Will I have to cut my hair at training? what about after when I'm at the hospital

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I'm about to go to Navy officer training school and then I'll be a Navy nurse. I was told that if it is not collar length it will be cut to that length. Mine is not that long. It is on my shoulders(and even that I am uncomfortable with). Can I put it in a bun instead of having it cut or will they cut my hair? If I have to then I'll defiantly get it cut before I go because with many other girls waiting in line to get their hair cut at training I'm sure whoever is cutting it isn't going to make it even. And what about after training? When I'm working in the hospital will I have to have my hair in a bun, cut to my collar or as can I have it grow out a little past my shoulder and still wear it down?

Also if I get it cut at the appropriate length will they still cut it? Someone told me that the navy will still cut it even if it is at the right length.

What is collar length hair exactlt? Some said it was like an inch above shoulder and then someone told me it was right below the ears *shudders*

Here is the regulations 2011 NSCC/NLCC Uniform Regulations: Chapter 2

I was not in the Navy but in the AF. I went to basic training then a few years after that I went to OTS. The AF allows long hair in a bun/braid while in boot camp. I had long hair (fine and thin) and decided to cut it into a bob before boot camp. At boot camp the Training Instructor commented that it was too long (it may have been a tad below the top of my collar line), but anyways they find anything to yell at you. I did not have to cut it till later when it was needed.

I checked around a few sites and from what I get the Navy does make females cut their hair. Ofcourse, it would be your best interest to do this before boot camp! Just make sure it meets the standards which it does not fall below the bottem portion of the collar line. However to be honest I would cut it above the first collar line just to be safe. Your hair will grow out will you are there.

Thank you for your service. I know you must be nervous! The time goes quick once you get there! Plus it is not like you have alot of down time to think about it anyways.

Specializes in u name it.

All I have to say is, Thank You for serving our country. oh..one more thing.... as far as this post having do to with nursing or not..you are a nurse and you are welcome to ask what you wish concerning your career and practice. I get a little tired of the arrogant rudeness on this forum, always predicated with.. "I DON'T MEAN TO BE RUDE, BUT...". Again, your are a nurse with a concern and we, as nurses, are your sister and brothers. Be safe and God Speed.

Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
here is the regulations 2011 nscc/nlcc uniform regulations: chapter 2........... i checked around a few sites and from what i get the navy does make females cut their hair. ofcourse, it would be your best interest to do this before boot camp! just make sure it meets the standards which it does not fall below the bottem portion of the collar line. however to be honest i would cut it above the first collar line just to be safe. your hair will grow out will you are there.

i'm confused... you posted the regulations, which say that long hair is allowed (long hair, including braids, which fall below the lower edge of the collar shall be neatly and inconspicuously fastened, pinned, or secured to the head.), and then later on you state that hair-cutting is required?

i'm confused... you posted the regulations, which say that long hair is allowed (long hair, including braids, which fall below the lower edge of the collar shall be neatly and inconspicuously fastened, pinned, or secured to the head.), and then later on you state that hair-cutting is required?

http://www.allmilitary.com/tips/basictraining/tenthingstoexpect.html

yeah the navy makes females cut their hair at basic training. long hair is allowed in the regulations but for some unknown reason the navy females have their hair cut at basic training. this is stated by many on different discussion forums. i am confused myself why it is permitted but practiced differently in boot camp. i don't know why this is done but many different females have posted this in discussion forums. here is an example from a respectable website.

10 things to expect in basic training---allmilitary.com[h=1]ten things to expect in basic training:[/h]

  1. [h=2][/h][h=2]expect stress[/h]everything is going to be a big deal to your drill sergeant and everyone around is going to be stressed. don't make it personal. while being able to learn from what you are told, also be able to let it roll of your back. you will become too stressed if you take everything personal.expect sleep deprivation
  2. [h=2]expect sleep deprivation[/h]your days will be planned down to the minute, with little time for sleep or rest. if you are not a morning person, try getting up very early for a few weeks before basic training to get your body used to a new sleep cycle.
  3. [h=2]expect to fail[/h]no matter how hard you try or how well you do, you are going to fail. when a fellow recruit fails, you fail. do not get angry when others fail. there will be a time when you fail also. both times, you are responsible.
  4. [h=2]expect to get sick[/h]you will be going through physical, mental, and emotional stress and the lack of sleep will cause your immune system to break down. whether a cold or the flu it is more than likely that you will become sick in basic training.
  5. [h=2]expect homesickness[/h]suspecting that you like your family and friends, you will miss loved ones at home. while there is no real fix for this, pre-address and stamp letters before going to basic. in the small amount of time you have to write letters to loved ones you do not want to use it addressing the envelope. encourage correspondence from home also.
  6. [h=2]expect to be yelled at[/h]if you are late, expect to be yelled at. if someone else is late, expect to be yelled at. if you mess up, expect to be yelled at. if you breathe too loudly, expect to be yelled at. if your hair is the drill sergeant's least favorite color, expect to be yelled at. you get the point.
  7. [h=2]expect push-ups[/h]for every situation you are yelled at, it is equally as likely you will be doing push-ups.
  8. [h=2]expect three square meals[/h]american's have dutifully perfected the art of snacking. snacking is not a habit anymore, but an addiction. in basic training, there is no snacking. there are three meals everyday. besides water, that is it. that might sounds like a piece of cake, but it is more difficult than you think. if your drill sergeant finds a candy bar, refer to number seven, and expect push-ups
  9. [h=2]expect to be deployed[/h]despite what someone told you about certain enlisted jobs not being deployed, more than likely that's not true. deployment is what you are in training for.
  10. [h=2]expect haircuts[/h]women (and men) in navy basic training are required to have hair that does not touch the collars of their uniforms.



Specializes in CNOR.

There is a difference between enlisted boot camp and Officer Development School.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

"Basic training" is not the same thing that officers attend, generally speaking ... and I would bet that nurses joining the Navy do NOT have to cut their hair for ODS.

"Basic training" is not the same thing that officers attend, generally speaking ... and I would bet that nurses joining the Navy do NOT have to cut their hair for ODS.

Precisely. Working with the Navy at the new Walter Reed/Bethesda, I can guarantee you that females do not cut their hair at officer training.

10 things to expect in basic training---allmilitary.com

yeah the navy makes females cut their hair at basic training. long hair is allowed in the regulations but for some unknown reason the navy females have their hair cut at basic training. this is stated by many on different discussion forums. i am confused myself why it is permitted but practiced differently in boot camp. i don't know why this is done but many different females have posted this in discussion forums. here is an example from a respectable website.

10 things to expect in basic training---allmilitary.com[h=1]ten things to expect in basic training:[/h]

  1. [h=2][/h][h=2]expect stress[/h]everything is going to be a big deal to your drill sergeant and everyone around is going to be stressed. don't make it personal. while being able to learn from what you are told, also be able to let it roll of your back. you will become too stressed if you take everything personal.expect sleep deprivation
  2. [h=2]expect sleep deprivation[/h]your days will be planned down to the minute, with little time for sleep or rest. if you are not a morning person, try getting up very early for a few weeks before basic training to get your body used to a new sleep cycle.
  3. [h=2]expect to fail[/h]no matter how hard you try or how well you do, you are going to fail. when a fellow recruit fails, you fail. do not get angry when others fail. there will be a time when you fail also. both times, you are responsible.
  4. [h=2]expect to get sick[/h]you will be going through physical, mental, and emotional stress and the lack of sleep will cause your immune system to break down. whether a cold or the flu it is more than likely that you will become sick in basic training.
  5. [h=2]expect homesickness[/h]suspecting that you like your family and friends, you will miss loved ones at home. while there is no real fix for this, pre-address and stamp letters before going to basic. in the small amount of time you have to write letters to loved ones you do not want to use it addressing the envelope. encourage correspondence from home also.
  6. [h=2]expect to be yelled at[/h]if you are late, expect to be yelled at. if someone else is late, expect to be yelled at. if you mess up, expect to be yelled at. if you breathe too loudly, expect to be yelled at. if your hair is the drill sergeant's least favorite color, expect to be yelled at. you get the point.
  7. [h=2]expect push-ups[/h]for every situation you are yelled at, it is equally as likely you will be doing push-ups.
  8. [h=2]expect three square meals[/h]american's have dutifully perfected the art of snacking. snacking is not a habit anymore, but an addiction. in basic training, there is no snacking. there are three meals everyday. besides water, that is it. that might sounds like a piece of cake, but it is more difficult than you think. if your drill sergeant finds a candy bar, refer to number seven, and expect push-ups
  9. [h=2]expect to be deployed[/h]despite what someone told you about certain enlisted jobs not being deployed, more than likely that's not true. deployment is what you are in training for.
  10. [h=2]expect haircuts[/h]women (and men) in navy basic training are required to have hair that does not touch the collars of their uniforms.



sorry the discussion forums i was referencing about female haircuts in the navy just mentioned basic training and ocs. did not realize there was the ods.

yes i just realize now i posted basic training (had a brain lapse). i promise you i do realize the difference because i did go to both a few years back. i did miss the mark and thanks for bringing to my attention.

sorry op that i misled you!

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