Bootcamp questions

[pld5zf]

I was told that you have to have your hair above the collar. Will anything be able to be done with your hair. I happen to have curly hair so when its freshly washed the curls fall at my collar.

Also will I be allowed to braid my hair or wear pony tails or anything?

[lemonelephant]

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/support/uniforms/uniformregul...

b. Women. Hairstyles shall not be outrageously multicolored or faddish, to include shaved portions of the scalp (other than the neckline), or have designs cut or braided into the hair. Hair coloring must look natural and complement the individual. Haircuts and styles shall present a balanced appearance. Lopsided and extremely asymmetrical styles are not authorized. Ponytails, pigtails, widely spaced individual hanging locks, and braids which protrude from the head, are not authorized. Multiple braids are authorized. Braided hairstyles shall be conservative and conform to the guidelines listed herein. When a hairstyle of multiple braids is worn, braids shall be of uniform dimension, small in diameter (approx. 1/4 inch), and tightly interwoven to present a neat, professional, well groomed appearance. Foreign material (i.e., beads, decorative items) shall not be braided into the hair. Short hair may be braided in symmetrical fore and aft rows (corn rowing) which minimize scalp exposure. Corn row ends shall not protrude from the head, and shall be secured only with inconspicuous rubber bands that match the color of the hair. Appropriateness of a hairstyle shall also be judged by its appearance when headgear is worn. All headgear shall fit snugly and comfortably around the largest part of the head without distortion or excessive gaps. Hair shall not show from under the front of the brim of the combination hat, garrison, or command ball caps. Hairstyles which do not allow headgear to be worn in this manner, or which interfere with the proper wear of protective masks or equipment are prohibited. When in uniform, the hair may touch, but not fall below a horizontal line level with the lower edge of the back of the collar. With jumper uniforms, hair may extend a maximum of 1-1/2 inches below the top of the jumper collar. 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. No portion of the bulk of the hair as measured from the scalp will exceed approximately 2 inches. Figure 2-2-2 refers. A maximum of two small barrettes/combs/ clips, similar to hair color, may be used in the hair. Additional bobby pins or rubber bands matching hair color may be used to hold hair in place, if necessary. Fabric elastics and colored rubber bands/pins are not authorized. Hair ornaments shall not present a safety or FOD (Foreign Object Damage) hazard. Hair nets shall not be worn unless authorized for a specific type of duty.

[pld5zf]

ok. thank you. I was thinking about just chopping off every dead end and not caring since it has to come off anyways. It wont make my hair that much shorter but i know that it will more than likely be ok for the two months.

I know we dont get a blow dryer or any chemicals for our hair other than shampoo, but what about those with the natural curly hair. I require a blow dryer and flat iron to straighten my hair and if they dont allow us to have those Im sure they are not going to be sticklers for straight hair are they?

[pld5zf]

thanks, I read that already. I was needing some clarification a little more in depth but I found the answer. Thanks for trying.. j/k :-)

[nakeiaHMRTC9/6/2011]

I have the same question too. I know I'm going to cut my hair, and I know that they don't have a probably with curly hair. I'm just not excited for my frizziness that happens when my hair doesn't have anything in it. Do you know if we get conditioner in boot camp bc if so I'll be totally fine. If not, I won't be able to fit the hat on my head lol.

[pld5zf]

I think our hair is the same. I live in stl so I'm used to the Midwest temp swings but I have to put some kind of maintaining products in my hair to make sure its a little manageable.

Are we able to wear ponytails?

[Angie]

Attention to detail! Have you read the whole post this was answered already.

[nakeiaHMRTC9/6/2011]

No we aren't allowed to have hair ties or anything. Well not in the beginning, I think we might be able to use like bobby pins later bc I saw a girl in one of the videos had one, but she was going to graduate. And I totally understand the temp swings. I actually live 30 mins from Great Lakes, and I'm not necessarily worried about the weather.

[ChrisAmo]

Like Emma says, go to your local Supercuts or whatever and get it cut short right before you leave. You won't have time to mess with blow dryers etc. (even if they allowed them) at boot camp. Get it thinned out so it's more manageable. Trying to style your hair in boot camp is a lost cause. Just do whatever you need to do ahead of time Hair is just hair, it'll grow back and later you can spend more time on it.

[Angie]

ALL women will have short hair!  No hairdryers, no straighteners, no chemicals, only the shampoo that is at the NEX (what ever you bring will be sent home).  As far as the corn rolls or braids, that is up to the RDC's and your division has to EARN it!

 

 

[nakeiaHMRTC9/6/2011]

I'm not sure if you are meaning to come off as a little mean, but that is the way it is coming off to me. From my research of the topic, what you are saying is certainly true. I was just wondering if we get conditioner, or if we get to buy it from the NEX at a later time. In my civilian mind, shampoo goes along with conditioner. I am ready to have short hair, I would cut it now, but it would grow back before I would need to leave for bootcamp. Also, I haven't straighten my hair in quite sometime it's too much of a hassle. And I don't want to risk going with braids or cornrows in the case they aren't accepted and I get a buzz cut because of it. My only problem is my hair is curly and without anything in it it becomes super dry and afros. Afros means a difficult time with having on a hat. I don't have any chemicals in my hair so it won't lay down nicely, with out some type of moisterizer. Even if we get lotion, I will be totally fine.

[lemonelephant]

Angie is a chief and she tells it like it is.  She is not being mean, she is letting you know up front how things are.  From research, I have seen that some with your type of hair have been permitted to do the braids from early on and others were not, so I would not plan on it.  I have also heard of young women who bought conditioner at the NEX and others who were not permitted to have it until near PIR.  I am not sure why the RDC's are not consistent in this or maybe it was that one division had a better attitude over another one and earned the privilege to have it.  So check your attitude and remember that on here and while at BC.

[nakeiaHMRTC9/6/2011]

I'm truly sorry if I at all came off with an attitude. I guess with things being in written and not being said it can come off that way. What I said wasn't meant to be snotty, with this being a family website and someone asking for advice, I guess I expected that it would be more of a community feeling and things would come off in a more of a nice and helpful tone of writing. And I meant no harm in my comment, and thank you for letting me know how I was coming off. And as you can see with the inconsistency in RTC, it is no wonder we are confused about the more specifics. Thank you for the info it was truly helpful, and I hope that is the case. But if not, it'll all work out in the end.