<p>Just curious, but I know that on I-Day males get their heads shaved, but what about after Plebe Summer? What are the hair regulations at the Academy? Are they the same as the Navy regs?</p>
<p>I know that this is a silly question, but it also has to do with hair. I have heard rumors that at USMA you're kind of looked down upon if you shave your head before you enter. Is there much truth to this at any of the Academies? I always keep my head shaved, but I'll grow my hair out a bit to avoid a little grief.</p>
<p>You will have it shaved down to the scalp, anyway. Let the barbers do it there. They (the barbers) like to mention how nice it is before the shear you. You will receive less grief if you do go through the shaving process (that's what my son told me). You will be required to have your hair cut 4 times during plebe summer (not that there is all that much to trim). I would think that the academy does have the same hair regs as the Navy. </p>
<p>Girls generally get their hair cut right before. Many of them grow their hair out, have it cut, and donate it to "Locks of Love" to use to make wigs for children with cancer. If they wait till they get there, the hair goes in with the mass on the floor.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^
Nurseypoo - are girls required to cut their hair at Navy? I believe AFA and WP let them keep it, if they can put it in regulation bun quick enough.</p>
<p>Yes, it must be cut. No buns during Plebe Summer.</p>
<p>It is so horribly humid there (USNA) it's probably better to have it cut, anyway.</p>
<p>We received a notice from USNA in early June that they were participating in 'Locks of Love' on I-Day. So my daughter waited and got it cut that day and her beautiful long hair was donated.</p>
<p>During the summer, she kept it out of her face with barrettes (I think the hairdresser that cut her hair gave them to her). Now that it's getting longer, she has it in a pony tail and can make it into a 'fake' bun. </p>
<p>She hadn't had her hair this short since she was a toddler! She ended up likeing it for the summer, as it was much easier to take care of. I'm curious how long she will let it grow.</p>
<p>It is surprising all the Academies do not have the same policy on girls' hair for Plebe summer.</p>
<p>At AFA my D did not cut her hair but she was the only one in her squad (don't know how many in the whole class got to keep it... it depends on how strict the squad was ...). The others were required to cut it because they didn't get it up within regs quick enough. D had been practicing for months - practice makes perfect! She said they were very tough graders. She is glad she was able to keep it. The others were stuck with a short "bob". D's roommates are dealing with the growing out phase now ...</p>
<p>Yes, it is interesting that each Academy is different. D felt a strong bias to get it cut. Many girls planned on keeping it but were requried to cut it. D said that once she accepted that it just was not going to be clean during BCT she was fine. It was pretty dirty but that helped keep her "fly aways" glued down! (A positive attitude is a great thing, isn't it?!!!)</p>
<p>Soylent,</p>
<p>I've heard the same thing too about shaving your head before I-Day. If you shave your head before I-Day, you will probably stand out from the rest of the Plebes. In this case, I don't think it is a good idea to be the odd man out. If I was a member of the Training Cadre and I saw a kid with his head already shaved, I'd be thinking, "Okay, this kid already thinks he knows everything. I'm going to make darn sure he realizes he doesn't know squat." And I would probably be extra hard on the kid.</p>
<p>Does anyone know the Navy hair regs? I know it is kind of a dumb question.</p>
<p>Another way of looking at this, the NAPS guys are going to have very short hair when they report. Some of them might report with their heads shaved. When our son went from USMAPS to West Point, he and several of his prepster buds shaved their hair before reporting. It saved one station they had to go through and never received any grief about it. What you might want to consider is this, have your hair cut a few weeks before reporting to let your scalp get some sun on it. This will help to prevent sunburn from standing outside for hours on end and if you've ever had sunburn on your scalp you know what I'm talking about.</p>
<p>Good point. I didn't think about NAPS guys.</p>
<p>Womens Hair. Hair on the back of the head may not fall below the upper edge of the back of the collar. In no case shall the bulk of the hair exceed 2 inches. Bulk is defined as the distance that the mass of the hair protrudes from the scalp. A maximum of two barrettes similar to natural hair color are permitted. However, rubber bands and bobby pins are not authorized to keep hair up. It is recommended to have a hair cut that is short and minimizes care due to the high activity level and full schedules. There is little time if any to blow dry or style hair. To facilitate the check-in process you are strongly encouraged to report with hair styles that are within the standards discussed above. Understand that hair standards for academic year are more liberal. All Midshipmen will be processed through Naval Academy barbers shortly after initial check-in. Time in the barber chairs depends on the length of hair on arrival.</p>
<p>Mens Hair and Beards. Midshipmen are required to keep their hair neatly trimmed. Moustaches and beards are not permitted. Haircuts must present an evenly graduated appearance and must be tapered to the skin at the hairline of the sides and the back. The hair must be combed to remain clear of the forehead. In no case may the hair be longer than four inches long or two inches high on top for Midshipmen. Sideburns must be neatly trimmed and may not extend below the middle of the ear, shall be even width (not flared), and must end at a clean-shaven horizontal line. We recommend that you report for induction with your hair cut to Midshipmen standards. All Midshipmen will be processed through Naval Academy barbers shortly after initial check-in.</p>
<p>Thanks GreatAmerican. I figured you would have the answer.</p>
<p>Just to clarify, does that mean that your hair can't be the same length all around (buzz cut) or shaved to the scalp if you so wish? What about 'high and tight'?</p>
<p>I've kept my head shaved to the scalp every day for four years, it's not like I'm trying to get out of the haircut</p>
<p>NAPS actually advises incoming male candidates to get a short, short haircut some weeks before arriving to avoid sunburned scalp. At USNA I-day this year, I saw many shaved or near-shaved heads checking in -- including one girl.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>"High and tight" is fine; most of my boys get "high and tights" at Quantico and they aren't in the military. My son reported to Navy ROTC with a shaved head this past summer. If you report on I-day with an appropriate haircut, you will probably get to skip the barber station.</p>
<p>Yes, you might get to skip the barber station, but a current plebe friend of ours said he enjoyed the barber, because it was the only time all day that he could sit down and relax!</p>
<p>Our S (USNA 2011) had his hair cut to regs 2-3 weeks pre I-Day (asap after graduation as possible), and exposed his head to the sun so he'd be "ready". He still had reg hair for I-Day, and still had to get the requisite shave (and nicks/razor burn around the ears...ugh). Toughening the head was really a pretty moot point, as they wear covers virtually all summer, except for PT, which is early a.m. He had quite the farmer's tan on his arms, however...</p>