Long Hair and the Army!

[Louis]

I have recently joined the Territorial Army medical corp and I have been informed that I have to shave off my beard and cut my long hair! As it is only a part time commitment, unless I am called up to the front line of a war, why do I have to do this? I am willing to cut my hair if I am required to go to war, but I can't understand why I am required to do so now, esp as the female soldiers are allowed to have long hair!

[tartanwiz]

At weekends you are in the army, so you have to play the game and look like a soldier while you are in the army's time. If it was physically possible to grow your hair long during the week then cut it short at weekends, that would be fine, but you can't, so you'll just have to keep it short, soldier. And get those boots polished!

[Louis]

Thank you Tartanwiz, but not very informative as it doesn't answer my question which is why I have to cut my hair short and shave my beard! Seeing as how female recruits are not required to cut their hair short! My beard and long hair are part of my identity! I am fine with tying my hair back at the weekends so that it does not interfere! But I can't understand how an army who claim to be 'Modern' can be so backward!

[tartanwiz]

This issue has been around since the late 1960s. The answer the army give is that it looks more orderly to see an army in the same uniform and with the same regulation haircut. Private expression is not encouraged in the army. No offence, but if you don't like it, why did you join?

[Louis]

So why then are female recruits not included in the same regulations? No offence taken, I had joined before they informed me that I had to cut my hair and shave my beard! Which I must add is generally always trimmed neatly and my hair tidy! I am just searching for a valid reasoning! The Dutch Army allow Male Squadies to have long hair! What about those who have long hair and/or beards for religious reasons? (I am still concerned about the sexism here!)

[Pinotage]

What everyone else has said. It doesn't have to make sense; its the rules of the club. On news (why did you post this twice?) you ask why you shouldn't question rules. But you want to be in an organisation that requires unquestioning obedience. So whether its 'shave your beard' or 'charge that enemy machine gun' the answer is 'yes sir'.

I guess they want clean shaven to fit gas masks and anti bio warfare suits.

Why are women treated differently? Simple. Men will join even if it means they get their heads shaved; women won't.

If enough men stop joining because of heair cuts the rules wil no doubt change.

So, if you want to join the club, accept the rules.

If not, what about St John Ambulance? They have a smart uniform andyou getto see sports matches and concerts.

[smudge]

What exactly is your problem Louis? If you want to be a true medical soldier, just do as you have been asked, then get on with the job! You 'are' male so stop comparing & if you don't like the heat get out of the kitchen!

[tartanwiz]

Short back and sides is tradition, old boy. If we question tradition, the bally British army's done for!

[Louis]

I never expressed a problem! I asked a question that I was looking for an answer too! Good point on the gas masks, Pinotage...I understand the beard shaving now! :) As for "If you want to be a true medical soldier" A true medical soldier I can be with long hair or short hair! If your gonna answer, follow Tartanwiz or Pinotage's stance, and at least answer with a semi-plausable reply! in regard to "You 'are' male so stop comparing" what are ye on about! Talk sense! You are the reason that sexism exists....I bet you'll be claiming that Woman and Men are different so they don't need to be paid the same in other jobs or the like! Eejit! Thanks to all you who gave good responses! Peace!

[smudge]

Eejit eh! I wonder how I managed to have a very successful career & survive working with men & women all these years, being an Eejit. Oh by the way, where will I find the word Eejit in the English dictionary - I must look it up? Get a life you sad person!

[smudge]

Yes Pinotage, 'if you want to join the club - accept the rules' & tartanwiz,'if you don't like it, why did you join' are my sentiments entirely. Whinge, whinge whinge!

[bernardo]

If you think that you are ever going to get a proper logical reason (apart from an arbitrary "you must obey the rules" attitude) then unfortunately you will be waiting a long time. You will just have to decide whether you want to make the sacrifice of cutting hair short, or not being in the TA at all - they just won't allow it both ways.

[smudge]

Thank you bernardo, got it in one!

[chriz]

They let women wear beards? How unorthodox!!

[merrick]

There is a simple reason that you have to do what you are told - you are clearly not very intelligent. The army was formed for not very bright people to be used as cannon fodder and so the rules were made accordingly. You joined the TA so you will have a haircut so you will get shot and no-one will care... so what? There are plenty of other jobs you could have gone for aren't there? (or maybe not) If you join the (toy) army you become a mere plaything for Blair, and therefore Bush so you deserve anything you get.