hair haha) and I would literally have a fro if I cut it anywhere above my shoulders. I feel like that would be harder to handle than tying it back in a bun.
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You have the same kind of hair as me!! Haha!
 
It's really all personal preference. I know girls here with long and short hair. I have mine cut above the collar and get a haircut about every 6-8 wks. Considering guys have to get hair cuts about every 3 wks, I'd say that's not really an issue. I had long hair and knew I personally would not be able to nor would like keeping it in a bun all the time, so I cut it. I love it and find it easy to take care of. But if you have long hair and can do a nice bun most girls have no problem keeping it long.
 
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