Hair removal In military institutions

Hair removal In military institutions
A close-cropped or completely shaven haircut is common in military organizations. In field environments, soldiers are susceptible to infestation of lice, ticks, and fleas. Also, due to hectic operations schedules, time allowed for personal hygiene and grooming is highly curtailed or even absent. Some have also noted that the practice of head-shaving serves to remove exterior signs of individual identity, which can be helpful in the process of cultivating a team-oriented environment. In many militaries, head-shaving is mandatory for males upon induction training. However, even after the initial recruitment phase, when head-shaving is no longer required, many soldiers maintain a completely or partially shaven hairstyle (such as a "high and tight", "flattop" or "buzz cut") for personal convenience and an exterior symbol of military solidarity. Head-shaving is not required of females in military service, although they must have their hair cut or tied to regulation length.

In one dramatic scene in the movie "G.I. Jane", Lt Jordan O'Neill (Demi Moore), who is determined to get into an elite commando unit, sneaks into the base barbershop after hours and shears off her thick black hair with an electric clipper, then shaves her head completely bald. This is apparently to show her determination to face any challenge that male commando-trainees must face; it is also a mark of solidarity with the group she wants to join. She is explicitly giving up any expectation of chivalrous treatment by men.

Many military organizations also require males to maintain clean-shaven faces because facial hair can prevent an air-tight seal between the face and breathing or safety equipment, such as a pilot's oxygen mask, a diver's mask, or a soldier's gas mask. However, the concerns of personal hygiene apply as above. The face-mask argument is questionable, because most military organizations place a high value on conformity and are capable of rationalization to justify rules that outsiders might be tempted to question. One must remember that military regulations are not immune to fashion: In the American Civil War, many generals wore beards, some rather long. In the wars of the early 20th Century, soldiers, sailors, and airmen were all short-haired and clean-shaven, but were allowed a restrained mustache. After the Vietnam War, U.S. Navy regulations allowed neatly-trimmed beards on officers. The new uniform rules are generally attributed to Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, who was CNO after the Vietnam War, who implemented new rules to make the Navy more humane and equitable, racially, sexually, and otherwise.
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