Military hair :s

**IndigoOptimist** · April 10th, 2012, 04:56 AM

I'm thinking about joining the RAF as a photographer as an alternative to uni (because you make lots of money instead of loose it

) but I'm worried they're gunna make me cut my hair... or at least keep it the length it is now.
I know my hair's not that long, but I like it and want to keep on growing it

I've tried to research it and I can't find much, all I could find of one woman's account of liking her hair short because she could go to bed and the other women had to stay up for hours making sure their hair was perfect... I know it's a stupid reason not to do something that could be really cool, but I've been trying to grow my hair for years and every time I start to get somewhere I end up cutting it.

There we go, I just needed to vent (my boyfriend doesn't understand, he thinks my hair is very long as it is bless him)

**Bagginslover** · April 10th, 2012, 06:05 AM

Why don't you phone or email your local recruitment office? They would be able to tell you hair requirements.

**auburntressed** · April 10th, 2012, 06:10 AM

My roommate is currently in the process of enlisting in the Army. Her recruiter told her that she was not required to cut her hair as long as she can keep it in a neat bun at the nape of her neck at all times that she is in uniform. That was personally surprising to me, but a HUGE relief to her.

I am not 100% sure if men are still required to get buzzed, but if they are, then that is freaking gender discrimination. Because we are women, we get to keep our hair? What like... do they think it harms women emotionally more than it harms men to get a chop? Pfft.

Anyways, the good news is that you are unlikely to have to cut. Invest in some spin pins, and they'll hold your hair in a bun all through the most rigorous exercises.

ETA: My roommate has hip length hair, and the recruiter didn't think that was any worse than shoulder - as long as it goes in a bun, it's fine.

ETA2: LOL... sorry about that. I didn't notice you are not in the US, and so the requirements are different. Yeah, call the recruitment office to ask.

**Othala** · April 10th, 2012, 06:12 AM

Long hair does not seem to be an issue for women in the RAF.

Look at this video, for example, from the RAF website. The women speaking on it has an updo so her hair is probably longer than yours is at the moment. There are other images of women on the RAF website with longer than shoulder-length hair:

http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/lifein...ocialising.cfm

**barely.there** · April 10th, 2012, 07:37 AM

you would definetly want to call and ask for requirements. when I was in cadets (yeah I know its different than the army.) the lady in charge of our..uhm...group? (lol i suck at this its was years ago) . yeah anyways. head big boss lady, she had super long hair down to her bum. maybe slightly past. she'd do one braid all the way down and then secure it in a form of a bun. I also had longish hair (APL?) and there was a standard hairstyle for buns that we had to abide by.

just call.

**Anlbe** · April 10th, 2012, 07:46 AM

No, you don't have to cut your hair when join any of the military services in the UK. Shoulder length hair is the norm because it's easier to keep in a firm neat bun. If it comes down or any hair excapes you will be yelled at - alot. I know sock buns are a popular choice.

**Amazinggrace** · April 10th, 2012, 07:46 AM

If you haven't already looked, this site may help.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/

**Tisiloves** · April 10th, 2012, 07:53 AM

Invest in some hairnets/bun covers, that should keep your bun pretty solid. But generally as long as it's bunnable you should be fine.

**holothuroidea** · April 10th, 2012, 08:10 AM

When I was in USAF ROTC the rules were that women in uniform were allowed to have any length of hair as long as it was all contained in a bun at the nape of the neck. In fact, anything longer than a buzz cut that couldn't go in a bun was highly frowned upon, so it's better to have longer hair. It might be different in the RAF, though.

Yes, it is gender discrimination. Women are allowed more freedom in uniform and it's not fair. They have more options for skirts/pants, shoes and jewelry. I think they should either grant men equal freedom or make "men's" dress standard for both genders.