Cutting It Short

I’m going to the Navy early in 09 and I would like to know about the haircut policy?

I’m a African American female and I thought that the rule was that your hair had to be above the collar and that’s all. But recently a women (I believe that she’s a Navy officer’s wife) told me that that was not the case because of my race. I was told that my hair would be cut into a short “afro” and that I was not allowed to wear any wear any type of braids or “weaves”. My natural hair is already cut into a short style (just a lil below my chin). So what is the TRUE haircut policy? And why is it applied differently to different races???

This is from the Navy Uniform Regulations
“2101. GENERAL INFORMATION
“1. GENERAL. The primary consideration is to have a neatly groomed appearance while wearing naval uniforms. Grooming standards are based on several elements including neatness, cleanliness, safety, military image and appearance. The standards established here are not intended to be overly restrictive nor are they designed to isolate Navy personnel from society. The limits set forth are reasonable, enforceable, and insure that personal appearance contributes to a favorable military image. The difference between men’s and women’s grooming policies recognizes the difference between the sexes; sideburns for men, different hairstyles and cosmetics for women. Establishing identical grooming and personal appearance standards for men and women would not be in the Navy’s best interest and is not a factor in the assurance of equal opportunity. ”

“2201. PERSONAL APPEARANCE. Because it is impossible to provide examples of every appropriate or unacceptable hairstyle or of “conservative” or “eccentric” grooming and personal appearance, the good judgment of leaders at all levels is key to enforcement of Navy grooming policy. Therefore, hair/grooming/personal appearance while in uniform shall present a neat, professional appearance.

“1. HAIR
“b. Women. Hairstyles shall not be outrageously multicolored or faddish, to include shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline), or have designs cut or braided into the hair. Hair coloring must look natural and complement the individual. Haircuts and styles shall present a balanced appearance. Lopsided and extremely asymmetrical styles are not authorized. Ponytails, pigtails, widely spaced individual hanging locks, and braids which protrude from the head, are not authorized. Multiple braids are authorized. Braided hairstyles shall be conservative and conform to the guidelines listed herein. When a hairstyle of multiple braids is worn, braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx. 1/4 inch), and tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional, well groomed appearance. Foreign material (i.e., beads, decorative items) shall not be braided into the hair. Short hair may be braided in symmetrical fore and aft rows (corn rowing) which minimize scalp exposure. Corn row ends shall not protrude from the head, and shall be secured only with inconspicuous rubber bands that match the color of the hair. Appropriateness of a hairstyle shall also be judged by its appearance when headgear is worn. All headgear shall fit snugly and comfortably around the largest part of the head without distortion or excessive gaps. Hair shall not show from under the front of the brim of the combination hat, garrison, or command ball caps. Hairstyles which do not allow headgear to be worn in this manner, or which interfere with the proper wear of protective masks or equipment are prohibited. When in uniform, the hair may touch, but not fall below a horizontal line level with the lower edge of the back of the collar. With jumper uniforms, hair may extend a maximum of 1-1/2 inches below the top of the jumper collar. Long hair, including braids, which fall below the lower edge of the collar shall be neatly and inconspicuously fastened, pinned, or secured to the head. No portion of the bulk of the hair as measured from the scalp will exceed approximately 2 inches.

refers. A maximum of two small barrettes/combs/ clips, similar to hair color, may be used in the hair. Additional bobby pins or rubber bands matching hair color may be used to hold hair in place, if necessary. Fabric elastics and colored rubber bands/pins are not authorized. Hair ornaments shall not present a safety or FOD (Foreign Object Damage) hazard. Hair nets shall not be worn unless authorized for a specific type of duty. ”

Here’s the deal. They cut your hair in boot camp for two reasons. First it’s health. Some people are just slobs and cutting the hair — long and unkempt hair — can minimize the introduction of critters.

The other reason is because hair can be an individuality thing. One of the main thrusts of boot camp is to make you quit thinking like Suzy Smithers and start thinking like Recruit Smithers, USN. You are no longer an individual. You’re part of a team. It doesn’t make any difference what color your skin is. It doesn’t make any difference what country your great grandfather came from. It doesn’t make any difference if you’re first generation American or tenth generation American. It doesn’t make any difference if your forefathers were brought here in chains, or whether they were escaping the long arm of the law, whether they arrived longing to be free or arriving under a cloud of indentured servitude. In a few weeks you will learn to be not an African American, or Chinese American, or a European American, or any other “kind” of American. You’ll simply be an American… and one who happens to be in Navy Boot Camp. And as an American in Navy Boot Camp, you’ll get your hair cut the way the Navy wants to cut your hair… not the way you would like to have it cut. When you get out in the fleet you can let it grow and mess with it per the above regulations.

Since they have more than just one or two recruits to process, they don’t have the time to run a beauty salon. Stuff is done rather in assembly-line fashion.

I was in for 25 years. In my line of work I liked a short hair cut. It was cool. It was easy to keep looking neat. Never had a problem in Boot Camp or later in OCS. After that, the fleet was easy.

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