Military hair :s

[IndigoOptimist]

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 :p) 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]

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

[auburntressed]

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]

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/lifeintheraf/socialising.cfm

[barely.there]

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]

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]

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

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

[Tisiloves]

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]

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.

[Bagginslover]

http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/applicationzone/index.cfm
This page has an 'email your question' link ;)

[hototogisu]

My mother was an officer in the RAAF, and for the majority of my childhood she had thick, waist-length hair. She always, always wore it in a braided bun when she was in uniform. You can actually find tutorials for the military bun (http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Military-Bun) online. Good luck!

[jesis]

From what I learned when I was thinking about joining the Navy, the Navy is the only branch of the military that currently requires women to cut their hair.

One of the few reasons I decided not to join...

[longcurlygirl<3]

try some quikbuns, people in the military use them, : http://www.qwikbuns.com/www.qwikbuns.com/Home.html

[Carissamarie08]

Hey I am in the military ask me questions:) I wear my hair in a bun..cant have any hair touching your collar

[julya]

I had to cut my hair during basic training for the US Navy. Length needed to be 2 inches from the scalp or less, so pretty short. You can grow it out after training ends, as long as you keep it off your collar. I used to use a lot of gel!

[IndigoOptimist]

Thanks guys :) I've asked about it and as long as it's in a bun at all times that you are in uniform it is ok. However it does have to be SUPER neat and tidy :s If it too me too long to do I think I'd just lop the lot off.... I'd just like to be able to grow it out for a bit :)

[PurplePenguin]

I'm glad you have found the answer to your question. Please make sure you really give this military stuff a thorough thinking. A lot of people don't think that they will be deployed to a war zone but its a very real possibility these days, even for a photographer. I'm not saying that the military is a bad choice, I think it's the greatest job in the world from my own experience. It's just not for everyone.

As for the comments about the inequality of the military - the main goal of the dress code of the military is for men to look like men and women to look like women. Both should look well kept and reflect upon the military in a positive way. Now we here on LHC know that a man can look good with a beard and long hair but the military hasn't quite caught up with the times. Its a very long standing tradition that won't change for a long time if ever.

[PurplePenguin]

Oh I forgot to add - I knew a couple of women who had classic length hair that they were able to take care of and keep throughout their military career. Its a little harder to do but its possible. Sock buns will be your best friends and a mega hold gel or hair spray will help greatly. Bobby pins will also help immensely. I don't know about the UK policies but here we have to match our hair accessories with our hair color.

[IndigoOptimist]

I'm glad you have found the answer to your question. Please make sure you really give this military stuff a thorough thinking. A lot of people don't think that they will be deployed to a war zone but its a very real possibility these days, even for a photographer. I'm not saying that the military is a bad choice, I think it's the greatest job in the world from my own experience. It's just not for everyone.

As for the comments about the inequality of the military - the main goal of the dress code of the military is for men to look like men and women to look like women. Both should look well kept and reflect upon the military in a positive way. Now we here on LHC know that a man can look good with a beard and long hair but the military hasn't quite caught up with the times. Its a very long standing tradition that won't change for a long time if ever.

I will give it a think, but I'm not worried about ending up near the front line. In fact that's partly why I want to do this for a bit, I know that in uni I won't get any experience like it and as I want to be a photojournalist I think it will help if I've been in a war zone before.
The British military are very good, I believe we've only lost around 1000 troupes in the last 10 years, which although tragic, isn't that high when you compare it to how many troupes we have. But I am aware that there is a chance I could die or be severely injured.

[Shaun]

Now we here on LHC know that a man can look good with a beard and long hair but the military hasn't quite caught up with the times. Its a very long standing tradition that won't change for a long time if ever.

Its not actually that. Rather, prior to WWI, men use to have long hair and beards in the military. Ironically, it was the trench warfare and lice that caused buzz cuts to become the norm. The style persisted through the war and never really changed afterwards, hence becoming the norm we have now...
http://www.generalsandbrevets.com/ngr/reynoldsj500ad.JPG
Major General Ulysses S. Grant (the same guy on the $50)
http://dmn.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Maj-Gen-Ulysses-S-Grant.jpg